HTC brings style to the mid-range segment with the Desire 816 (hands-on) - CNET

HTC Desire 816 is a plastic HTC One

BARCELONA, Spain – Dubbed the new flagship handset for its mid-tier range, the Desire 816 packs plenty of personality into its 5.5-inch form factor. While it’s not HTC M8 that’s set for a debut in New York City on March 25, there’s still plenty to like.

The HTC Desire 816 is the company’s stylish mid-tier flagship.

(Credit: Aloysius Low / CNET)

For one, the Desire 816 is patterned after the HTC One range – but in plastic. Before you shake your head in disapproval though, I’d like to point out That the phone actually looks and feels pretty good. HTC seems to have taken a page from the Apple iPhone 5C with a glossy rear, and it comes in bright colors too.

Hey, this looks familiar.

(Credit: Aloysius Low / CNET)

The 5.5-inch HD (1,280 X720 pixel) was bright and clear, and had excellent viewing angles. I was not allowed to try out the UI though – HTC said the UI just was not ready, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of the Blink Feed screen, and I quite liked its look.

HTC’s Desire 816 has a 5.5-inch HD screen and a cheery colored chassis (pictures)

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While it does not come with HTC’s Ultra Pixel camera, HTC has packed a 5-megapixel front camera for people who like taking selfies, and while you can not use the front camera for HTC’s Zoe, it will record HD video. On the back is a 13-megapixel camera, similar to what you’ll find on the current flagship handsets.

The smartphone comes packing a 13-megapixel rear camera.

(Credit: Aloysius Low / CNET)

A front 5-megapixel camera means high-resolution selfies.

(Credit: Aloysius Low / CNET)

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Rounding up the package is LTE connectivity – though Depending on where the handset launches, it will come in a dual-SIM flavor. HTC told me thatthis is actually a dual-active version, so both SIM cards will be running 3G at the sametime.

HTC doing now? Yet Announced a price for the Desire 816, but I was told That it would be very competitive against current mid-tier smartphones. Expect to see the handset available globally sometime in Q2.

The phone has front-facing camera as well as Boom Sound.

(Credit: Aloysius Low / CNET)