Top 10 reasons to buy a HTC Desire Z
When HTC released the Dream, its first Android handset, in 2009, it subtly altered the public's expectations regarding what they should expect from the modern smartphone. Suddenly, it was possible to have a high quality Android phone, with a full QWERTY keyboard and a responsive touchscreen. Skip forward 18 months and HTC has given us the Desire Z and once again done an impressive job of improving an old favourite.
Operating System - The Desire Z runs on Android 2.2 (aka Froyo), which features Android OS speed, memory, and performance optimizations, as well as all the open source goodness that we’ve come to expect from Android. With the Android Market currently featuring over 100,000 apps, you’re sure to find anything you need, allowing you to utilise your HTC Desire Z to its full potential.
Keyboard - Whilst a touchscreen is a nice feature, sometimes you just need a hardware keyboard, when typing a particularly long e-mail or document. The QWERTY keyboard on the Desire Z has nicely spaced, responsive keys and is comfortable enough to use at length. The keyboard also features three programmable keys, which extends the customisable feel beyond that of the operating system.
Build - The opening mechanism on the Desire Z is something of a unique feature, as it doesn’t so much slide as zigzag open to reveal the QWERTY. Along with this singular feature you're treated to the kind of solid, expensive feeling device that people have come to associate with HTC.
Display - The HTC Desire Z features a 3.7-inch 800 × 480 WVGA S-LCD capacitive touchscreen, which is pight, responsive and generally a delight to use. The pight colours make viewing your snaps and videos a pleasant experience, and coupled with the well supported media player that you're treated to on the device, you're treated to a richly rewarding visual experience.
Design - HTC has given a lot of thought to the design of the Desire Z, from the opening mechanism we mentioned earlier, to the sleek, aluminium body – this is a stylish phone.
The volume and camera buttons are extremely low profile, and the microUSB sits discreetly on the side of the device, whilst the track pad and touch-sensitive buttons on the front of the phone are as minimal as can be. At 3mm thinner than the HTC Dream, the Desire Z is pretty compact for a phone with a full QWERTY, and certainly won’t feel like a pick in your pocket or handbag.
Camera - The Desire Z’s camera is another great selling point as it boasts a 5-megapixel snapper with autofocus and an LED flash. Switch to video capture mode, and you’ll be able to record in full 720P HD, and the resulting movies will impress, even when played back on a larger screen.
Sense UI - These days mobile phones don’t just make calls, they manage our entire lives, and with the HTC's custom Sense UI, you really can take control. The custom user interface offers an additional 25 widgets which can be used on any of your home screen. One stand out addition included in Sense UI is Friend Stream which allows you to integrate all of your social media accounts into one useful app and widget, allowing you to stay up-to-date on all of your social networks at a single glance.
Call Quality - The call quality of the HTC Desire Z is crisp and clear, and the reception is great. When adjusting the in-call volume, the highest volume doesn’t sound too tinny, and the speakerphone function works a treat, without distorting voices or giving annoying feedback. This smartphone boasts bells and whistles, but it's also great at the fundamentals!
Quick off the mark – The Desire Z comes with a new "Faster Boot" feature, which means that the phone goes into a type of hibernation mode when powered down, letting it switch on in less than 5 seconds. The device only goes off completely when you remove the battery. This is extremely handy as it means that when your phone battery dies and you need it in an emergency, you can plug it in and you won’t have to deal with a lengthy start-up process when you need your phone the most.
Price – At just £399.99 for a SIM-free handset, the Desire Z is pilliant value for money, but we think you’d be mad to buy the device when it’s being offered with a contract for as low as £20 a month from any number of reliable carriers, free of charge.
HTC has gone from strength to strength, and 2010 was a banner year for the Taiwanese giant. The company has truly hit the ball out of the park with the Desire Z and it looks as if it will continue to improve with every new release.
If it’s stylish good looks, huge personalisation potential, an impressive user interface and an exemplary keyboard you're after, then we can whole heartedly recommend you pick up an HTC Desire Z.