HTC Desire HD smartphone

Photo: El Carlos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

HTC

HTC Desire HD

October 2010 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire HD was a prominent Android smartphone released in late 2010, known for its large 4.3-inch display and robust aluminum unibody design. It featured an 8-megapixel camera and was powered by a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, running Android 2.2 Froyo with HTC Sense UI.
Display4.3-inch S-LCD (480x800)
ChipsetSnapdragon S2 (1 GHz)
Main Camera8 MP (720p video)
Battery1230 mAh Li-Ion

💰 HTC Desire HD Price

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeS-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.3 inches
Resolution480 x 800 pixels
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
CPU1 GHz Scorpion
GPUAdreno 205

Memory

Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32 GB (8 GB card included in some markets)
Internal1.5 GB storage, 768 MB RAM

Main Camera

Single8 MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
FeaturesGeo-tagging, face detection
Video720p

Selfie Camera

SingleNot applicable

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh
Stand-byUp to 420 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 30 min (3G)

Body

Dimensions123 x 68 x 11.8 mm
Weight164 g
BuildAluminum unibody
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS
RadioFM Radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

Announced2010, September 15
StatusReleased 2010, October

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Premium build quality with aluminum unibody
  • Large and vibrant display for its era
  • Capable 8MP camera with HD video recording
  • Good performance for its time with Snapdragon S2 processor
  • HTC Sense UI offered a rich user experience

Cons

  • Relatively small battery capacity by today's standards
  • Original Android OS (Froyo) is outdated
  • No front-facing camera
  • Heavy and bulky compared to modern smartphones
  • Limited official software updates beyond Gingerbread
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Desire HD was a highly-rated flagship device at its launch, offering a premium experience with a large screen and solid performance, though its specifications are now significantly outdated.

The HTC Desire HD is a vintage smartphone and is not recommended for daily use in 2026. Its operating system (Android 2.2/2.3) is severely outdated, meaning most modern apps will not function, and security updates are non-existent. The hardware, while advanced for its time, will struggle with contemporary tasks. If you are a collector or an enthusiast looking for a piece of smartphone history, it can be an interesting acquisition, but do not expect it to perform as a functional modern device. Battery life will be poor, and finding replacement parts or accessories will be challenging. Consider it a historical artifact rather than a usable phone.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Desire HD Handset
  • Removable Battery
  • Battery Door Cover
  • PC Connecting Cable (microUSB)
  • Wired Stereo Headset
  • Mains / Wall / Travel Charger
  • 8GB microSD Card (region dependent)
  • Documentation/User Manual

Standard manufacturer's warranty was provided at the time of original purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

What are the HTC Desire HD's headline specifications?

The HTC Desire HD has a display of 4.3-inch S-LCD (480x800), chipset of Snapdragon S2 (1 GHz), main camera of 8 MP (720p video), battery of 1230 mAh Li-Ion.

What's the HTC Desire HD's release date?

The HTC Desire HD was released on October 2010.

Is the HTC Desire HD a good phone?

We rate the HTC Desire HD 7/10. The HTC Desire HD was a highly-rated flagship device at its launch, offering a premium experience with a large screen and solid performance, though its specifications are now significantly outdated.