HTC Vivid Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to HTC Vivid

The HTC Vivid, released in November 2011, was a significant player in the early days of Android smartphones. Designed to cater to users looking for high-speed connectivity and advanced multimedia features, it was among the first to support LTE network speeds, which provided a boost in data transfer rates unheard of at the time. With a strong emphasis on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, the HTC Vivid aimed to deliver an all-around solid smartphone experience.

Body and Display

The HTC Vivid measures 128.8 x 67.1 x 11.2 mm and weighs 176.9 g. It was designed to fit comfortably in hand while offering a substantial build that ensured durability. The 4.5-inch S-LCD display was a standout feature, providing a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This setup resulted in a pixel density of approximately 245 ppi, offering vivid and crisp display quality catering to media consumption and general use.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, the HTC Vivid was upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, bringing in more modern software features and optimizations. The device was powered by the Qualcomm APQ8060 Snapdragon S3 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.2 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 220 GPU. This combination offered a balance of performance and efficiency, allowing users to enjoy smooth navigation and gaming experiences for its time.

Memory and Storage

Equipped with 1GB of RAM, the HTC Vivid provided decent multitasking capabilities. The smartphone offered 16GB of internal storage to accommodate applications, media, and other user data. For users needing additional space, the presence of a microSDHC card slot allowed for storage expansion, offering flexibility in managing their storage needs.

Camera Capabilities

The HTC Vivid was designed with multimedia enthusiasts in mind. It featured a main 8 MP camera with autofocus and a dual-LED flash, capable of capturing high-quality images. The camera supported 1080p video recording at 30fps, a feature largely appreciated at the time. The device also included a 1.3 MP front camera, adequate for video calls and the occasional selfie.

Battery Life

Fitted with a removable Li-Ion 1620 mAh battery, the HTC Vivid promised up to 7 hours and 40 minutes of talk time and up to 288 hours on standby. While these figures were modest by today's standards, they provided adequate usage times for the smartphone era in which it was released. The advantage of having a removable battery also allowed users the option of carrying a spare battery for extended use periods.

Connectivity and Network

A pioneering feature of the HTC Vivid was its capacity to connect to LTE networks, a cutting-edge technology at the time that operated on bands 4 and 17. The device also supported GSM and HSPA technologies, with 2G bands covering GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, and 3G bands including HSDPA 850, 1900, and 2100. The speed capabilities of HSPA and LTE meant significantly faster internet use, enhancing browsing and streaming experiences.

Additional Features

The HTC Vivid came with built-in sensors including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. It supported WLAN with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards, DLNA, and hotspot capabilities. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP enabled seamless wireless connectivity with peripherals. Plus, the inclusion of GPS and A-GPS ensured location services were reliable. The device also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS and utilized a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Audio and Multimedia

The HTC Vivid was equipped with a loudspeaker providing adequate audio output and had a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with most headsets. These features supported a solid multimedia experience whether users were listening to music, watching videos, or playing games.

Market Positioning and Legacy

Priced at approximately 160 EUR at launch, the HTC Vivid was positioned as a competitive offering against other smartphones in its range. Available in black and white variants, it appealed to a broad audience with its blend of functionality, style, and emerging technology such as LTE connectivity. Although it has since been discontinued, the HTC Vivid remains remembered as a pivotal device that showcased the potential of high-speed mobile internet and solidified HTC's presence in the smartphone market.

Conclusion

The HTC Vivid was a handset that made significant strides in evolving smartphone technology. It came during a time when the transition to faster 4G LTE networks was a major industry shift. Through its strong technical specifications, reliable performance, and comprehensive feature set, the HTC Vivid left a lasting impression in the world of mobile devices, highlighting the dawn of a new era in cellular technology.