HTC Magic The Complete Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

HTC Magic Overview

The HTC Magic, first announced in February 2009 and released in May of the same year, marked an important milestone in the smartphone industry as it was among the early adopters of the Android operating system. The device catered to tech enthusiasts who were eager to experience the relatively new Android OS, paving the way for future Android smartphones. Although it has been discontinued, its impact on the smartphone market is still remembered.

Design and Build

The design of the HTC Magic was elegant and straightforward, featuring dimensions of 113 x 55 x 13.7 mm and weighing in at 118.5 grams. This compact form factor made it comfortable to hold and operate single-handedly. The device used a mini-SIM and was available in white and black colors, appealing to users with different aesthetic preferences.

Display

The HTC Magic came with a 3.2-inch TFT display that could present 65K colors. Although this might seem limited compared to today’s standards, it was quite adequate for its time. The screen had a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of around 180 ppi. Despite the relatively low pixel density, the display offered clear visuals suitable for basic multimedia consumption and general usage.

Performance

Under the hood, the HTC Magic was powered by the Qualcomm MSM7200A chipset, paired with a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU and the Adreno 130 GPU. This combination provided a functional performance level for the Android 1.6 (Donut) operating system, which the device ran. While the performance was adequate for general tasks like calling, texting, and browsing, it was not suitable for more demanding applications or intensive multitasking.

Memory and Storage

The HTC Magic featured 288MB of RAM and came with 512MB of internal storage. While these specifications might seem modest by today's standards, they were reasonably sufficient for the typical user at the time. Additionally, the device offered a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage and store more media and applications as required.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 3.15 MP main camera featuring autofocus, the HTC Magic was capable of taking photos that were satisfactory for casual photography. The camera also supported video recording at 320p resolution at 15fps. Although simple, these camera features allowed users to capture memorable moments with ease.

Connectivity

The HTC Magic supported several connectivity options, including GSM/HSPA network technologies. The device offered 2G and 3G band support for making calls and accessing mobile data with speeds up to 7.2/2 Mbps. Wireless connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for headset support. For navigation, the device offered GPS functionality. It did not feature a radio but came with miniUSB connectivity.

Audio and Sensors

In terms of sound, HTC Magic included a loudspeaker, though it did not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, which meant users needed adapters for standard earphones. The device housed sensors like the accelerometer and compass, which were quite cutting-edge at the time, supporting applications that required motion or orientation detection.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1340 mAh battery, delivering up to 420 hours of standby time and up to 7 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This battery life was sufficient for an average day's use, allowing users to enjoy their device without frequent recharges.

Conclusion

The HTC Magic played a significant role in establishing the Android platform in its early days. Despite its relatively basic hardware specifications by today’s standards, it was an appealing device for early adopters of smartphone technology. Its compact design, functionality, and ability to run the new Android OS made it a defining product in the chronology of smartphones.