It seems that the case materials are good and the design is remarkable, but everything came down to a rather modest filling. And to use something beautiful, but at the same time not very fast smartphone not particularly pleasant. Especially when there is a real abundance of affordable Android devices on the market at reasonable prices.
HTC is developing a line of mid-range gadgets, the position of Desire V is reinforced by Desire SV, which works noticeably faster than previous models (affects new processor). Let's not forget about the One V, which will soon turn one year old - a replacement will come in handy. The answer to the wishes of customers will be HTC Desire X, demonstrated at the IFA exhibition last fall in Berlin.
The phone offers a 4-inch WVGA screen, a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, Android 4.0.4 paired with HTC Sense. Now it has a 2-core 1-GHz processor, 768 MB random access memory, 4 GB of its own, as well as a slot for memory cards. The battery capacity is typical for a mid-class device and is 1650 mAh.
Equipment:
- Smartphone
- Charger
- Cable
- Headset
- Battery
- Instructions
Design
There is nothing new in the appearance of the smartphone; it looks like an exact copy of the HTC Desire V, which appeared six months ago. The advantage of the model lies in small sizes, which will suit a variety of users. They measure 118.5x62.3x9.3 mm, weight 114 g.
From non-separable cases, HTC is once again returning to devices with a removable back cover. It is made of plastic, and while the Desire V has black or white plastic, here it is offered in white and blue.
The cover is very thin, similar solutions have already been found in smartphones, for example, from Samsung. But if the Koreans have a lid that fits tightly, here, after some time after using the device, it begins to creak.
The front panel is made of glass, surrounded by a edging of silver aluminum, which has a curved shape characteristic of HTC products at the bottom of the body. The protrusion is not so large as to create inconvenience, but at the same time it has a positive effect on ergonomics and makes it more comfortable to hold the smartphone in your hand. It's nice when design ideas are combined with practicality.
Above the screen there is a speaker, which in Desire X has a different shape - it is made in the form of many dots. There is a proximity sensor, an indicator light, and a sensor for automatic adjustment backlight.
To control the device there are three touch buttons: back, home, task manager. The chosen location is convenient, it’s equally easy to reach any of them. There is a backlight, which is especially visible when there is no external lighting. Also, at the user's request, you can activate vibration, which will be triggered when you touch one of the keys.
The microphone is located on the bottom end closer to the left side.
The screen lock key is located on the top end exactly in the middle, here it is in place, but the shape was chosen poorly, it is difficult to feel, almost flat and with little travel. A universal 3.5 mm headphone jack is also included here.
The data cable is connected on the left, the same microUSB is used for the charger.
On right big button Volume adjustments are indistinct.
The entire back panel is made of a single piece of plastic, which has a pleasant velvety surface and an original blue color. Smartphones of this color are rare.
The insert with the camera module and flash is enclosed in a bright frame.
SIM card in smartphone standard size, it lies opposite the microSD slot. The battery is located to the side, so you don't need to reboot the phone to quickly remove the card.
Screen
The smartphone uses a screen made using Super-LCD technology, with a resolution of 480x800 pixels and a diagonal of 4 inches. The automatic brightness adjustment sensor works well, as does the proximity sensor, which locks the screen during a call.
Capacitive display closed Gorilla glass Glass, which prevents scratches and abrasions. The backlight supply is enough for indoors; outdoors, problems can arise only in very bright lighting.
The picture is nice, the colors are natural. In the examples, HTC is shown next to Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, which is equipped with a Super AMOLED screen. The difference is especially noticeable if you look at it from an angle: the Samsung does not change colors, black is better rendered.
Platform
The smartphone uses the new 1 GHz Qualcomm processor MSM 8225 Snapdragon, Adreno 203 graphics chip, 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory available. Of these, only 1 GB remains for the user. There is also a slot for a microSD card, where you can install a drive up to 32 GB. The bonus includes 25 GB of data storage in Dropbox. The performance is at a high level, the model comes as close as possible to the One line, there is no longer any lag when switching between applications or in the browser, the phone pleases with its response and smooth operation. The Sense shell, which consumes quite a lot of system resources, behaves very well in this case.
Interface
At the top of the screen there is a service line, which displays the time, battery charge, and signal reception level indicator. Active connections and other data are also displayed there. By clicking on a line, you will learn more about what programs were downloaded, what messages and letters were received, or what files were received via Bluetooth.
From here, the line from the menu of running applications and the management of some functions assigned to shortcuts have been removed. But there is still a button that takes you to the settings menu. And already there certain tasks are enabled or disabled. A separate menu will indicate information about used and free memory.
On each of the work areas you have the right to place several widgets, it all depends on their size. Application shortcuts and folders are also added. But in general, the set of widgets is not as rich as in the more expensive models of the One line.
When selecting graphics, a set of desktops is displayed at the top of the screen, and at the bottom a list of available elements is displayed, from where you can move the required element to one of these zones.
There are five desktops in total; their number cannot be reduced, unlike older models. Also, 3D disappeared when moving between tables and animation on the lock screen.
As before, HTC pays great attention to smartphone personalization. For this purpose, a separate settings section is allocated, where you can select a design theme, cover, and set a background image. A picture is any image from the device’s memory. There are no “live” wallpapers. The basic equipment includes 3 covers and 1 story, and when you want something new, you can visit the company store, where you can easily find a stylish design.
