HTC Desire C smartphone

Photo: Sloesch (Diskussion) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

HTC

HTC Desire C

June 2012 4/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire C is an entry-level Android smartphone released in June 2012, featuring a compact design, a 3.5-inch display, and Beats Audio technology. It ran on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and was positioned as an affordable option for basic smartphone users.
Display3.5-inch TFT, 320x480 pixels
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S1
Main Camera5 MP
Battery1230 mAh Li-Ion
Starting from $7,486

💰 HTC Desire C Price

The HTC Desire C lowest price is $7,486, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT capacitive touchscreen
Size3.5 inches
Resolution320 x 480 pixels
ProtectionNot specified
Pixel DensityApproximately 165 ppi

Platform

OSAndroid 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) unofficially
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S1 (MSM7225A)
CPU600 MHz single-core (GSM) or 1 GHz single-core (CDMA)
GPUAdreno 200

Memory

Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32 GB
Internal4 GB (user available 1 GB), 512 MB RAM

Main Camera

Single5 MP
FeaturesGeo-tagging
VideoNot specified (likely VGA or 480p)

Selfie Camera

SingleNo

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh
Stand-byUp to 480 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 8 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 10 min (3G)

Body

Dimensions107.2 x 60.6 x 11.95 mm (4.22 x 2.39 x 0.47 in)
Weight98 g (3.46 oz)
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS
NFCYes (market dependent)
RadioFM Radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedMay 2012
StatusReleased June 2012

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Very compact and easy to handle
  • Beats Audio enhances sound quality
  • Affordable price point at launch
  • Expandable storage is a plus for media
  • Removable battery for easy replacement

Cons

  • Low screen resolution and pixel density
  • Limited internal storage (1GB user available)
  • No front-facing camera
  • Underpowered processor for modern apps
  • Outdated Android version (4.0) with no official updates
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Desire C was a decent entry-level phone for its time, offering basic smartphone features and Beats Audio in a compact form factor, but its low specifications quickly became a limitation.

The HTC Desire C is an extremely outdated smartphone by today's standards and is not recommended for daily use. Its operating system is no longer supported, and its hardware cannot handle modern applications. It might appeal to collectors of vintage mobile phones or those seeking a very basic feature phone replacement, but even then, its functionality will be severely limited. For practical use, consider any modern budget smartphone, which will offer significantly better performance, camera quality, and software support at a comparable or lower current price point.

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

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Desire C Handset
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Wired Headset
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Card

The HTC Desire C typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the HTC Desire C released?

The HTC Desire C was officially released in June 2012.

Does the HTC Desire C have a front camera?

No, the HTC Desire C does not feature a front-facing camera.

What operating system does the HTC Desire C run?

The HTC Desire C launched with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, with an HTC Sense 4.0a overlay.

Is the HTC Desire C still a good phone to buy today?

No, the HTC Desire C is severely outdated and not recommended for purchase today due to its old operating system, limited hardware, and lack of modern app support.

Does the HTC Desire C support expandable storage?

Yes, the HTC Desire C supports expandable storage via a microSDHC card, up to 32 GB.

What is the screen size and resolution of the HTC Desire C?

The HTC Desire C features a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels.