Price and specifications of HTC Inspire 4G advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The HTC Inspire 4G, announced in January 2011 and released in February of the same year, was among the pioneering smartphones incorporating 4G technology. Despite its discontinuation, the phone remains a significant piece of history in the evolution of mobile devices.

Design and Build

The HTC Inspire 4G exhibits a robust and premium build with dimensions of 122.9 x 68.1 x 11.7 mm and a weight of approximately 163.9 grams. The device uses a Mini-SIM, reflecting the standards of its time. The design is characterized by an elegant finish available in Black, Brown, and Red colors.

Display

The device boasts a 4.3-inch Super LCD (S-LCD) display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, offering a decent pixel density of around 217 ppi. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides added durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Hardware and Performance

Powered by the 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU, part of the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset, and GPU Adreno 205, the HTC Inspire 4G delivers competent performance for its era. It comes with 768MB of RAM, leading to a satisfactory multitasking experience when paired with the Android 2.2 Froyo OS, upgradable to 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC's Sense UI.

Storage

This smartphone offers 4GB of internal storage but supports expandability via a dedicated microSDHC slot that comes with an 8GB card included. This allows users to store additional photos, videos, and applications.

Camera

The HTC Inspire 4G is equipped with a single 8 MP autofocus rear camera, supplemented by a dual-LED flash for improved low-light photography. The camera supports 720p video recording, which was quite advanced at its release time. However, the device lacks a front-facing camera, which limits its capabilities for modern-day video calling and selfies.

Battery

With a removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery, the Inspire 4G offers a standby time of up to 372 hours and talk time of up to 6 hours. While not exceptional by today's standards, these figures were quite reasonable in the 2011 smartphone landscape.

Connectivity

The HTC Inspire 4G supports GSM/HSPA network technologies with 3G bands HSDPA 850/1900, enabling data speeds of up to 14.4/5.76 Mbps. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA support and hotspot capability, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, microUSB 2.0, and GPS with A-GPS support.

Audio and Sound

The device offers a robust audio experience with a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing easy connection with headphones and external speakers. Additionally, it features a stereo FM radio with RDS support.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Inspire 4G includes essential sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. For browsing, it supports HTML and Adobe Flash, enhancing the web surfing experience of the time.

Price and Market Impact

At its launch, the HTC Inspire 4G was priced at approximately 120 EUR. It was considered an affordable option for a 4G-enabled smartphone, making 4G technology accessible to a broader audience and subsequently advancing the adoption of high-speed mobile connectivity.

Conclusion

The HTC Inspire 4G was a standout device at the beginning of the 4G era, offering a solid mix of features and performance at an attractive price. Although no longer in production, it remains a notable chapter in the evolution of smartphones and the democratization of mobile technology.