HTC Desire 820 smartphone

Photo: Kskhh via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

HTC

HTC Desire 820

November 2014 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire 820 is a mid-range Android smartphone released in late 2014, notable for being one of the first devices to feature a 64-bit octa-core processor. It offered a large 5.5-inch display, a capable 13MP main camera, and an impressive 8MP front-facing camera for its time, catering to multimedia consumption and selfie enthusiasts. [2, 5, 33, 38]
Display5.5-inch HD Super LCD2 with Gorilla Glass 3 [2, 22, 35]
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core 64-bit [5, 7, 38]
Main Camera13 MP with LED flash and 1080p video [5, 13, 22]
Battery2600 mAh non-removable Li-Po [5, 18, 21]
Starting from $4,823

💰 HTC Desire 820 Price

The HTC Desire 820 lowest price is $4,823, based on current retailer listings.

  • Thronestore (via DHgate.com) Lowest Price $4,823 Visit →

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeSuper LCD2 capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3 [1, 2, 4, 16, 22, 33, 35]

Platform

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 615 (MSM8939)
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPUAdreno 405 [2, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 33, 35, 38, 41]

Memory

Internal16GB
RAM2GB
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot, up to 128GB) [2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 33, 35, 37, 41]

Main Camera

Single13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR
Video1080p@30fps [2, 4, 5, 13, 16, 21, 22, 26, 27, 33, 35, 38]

Selfie Camera

Single8 MP, f/2.3, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p [2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 16, 21, 22, 27, 33, 35, 38]

Battery

TypeLi-Po 2600 mAh, non-removable
Talk timeUp to 22 h 40 min (3G)
Stand-byUp to 424 h (3G) [2, 4, 5, 8, 16, 18, 21, 22, 33, 37, 41]

Body

Dimensions157.7 x 78.7 x 7.7 mm (6.21 x 3.10 x 0.30 in)
Weight155 g (5.47 oz)
SIMNano-SIM (single or dual SIM variants)
BuildPolycarbonate body [3, 4, 16, 20, 22, 34]

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, aptX
PositioningGPS, GLONASS
NFCYes (region dependent)
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTG [11, 16, 17, 26, 27, 28, 41]

Launch

AnnouncedSeptember 2014
StatusAvailable. Released November 2014
OS at LaunchAndroid 4.4.2 KitKat, upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow [2, 3, 33, 37]

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Attractive dual-tone design for its era [10, 25]
  • Decent performance for a mid-range device at launch [12, 18]
  • Excellent 8MP front camera for selfies [10, 38]
  • Immersive audio experience with BoomSound speakers [10, 25]
  • Expandable storage is a plus for media users [2, 13]

Cons

  • 720p display resolution is low for a 5.5-inch screen [1, 43]
  • Battery life could be better [18, 41]
  • Glossy polycarbonate back can be slippery [22, 43]
  • NFC connectivity was not available in all regions [19, 27, 43]
  • Limited software updates due to its age [35]
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Desire 820 was a solid mid-range contender at its release, offering a powerful processor and strong camera features for its price point, though its display resolution and battery life were noted drawbacks. [18, 41]

The HTC Desire 820, released in 2014, is now an older smartphone primarily suitable for basic tasks or as a secondary device. If considering a purchase, especially a used or refurbished unit, prioritize checking the battery health, screen condition, and overall functionality. Its 64-bit processor and decent cameras still offer value for light usage like calls, messaging, and casual browsing. However, expect limited app compatibility with newer Android versions and a lack of security updates. For a primary device, newer budget smartphones will offer significantly better performance, camera quality, and software support at a comparable or slightly higher price point. [35]

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Desire 820 Handset
  • Charger (modular power adapter)
  • USB cable (microUSB)
  • Standard headset
  • User guide
  • Warranty information [17, 20, 21, 22, 25]

Standard manufacturer's warranty, typically 12-24 months depending on the region of purchase. [18, 30]

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the HTC Desire 820 released?

The HTC Desire 820 was announced in September 2014 and officially released in November 2014. [3, 16]

What operating system did the HTC Desire 820 launch with?

It launched with Android 4.4.2 KitKat and was later upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. [2, 3, 33, 37]

Does the HTC Desire 820 have expandable storage?

Yes, the HTC Desire 820 features a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 128GB. [2, 13, 21]

What are the camera specifications of the HTC Desire 820?

It has a 13 MP main camera with LED flash and autofocus, capable of 1080p video recording, and an 8 MP front-facing camera also capable of 1080p video. [2, 5, 13, 22]

Is the HTC Desire 820 still a good phone in 2026?

Given its release in 2014, the HTC Desire 820 is considered an outdated model in 2026. It may be suitable for very basic tasks or as a secondary device, but it will struggle with modern apps and lacks current software and security updates. [35]

Does the HTC Desire 820 support 4G LTE?

Yes, the HTC Desire 820 supports 4G LTE connectivity, with regional variations in supported bands. [16, 27]