HTC Status Comprehensive Review of Features Pricing and Drawbacks

Introduction to HTC Status

The HTC Status, released in July 2011, is renowned as the "Facebook phone," highlighting its integration with social media. This device aimed to seamlessly blend smartphone functionality with social networking, targeting the audience who were keen on staying connected through Facebook.

Design and Build

The HTC Status boasts a distinct design that sets it apart from conventional smartphones. With dimensions of 114.4 x 64.6 x 10.7 mm and a weight of just 120 g, it is compact and lightweight. The device features a physical QWERTY keyboard, making it a favorite among those who prefer tactile typing over touchscreens.

The phone is equipped with a 2.6-inch TFT display offering a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. This results in a pixel density of around 222 ppi, ensuring readable text and clear images. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, adding durability against minor scratches and impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Powering the HTC Status is the Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset with an 800 MHz ARM 11 CPU and Adreno 200 GPU. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, providing a satisfactory user experience given its era's technology constraints.

The device comes with 512MB of RAM and an equal amount of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. This configuration was adequate for basic multitasking and storage of essential apps and media.

Camera Capabilities

On the multimedia front, the HTC Status is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash, allowing for decent photos in adequate lighting conditions. Video recording is supported, suitable for casual video capturing.

The front VGA camera, though basic, facilitated video calls and self-portraits, catering to the rise of social media sharing even at that time.

Connectivity and Network

The HTC Status supports GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring reliable voice and data connectivity. It operates on 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 850/1900), with data speeds reaching up to HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps.

For wireless connections, the device features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP for audio streaming, and GPS with A-GPS support for navigation.

Battery Life

The device houses a removable Li-Ion 1250 mAh battery. It provides a standby time of up to 636 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours and 30 minutes. This battery life ensured a day's use without frequent recharging, typical of smartphones from that period.

Additional Features

Other notable features include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. However, it lacks a radio feature, which was not uncommon.

Market Availability and Price

Available in Black and Silver color options, the HTC Status hit the market with a price tag of approximately 70 EUR, making it an affordable option for users seeking a device with rich social media integration.

Conclusion

The HTC Status carved out a niche for itself as a social media-focused smartphone. Its unique design, particularly the physical keyboard, and direct Facebook integration made it appealing to a specific segment of users. Despite being discontinued, the HTC Status remains a memorable device representing the evolution of smartphones during the early 2010s as they began integrating more closely with social media platforms.