At the bottom of the main screen, a line of five shortcuts is displayed: calls, mail, menu, messages, camera. All of them, except the menu, are customizable: their order is changed, more pressing tasks are set instead standard features. On the lock screen you can see the operator name, time and date. Four icons will appear at the bottom. There is a metal ring underneath them, but only part of it is visible. If you drag the virtual part up, the display will unlock. It looks very impressive. If previously the shortcuts on this screen were set manually, now they duplicate those placed on the main screen in the menu.
The menu consists of application icons that are arranged in alphabetical order. 20 icons are displayed on one screen, areas with shortcuts scroll left or right with smooth animation. Sorting by date is also enabled: the newest or oldest are selected as priority for generating the list. Separate buttons stand out independently installed programs and frequently used applications. The tab at the top helps you access settings, the search function, and the app store.
The highlighted key launches a menu of running tasks, which are displayed in the form of vertical miniature panels open windows.
Phone book
The general list shows stored contacts, both in the phone memory and SIM cards, as well as data from account Google and social networks that can be combined into one contact. There is a function for selecting the necessary data, which will hide unnecessary information.
When creating a new contact, the user is provided with a variety of information. This includes Various types telephone numbers, email addresses, means of quick communication (AIM, ICQ, Gtalk, Skype and others), residential addresses and other information (nickname, birthday automatically added to the calendar, note). The search works among contacts by the first letters of the first or last name.
If you click on the space reserved for the subscriber’s picture, it will call up quick menu, with the help of which a message, mail is sent, and a telephone call is also made to the selected person. You can also contact him using contact information from social networks. Numbers can be distributed into different groups, which are assigned an individual signal.
If you select a contact from among the existing ones, a window opens with the fields assigned to it. Here you will see a picture, contact numbers, social network data and other specified information. You can go to the gallery, which will show the user's pictures uploaded to Facebook. The log will display the history of calls, messages and information about correspondence via e-mail.
Calls
You can access the call log directly from the phone book - it is highlighted in a separate tab. There, a single list contains dialed numbers, received and missed calls. All telephone conversations are included in one list. Here you can display incoming, outgoing or missed calls.
Dialing is carried out using a convenient virtual keyboard. By viewing your call history, you can not only make a telephone conversation with the selected subscriber, but also send him an SMS or an email from this list without going to another menu. As you enter numbers, the phone automatically matches contacts by selecting from numbers stored in its memory or starting a search by name. The phone has a speed dial; you can assign up to 8 numbers to the number keys.
Messages
For SMS and MMS there is a shared folder, where received messages go. When sending, adding various objects to the SMS can automatically convert it into an MMS. Messages are grouped by recipient into a correspondence feed. Search works inside the message archive. When dialing a subscriber's number, the phone displays a list of matching numbers in alternating numbers.
The device can copy, cut and paste text. The font size in messages is set: small, medium, large, extra large. The received text can be forwarded to another number, moved to a SIM card, added to the calendar as a task, or blocked from receiving messages from this number in the future. There is an option for archiving messages; sorting by date and name works.
Intelligent input is available, when word correction and auto-completion systems help you type text, allowing you to avoid wasting time correcting errors. You can type text without lifting your finger from the screen; the smartphone will automatically substitute the appropriate words. Voice typing is also well implemented. The keys are large in size, pressing is accompanied by a pleasant vibration feedback, which can be turned off.
Various files from the device memory are attached to the new letter. The function of copying text and automatic verification works mailbox(the interval is set manually). Mail is sorted by date, subject, sender and size. The phone perfectly understands various encodings and supports loading attachments in familiar formats.
The name of the selected folder is indicated at the top of the section. Below is a description of the letter with the sender's data, subject and part of the text it contains. If there is an attachment, it will be marked with an icon. The search works, the font changes, a caption is added to the text, the synchronization period and sound notification parameters are set.
Camera
The smartphone has a 5-megapixel module with autofocus and LED flash. There's no button here quick launch, the easiest option is to use the shortcut on the lock screen to quickly start shooting.
The settings menu is called up by the button on the left. The flash options open at the top, and the shooting mode is activated at the bottom. The general idea remains the same: the photo and video shooting keys are located on the right, and from here you can quickly go to the gallery or select effects.
Camera settings:
Scenes: auto, HDR, panorama, portrait, group landscape, whiteboard, close-up, low light.
Timer: 2.10 seconds.
Photo resolution: 5M (2592x1952), 3M (2048x1536), 1M (1280x960), 0.3M (640x480 pixels).
ISO: auto, 100, 200, 400, 800
White balance: auto, incandescent, fluorescent, daylight, cloudy.
Face detection, automatic smile detection, 4:3 widescreen frame, geotagging, grid activated, flash activated, shutter sound turned off.
The quality of the pictures is normal for its level, focusing works fine, pictures are saved quite quickly. Sometimes there may be white balance errors, colors go into cool shades, but this does not happen often.
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 |  Video recording Videos are created in MP4 format with stereo sound. Average-level video, now 720p has become the norm for such devices, but here you have to be content with a more modest quality. Video resolution: 800x480, 640x480, 320x240, 176x144 pixels.
