HTC Wildfire S smartphone

Photo: Beamish4 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

HTC

HTC Wildfire S

May 2011 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Wildfire S was an entry-level Android smartphone released in May 2011, featuring a compact design with a 3.2-inch HVGA display and a 5-megapixel camera. It ran Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense, targeting users transitioning from feature phones to smartphones.
Display3.2-inch HVGA TFT display
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S1
Main Camera5 MP with autofocus and LED flash
Battery1230 mAh removable Li-Ion
Starting from $16

💰 HTC Wildfire S Price

The HTC Wildfire S lowest price is $16, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT capacitive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size3.2 inches
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 180 ppi density

Platform

OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 2.3.5, with HTC Sense UI 2.1
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1
CPU600 MHz ARM 11
GPUAdreno 200

Memory

Internal512MB ROM, 512MB RAM (418 MB user-available)
Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32GB (2GB included in some markets)

Main Camera

Single5 MP, autofocus, LED flash
FeaturesGeo-tagging
Video480p

Selfie Camera

SingleNone

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion
Capacity1230 mAh
Talk timeUp to 5 hours 50 minutes
Stand-byUp to 570 hours

Body

Dimensions101.3 x 59.4 x 12.4 mm (3.99 x 2.34 x 0.49 in)
Weight105 g (3.70 oz)
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth3.0, A2DP, FTP/OPP, PBAP profiles
GPSYes, with A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedFebruary 2011
StatusReleased May 2011

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Compact and easy to handle
  • Affordable price point at launch
  • HTC Sense UI offered a user-friendly experience
  • Decent camera for its class at the time
  • Expandable storage

Cons

  • Low screen resolution by modern standards
  • Limited internal storage and RAM
  • Older Android version (Android 2.3 Gingerbread)
  • Modest processor performance
  • No front-facing camera
★ Our Verdict

The HTC Wildfire S was a competent entry-level smartphone for its time, offering a compact design and the user-friendly HTC Sense experience, though its specifications were modest even for 2011.

The HTC Wildfire S is a vintage smartphone, primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with early Android devices. It is not suitable for modern daily use due to its outdated operating system, limited processing power, and lack of support for current applications and network technologies. If you are considering purchasing one, ensure it is in good working condition and understand that its functionality will be severely restricted. Look for units with original accessories and an intact battery, though battery life will likely be degraded. This phone is best appreciated as a piece of mobile history rather than a functional communication tool.

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

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Wildfire S handset
  • 1230 mAh battery
  • Wall charger
  • USB cable
  • Stereo headset
  • User manual

Standard manufacturer's warranty applied at the time of purchase, typically one year.

❓ Questions & Answers

What operating system does the HTC Wildfire S run?

The HTC Wildfire S originally ran on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, enhanced with HTC's Sense UI 2.1.

When was the HTC Wildfire S released?

The HTC Wildfire S was announced in February 2011 and released in May 2011.

Does the HTC Wildfire S have a front-facing camera?

No, the HTC Wildfire S does not feature a front-facing camera; it only has a single 5-megapixel camera on the rear.

Can I use modern apps on the HTC Wildfire S?

Due to its outdated Android 2.3 operating system and limited hardware, the HTC Wildfire S cannot run most modern applications available today.

What was the original price of the HTC Wildfire S?

At its launch, the HTC Wildfire S was often available for around $79.99 with a two-year contract and a mail-in rebate.

Is the HTC Wildfire S still a viable smartphone today?

No, the HTC Wildfire S is not considered a viable smartphone for daily use today due to its obsolete software, limited hardware, and lack of support for current network standards and applications.