HTC is known for consistently putting out extraordinary phones that rival any other device on the market. Because HTC works almost exclusively with Android operating systems, users are able to infinitely customize their mobile devices through the open source software. However, this means the hardware must be able to support and run the software placed on it, something that each new iteration of devices does better than the last. Here are the top HTC phones for 2014, along with their specs.
Droid DNA
The biggest selling point of the Droid DNA is its camera. While Droid has been left behind by Apple in the camera market, the DNA has caught up with an 8 megapixel rear camera, plus a smaller front lens. The device also comes with up to 16 gigabytes of memory for a massive amount of storage, as well as 2 gigabytes of ram (flash memory) that allow bigger and better games than ever before. Not only is the phone powerful, but it’s stylish – the black case has red accents laid into it that make it beautiful to look at. The battery has been built into the case, reducing the phone’s size from its previous bulky versions. With a five inch screen that displays in 1080p HD, you’ll have a hard time distinguishing between the phone display and that of your television at home.
Droid Incredible
Next up is the Droid Incredible, aptly named because of its HTC Sense feature – the ability for the phone to intuitively guess what the user wants based on past actions, making navigation quick and easy. In addition, the screen boasts an impressive 440 pixels per inch on top of its 1080p display. Add a built in bass speaker from Beats with that, and you’ve got a portable theater system that makes watching movies on the go a great experience. It boasts 1 gigabyte of ram and a 1.2 GHz dual processor, adding a level of power not often found in mobile devices. That processor outstrips many computers on the market today.
Evo 4GE LTE
The Evo also runs the HTC Sense system, as well as Android’s 4.0 OS. Unlike the other phones, however, the Evo only runs at 720p – but that’s still very, very good for a mobile device. The phone itself is built out of lightweight materials that barely add any weight to it, yet the screen is made out of gorilla glass that is extraordinarily strong and nearly impossible to break. The Evo boasts an 8 megapixel camera in the back and a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front, along with 1 gigabyte of built in internal storage. This storage can be enhanced with the addition of SD cards. The Evo also has Bluetooth capabilities that allow it to sync with a car, allowing the phone to play music directly through the car’s audio system.
HTC First
Whereas the other devices on this list try to work for everything overall, the HTC First has just one audience in mind: social media lovers. Using the “Facebook Home” feature, the first thing you will see is the most recent information about your friends list and newsfeed. With the HTC First, you don’t have to sign into Facebook – it’s all right there at your fingertips. With one click photo, status, and video sharing, it’s a simple matter to upload new content to your stream to share with all of your friends. Aside from these functions, the HTC First boasts 720p definition, 16GB storage, a 5 megapixel camera, and full GPS capabilities so that all of the content you share on Facebook can also be geo-tagged. The improved battery capacity makes it easy to be constantly connected without completely draining your power.
HTC One
Where the HTC First focuses primarily on Facebook, the HTC one targets all your different social media streams. Everything from Facebook, Twitter, and even LinkedIn can be fed directly into the home screen. This BlinkFeed functionality allows for real time updates of all the content that’s important to you. As an added bonus, the HTC SenseVoice feature, which automatically increases the volume of a call based on ambient noise, comes built into the device. No longer will the environment matter when you take a call; if it’s loud around you, the phone automatically raises the volume. Displayed in full 1080p, the HTC One will show any picture your newsfeed can throw at you in crisp, clear HD. Finally, the speakers are found on the front of the phone, rather than the bank.
HTC One SV
An upgraded version of the HTC One, the SV boasts all the standard features of a modern smartphone, with a camera that can compete with even an SLR. While the megapixel count isn’t as high, it is capable of achieving a 2.0 aperture, the best available for smart phones. In addition, the SV also plays back a wide variety of audio files, making it easy to collect all of your music into one place no matter what format it’s in. While it works as a phone, the SV focuses more on the auxiliary features, lending only a base focus to the main point of the instrument: talking to people.
Windows Phone 8X
The Windows Phone 8X is one of the few mobile phones that does not run on the Android OS, instead using Window’s proprietary operating system. However, that doesn’t detract from the features this device has to offer. With built in Beats Audio speakers and an included amp, the sound from this phone is some of the best you will ever hear from a mobile device. The “Live Tiles” features allows you to move around the components of the home screen and display all of your contact’s most recent updates in a single location, making it easy to stay connected. The phone’s design is equally as impressive – with no buttons protruding from the case, it’s fun simply to hold the phone and enjoy the feel of it in your hand. With 16 gigabytes of storage and 1GB of ram, the 8X is a truly impressive piece of hardware that gives many other devices a run for their money.
Smartphone Considerations
When you’re looking for a new smartphone for 2014, the main thing to keep in mind is what you need it for. If you are only looking for a device to talk to people, then most any phone will do. However, if you are a tech-savvy person who loves to get their hands on the latest gadgets, then be sure to evaluate every phone carefully and find one that appeals to you. Each of the HTC phones on the market has different specs and abilities that make it stand out from the crowd. Whether you want a phone with a great camera, a phone that can handle some heavy-duty data processing, or a way to stay connected at all times, there is an HTC device for you. No matter how many cameras they might have or the processing power they boast, HTC phones are undeniably some of the best options on the market today.