Gallery All images from the smartphone’s memory go into the general gallery section, where they are presented in folders. The gallery works in both portrait and landscape mode. You can choose different criteria for viewing data by uploading images from Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox, Picasa or Skydrive. In the settings, hidden albums are specified, the existence of which no one except the smartphone owner will know.
While viewing files, a slide show is activated, which is complemented by music. The picture is sent to various social media, storage, in a message or via Bluetooth. It can be set as wallpaper, used for contact or added to your favorites list. The picture can be cropped or processed in the built-in photo editor with many preset effects.
Video player Declared support for video formats: .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .wmv ( Windows Media Video 9), .avi (MP4 ASP and MP3). The video is played in full screen, you can rewind using separate keys. You need to install a separate player to be sure to play all the videos. The player remembers where the video playback stopped in different files. The player adjusts the brightness level, and you can take a screenshot. Player When you open the player, which is highlighted in the menu with a bright red icon, you will notice several icons. The first of them leads to the player itself. Also here is the SoundHound program, TuneIn Internet radio and 7Digital, which leads to the music store. Unnecessary shortcuts are removed from here, and new ones are added from the menu. Thus it turns out separate group all audio-related applications, which is quite convenient.
Just below, recently played songs are shown, as well as information about the song being played in currently. When you select the music section on your phone, the player menu itself will open. There are several criteria for sorting here: albums, artists, compositions, playlists, genres. In any case, files will be displayed on the screen, clearly highlighted by covers and signatures. The search and mixed playback function works. At the same time, the search function in the library will also come in handy.
When you select the desired album, the following menu will open. In it you can see the cover, information about the number of tracks, genre, year. The song is sent to a playlist or another device. Another menu brings up a large list additional actions, where you can find not only information about the song, but also the ability to set it as a ringtone.
While songs are playing, the screen displays the album, artist name, track title, duration and remaining time. A convenient option for downloading covers is supported, which helps make the album presentable. The player works in both landscape and portrait modes.
By turning on sound enhancement using the Beats software option, you can see how the sound changes when listening to different music genres. It works with any headphones connected to your smartphone. When listening to music with the keyboard locked, pressing a mechanical key will wake up the screen, then the display will display the player control menu and the album cover, if any. This is convenient and allows you not to go into the menu if you want to switch to another track. When the keyboard is locked, you can adjust the volume in the player using the side buttons. The smartphone plays music well, but it is not at the level of the older models of the One line; it plays music in headphones not so interestingly. Radio The radio receiver can independently search for stations and store them in its memory. At the same time, you can make a list of your favorites and quickly switch between them. There is RDS support, as well as a playback function through the phone speaker. You can rename stations in your phone's memory yourself. There is a SoundHound search that works in radio mode or music player. It will help you quickly find detailed information about an interesting composition.
Browser The browser works in both horizontal and vertical screen orientations. Thanks to multi-touch, pages can be easily scaled, and the browser interface itself is clear and convenient. At the top is address bar, next to it is an icon, clicking on which adds the page to bookmarks. At the bottom of the screen it is called extra menu in the form of a sliding panel that allows you to open new windows.
The browser supports the function of simultaneous work with several pages involved. You can switch between them, refresh the page, view bookmarks and perform some other options (search by text, view downloaded files, and others). The address bar disappears as you scroll the page, but it may reappear as you scroll the site. It is very convenient that when pages are scaled, they adapt to the boundaries of the screen; they are pleasant and comfortable to view.
Organizer The calendar is displayed as a month, week, one day, or a list of recorded events. The device can notify a calendar event as sound signal, and a reminder in the service line. The notification time is configurable, it varies from 5 minutes to 1 week.
On your smartphone, you can configure which events are displayed in the calendar and which not. There is a division of information by storage location, each option has its own color label. While creating new entry its name, duration, place, repetition are specified (daily, once a week, monthly, annually). An alert signal is assigned for a certain period of time before the event occurs, and a description of this event. The start day of the week is set.
Watch The smartphone allows you to save several alarms in memory. The repeat can be set either once or every day, only on weekdays or weekly. The type of signal varies: melody or melody and vibration.
World time, stopwatch and timer functions work.
The calculator works both in vertical and horizontal position of the phone. By turning it on its side, many more functions are available.
Used for navigation Google Maps. The only drawback is that the program requires constant network activity, which affects the amount of traffic consumed by the device. Traffic jams are displayed, so the application has become fully functional and convenient not only for pedestrians, but also for car owners.
There is a function for determining the current location, calculating the route from the starting point to the ending point, and you can set the method of movement: by car, on foot or public transport. The route is laid out on the map, with key places indicated in the form text messages, which are displayed on the screen in the form of a column, you can switch between them: view the route in advance or vice versa, go back and plot another path. Scaling works using multi-touch. Function Street View helps you see pictures of the desired location, which makes searching in unfamiliar places much easier.
Applications YouTube - standard for most modern devices The application allows you to view videos and search among them. The application runs in full screen mode.
There is an application that combines weather data and news feed.
Polaris Office helps you view various documents on your phone screen.
The flash works as a flashlight. It is launched by a separate application that allows you to vary the brightness level.
