HTC Titan II Comprehensive Review & Pricing Details

Overview of HTC Titan II

The HTC Titan II, announced in January 2012 and released in April of the same year, marked HTC's continued foray into the smartphone market using the Windows Phone platform. Known for its substantial display and robust camera capabilities, the Titan II was one of the devices that showcased the potential of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS. Despite a subsequent discontinuation, the device remains noteworthy for its design and specifications that catered to high-demand users of its time.

Design and Build

The HTC Titan II features a sleek design characterized by its substantial dimensions of 132 x 69 x 13 mm and a weight of 147 grams. Its build, designed for a comfortable grip, is complemented by the inclusion of a Mini-SIM slot. Despite being somewhat hefty, the solid construction exudes a sense of durability and premium quality. The Titan II was offered in a classic black color, contributing to its professional and understated aesthetic.

Display

One of the standout features of the HTC Titan II is its expansive 4.7-inch S-LCD display. Offering a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels with a 5:3 ratio and a pixel density of approximately 199 ppi, the display was designed to deliver clear and vibrant visuals. This made the phone particularly appealing for media consumption, gaming, and browsing, providing users with an immersive viewing experience.

Camera Capabilities

The Titan II excels in photography with its main camera sporting a 16 MP sensor equipped with autofocus (AF) and a dual-LED flash. Capable of recording video at 720p@30fps, it was considered advanced for its time, allowing users to capture high-quality images and videos with impressive clarity and detail. Additionally, the 1.3 MP front-facing camera was sufficient for video calls and basic selfies.

Performance and Operating System

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset and a 1.5 GHz Scorpion CPU, the HTC Titan II was engineered to handle various tasks efficiently. It ran on the Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS, which provided a user-friendly interface with smooth transitions and effective multitasking capabilities. Although the device did not support expandable memory via a card slot, its internal storage of 16GB was adequate for storing apps, media, and essential files.

Battery Life

The device is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 1730 mAh battery, offering a standby time of up to 290 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours and 20 minutes. While these figures were considered adequate at the time of release, users with extensive usage patterns found the battery endurance somewhat limiting. The overall endurance rating of 23 hours reflected moderate satisfaction with its battery performance among users.

Connectivity and Network Options

The HTC Titan II supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, providing a range of options for connectivity. It operates on various frequency bands—2G bands include GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G bands cover HSDPA 850/1900/2100, and it supports LTE on bands 4 and 17 for AT&T, offering decent speed capabilities through HSPA. For local connectivity, the device features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sound and Additional Features

In terms of audio, the HTC Titan II includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, ensuring compatibility with most headphones and audio accessories. Additionally, it comes with a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing entertainment and information on the go. The built-in GPS with A-GPS and Bing Maps support enhances its navigation capabilities.

The device is equipped with various sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, further enhancing its functionality. The SAR rating is measured at 0.60 W/kg for the head and 1.36 W/kg for the body, aligning with safety standards at the time of its release.

Conclusion

Although now discontinued, the HTC Titan II remains a significant entry in the historical timeline of smartphones, especially within the Windows Phone ecosystem. Its impressive camera, robust build, and substantial display made it a device of choice for many users who prioritized multimedia and design in their smartphone experience. Despite facing limitations such as non-expandable storage and moderate battery life by today's standards, the HTC Titan II served as a powerful tool in its era, underscoring HTC’s commitment to innovation and quality in mobile technology.