HTC Wildfire Review

Welcome to the 2010 HTC Wildfire review page.  Released in mid 2010 the HTC Wildfire is one of the cheapest Android based mobile phones you can get.  The Wildfire is the first smartphone and Android based pre-paid package you can get.  (pay-as-you-go for our international readers).  It seems like a great deal so we decided to give it a go.

The Wildfire uses the latest Android 2.1 operating system hence has all the functionality that you’d expect in a high end phone.  They have just cut back on the specification of the hardware to achieve the lower price. So you get a slower CPU and smaller screen for the most obvious cutbacks.  The Wildfire is presumably a replacement for the older HTC Tattoo.

We where impressed at the relatively speedy interface and that everything worked as per the HTC models with the faster CPU and screen. It is certainly as good or better than other smart phones in the this price category like those made by Nokia or LG as examples. However it is not completely smooth and occasionally has lags.  It is no different to other competing models.  We where not impressed at the very low resolution screen.

The phone has all the features that make the Android operating system a leading competitor, with online widgets that display everything from emails to the daily joke and so forth.

Construction wise the Wildfire beats most of the rest, it looks and feels good to hold in the hand.  (It feels like real metal) Sure its not as nice as the more expensive models but then its cheaper.

Like most smartphones these days it is difficult to determine how good a phone is without looking at what sort of apps it can run.  In that regard you just have to search carefully and install only the best – to get the most out of the HTC Wildfire.

Overall the HTC Wildfire is a very good phone for those wanting all the communication options at a cheap price.  It is not perfect but acceptable.  The Wildfire is just as good as our bargain priced favorite the Nokia E63 but in a different way.  It also makes the E63 interface very old fashioned.  In comparison to the cheapest LG Optimus series is slightly better since the screen and operation is looks better and just as smooth – the only problem is the older Android OS and it does not physically look as good.  If you must know we prefer the Optimus – in the end due mainly to the screen and the Wildfire for access to the latest Apps and of course the design.

Specifications

• HTC Wildfire
• Network
  Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
  Dual-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100 (Dependent on country)
  HSDPA 7.2 Mbits data speed (download)
  384kpbs data speed (upload)
• Design
  Touch screen
• L106.75 x W60.4 x D12.19 mm
  Weight 118 grams
• Display/s
  External 3.2 Inch TFT 240 x 320
• Camera
  5MP
  LED Flash
• Video Camera
  800 x 480 video camera 15FPS
• Connectivity
  Wi-Fi
  Bluetooth V2.1
• CPU
  528Mhz
• Memory
  Up to 384MB available to user
  MicroSD up to 32Gig
• Ring tones
  MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
• Features
  A-GPS
  Proximity
  Compass
  Accelerometer
  Light Sensor
  FM Radio
  Music and Media player
  Organiser/Calender
  SMS, MMS, IM, Email
  FM radio
  Speaker Phone/Hands free
  Li-Po 1300mAh battery
  Up to 690 hours Standby
  Up to 490 minutes Talk Time
• Price history
  Under $349 AUS 2010 (Pre-paid)