Access to Facebook is provided through the application of the same name.
Sound Hound will help you identify music playing nearby.
Google Talk - chat for communication.
Tasks are created with due date, recurrence, reminder and priority.
Connections The phone operates in the frequencies GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and WCDMA 900/2100 MHz. While connecting to a computer, USB help 2.0, the user can choose between several modes: charging only, synchronizing data using HTC Sync, connecting as a storage device, connecting to the Internet via the phone, connecting the phone to the Internet via a PC. There is Bluetooth 4.0 with support for numerous profiles, including A2DP. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n works well, can remember network passwords that have once been entered, and automatically connect to them when within their range. There is a function with which a smartphone can be used as a network access point for other devices: a limit is set on the number of users, and the level of network protection is set by setting a password to access it.
Battery The power source is a replaceable battery with a capacity of 1650 mAh. Claimed 20 hours of talk time and 750 hours of standby time. In video playback mode at maximum brightness with running wireless modules The charge lasted for 3.5 hours. It turned out even less than Desire V. In general, you should count on a day of not very intensive use, and in a situation where you want to play or surf the Internet often, you will have to charge the smartphone twice a day.
Impression A speaker for conversations with pleasant voice transmission, but a small volume reserve. The vibration signal is average in strength and is not always felt. The ringtone is at an average level; in a noisy environment you may not hear it. From HTC Desire X I got what previous models lacked - speed. More precisely, the Desire SV with two SIM cards received the same filling, which is now one of the most attractive solutions among products from famous brands. Having tested it, it was interesting to see Desire X in action. The smartphone did not disappoint, it still works just as fast, the new processor and increased amount of RAM allow you to live happily ever after. Although over time, things are looking modest, and I would like to see more outstanding results. I really liked the smartphone. Attractive design, quality materials, beautiful colors. The design of the lid should be improved, otherwise an unpleasant squeak may appear over time; the plastic part is flimsy. A screen with an optimal diagonal of 4 inches is the golden mean, because not everyone is ready to use a device with a huge display. I would like to scold those who were responsible for the buttons: the screen lock and volume keys should have been made more convenient. You can get used to it, but it’s still strange that they didn’t pay special attention. Among other shortcomings, we note the absence of a front camera; some may need it. The Android version is not the latest, but 4.0.4 is quite up-to-date, and paired with the Sense 4.1 shell it looks even better. For a model costing 12-13 thousand rubles, the smartphone is not the most functional, but here, as before, the brand name means a lot, as well as a pleasant interface and general emotions. This device is comfortable to use, neat, good quality, although not the cheapest gadget. A more modest analogue from Alcatel, Fly or Philips will cost 4 thousand less. But the decision is made by the buyer, if you like the model and have enough money, then Desire X will not disappoint.
© Alexander Pobyvanets, Test laboratory |
In category budget smartphones There is always a wide range available. The competition between them is high. Naturally, each manufacturer tries to attract the attention of potential buyers to their model. To do this, they use original solutions in external design, select components of the hardware platform to ensure the performance and characteristics of the cameras and display. It is on this principle that the HTC Desire X smartphone was developed. Of course, the above criteria directly depend on the cost of the device. You need to understand that in the budget segment there are no devices with flagship hardware. The main thing here is to ensure that the balance between price and equipment is maintained. And judging by the reviews, Desire X is optimal. So, let's take a look at the characteristics of this model.
Appearance
The manufacturer, releasing HTC Desire X Dual, did not limit itself only to classic colors. A dark blue variant has been added to the line. Of the features appearance It is worth highlighting the metal frame that runs along the entire perimeter.
If you do not take into account the thickness of the case (9.3 mm), then the gadget can safely be called compact, since its length and width are 118.5 and 62.3 mm, respectively.
The layout of the controls is standard. On the front side there is a panel with three touch buttons. To turn on and lock, there is a key located on the upper end in the center. Next to it, offset to the left, is a headphone port. There are no elements on the bottom edge, except for the microphone hole. The charging port and volume rocker are located on the right side.
As you can see, the phone is not much different from its predecessors. However, it still has a twist - the location of the brand name. It is now located under the camera lens closer to the left side back cover. There is a speaker hole underneath. It is difficult to judge whether the place for it is well chosen, since in reviews the owners say that they often cover it with their hand. And this, accordingly, leads to a slight distortion of the sound.
Ergonomics
Many buyers have noticed similarities between the HTC Desire X and another model from this manufacturer - the One X. However, with a more detailed study, you can find many differences. Definitely, the described smartphone does not reach the level of a flagship, but in its class it will not go unnoticed. Almost all owners consider it successful in terms of ergonomics. Let's remember that back in 2012, not all buyers wanted to carry “shovels”. And Desire X, thanks to its compact size, does not cause inconvenience. It fits in your hand like a glove. The weight is light, so it can be carried in any pocket. Even those who talk on the phone for a long time have noticed that their hands do not get tired at all.
Screen
HTC Desire X is equipped with a display with a diagonal of four inches. As for inexpensive model it has pretty good characteristics. Resolution - 800 × 480 px. Production technology - Super LCD. Quite good pixel density - 233 ppi. This indicator guarantees a high-quality and clear image. The colors on the screen look rich, there is enough contrast even for working outdoors in sunny weather. There are light and proximity sensors. The manufacturer also implemented the Multitouch option.
