HTC Prime Complete Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

HTC Prime is an intriguing device that was part of HTC's series of Windows Phone 7 devices. Although it was never officially announced, it caught the attention of tech enthusiasts because of its QWERTY keyboard and robust features for that era. Coupled with HTC's reputation for building solid and reliable devices, the HTC Prime promised a rich combination of hardware and software capabilities.

Network

The HTC Prime supported GSM and HSPA technologies, making it suitable for use on various networks worldwide. It was compatible with 2G bands GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, as well as 3G bands HSDPA 900 and 2100. The device was capable of HSPA speeds, ensuring relatively fast mobile internet connectivity for its time.

Launch

Although the HTC Prime was not officially announced, it generated considerable interest in the mobile technology community. Unfortunately, the device was discontinued before it could reach mass production. Despite this, enthusiasts still discuss its potential impact and the features it could have brought to the market.

Body and Design

The HTC Prime featured a compact design with a QWERTY keyboard, which would have been a significant advantage for users who preferred physical keyboards for typing. The phone used a Mini-SIM, and while exact dimensions and weight are not available, it likely boasted a design typical of HTC's sleek and sturdy build quality from that period.

Display

Equipped with a 3.7-inch S-LCD screen, the HTC Prime offered a display resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This resulted in a pixel density of approximately 252 ppi, providing clear and sharp visuals for users. The display size and quality were on par with other devices in the Windows Phone 7 ecosystem, making it suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing and media consumption.

Platform

The HTC Prime operated on the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 platform, aligning it with Microsoft's strategic push to popularize its mobile operating system. Users could expect an interface that emphasized simplicity and fluid performance, with access to Microsoft's array of services and features available at the time.

Memory

The device included 512MB of RAM, which was standard for phones of that era. It provided sufficient memory for running most applications available on Windows Phone 7 without significant lag. However, the absence of a card slot meant that users were limited to the internal storage capacity, which could be a consideration for media-intensive users.

Camera

The HTC Prime had a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash. It was capable of recording 720p video, which was a noteworthy feature at that time. Despite lacking a front-facing camera, the main camera offered satisfactory performance for casual photography and video recording needs.

Sound

The device included a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who enjoyed multimedia consumption on their phones. The inclusion of standard headphone support allowed for versatility in audio equipment usage, and the presence of stereo FM radio with RDS provided an additional entertainment option.

Connectivity

The HTC Prime featured a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for reliable wireless internet access and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for connecting various peripherals. GPS and A-GPS capabilities were included, supplemented by Bing Maps for navigation. The device also had a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sensors and Features

For sensors, the HTC Prime came equipped with an accelerometer and proximity sensor, providing basic functionalities for auto-rotation and call management, respectively. The Windows Phone 7 HTML browser offered a decent web-browsing experience, completing its suite of mobile features.

Battery

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery, aligning with the design practice of that time which allowed users to replace the battery easily if needed. While specific battery life metrics are not available, such a configuration typically provided an acceptable balance between endurance and weight.

Additions and Miscellaneous

In terms of color options, the HTC Prime was known to come in black. Regarding safety, the device had a SAR of 0.55 W/kg for the head, which is within acceptable limits for user safety. These specifications rounded out the HTC Prime as a robust mid-range device for its intended market.

Conclusion

Although the HTC Prime never saw an official release, its specifications and design elements suggest it would have been a competitive addition to the Windows Phone 7 lineup. Offering features that catered to both business users who appreciated the QWERTY keyboard and general users who valued media and internet capabilities, it stands as an interesting "what could have been" in the history of smartphones.