Desirable and Versatile

HTC has become one of those cult makers that keep on producing beautiful and very useful handsets. A slightly exclusive aura surrounds phones like this – the Desire – and with good reason, for there are many reasons why this one stands out from the crowd. The question is – is it worth taking that step into the unknown?

What we like

Firstly, it’s Android, and the former underdog of the operating system world is fast climbing the ranks. Easy to use and very versatile, Android is a system that appeals to those who know it and will soon charm new users. The Desire uses the latest version of Android and does so with aplomb, incorporating a number of features that are very impressive indeed.

The screen, a beautifully responsive 3.7 inch touch device that is just about as good as it gets in terms of both clarity and size, is astonishingly good and the use of pinch zoom technology combined with the superbly responsive touch capability is something to behold. The whole user interface is stunning to get on with, superbly easy to understand and very versatile, and there is little to fault in what must be the best screen in the business.

Connectivity is as impressive as any rival with full 3G and GPS and the stunning memory expansion – up to 32GB – makes this one of the most capable devices of its kind. The 5mp camera comes with face recognition and many other functions and is a very good device in the price range, while the musical capabilities are more than adequate and the handset is handily equipped with a 3.5mm jack for versatility. Internet is on, as it is with most Android phones, all the time and is wonderfully easy to use, and the whole package offers a very attractive set at the price.

HTC has come to the fore with this very pretty, lovely to handle and capable phone and it is surely another step up the ladder for this forward thinking company. But surely there must be some problems with the HTC Desire?

One of the many things that always comes to the fore with new phones is battery life. The Desire is a high spec handset that will, by nature, eat power for breakfast, and yet the Desire offers a claimed 400 minutes talk time and 360 hours standby. This is a decent performance, and proves it can be done – other manufacturers take note!

What we don't like

Perhaps the only real problem with the Desire – if you can call it that – is in its size and weight. It’s a big handset at 119x60x11.9, although there are bigger, and it weighs in at 135g, yet for many this will be a bonus rather than a problem. It is of chunky size, yet feels sleek and stylish – a sign of excellent design. There is, then, little to look out for it would seem – HTC have a lot to be thanked for.

Conclusion

When it comes to designing good looking phones there are few who do it like HTC, and the company has pretty much cornered the market in terms of pretty, stylish handsets. This is one, but it is also a phone that transcends the good looks part and presents itself as a very usable, very impressive device that has met with a great deal of very positive customer reviews. The HTC Desire is a winner – there is no doubt whatsoever about that.