It is impossible not to notice that the screen is protected by glass with high level resistance to mechanical damage. Significant advantages include the oleophobic layer. It prevents the accumulation of fingerprints.
HTC Desire X: hardware platform characteristics
The phone is built on a processor model already known to users - Snapdragon S4 (MSM8225). It is produced by a company with a fairly good reputation - Qualcomm. Of course, the characteristics of this chip are weak by modern standards, but we must not forget that the device was released in 2012. The processor is based on two cores. They are capable of accelerating to 1000 MHz each. The system is 32-bit. Architecture - ARMv7. Technological process - 45 nm. In order for the phone to work with graphic images, manufacturer together with central processor installed an Adreno 203 video card. All these characteristics are complemented by 768 MB of RAM. In general, the platform turned out to be not particularly powerful, but for of this smartphone performance is enough. The interface works without delay. Users claim that you can use several applications at once. The device copes with such a load without difficulty. There will be no problems with games that match the characteristics. However, the case will heat up noticeably during the process.
As for the built-in storage, its volume is small - only 4 GB. Owners will have to immediately install a memory card (up to 32 GB). By the way, the manufacturer has provided another way to expand memory - cloud service Dropbox. The subscription is valid for two years. Disk space - 25 GB.
This hardware platform fully complies with the requirements of the installed Android 4.0.4 OS. The developers did not abandon the proprietary Sense 4.1 shell.
Battery life
Will HTC Desire X be pleased with the timing? battery life? In their reviews, the owners drew attention to the fact that the 1650 mAh battery can provide up to 24 hours of operation subject to active use. If you use the device only for calls and connect to the Internet for a short time, then you will have to charge it no more than once every two days. But during games, the battery life will last for four hours.
Camera
This phone model is equipped with only one camera. The lens is brought to back panel. The module resolution is 5 megapixels. An undeniable advantage is the presence of a flash. Thanks to it, you can take good shots in low light. Fast automatic focusing is provided by ImageChip technology.
In order to appreciate the pictures taken with the HTC Desire X camera, you need to consider its low cost. For its segment, the optics can safely be called high-quality. However, for a detailed shot, good lighting is necessary (flash cannot provide such conditions). If you photograph an object too close, the image will show overexposed areas.
The owners noted the presence of the VideoPic option as an advantage. It provides the ability to simultaneously work in both photo and video modes. Videos are recorded in 800 × 480 px quality. There is automatic stabilization. However, viewing the video on big screen It won’t work, as the picture will be heavily pixelated.
Features of work
For those who are still unfamiliar with the proprietary shell of this manufacturer, we offer brief instructions. HTC Desire X will delight users with a simple and intuitive interface. In order to make the screen active, you just need to unlock the gadget. For ease of use, all pre-installed applications are organized alphabetically. When storing numbers in phone book they are indicated by different colors. If suddenly you don’t like something, then you just need to save the information again. It is very convenient to search for a subscriber in the book. To do this, just enter the first letters of your first or last name. You can also search by number.
According to the owners, virtual keyboard very comfortable. You can select either numeric mode or alphabetic mode. In the first case, the buttons will be large, in the second - smaller. In order for them to increase, it is enough to change the orientation of the phone to horizontal.
Initially installed on the smartphone standard applications. If you want to expand this list, then everything you need can be found in " Play Store".
HTC Desire X: reviews
Considering that this model The smartphone is presented in the budget segment, most users felt that it had no drawbacks. The only critical drawback was plastic case. Its reliability and quality of material raised doubts among buyers.
But those who decided to purchase the gadget highlighted a number of advantages. These include:
- Branded firmware Sense 4.1 with a beautiful interface.
- Current version operating system (as of 2013).
- Productive processor.
- High-quality screen with good rich color reproduction.
- Availability of a slot for a memory card.
Of course, with flagship smartphones this model cannot compare. However, for its segment it is a worthy specimen. Surprisingly, several years later (more than four) it can still be purchased in online stores. On average, they ask for 4,500 rubles. The characteristics of the phone fully justify this price.
In 2012, HTC decided to revive its Desire brand, giving it a new life in the budget (if we talk about HTC Desire C) and mid-range, while Desire and Desire S were flagships in 2010 and 2011 (with reservations, there was also the Incredible S model , and then also Sensation) year. Essentially, this allowed HTC to release an entire line of "transitional" smartphones that would last six months before the 2013 line, which was due to be announced at MWC 2013 later this month. The situation was aggravated and made even more confusing by the division into models with one and two SIM cards, popular in Asian, underdeveloped and other non-operator markets, such as the CIS market. Desire C, Desire V, Desire SV and now Desire X. And this is despite the presence of a mass of models with mysterious indices VC, VT, VX and U that are not represented in our country. There is also the One line with the indices ST, SC, U and SV (the latter will appear with us very soon). It’s no wonder that buyers and ordinary sellers are confused (and in the company itself, it seems, people themselves are not able to explain what the difference is and why, in essence, such a division is needed - I have never seen HTC’s official position on this matter anywhere).
