HTC is a Taiwanese company that has been in the smartphone industry for over two decades. HTC before its temporal decline in 2017 had a relatively wide market coverage. HTC suffered from quality issues, marketing failures, and legal disputes and could barely survive the fierce competition it faced from other smartphone makers, especially Samsung and Apple, which eroded its market share and profits. However the company had since rebranded and re-emerged in 2023 with a new vision. In this blogpost, we will highlight some of the latest models and also discuss the history, pros and cons of choosing a HTC phone.
HTC group of phones: A review of the past and present
HTC started as an original design manufacturer and original equipment manufacturer that designed and made laptop computers and handheld devices for other brands. In 2006, it launched its own brand of smartphones under the HTC name, with the HTC TyTN as one of its first products.
HTC was one of the pioneers of Android, the popular mobile operating system developed by Google. It joined the Open Handset Alliance, a group of companies that supported the development of Android, in 2007. It also made the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, which was released in 2008 as the T-Mobile G1 in some markets. HTC also made the first Nexus phone, the Google Nexus One, which was launched in 2010 as a flagship device for Android.
HTC was known for its innovative design and its Sense user interface, which added features and customization options to Android. HTC also introduced some of the first smartphones with large screens, high-resolution displays, and powerful processors. Some of its notable models include the HTC Hero, which was the first Android phone with a custom skin and a chin design; the HTC Desire HD, which had a 4.3-inch screen and an 8-megapixel camera; the HTC Evo 4G, which was the first 4G phone in the US; and the HTC One series, which featured metal bodies, front-facing speakers, and UltraPixel cameras.
However, HTC also faced fierce competition from other smartphone makers, especially Samsung and Apple, which eroded its market share and profits. HTC struggled to keep up with the changing consumer preferences and technological innovations. It also suffered from quality issues, marketing failures, and legal disputes. In 2017, HTC sold part of its smartphone division to Google for $1.1 billion, while retaining its brand and some of its products.
In 2023, HTC announced its comeback to the smartphone market with a new strategy and vision. It launched two new models: the HTC U23 and the HTC U23 Pro. The U23 is a mid-range phone with a 6.5-inch LCD display, a Snapdragon 765G processor, a quad-camera setup, and a 5000 mAh battery. The U23 Pro is a premium phone with a 6.8-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, a penta-camera setup, and a 6000 mAh battery. Both phones run on Android 12 with HTC Sense 12 UI.
HTC also partnered with Valve to produce a virtual reality platform known as HTC Vive. The Vive is a headset that allows users to experience immersive VR games and applications. It uses room-scale tracking technology and motion controllers to enable users to move around and interact with their virtual environment. The Vive was launched in 2016 and has received several upgrades since then. The latest version is the HTC Vive Pro 2, which was released in 2021 with improved resolution, refresh rate, field of view, and comfort.
Summary of the latest (2023) and most popular HTC smartphones:
- HTC U23 (mid-ranged)
- HTC U23 Pro (premium)
The HTC group of phones has many pros and cons that can be evaluated based on seven different criteria we've set as the standard for evaluating a phone's overall performance. These criteria include design, performance, camera, battery, price, software, and customer service.
Some of the pros of HTC phones are:
- HTC phones have a distinctive design that stands out from other brands. They use premium materials like metal and glass to create sleek and elegant devices.
- HTC phones have a user-friendly interface that enhances the Android experience. The Sense UI offers customization options, smart features, and useful apps that make using the phone easier and more enjoyable.
- HTC phones have excellent audio quality that delivers clear and loud sound. They use technologies like BoomSound and Beats Audio to enhance the speaker and headphone performance.
- HTC phones have innovative cameras that capture stunning photos and videos. They use technologies like UltraPixel, Zoe, and UFocus to improve the image quality and offer creative modes.
Some of the cons of HTC phones are:
- HTC phones are expensive compared to other brands. They often charge higher prices for their flagship models than their competitors.
- HTC phones have limited availability in some markets. They are not widely distributed or supported by many carriers or retailers.
- HTC phones have inconsistent software updates that delay or skip important security patches or new features. They often lag behind other brands in delivering the latest Android versions or bug fixes.
- HTC phones have poor battery life that drains quickly under heavy usage. They often have smaller batteries than their rivals or consume more power due to their high-end specifications.
HTC is a company that has made significant contributions to the smartphone industry with its innovative products and technologies. It has also faced many challenges and difficulties that have affected its performance and reputation. In 2023, it has attempted to revive its smartphone business with new models that offer impressive features and specifications. It has also diversified its portfolio with its VR platform, the HTC Vive, which is one of the best VR devices in the market. HTC phones have their pros and cons that consumers should weigh before making a purchase decision.
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