Tag: htc

HTC One M9

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The HTC One M9 was the successor to the well-received HTC One M8 and continued HTC’s focus on premium design and build quality. Here’s an in-depth review of the HTC One M9:

Overview:

Launched in 2015, the HTC One M9 aimed to refine the design and features of its predecessor. It was part of HTC’s flagship One series, known for its metal unibody design and front-facing stereo speakers.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 5.0 Lollipop, overlaid with HTC’s Sense 7 UI.
  2. Display: 5.0-inch Super LCD3 with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: 3 GB RAM with 32 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 20 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash. A 4 MP front camera, known as the “UltraPixel” camera.
  6. Battery: 2840 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Front-facing BoomSound speakers with Dolby audio, IR blaster for remote control functionality, and a metal unibody design.

Pros:

  1. Build Quality: The metal unibody design gave the One M9 a premium feel and look, distinguishing it from many competitors.
  2. BoomSound Speakers: The front-facing stereo speakers were among the best in the smartphone market, providing rich and loud audio.
  3. Expandable Storage: The inclusion of a microSD slot was a plus, especially when many competitors were moving away from this feature.
  4. Sense UI: HTC’s Sense UI was often praised for its clean design and added features, like the BlinkFeed news aggregator.

Cons:

  1. Camera Performance: Despite the increased megapixel count, the camera was often criticized for inconsistent performance, especially in low light.
  2. Processor Concerns: The Snapdragon 810 was infamous for its heating issues, and while HTC made efforts to mitigate this, some users still reported overheating.
  3. Design Iteration: While the design was premium, it was also seen as too similar to the previous HTC One M8, leading to criticisms about lack of innovation.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2015, the HTC One M9 faced competition from various flagship devices:

  • Samsung Galaxy S6: Known for its shift to a glass and metal design, as well as its impressive camera and display.
  • LG G4: Praised for its camera capabilities, removable battery, and leather back option.
  • iPhone 6s: Apple’s flagship with its A9 chip, 3D Touch, and iOS ecosystem.

Launch Date:

The HTC One M9 was announced in March 2015 and released in the same month.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Camera Tint: Some early users reported a pink tint in photos taken with the camera, especially in low light.
  2. Battery Life: The battery life was considered average, with many users needing to charge before the end of the day.
  3. Heat Management: As mentioned, the Snapdragon 810’s heating issues were a concern, with some users reporting the device getting uncomfortably warm during intensive tasks.

Conclusion:

The HTC One M9 was a continuation of HTC’s focus on premium design and build quality. While it had its strengths, especially in terms of audio experience and build, it faced challenges in areas like camera performance and heat management. In a competitive market, the One M9 struggled to stand out against its peers, especially with its iterative design. Nonetheless, for fans of HTC’s design philosophy and UI, the M9 offered a solid, if somewhat familiar, experience.

HTC Hero

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The HTC Hero was a notable early Android device that played a significant role in the platform’s evolution. Here’s an in-depth review of the HTC Hero:

Overview:

Introduced in 2009, the HTC Hero was one of the first Android smartphones to feature a manufacturer’s custom skin, in this case, HTC’s Sense UI. This device showcased how Android could be customized and differentiated by manufacturers, setting a precedent for future Android devices.

Features:

  • Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 1.5 Cupcake, later upgradeable to 2.1 Eclair.
  • Display: 3.2-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels.
  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 MHz.
  • Memory: 288 MB RAM with 512 MB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  • Camera: 5 MP rear camera with autofocus.
  • Battery: 1350 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, and GPS.
  • Other Features: Trackball navigation, 3.5mm headphone jack, and HTC Sense UI.