The HTC Desire X model is a hardware copy of the Desire SV already known to us, only instead of a weak 8-megapixel camera they installed a weak, although not so hopeless, 5-megapixel camera. In the HTC line, it occupies an intermediate position between the bestseller HTC One V and its update - HTC One SV. At the same time, Desire X uses a back cover design borrowed from HTC Desire V. This is how parsley came out, the roots of which lie in a not entirely clear desire to expand the line indefinitely with relatively modest development resources. HTC's recipe for today's mid-range smartphones looks like a menu designer in a pizzeria: take this processor, add this camera, use the current version of the HTC Sense interface and the design from such and such a model. Seasoning with naming from the Latin alphabet with a connected generator random numbers- ready. Accordingly, the review of such a “conveyor” model looks like - all the components are already known to us and tested in other models (and described in the corresponding reviews), all that remains is to measure the performance with essentially predictable results and the operation of the main systems - screen, camera, sound and so on.
SpecificationsHTCDesireXand line neighbors
As I already said, the hardware of the HTC Desire X matches the HTC Desire SV (read its review). It has a dual-core Qualcomm MSM8225 processor with a clock frequency of 1 gigahertz and Adreno 203 graphics, a 4-inch display with a resolution of 800x480 and a 1650 mAh battery. The camera is different (5 megapixels instead of 8) and the absence of a second SIM card.
The closest neighbors in the line are the models HTC One V, HTC One SV, as well as the dual-SIM Desire V (which is already reaching the end of its life cycle) and Desire SV.
Appearance
If you've read our HTC Desire V review, everything should already be clear to you. I like the edge at the bottom edge of the screen, which allows you to control the device blindly, focusing on tactile sensations. The screen frame seems to be metal - I tried to scratch it, but it didn't work.
The back part contains a recognizable oval element with a camera, LED backlight and a “metal-like” design with diverging concentric circles. At the bottom there is a block of speaker holes and a reminder of HTC's collaboration with beats audio (and, accordingly, a special sound mode in the player). It is worth noting the excellent material of the back cover - it is clear that no savings were made here; to the touch it most closely resembles the flagship HTC One X (we also have a review of it). It is not soft like soft touch, but it is very easy to clean - just swipe it with your finger (and rub it if necessary). I don't think the lid's coating is scratch resistant, but it's just a lid.
The hardware controls are standard. It’s worth saying that the microUSB socket is located on the left, and not at the bottom, but I can’t understand who might find this solution inconvenient. The power and volume control keys are plastic and have a shallow travel. They are very responsive, just a light touch is enough. However, I don’t remember any random clicks(which, by the way, regularly irritate my Galaxy Note).
Inside, everything is exactly the same as in the HTC Desire V. The cover is removed like a galosh (I remember the first time I saw such a solution in the HTC Wildfire) - it contains a recess covering the body from the bottom. The power keys from the inside look like just strips of plastic, which is actually surprising: they look very cheap, but they work perfectly.
The lid of the test sample creaked noticeably when the case was slightly squeezed. Personally, such little things don’t bother me, but there are a few users for whom this is critical. I don’t know if it’s because the sample was pretty worn out or if it’s a design problem - who cares, pay attention to this when purchasing and that’s all.
The internal circuitry allows you to remove the SIM card and memory card without turning off the phone (you don’t need to remove the battery for this).
Screen
The display, in my opinion, is no different at all from the display in Desire V, we haven’t seen much sun in our area in recent weeks, I’m inclined to think that it will be readable in bright sun, but there’s no need to expect miracles. The screen sensor supports simultaneous pressing by 4 fingers.
Sound
Traditionally, the sound of HTC smartphones with beats audio technology (algorithm) evokes both positive and negative emotions. On the one hand, the algorithm actually works (only in the player, not in the radio). And the speaker sound looks good (taking into account price category Desire X, of course). On the other hand, why not include it if you really want to focus on good sound, included beats headphones audio?
Camera
I don’t know if the problem is that I had a prototype in my hands, on which it is impossible to install commercial firmware, or if this is the machinations of uninformed journalists, but HTC camera Desire X does not shine with results. Of course, I liked it more than in Desire SV, which turned out to be disgusting (and why does it need 8 megapixels?) In clear weather, everything looks great. On cloudy days - varying degrees of lousiness. But I don’t recommend shooting in series (and I do this often; saving film, thank God, is no longer necessary, and poor quality can sometimes be compensated for by the number of photos, among which there may be a decent shot). The camera choke and begins to shift color layers or produce artifacts. Which, frankly speaking, looks like an artificially created problem by the manufacturer, since the HTC One V, with comparable system performance, shoots like a machine gun (it’s time to get acquainted with its review, if you haven’t already) until the memory on the card runs out. Add to this the limitation in video shooting to a frame size of 800x480 pixels (for the One V this figure is at 1280x720), and it becomes clear that the word “progress” in the case of a smartphone of the “transition period” looks like an empty phrase.
A “Group Portrait” mode has appeared in the camera interface, in which the camera automatically tracks faces, then takes a series of frames and combines the most successful faces in the final photo (someone blinked, sneezed - we all know that this happens). In practice, the mode seems to work, but does not leave the original images, so it is difficult to assess the quality of the automation in this case.
Examples of outdoor shots
This is what the shot looks like when the camera is choking
And this is its real size
Examples of indoor shots
You can view all the pictures in real resolution in a special gallery on the bag.
