Unlike Samsung, Sony and others at MWC 2014 who launched new flagship devices that really push the outer limits of the mobile device experience, HTC really made a point this time around that it was going to change the mid-tier landscape with its HTC Desire 816 device. The strategy is to add more advanced features to its mid range product offerings, challenging expectations of what cheaper a Smartphone should be. Sascha managed to get some hands-on time with the HTC Desire 816, check his take on HTC’s newest device:
HTC desire 816: Specifications
• 5.5” LCD (720 x 1280)
• Snapdragon 400 (Adreno 305 GPU)
• 1.5GB RAM
• 8GB Internal Storage
• 13MP Rear Camera(4160 x 3120)
• 5MP Front Camera (720p)
• 156.6mm x 78.7mm x 8mm
• 165 grams
• 2,600 mAh Battery (non-removable)
• Android with HTC sense v5.5
As much as HTC is talking up their game-changing strategy of offering high-end features on a lower cost device, we actually don’t have too much in terms of pricing information right now. If we look at the specifications we can see that the Desire 816 is in many ways a cost-down version of its older brothers, the ever-popular and iconic HTC One, and HTC One Max.
Where the HTC One has a pretty beefy Snapdragon 600 SoC, the Desire 816 is relegated to the cheaper Snapdragon 400. In terms of display the HTC One has that very impressive 4.7 inch Super LCD3 Full HD using Gorilla Glass 2. The Desire 816 has a larger display with a 5.5” 720p using standard LCD display technology. Comparisons of cameras and other features follow this theme. Also a side by side comparison with the size comparative HTC Max reads pretty much the same.
I guess, in the end, the price point will be crucial for the eventual success or failure of the device, which makes it less surprising that HTC have yet to talk about price points.
