HTC Desire U Ultimate Specs Pricing Features & More

Network

The HTC Desire U was equipped with GSM/HSPA technology, making it compatible with both 2G and 3G networks. The 2G bands supported include GSM 900/1800/1900 for both SIM 1 and SIM 2. For 3G, it supported HSDPA 900/2100 bands. Users could enjoy network speeds of up to HSPA, which was considered adequate for general browsing and data usage during its time of release.

Launch

Announced in January 2013 and released in June of the same year, the HTC Desire U marked its entry as a budget-friendly smartphone. It was eventually discontinued, in line with the quick evolution of smartphone technology that year. Despite its discontinuation, the device remains a point of interest for those examining the evolution of Android-based devices over the past decade.

Body

The dimensions of the HTC Desire U were 118.5 x 62.3 x 9.3 mm, making it a compact device easy to handle with one hand. With a weight of just 114 grams, it was relatively lightweight, providing ease of portability. The phone supported a dual SIM configuration (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by), a feature that was particularly attractive to users managing two phone numbers, either for business and personal use or for local and international SIM cards.

Display

The device featured a 4.0-inch Super LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in approximately 233 ppi density. While not groundbreaking, the display was adequate for the budget segment, offering decent color reproduction and viewing angles for the era. The screen-to-body ratio was about 61.7%, reflecting the design standards of the time which focused less on maximizing screen real estate compared to modern smartphones.

Platform

Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the HTC Desire U provided users with access to a wide range of apps available on the Google Play Store. The operating system was coupled with a 1.0 GHz CPU which served basic tasks efficiently. Performance expectations were modest given the hardware limitations, but the device managed to deliver sufficient functionality for everyday applications like calling, messaging, and basic browsing.

Memory

The phone came with 4GB of internal storage and 512MB of RAM. To accommodate users’ needs for more storage space, it featured a dedicated microSDHC slot that allowed expansion. As is typical with devices at the lower end of the market, storage management was a task users frequently had to address, especially when dealing with larger apps or media files.

Main Camera

Equipped with a single 5 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and LED flash, the HTC Desire U was capable of capturing photos and videos at w480p@30fps. While the imaging capabilities were basic, they provided adequate means for casual photography and video capture, a standard acceptable for smartphones in its price range during that period.

Selfie Camera

The HTC Desire U did not include a dedicated selfie camera, a feature which was not uncommon for entry-level smartphones released at that time. However, this could be seen as a limitation given the increasing popularity of selfies in modern usage.

Sound

The device featured a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing users versatility in audio playback through either speaker or headphones. These features were standard at the time, making media consumption on the device practical and flexible.

Comms

In terms of connectivity, the HTC Desire U supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and could function as a hotspot, allowing other devices to connect to the internet via its mobile data. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and aptX ensured ease of wireless connectivity with other devices. It's important to note that the device lacked positioning technology (like GPS or similar) and did not feature an FM radio, factors that could influence user experience based on personal preferences.

Battery

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery. Although modest by today's standards, this battery capacity provided adequate power for the HTC Desire U, allowing it to run through a typical day under light to moderate usage. The benefit of a removable battery meant users could carry spare batteries and easily replace them when needed, a feature valued by many consumers at the time.

Miscellaneous

The HTC Desire U was available in three colors: white, black, and orange. It offered a specific SAR value of 1.31 W/kg for the head and 0.96 W/kg for the body, adhering to safety standards of its time. Priced at approximately 150 EUR, it targeted entry-level consumers seeking an affordable yet functional smartphone.