HTC Explorer Specs Pricing & Insights

Overview of HTC Explorer

The HTC Explorer, released in October 2011, was a budget smartphone aimed at providing essential smartphone features in a compact and affordable package. Despite being discontinued, the Explorer left a mark as one of HTC's efforts to capture the entry-level market during a time when high-end phones dominated the headlines. In this article, we’ll delve into the various aspects of the HTC Explorer, examining its specifications, design, performance, and more.

Design and Build

The HTC Explorer was designed with portability and durability in mind. Measuring 102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9 mm and weighing 108 grams, it was comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. The phone featured a plastic body that was available in several colors, such as Active Black, Active Navy, Metallic Black, and Metallic Navy, giving users some choice to suit their personal style.

The design incorporated a mini-SIM card slot and a removable back to access the battery and microSDHC card slot. Although the phone had a modest design compared to higher-end models at the time, its sturdiness and ergonomics were appreciated by users who wanted a simple yet functional device.

Display

The HTC Explorer featured a 3.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, translating to approximately a 180 ppi pixel density. While the screen size and resolution might seem low by modern standards, it was quite adequate for the phone's competitive price point at the time. The display was capable of showing 256K colors, which was sufficient for basic multimedia consumption and everyday usage.

The contrast ratio was nominally 755:1, providing decent clarity for viewing photos, web browsing, or using apps. Although the screen's performance was not exceptional, it served its purpose well for an entry-level device.

Performance and Software

The HTC Explorer was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 600 MHz Cortex-A5 CPU and Adreno 200 GPU. This combination provided just enough processing power to handle basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light app usage. However, the modest specs meant that the Explorer was not suitable for gaming or intensive applications.

The device ran on Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC's Sense UI 3.5, which added a layer of customization and additional features to the stock Android experience. The interface was user-friendly and intuitive, allowing users to navigate the phone's features easily.

Memory and Storage

With 512MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage, the HTC Explorer was limited in terms of multitasking capabilities and internal storage space. However, the presence of a dedicated microSDHC card slot meant users could expand storage by up to 32GB, which was essential for those who wanted to store more apps, music, and photos.

This expansion capability made the Explorer more versatile for users who required additional storage for their multimedia needs, despite its initial limitations.

Camera

The HTC Explorer was equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera capable of recording video at 480p. As a budget phone, its camera was basic and best suited for casual photography rather than professional or high-quality images. The absence of a front-facing camera also meant that the Explorer was not ideal for selfies or video calls, a feature that was becoming increasingly popular at the time.

The camera's simplicity and limited features were acknowledged but accepted by users looking for a straightforward device without the bells and whistles of premium phones.

Battery Life

The phone housed a removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery, which was sufficient for the Explorer’s low-power requirements. On standby, the battery could last up to 485 hours on 2G and 445 hours on 3G networks. Talk time was around 7 hours and 40 minutes on 2G and 7 hours and 33 minutes on 3G, reflecting the phone's capability to last through a typical day of moderate usage.

The provision of a removable battery also allowed users the convenience of carrying a spare battery if necessary, extending the device’s usability throughout the day, a practical advantage at the time.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the HTC Explorer supported GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring basic mobile communication needs were met. It included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR, GPS with A-GPS, and a stereo FM radio with RDS. These features allowed users to stay connected to the internet, listen to music, and navigate using GPS, covering essential modern communication requirements.

The phone also featured sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, adding to the user's interaction capabilities. A 3.5mm audio jack offered compatibility with most headphones, enhancing its multimedia functionality.

Market Impact and Legacy

Priced at approximately 70 Euros, the HTC Explorer's affordability and essential feature set made it an attractive choice for first-time smartphone users or those looking for an uncomplicated, budget-friendly phone. Although it didn't boast cutting-edge technology, its reliability and ease of use were its strongest points.

The Explorer is a reminder of a time when smartphones began to diversify in terms of price and feature sets, contributing to making smartphone technology accessible to a broader audience. While it might seem dated today, the Explorer’s role in HTC's lineup reflected an understanding of varied consumer needs and a commitment to inclusivity in tech.