What's good
- Large screen
- Fast processor
- MicroSD card support
- 13MP front and rear camera
What's bad
- Gimmicky camera software
- Plastic casing
- Pricing
HTC is no stranger to putting out phones that challenge popular trends. With their latest offering, they are hoping to provide an option for those who love taking selfies. With a 13MP front-facing camera and powerful specs, will the HTC Desire Eye live up to the hype? Let’s see what the reviews have to say.
The phone sits in a odd position in the HTC line up. It has the internals of a flagship device with the casing of the Desire’s more budget-friendly line. While you won’t get a metal shell like with the One series, reviews of the Eye’s polycarbonate two-tone case and design are very positive. While 3G states, “The design is one of the few areas of the Desire Eye which doesn’t feel flagship worthy”, TechRadar loved it, calling the phone “an attractive device nonetheless.”
With a quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon, 2GB of RAM and a 5.2-inch 1080p display, the phone has plenty of performance for users of any ilk. No reviews noted any slowdowns or performance problems, even with heavy multitasking, gaming or HD video.
With 16GB of internal storage and microSD card support, the Desire Eye has plenty of room to store your pictures and video. This is important as the phone features a 13MP camera on both the front and the rear for truly glorious selfies. Trusted Reviews tried the cameras and declared, “both cameras work well.” The phone also features a variety of picture modes to take advantage of the powerful camera arrangement. While many reviews called them a bit gimmicky, they also noted that the features performed exactly as advertised.
Boomsound speakers and IPX7 certification round out the offerings to ensure the phone will both sound and work great in a variety of conditions. Unlike many other models, the Desire Eye achieved IPX7 certification without the need for rubber plugs or flaps, eliminating one more thing to worry about when using the phone. While many reviews noted that the hinged trays and covers for the ports were different from anything they’d previously seen, none had problems accessing ports when needed.
In all, the phone receives positive reviews. CNet says the phone has “plenty to keep selfie lovers happy” while BGR declares it a “wonderfully capable smartphone with sleek hardware to match its elegant software.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Clinton Jeff, UnleashThePhonesThe HTC Desire EYE is by no doubts, the best selfie-centric smartphone out there.For one thing, it is way better spec’d than other selfie phones like the Nokia Lumia 730 or the Sony Xperia C3. Which in turn means that it is way more future proof a phone.But those specs also mean that the Desir...
- Dragan Petric, BrighthandThe Desire Eye packs flagship hardware packed into upper midrange body, providing the kind of display, performance, and battery life you’d normally get from a phone $100-200 more expensive. That alone makes this phone a winner (if you can live with a slightly outdated OS), but its dual 13-mega...
- Dhruv Bhutani, Fone ArenaThe HTC Desire Eye is a step up for the Desire series. The hardware, both internal and external is touching flagship levels but this also puts it in a strange situation. The phone’s USP is the front facing camera which we found to be a wee bit shite. The rear camera too while decent enough, is...
- Nicholas Fearn, The Next WebThis is one of the most selfie-obsessed smartphones out there, so if you’re vain, you needn’t look any further.If you’re not into your selfies, you may find it inconvenient to have a huge front-facing camera slapped in front of you. That said, the Desire Eye is certainly capable as...
- Alastair Stevenson, The InquirerThe Desire Eye does have its flaws, chiefly the previous generation Android version, average battery and hazy camera focus, but there is a lot to like about it.The Desire Eye features a robust design and decent screen, and above average performance when you consider its £400 price tag.Consider...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the HTC Desire Eye user manual here.
HTC backs up the Desire Eye with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Desire Eye has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact HTC support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find HTC's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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