Display:480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density)
Camera:8 MP, 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF
Battery:
Released:Released 2013, September
Desire 500: A Comprehensive Review
When it comes to smartphones, HTC has always been a brand that delivers high quality devices with innovative features. One such device is the Desire 500, which was released back in 2013. Let's take a deep dive into this phone's features and specifications to see if it still holds up in today's market.
Release and Design
The HTC Desire 500 was released in September 2013, with its announcement taking place a month earlier in August. It was designed with a sleek and compact body, weighing only 123g and measuring at 9.9mm thickness. The phone is also available in two color options - black and silver.
Display
With a TFT display and a size of 4.3 inches, the Desire 500 offers a decent viewing experience. However, with a resolution of only 480 x 800 pixels, the screen may not be as sharp as some of the newer models on the market. It does have a 59.7% screen-to-body ratio, but the low pixel density of 217 ppi may be a letdown for those who enjoy watching videos or playing games on their phones.
Operating System and Performance
Out of the box, the Desire 500 runs on Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) with HTC's Sense UI 5 on top. While this operating system may feel quite dated now, it was a significant upgrade at the time of its release. Powering the phone is a Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 Play chipset, along with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU and Adreno 203 GPU. With a dedicated microSDXC slot, users can expand the phone's storage, which comes with 4GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM.
Camera
For those who love taking pictures, the Desire 500 has an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and features such as auto-focus, Geo-tagging, and 720p video recording capabilities. While the camera quality may not compete with newer models, it still produces decent and sharp images. As for the front camera, it has a 1.6MP resolution and is suitable for casual selfies and video calls.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Desire 500 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS, and DLNA. However, it lacks NFC compatibility, which might be a dealbreaker for some users. The device also has a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer and comes with a 3.5mm audio jack.
Battery and Other Features
With a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, the Desire 500 can last up to 435 hours on standby and 12 hours on talk time. It also has a loudspeaker and supports stereo FM radio, making it a decent choice for music lovers. The phone is also equipped with sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor.
Price and Availability
The HTC Desire 500 was available for purchase at around 180 EUR at the time of its release. However, as it has been discontinued, it may be difficult to find it in stores now. But, it is still available in the pre-owned market and at discounted prices.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the HTC Desire 500 may not be as advanced as some of the newer smartphones on the market, but it still offers decent features and performance for its time. For those looking for an affordable and reliable device, the Desire 500 is definitely a viable option. However, keep in mind that with technology advancing rapidly, this phone may not meet your expectations in terms of speed and features. Nonetheless, for its price and specifications, it was undoubtedly a standout device during its release.