Pros:

  • HTC Sense UI: The introduction of Sense UI was a game-changer, offering a more user-friendly and visually appealing experience over stock Android. It included features like integrated social media, a customized home screen, and unique widgets.
  • Design: The Hero had a distinct design with a chin at the bottom, which set it apart from other devices. It also featured a Teflon-coated back, which was resistant to smudges.
  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Unlike some early Android devices, the Hero included a standard headphone jack, which was a significant selling point for many users.
  • Expandable Storage: The microSD slot allowed users to expand the device’s storage, which was essential given the limited internal memory.
  • Cons:
  • Performance: The 528 MHz processor, combined with the heavy Sense UI, sometimes led to lag and performance issues.
  • Camera Quality: While the camera was decent for its time, it lacked a flash and struggled in low-light conditions.
  • Battery Life: The battery life was average and could be a concern for heavy users.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2009, the smartphone market was still in its formative years. The HTC Hero faced competition from:

  • iPhone 3GS: Apple’s offering with its smooth iOS experience, App Store ecosystem, and sleek design.
  • Motorola Droid: A significant Android device with a slide-out keyboard and a large screen, backed by Verizon’s marketing.
  • Palm Pre: Palm’s comeback device with its innovative webOS platform and multitasking capabilities.

Launch Date:

The HTC Hero was announced in June 2009 and released in July 2009.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Lag and Stutters: Due to the hardware limitations and the added weight of the Sense UI, users often reported performance issues.
  • Software Updates: While the Hero did receive an update to Android 2.1, it was delayed multiple times, leading to user frustration.
  • Trackball Concerns: Some users found the trackball to be less intuitive compared to pure touchscreen navigation, and it could get dirty over time.
  • Conclusion:

The HTC Hero was a significant device in the early days of Android. It demonstrated the platform’s flexibility and how manufacturers could differentiate their devices through custom skins. While it had its challenges, the Hero’s introduction of the Sense UI was influential, setting the stage for the plethora of customized Android experiences that would follow. The device remains an important part of Android’s history, reflecting the platform’s rapid evolution and the competitive landscape of the late 2000s.

HTC Desire

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HTC Desire, originally released in 2010, was one of the standout Android smartphones of its time. Let’s dive into an in-depth review of the HTC Desire:

Overview:

The HTC Desire was launched during the early days of Android’s rise in the smartphone market. It was seen as HTC’s answer to the iPhone and was widely regarded as one of the best Android phones available at the time.

Features:

  • Operating System: Initially came with Android 2.1 Eclair, later upgradeable to 2.2 Froyo.
  • Display: 3.7-inch AMOLED (later versions used SLCD) capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels.
  • Processor: Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1.
  • Memory: 576 MB RAM with 512 MB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  • Camera: 5 MP rear camera with LED flash and autofocus.
  • Battery: 1400 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, and GPS.
  • Other Features: Optical trackpad, HTC Sense UI, FM radio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros:

  • HTC Sense UI: HTC’s custom skin, Sense UI, was praised for its user-friendly features and added functionalities over stock Android.
  • Build Quality: The Desire had a solid build, with a mix of metal and soft-touch materials that gave it a premium feel.
  • Display: The AMOLED screen was vibrant and provided deep blacks and good contrast.
  • Performance: For its time, the HTC Desire was a fast and responsive device, handling most tasks with ease.

Cons:

  • Internal Storage: With only 512 MB of internal storage (part of which was taken up by the system), users had to rely heavily on microSD cards.
  • Battery Life: Typical of many smartphones of its era, the battery life could be a concern for heavy users.
  • Camera Quality: While decent for its time, the camera struggled in low-light conditions.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2010, the smartphone market was rapidly evolving. The HTC Desire faced competition from:

  • iPhone 4: Apple’s offering with its Retina display, sleek design, and iOS ecosystem.
  • Samsung Galaxy S: Samsung’s flagship with a Super AMOLED display and TouchWiz UI.
  • Nexus One: Also manufactured by HTC, this was Google’s “pure Android” offering, very similar in specs to the Desire but without the HTC Sense UI.

Launch Date:

The HTC Desire was announced in February 2010 and released in March 2010.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Storage Issues: The limited internal storage meant users often encountered issues with app installations and updates.
  • Battery Concerns: Some users reported having to charge the device more than once a day under heavy use.
  • Updates: While the phone did receive an update to Android 2.2 Froyo, further major Android updates were not provided, leading to some user dissatisfaction.

Conclusion:

The HTC Desire was a landmark device in the Android ecosystem, showcasing what the platform was capable of during its early days. It combined solid hardware with HTC’s user-friendly Sense UI, making it a favorite among Android enthusiasts. While it had its limitations, especially by today’s standards, it was a significant device in the evolution of Android smartphones and played a role in HTC’s prominence during the early 2010s.