Performance
The HTC Desire X's performance in synthetic tests predictably matches that of the Desire SV. In the AnTuTu benchmark it is 5680 points (for SV - 5230, for One V - 2622), in Vellamo - 1011 points (1056 and 1057 for SV and One V, respectively).
Battery life
The most controversial indicator in the performance of smartphones in general and Android smartphones in particular, since it highly depends on the usage scenario. Desire X did not bring any surprises - at maximum load it can work for 5-6 hours, depending on the brightness of the display. If you are afraid, for example, to use 3G and really want to stretch the work time over the whole day, then you can easily achieve this. The recipe is simple - the main thing is to take your phone out of your pocket less and not use the Internet at all (or dosage - 5 minutes every two hours). But, in this case, the question arises - why buy a smartphone then?
Competitive environment
And this is where the most interesting part, in my opinion, begins. Priced at around 2,500 hryvnia online, the Desire X looks to be one of the best performance offerings in its class. But if you take a step to the side, it is no longer as solid as we would like. Take, for example, the Huawei Ascend G500 Pro, which is comparable in performance (we have a review of it), which has a larger screen diagonal (4.3 inches), a higher resolution (960x540 pixels), and an IPS matrix (albeit not the best). With comparable performance, the price is only 300 hryvnia higher. And if you pay an extra 650, you can get the absolutely excellent LG Optimus L9, which is better in all respects. Not to mention the interesting Acer Liquid Gallant Duo, which can be bought for the same 2,500 hryvnia. True, it loses in the synthetic performance test, but in the browser benchmark it shows the same results. At the same time, HTC Desire X has no direct competitors, although in practice most buyers will most likely consider the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 as a purchase. I sincerely recommend that fans of the HTC brand either take the HTC One V ( better design, seriously better camera, slightly smaller screen diagonal and lower performance). Or wait a couple of months until the first demand (and with it the price) for the HTC One SV, which should be much more interesting than the Desire X, subsides.
Bottom line
Technologically, HTC Desire X looks like a Desire SV with one SIM card in a body from the HTC Desire V. Today, this is the best offer for 2,500 hryvnia (if we talk about prices on the Internet). Moreover, if you like the HTC brand, I would advise either to buy more interesting HTC One V today. Or, if you can wait a couple of months, then look at the HTC One SV. And if you don’t get hung up on the HTC brand, then I advise you to pay attention either to Huawei models that are comparable in price and capabilities, or to the completely good (and slightly more expensive) LG Optimus L9. This is exactly the case when it is better not to buy a good phone, in essence, due to the fact that this is a transitional model, the purchase of which can be disappointed after a few months, with the advent of more “tasty” new products.
3 reasons to buy HTC Desire X
- good performance in its class;
- nice design;
- affordable price in every sense;
2 reasons not to buy HTC Desire X
- a camera with serious shortcomings (low video resolution and problems with burst shooting);
- a transitional model that loses both to its predecessor and to its soon-to-be heir;
Additional Information
Announcement date: 2012-08-31General characteristics
Type: smartphone Weight: 114 g Control: touch buttons Operating system: Android 4.1 Case type: classic Number of SIM cards: 1 Dimensions (WxHxT): 62.3x118.5x9.3 mm SIM card type: regularScreen
Screen type: color Super LCD, touch type touch screen: multi-touch, capacitive Diagonal: 4 inches. Image size: 800x480 Pixels per inch (PPI): 233 Automatic screen rotation: yesMultimedia capabilities
Camera: 5 million pixels, led flash Camera functions: autofocus Video recording: yes (MP4) Max. Video resolution: 800x480 Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, FM radio Headphone jack: 3.5 mmConnection
Interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB Standard: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G DLNA support: yes Satellite navigation: GPSMemory and processor
Processor: 1000 MHz Number of processor cores: 2 Built-in memory capacity: 4 GB RAM capacity: 768 MB Memory card support: microSD (TransFlash) Memory card slot: yesOther functions
Control: voice dialing, voice control Sensors: light, proximity Flight mode: yesAs of today, there is very high competition in the smartphone market in the price category up to 300 US dollars. This is not surprising, since not every person can afford to purchase a flagship modification. On the other hand, everyone would like to get a device with a nice design, good performance, a large display and a high-quality camera.
As a market review shows, one of the best options now can be called HTC Desire X. Reviews from the owners of the model indicate that its name is justified (translated into Russian it means “desire”), because buyers receive for a relatively small amount of money at your disposal a device that fully complies with the basic requirements listed above.
general description
The manufacturing company offers three color options for the device body. In particular, it can be black, white or dark blue. The front glass is framed by a metal frame. The weight of the smartphone is 114 grams, and its dimensions are 118.5 x 62.3 x 9.3 millimeters. The location of the main controls here can be called quite successful. On the front below the screen are the touch keys “Home”, “Back” and “Menu”. The last button also switches between applications that are already open. The HTC Desire X power button is located at the top center, and to the left of it is a headphone jack. The microUSB port, as it is, is located on the right side. There is a hole for a microphone at the bottom.
