HTC Desire smartphone

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

HTC

HTC Desire

February 16, 2010 (announced) 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire, codenamed Bravo, was a flagship Android smartphone released in 2010, known for its vibrant AMOLED display (though some later units used S-LCD due to supply issues) and a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. It was among the first phones to run Android 2.1 Eclair with HTC's Sense UI, offering a refined user experience for its time.
Display3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED/SLCD
ChipsetQualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1
Main Camera5 MP with autofocus and LED flash
BatteryRemovable 1400 mAh Li-Ion
Starting from $174

💰 HTC Desire Price

The HTC Desire lowest price is $174, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeAMOLED or SLCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 2.2 (Froyo) and officially to 2.3 (Gingerbread via manual flash)
ChipsetQualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1
CPU1.0 GHz Scorpion (single-core)
GPUAdreno 200

Memory

Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), up to 32 GB (4 GB included)
Internal576 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM (150 MB user accessible flash storage)

Main Camera

Single5 MP, autofocus
FeaturesLED flash, geotagging
Video480p@15fps, 720p@30fps (via software update)

Selfie Camera

SingleNo

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery
Stand-byUp to 340 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G)

Body

Dimensions119 x 60 x 11.9 mm (4.69 x 2.36 x 0.47 in)
Weight135 g (4.76 oz)
SIMMini-SIM
OtherOptical trackpad

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (Android 2.2)
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP
PositioningGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

Announced2010, February 16
StatusReleased 2010, March/April

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Gorgeous and vibrant AMOLED screen (for early models)
  • Fast 1 GHz Snapdragon processor for its time
  • Excellent web browser with Flash support
  • HTC Sense UI provided a refined Android experience
  • Solid build quality

Cons

  • Battery life could be disappointing and required daily recharging
  • 5 MP camera was considered average, especially for video quality
  • Limited internal storage for apps
  • Later models switched to SLCD due to AMOLED shortages
  • Bluetooth playback could stutter
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Desire was a highly influential and well-regarded Android flagship at its launch, offering a premium experience with its powerful processor and innovative Sense UI, despite some limitations in battery life and camera performance.

The original HTC Desire is a vintage smartphone from 2010, making it largely obsolete for modern daily use. Its Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.3) operating system is incompatible with most current apps and services, and its hardware is significantly underpowered by today's standards. Therefore, it is not recommended for purchase as a primary device. However, it holds significant value for collectors, technology enthusiasts, or those interested in the history of Android smartphones. If buying for collection, look for units in excellent cosmetic condition with original packaging and accessories, as these will retain more value. Ensure the battery is either new or in good condition, though finding a fully functional original battery might be challenging.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Desire Handset
  • 1400 mAh Battery
  • microUSB Cable
  • Wall Charger
  • Stereo Headset
  • User Manual

New phones typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the HTC Desire?

The HTC Desire is an iconic Android smartphone released by HTC in 2010, known for being one of the first devices to feature Android 2.1 Eclair with the HTC Sense user interface and a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor.

When was the original HTC Desire released?

The original HTC Desire was announced on February 16, 2010, and began shipping in various regions, in March and April 2010.

What operating system did the HTC Desire run?

It launched with Android 2.1 Eclair and was officially upgradable to Android 2.2 Froyo. A developer-oriented update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread was also made available.

Does the HTC Desire have a good camera?

The HTC Desire featured a 5 MP autofocus camera with an LED flash. While considered decent for its time, its video recording capabilities (480p@15fps, later 720p@30fps via update) and overall image quality were often described as average compared to competitors.

What was unique about the HTC Desire's display?

Early versions of the HTC Desire featured a vibrant 3.7-inch AMOLED display. However, due to supply shortages, later production runs switched to an S-LCD panel, which offered different characteristics in terms of color reproduction and contrast.

Is the HTC Desire still usable today?

While functional, the HTC Desire is largely obsolete for modern daily use. Its outdated Android version limits app compatibility, and its hardware cannot handle current smartphone demands. It is primarily suitable for collectors or as a historical tech artifact.