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26 May 2010
HTC has made a name for itself as the leading vendor of Android phones, and the Desire is possibly the best yet. The large 3.7in screen, the responsiveness of the device and HTC's Sense user interface all add up into a potential rival for Apple's iPhone. However, the device does have one or two minor drawbacks.
Pros:
Responsive; excellent screen; user-friendly user interface.
Cons:
On-screen keys frustrating; relatively high SIM-free price.
Price: £419.99 (SIM-free)
Manufacturer: HTC
The Desire is HTC's flagship handset, and packs an impressive specification into a relatively light design. With HTC's user interface enhancements to Android, the Desire is also one of the most slick and user friendly phones around.
Announced in February, the Desire is now available via all of the UK's major network operators. The device has a larger screen than many of HTC's other Android-based handsets. Despite this, it is relatively slim at just under 12mm thick, and at 135g it feels lighter than you would expect for its size.
We found the Desire a pleasure to use for the most part, except when it comes to keying in text, and found that features such as HTC's Sense user interface extensions to the Android platform really make a difference in usability. For those looking to buy a new smartphone, the Desire is one you should at least see before making your decision.
The handset has been compared to Google's Nexus One, which HTC also produces. Both have a 3.7in screen, 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and are about the same size, but differ in memory size and some other specifications.
For example, the Desire supports only the 900/2100MHz frequency bands for 3G/HSPA data networks, but is a quad-band handset for voice calls, and so can be used on any GSM network around the world.
Data connectivity
As you would expect in a high-end smartphone, the Desire also has 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi for speedier data connectivity, Bluetooth for headsets and other peripherals, plus built-in GPS capability. It has 512MB of Flash ROM and 576MB of RAM.
Our evaluation was carried out using a test 3G SIM provided by Vodafone, and we were able to browse the web at quite a reasonable speed using this connection, although not as fast as using Wi-Fi, of course.
The version of the software in this phone is Android 2.1, while version 2.2 is now available. However, this is a relatively minor update, and HTC is expected to make an upgrade available at some point in the future.
The Desire follows HTC's usual design convention of putting the power button on top, which is also used to wake the device when it has turned off the screen after a period of inactivity. Also located here is a 3.5mm jack socket for the supplied headset.
Other physical controls consist of a volume up/down bar on the left side of the case, plus four buttons beneath the screen for navigation. A micro-USB connector on the bottom is used for charging the battery and connecting to a computer. At the rear is a 5-megapixel camera which features auto focus and flash.
Screen
The Desire's active-matrix organic light-emitting diode screen has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, and shows off HTC's user interface to good effect. We found it bright and clear and easy to read.
The touch-sensitive screen is the main way of interacting with the device, but there is also an optical joystick beneath the screen, which lets you navigate by swiping a finger or thumb across it and pressing to select. This is flanked by the home, menu, go back/cancel and search buttons.
Android 2.1 (Éclair) platform with HTC Sense, 3.7in Amoled screen, 1GHz SnapDragon processor, 512MB ROM and 576MB RAM, Quad-band GSM and HSPA up to 7.2Mbit/s, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in GPS receiver, 5-megapixel camera with flash.
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Do you agree?
Absolutely rubbish bluetooth performance
Has anyone actually tried this phone on a handsfree car kit? I have a Parrot MKi9200. Both websites shows each other as compatible. The Parrot is unable to read phonebook entries with more than 2 words in the name. For example, one of the entries I have named as `Mam & Dad Home`. The Parrot see`s this as `& Home`. This happens for quite a few of my phonebook entries. Also, the Desire is unable to send JPEG wallpapers to the Parrot. The Parrot just keeps on waiting, while the Desire keeps on searching. My TomTom is unable to communicate correctly with the Desire, it is unable to accept and read SMS messages. All of the above worked perfectly on my trusty old Sony Ericsson K850i, which also had better sound and call quality, as well as a better camera. In all I honestly think the Desire is crap and seriously over rated, much like Apple products. You simply pay for something that looks nice. These companies must think people want gimmiks instead of real functionality. Having lousy bluetooth perfomance in a smartphone is not smart. Most drivers these days have hands free kits of some soprt, and almost all new cars have built-in handsfree. I only use it because I have an App which block all calls and messages not in my phonebook.
Posted by: Neil 07 Aug 2010
Froyo 2.2 Update
I'm afraid the incorrect comment was about difference between Android 2.1 and 2.2, on surface its like Vista and Win 7 both look similar and minor changes but would you try installing Vista on netbook? 2.2 adds proper flash support and speeds up phone by between 2-6 times depending on application, this makes the desire a much better phone. The iphone 3GS is sluggish compared to an Android 2.2 based Desire. Roll on iphone 4 for competiton to this phone.
Posted by: Mattg 01 Jun 2010
accurate review
Accurate review esp about keyboard. Features like email, internet, texting let down a bit here with short battery life. However love this phone as pinch zoom so good with speed+camera. V user friendly. Well done HTC.
Posted by: stella burgess 29 May 2010
Better as a Phone than most smartphones...
I've owned and used smartphones for around 5 years now, many by HTC, and the one thing I find that stands out after owning the Desire is that it has much clearer call quality and volume when used as a phone. This often seems a secondary issue for many handset manufacturers, including Apple (the iPhone call quality sounds a bit tinny and slightly tunnel-like), and in my experience only Sony Ericsson regularly gets this right (shame that some of their firmware is less reliable). HTC have finally come around to this as well, after too many handsets that are quiet on max volume. Separating USB sync/charge and 3.5mm audio is also another welcome move, and it reliably connects to a much wider range of Bluetooth devices than my previous WM6 devices - car and hands-free kits included. All in all, a very good handset that could only really be improved by third-party issues such as Google getting a firmer grip on the somewhat chaotic Application Marketplace.
Posted by: Ian Thompson 27 May 2010