HTC at MWC: Legend, Desire, HD mini
HTC has launched three new smartphones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Android 2.1-based Legend (left) and Desire (centre) both feature a new enhanced version of HTC's Sense user interface. Among other enhancements, the new Sense UI includes a application and widget called HTC Friend Stream that aggregates services like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr into a single update flow.
The third new phone is a Windows Mobile 6.5 device called the HD mini (right). It's a compact version of the large-screen HTC HD2.
HTC Legend
| Operating system | Android 2.1 with HTC Sense |
| Screen size | 3.2in. |
| Screen type | AMOLED capacitive touchscreen |
| Screen resolution | 320 x 480 |
| Keyboard/keypad | on-screen only |
| Dimensions | 56.3mm x 112mm x 11.5mm |
| Weight | 126g |
| Connectivity | GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), GPRS, HSPA |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | 2.1+EDR |
| GPS | yes |
| Main camera | 5 megapixels |
| Front-facing camera | no |
| CPU | 600MHz |
| Memory | 384MB RAM, 512MB ROM |
| Expansion slot | microSD |
| Battery capacity | 1300mAh |
| Standby/talk time | 440h/490min |
| Availability | April 2010 |
The Legend, which is made from a single aluminium block, replaces the standard trackball with an optical joystick. Other features include an accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors, ringer volume lowering when the phone is picked up and ringer muting when it's face-down. The device recharges and connects to a PC via Micro-USB and the headset jack is a 3.5mm unit.
HTC Desire
| Operating system | Android 2.1 with HTC Sense |
| Screen size | 3.7in. |
| Screen type | AMOLED capacitive touchscreen |
| Screen resolution | 480 x 800 |
| Keyboard/keypad | on-screen only |
| Dimensions | 60mm x 119mm x 11.9mm |
| Weight | 135g |
| Connectivity | GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), GPRS, HSPA |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | 2.1+EDR |
| GPS | yes |
| Main camera | 5 megapixels |
| Front-facing camera | no |
| CPU | 1GHz |
| Memory | 576MB RAM, 512MB ROM |
| Expansion slot | microSD |
| Battery capacity | 1400mAh |
| Standby/talk time | 340h/400min |
| Availability | early Q2 2010 |
The Desire, which is powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, also has an optical joystick. The fast CPU and large 3.7in. screen inevitably lower the battery life estimates compared to the Legend (despite a bigger 1,400mAh battery): talk time of 400 versus 490 minutes and standby of 340 versus 440 hours.
HTC HD mini
| Operating system | Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional with HTC Sense |
| Screen size | 3.2in. |
| Screen type | Capacitive touchscreen |
| Screen resolution | 320 x 480 |
| Keyboard/keypad | on-screen only |
| Dimensions | 57.7mm x 103.8mm x 11.7mm |
| Weight | 110g |
| Connectivity | GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), GPRS, HSPA |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | 2.1+EDR |
| GPS | yes |
| Main camera | 5 megapixels |
| Front-facing camera | no |
| CPU | 600MHz |
| Memory | 384MB RAM, 512MB ROM |
| Expansion slot | microSD |
| Battery capacity | 1200mAh |
| Standby/talk time | 340h/435min |
| Availability | April 2010 |
The Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional-based HD mini is a compact version of the 4.3in.-screen HD2. The 3.2in. HD mini lacks the AMOLED screen of its Android cousins, but supports tethering over Wi-Fi, which the Legend and Desire do not. When you remove the back cover, the bright yellow innards are 'an unexpected surprise' according to HTC.