HTC Desire C is one of the first entry-level smartphones that will run the latest Android 4.0 ICS out of the box. The Desire C also boasts its specs and features that are competitive in its market segment. The device is already available for pre-order in UK which can be seen in the website of the consumer electronics retailer Clove. According to the website, the HTC Desire C is selling for £189.99 which is quite reasonable especially when you consider its features.
Design
HTC Desire C takes its design concepts from the latest high-end HTC smartphones like the HTC One X. The design gave this entry-level device the premium look and the simple yet stunning design will surely make the decision on what entry-level Android smartphone to purchase easy. The Desire C will be available in three colors – stealth Black, Flamenco Red, and Polar White. It is 11.95mm thick which a bit bulky, knowing that the phone is relatively small.
Along the right side of the smooth and curved edges of the phone, we can see that the volume rocker is placed neatly and right below it is the microUSB port. The left side of the phone was kept clean with no visible buttons and ports in it. Similar with other HTC phones, the 3.5mm audio jack and the dedicated power button is located on the top of the phone. What gives the premium look to the device is its natural aluminum finish around its edges that provides contrast to its base color.
On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD features a slim bezel and its front is taken up mostly by its screen. The capacitive buttons below the screen are easy to press and lights up when the phone is in use. With a thickness of 11.8 mm, the HTC Desire HD is slightly thinner than the latest HTC Desire C. At the top of the phone, the power and lock button is placed that is fully flushed in the casing which makes it difficult to find at times. The left side of the phone contains the large volume rocker while the other side of the phone is clear of any buttons giving the device a clean and smooth finish. One disappointing design of the HTC Desire HD is that its 3.5mm audio jack was placed at the bottom of the device together with the microUSB.
The HTC Desire C has a more modern and sleek design but the HTC Desire HD provides a more premium design as it was once among the flagship handsets of HTC. However, the hip and modern feel and look of the HTC Desire C will surely grab the attention of the younger generation and those who are planning to get their first Android smartphone. With the modern and sleek look of the latest HTC Desire C, we consider it the winner of this round.
Display
It is not yet known what type of screen is installed in the HTC Desire C but all we know is that it houses a 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen with a screen resolution of 320x480p and a pixel density of 165 PPI. On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD has a 4.3 inch LCD capacitive display with a pixel density of 217 PPI and it is protected with the Corning Gorilla Glass Technology. Thus, the HTC Desire HD wins this round with its larger screen and Gorilla Glass protection.
Performance
The HTC Desire C will be powered by a 600 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor that is complimented by 512 MB of RAM. On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 1GHz Scorpion processor and 768 MB of installed RAM. It is installed with an Adreno 205 GPU which offers additional graphics performance for its HD screen. The HTC Desire HD clearly wins this round with a faster processor and higher RAM module.
Camera
HTC Desire C is equipped with an impressive 5 megapixel camera, which a good feature for an entry-level device. The camera is capable of capturing a resolution of 2592x1944p and features autofocus and geo-tagging. Reports indicate that the phone is able to record videos but the quality and resolution have not been disclosed yet. Desire C will also not include a secondary camera.
On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD has an 8 megapixel sensor for its camera. Though lacking the features of the latest cameras of HTC smartphones today, the HTC Desire HD is still capable of taking images at a resolution of 3264x2448p and will feature autofocus and its dual-LED flash. It will also support geo-tagging and face detection. The video recording resolution of the Desire HD is 720p and similar to the Desire C, the Desire HD also comes with no secondary camera.
The higher-end HTC Desire HD wins this round due to its advantage over the camera sensor and its capability of recording HD videos.
Software
What makes the latest HTC Desire C is that will come with the latest Android 4.0 ICS and the same HTC Sense UI that will be installed on the higher-end devices such as the One X but with some modifications to optimize the Desire C’s performance with its much weaker processor. Not only that this device will come with latest operating system, but it will also come with the Beats audio technology providing its users with a superb audio experience comparable to the higher-end handsets.
The HTC Desire HD runs an older OS with the Android 2.2 or 2.3 but its specs sheet indicates that it can be upgraded to Android 4.0. It will also come with the Dolby Mobile and SRS sound enhancement. With the more modern OS and features, the HTC Desire C wins this round.
Data Connectivity
HTC Desire C will support HSDPA and HSUPA network with speeds up to 7.2 Mbps. It will also feature a Wi-Fi hotspot capability and will be installed with the latest version of Bluetooth 4.0. Based on reports, the HTC Desire C that will be released in the UK will also support NFC. On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD falls a bit short with connectivity options of the Desire C. Though it has support for HSDPA network that can reach speeds of up 14.4 Mbps, it still lacks Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Bluetooth 4.0, and NFC support. Thus, HTC Desire C is the winner for this round.
Memory
The HTC Desire C has a 4 GB internal storage and can be expanded via its microSD up to 32GB. On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD only has 1.5GB of storage and can be expanded also up to 32 GB and will also include an 8 GB SD card out of the box. By using the internal storage as the basis of who will win this round, the HTC Desire C wins with its 4GB storage.
Battery
Both devices comes with a 1230 mAh standard battery and we can expect that the HTC Desire C will perform better in terms of battery life due to its smaller screen and lower processor compared to the HTC Desire HD. The HTC Desire C wins this round merely due to the assumption that it will offer longer mobility than the Desire HD.
Price
According to reports, the HTC Desire C will be available for pre-order in UK at a price of £189.99 or around $300. On the other hand, the HTC Desire HD was released at a price of 599 euros or around $760 back in 2010. Today, the HTC Desire HD is still priced around $400. Thus, the HTC Desire C is really worth its price. Not only that the users will be able to experience the latest Android ICS and HTC Sense 4.0 UI, but also be able to make use of the latest options in data connectivity. The HTC Desire C is the winner of this round.
Conclusion
HTC Desire HD was an impressive phone especially that it was considered as a flagship HTC device. However, the latest HTC Desire C offers modern and much more appealing features and connectivity options that can improve the functionality and productivity of its users. What makes the HTC Desire C a great phone is that with a very affordable and low price, any entry-level users can experience the Android 4.0 ICS and even the Beats audio technology in a compact, handy, and sleek designed phone.