A distinctive characteristic of this model was the location of the company logo, which on the rear panel made of matte smooth plastic is shifted to the lower left corner (located under the camera window). This solution added its own flavor to the design of the device. Just below the logo is a speaker. Its location was chosen, to put it mildly, not entirely correctly. As evidenced by reviews from HTC Desire X owners, this is not entirely convenient, because during a conversation the speaker is covered with your hand, which does not have the best effect on the transmitted sound.
Screen
The model is equipped with a Super LCD display, which is four inches in size. The screen resolution is 480 x 800. It has quite sufficient brightness and contrast, which is not greatly lost when using the device in the sun. The picture is very saturated. It uses a high-quality sensor that supports the Multitouch function. Fingerprints may remain on the screen, but thanks to use there is no need to wipe it frequently.
The HTC Desire X display is large, enough not only for viewing photos, but also for using the visual keyboard. Among other things, the screen is protected from impacts due to high-strength glass. Information about its manufacturer is classified. At the same time, it is certainly known that the material is not used here like in previous versions. In general, the display can be attributed to the advantages of the HTC Desire X model. Reviews from experts and users of the device have become serious confirmation of this.
Ergonomics
At first glance, it may seem that the smartphone is a smaller copy of the flagship model One X. If you look closely, you will notice that in fact there are many differences between them. In terms of ergonomics, the HTC Desire X is a pretty good phone. Having a four-inch display, the device is lightweight and fits comfortably in the hand, without causing any discomfort even during a long telephone conversation.
Specifications
The smartphone is equipped with a dual-core processor that operates at a frequency of 1 GHz. The volume of built-in memory is 4 gigabytes (there is also a connector for increasing it), and the RAM is 768 megabytes. The interface works quite quickly, without any delays even if several applications are not turned off. There will be no problems with games here either; the only thing that can cause criticism is that the device gets very hot. At the same time, this flaw is not observed when working with mail, music and other applications. As practice shows, all this stuffing is quite enough for normal support of the Android 4.0.4 operating system, as well as the company’s proprietary shell, known as Sense-4.
According to representatives of the manufacturer, it is desirable that the firmware in the HTC Desire X smartphone be updated from time to time. This is especially true in cases where the device begins to constantly reboot or does not turn on at all. It’s quite easy to do this on your own without going to specialized outlets.
Battery
The model is equipped with a replaceable battery with a capacity of 1650 mAh. As practice shows, such a capacity is quite enough for active use of the device throughout the whole day. If you make only a few calls a day and do not abuse the Internet, this time doubles, which allows you to safely talk about high degree autonomy of the model.
Sound
HTC Desire X boasts integrated Beats Audio technology, which delivers deep sound and music that's like a live performance. The device is capable of providing wireless transmission sound with fairly high clarity. The smartphone does not have an equalizer. At the same time, the above-mentioned regime is intended to completely replace it. However, connoisseurs of outstanding musical performance will likely be disappointed. It should be noted that the sound is sufficient for telephone conversations via headset.
Camera
The HTC Desire X smartphone has only one camera measuring five megapixels. It uses a 28mm, automatic flash and backlit matrix. Moreover, the company's patent technology, ImageChip, is used here. with the help of which video communication could be carried out is missing here. The resulting images are quite high quality for a phone in this price category. Excellent detail can only be seen in good lighting conditions. If photos are taken at a small distance from the object, individual “blinded” areas appear in the image. On the other hand, on long distance the colors are muted by the flash.
Videos are shot at a resolution of 800 x 480. At this time, the device even tries to stabilize the image. Compared to cameras installed on similar modifications of smartphones, the viewed recordings look much more solid (the main thing is not to make sudden movements when shooting). At the same time, watching them on modern plasma TVs is not recommended.
Menus and applications
The HTC Desire X smartphone has a simple and fairly typical menu for devices from this manufacturer. You can enter it by pressing the corresponding button on the front panel. All applications are organized in alphabetical order. In the phone book, calls are indicated in different colors depending on their type. The search for subscribers can be carried out either by number or by contact name. The sliding virtual keyboard is quite convenient. It makes typing text messages very easy. This is largely due to the large display size.
The list of applications that are initially installed on the phone is standard for all similar products from the company. It contains the programs necessary to start using the model. The price also includes a subscription to a Dropbox account with 25 gigabytes of storage space (valid for two years).
Precautionary measures
One of the weakest points that the device has is the volume control located on the right side. It is quite fragile and can quickly fail due to the constant opening and closing of the back cover. However, if you don’t do this, you shouldn’t worry about this.
Even though the model uses impact-resistant glass, it is not recommended to place the gadget on the front, as scratches may appear on the screen. Depending on the care and precision of the phone owner, abrasions may appear on the body over time. Based on all this, a completely rational decision would be to buy a case for the HTC Desire X. Its cost is not so high, but the external attractiveness of the device will last much longer.
conclusions
In general, the model can be called one of best options in his price segment. With leading smartphones running on operating system Android, of course, cannot compete, but, without a doubt, it has already earned its army of fans. The best way to characterize the device is specifications, speed and the possibility of fairly long battery life. There are no serious shortcomings in it (with the exception of an unreasonably large hole for the camera and a not very reliable volume control). As for the cost of HTC Desire X, the price of modification in domestic stores averages about three hundred US dollars.
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