HTC Wildfire S Review

Welcome to the 2011 HTC Wildfire S review page.  The new HTC Wildfire S released in mid-2011 is the update to the original and one of the cheapest Android based mobile phones you can get in 2011. However in our opinion the Wildfire S even better and one of the best of the cheaper Android OS based touch screen phones. All the criticisms of the original version have been addressed and we think this will be the benchmark at the low to mid range market for smart phones on the market. Unfortunately you can’t get a Wildfire S on Telstra pre-paid just yet (July 2011). However we guess that it will once they run out of the older Wildfire. The Wildfire S is priced around $350 outright, it is currently $390 from Telstra. Update November 2011 The Wildfire S is now available as a $199 pre-paid package.

The 2011 Wildfire S uses the Android 2.3 operating system and is feature packed in terms of hardware and software capability for a relative cheap mobile phone. It comes with A-GPS, Wi-Fi, and all the usual environmental sensors. In terms of operation the Wildfire S works with minimal delay and noticeably smoother than the older model. It also includes a App which allows the phone to be used as a Wi-Fi router/modem by other devices like tablets. Honestly, its not that far of 800Mhz CPU eqquiped models.

The Wildfire S construction brings it up to date with the top range HTC Sensation along with the capacitive touch screen and the faster CPU. The screen resolution has also been increased and now looks very good.

The short time we had to test the Wildfire S we all agreed that it is a mini version of the current top end HTC Sensation. Based on the expected lower outright price for the Wildfire S we can’t think of another phone in this price range that is as good – for the time being.

The only criticism that can be made is aimed at the Android OS being a tad difficult to initially work out and of course the need to sign up with Gmail to use even the most basic functions like the calendar. Along with that the Wildfire is an internet centric phone that requires a data plan with the phone. Signing up for anything is optional on Nokia and iPhone.

Overall the Wildfire S is a probably the best phone and must buy (and the new benchmark compact Android mobile phone) if your after a small and well made phone that can do almost everything you want. However the price must be right whether purchased outright, on a plan or as a pre-paid package.

Specifications

• HTC Wildfire S
• Network
  Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
  Dual-band 3G 850/2100
  HSDPA 7.2 Mbits data speed (download)
  384kpbs data speed (upload)
• Design
  Touch screen
• L101.3 x W59.4 x D12.4 mm
  Weight 105 grams
• Display/s
  External 3.2 Inch TFT 320 x 480
• Camera
  5MP
  LED Flash
• Video Camera
  800 x 480 video camera 15FPS
• Connectivity
  Wi-Fi
  Bluetooth V2.1
• CPU
  600Mhz
• Memory
  Up to 512MB available to user
  MicroSD up to 32Gig
• