HTC Desire 500
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The HTC Desire 500 will likely be the obvious choice for everyone who wants their smartphone to stand out from the crowd. And it's not the typical looks vs. brains dilemma either. The Desire 500 isn't likely to impress with speed and performance, but it won't disappoint either. For anyone coming from an entry-level droid, or even a feature phone, this one's definitely worth a look.”
“The Desire 500 is a pretty good shot at the booming lower midrange market for HTC, fusing together an entry-level screen and processor, which, however, do their jobs fine, with some more upscale features like a good 8 MP camera and an eye-catching, youthful design lines.There are some hiccups here and there, like the lousy power key, but overall the handset's performance is solid in most aspects that matter. HTC has priced it adequately in the $300 segment, too, so it has every chance to become a popular choice.”
“The HTC Desire 500 is a good all rounder if you're in the market for a compact Android phone that offers modern features and above average performance. However, we feel that HTC should have included a screen with a better resolution. Even the camera does not take good quality low-light shots and lacks support for full-HD video capture.”
“For a sub-ÂŁ200 phone the Desire 500 is uncommonly good-looking. Its glossy white plastic frame is set off nicely by a metallic blue strip that surrounds the edge and seamlessly encompasses the volume buttons along the right-hand edge. It's slim, too, at 9.9mm thick, it weighs only 123g, and its gently rounded rear panel and corners make it comfortable to hold. The Desire 500 trumps most low-cost Android phones when it comes to design. Perhaps the Desire 500's strongest aspect is its 8-megapixel camera, which produces detailed, balanced snaps full of rich colours. It doesn't suffer unduly from lens flare, as many rivals do. Even low-light shots look okay. The camera is one of many things we like about the HTC Desire 500. It has a great display, it's slim, light and good-looking, and we like the Sense skin. However, it's pricey compared to the Moto G, its battery life is poor and performance is sluggish.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The Desire 500 is part of HTC’s mid-range smartphone lineup and is in direct competition with other budget phones like the Sony Xperia M and Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. As a budget device, it doesn’t offer top-of-the-line hardware, but what it lacks in substance it makes up for in style. PC Advisor says, “The HTC Desire is one of the best looking smartphones available…”
The phone measures 5.19 x 2.63 x 0.39 inches and weighs a mere 123 grams. There are three different color options to choose from: all black, white with red trim and white with turquoise trim. While the chassis is made entirely of plastic, reviewers were overall impressed with the build quality and seamless construction despite having a removable back cover. The only issue critics had with the design is the power key button and volume rocker. According to Phone Arena, the buttons lack tactile feedback as it is too flush with the side. Despite this one issue, most found the device comfortable to hold and easy to use.
As with most smartphones, the main focal point of the Desire 500 is its 4.3 inch display. Sadly, it falls flat only offering 800×480 resolution, resulting in 217ppi density. Although good enough for basic use, critics noticed slight blurring around icon edges and fine print. Experts also mention that while the screen offers clean whites and decent viewing angles, text often appears gray and colors lack vividness.
The 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 1GB of onboard RAM offered reviewers a relatively smooth experience when browsing the home screen and using basic apps. TechRadar did notice the occasional stutter when downloading apps in the background, but goes on to say that “It’s a barely perceptible difference…which only results in the occasional bit of jerky scrolling.” When put through various benchmark tests, the phone scored lower than the Moto G – a device that offers a better screen at a lower cost than the Desire 500.
Other features include 4GB of internal storage, an expandable microSD slot and an 8MP rear-facing camera. Most critics were pleased with the camera’s performance, only having issues with overexposure and low light performance.
Despite a couple qualms, most reviewers were pleased with this handset. V3 says “The HTC Desire 500 is a solid affordable phone…but [its] long-term appeal is questionable.” Expert Reviews chimes in, “It’s a great-looking phone that shows you don’t need to buy a tedious black slab…However, it struggles to compete with the Moto G…”
What people actually want to know
When was the HTC Desire 500 released?
The HTC Desire 500 was released on August 31, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the HTC Desire 500?
The HTC Desire 500 has a 1,800 mAh battery.
Does the HTC Desire 500 support wireless charging?
No, the HTC Desire 500 does not support wireless charging.
Does the HTC Desire 500 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the HTC Desire 500 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the HTC Desire 500 have NFC?
Yes, the HTC Desire 500 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the HTC Desire 500?
Visit HTC's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the HTC Desire 500 manual?
You can view and download the HTC Desire 500 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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