The HTC Explorer is a very nice, economical Android 2.3.5 OS powered smart phone. All the standard mobile and smart phone features are included, but the quality of the multimedia hardware is fairly basic. Smooth operation of menus and touch apps is provided by HTC’s powerful Sense user interface. Running with a 600MHz core processor and 512MB RAM the mobile is an average performer on the economy mobile market. The Explorer’s small size, rounded chassis and bright colourful 3.2 inch touch screen make it easy to handle, use and carry. Connectivity of the HTC Explorer is all inclusive with access to the major comm and data bands, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and GPS. The HTC Explorer is a capable entry level Android mobile.
HTC Explorer, Mix of 100 minutes to any network or 100 texts. 500MB mobile internet per month.
Tariff Name: Talk 100 £9 (24m), Network 3 Mobile, 24 Month Contract, 100 Anytime Minutes, 100 Free Text Messages, HTC Explorer, Phone Price 160, Total Cost After Discounts £376
Overview
The HTC Explorer competes in the economy Android powered smart phone market. Navigation and menu operation is smooth on its 3.2 inch touch screen thanks in large part to the latest version of HTC’s user interface, Sense, being included. Possibly the only problem with swiping on this screen is its smallish size rendering at 320 x 480 pixels. The chassis itself is the “candybar” form factor with small dimensions at 102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9 mm all the way around. Combining its small size with a weight of only 108 grams make the HTC Explorer easy to carry and operate one handed. Call quality and data connectivity on this mobile are good. The mobile is able to access and use all the frequencies available from the quad band GSM, HSDPA, UMTS and EDGE.
The HTC Explorer uses the latest version of their Sense interface which is highly responsive to all the standard touch gestures. The Internet browser renders screens quickly in portrait or landscape even with the slower speed 600MHz processor. Screens, on the average, are readable with pinch to zoom from the full browser screen. Keyboard layout is somewhat restrictive due to the smallish display size. The Explorer’s browser does support Flash content.
The smallish 3 MP camera is a capable shooter with auto focus, face detection and geo tagging operations available to enhance your snapshots. There is no front facing camera which is becoming the norm on higher end mobiles, so you will not be doing any video calling with this device. Picture quality is acceptable for sharing with your mates over the social network apps available on the HTC Explorer.
The camcorder only records video in mpeg 4 format which is okay for sharing and general upload to You Tube. Because the on board storage for the HTC Explorer is only 90 MB, users will need to add a microSD or microSDHC card for any significant storage of video and images. The mobile supports cards up to 32GB in size.
For other entertainment, the HTC Explorer has a built in FM radio and YouTube video player. Any other features the user may like to try are available via the Android Marketplace and its huge assortment of apps.
Features
- Band: Quad-band GSM support, 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
- Memory: 512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM, 90 MB user available storage; expandable microSDHC card up to 32 GB
- Connections: Bluetooth 3.0, microUSB port; Wi-Fi: Yes, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
- Display: 3.2-inch, TFT
- Camera: 3.0 megapixel
- Dimensions: 102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9 mm
- Weight: 108 grams
- Radio: FM
- Battery: Li-ion battery
- Battery Life in Stand-by Mode: Up to 445 hours (3G)
- Battery Life in Talk Time: Up to 7.5 hours (3G)
Pros
- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS
- Network support
Cons
- 3 MP Camera
- 600 MHz Processor
- Memory