Price and specifications of HTC Flyer advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to HTC Flyer

The HTC Flyer, announced in February 2011 and released in May of the same year, marked HTC's ambitious entry into the tablet market. Distinctly different from its smartphone lineup, the Flyer brought together the company's design aesthetics with a focus on digital content consumption and productivity through its unique features.

Design and Build

The HTC Flyer features a sturdy and well-crafted body with dimensions measuring 195.4 x 122 x 13.2 mm and weighing 420.8 grams. Its silver finish along with a solid build quality speaks of its premium nature. The ease of holding the device in one hand made it a convenient option for those constantly on the go. Additionally, it accommodated a Mini-SIM slot, facilitating cellular connectivity.

Display

One of the core elements of the Flyer is its 7.0-inch LCD display, offering a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels. Though the pixel density of approximately 170 ppi might seem modest compared to modern standards, it was adequate for reading, browsing, and multimedia consumption at the time. The display’s size and 16:9 aspect ratio were well-suited for watching videos and web browsing.

Platform and Performance

Under the hood, the HTC Flyer was powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset, featuring a 1.5 GHz Scorpion CPU and Adreno 205 GPU. Running on Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, with an upgrade path to Android 3.2 Honeycomb, it was coupled with HTC's Sense UI that personalized the user experience. The device was equipped with 1GB of RAM, ensuring a fluid multitasking experience for the user. Despite not being a powerhouse, it was sufficiently capable for the intended audience at the time.

Storage Capabilities

The Flyer was offered in two storage variants: 16GB and 32GB, both expandable via a dedicated microSDHC slot. This allowed users to store more applications, media, and documents without worrying about running out of space.

Camera Specifications

For photography and video calls, the HTC Flyer was equipped with a 5 MP rear camera capable of capturing 720p video. While not groundbreaking, it provided adequate quality for casual photos and media sharing. The front-facing 1.3 MP camera was essentially designed for video calls, capturing basic selfies and participating in video conferencing.

Audio and Connectivity

The HTC Flyer incorporated a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, enabling users to enjoy media content. Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP support, and microUSB 2.0 for data transfer and charging. However, it lacked a radio function, which could be a drawback for users who enjoyed live FM broadcasts.

GPS and Sensors

For positioning, the Flyer utilized GPS and A-GPS technology. This was beneficial for navigation applications and location-based services. It also came with essential sensors such as an accelerometer and a compass, which were instrumental for various apps and functionalities.

Battery Life

One of the Flyer’s standout features was its non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery, which delivered impressive standby time of up to 1470 hours. This robust battery life ensured that users could engage with content without needing frequent recharges, an essential aspect for mobile devices.

User Experience and Applications

HTC's Sense UI provided a unique user interface over the standard Android experience, adding widgets, social network feeds, and a polished overall interaction. The tablet came preloaded with applications to enhance productivity and entertainment, establishing it as a go-to choice for digital consumption.

Pricing and Market Position

At its launch, the HTC Flyer was priced around 300 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range tablet option. Despite the competition in the tablet market during that time, the Flyer's design, performance capability, and features made it an appealing choice for many users.

Conclusion

The HTC Flyer, although discontinued, remains a significant part of HTC's history in its attempt to diversify into the tablet market. Its design and feature set reflected HTC’s commitment to quality and innovation. While technology has significantly advanced since its release, the HTC Flyer offered users a reliable and versatile tablet experience during its time on the market.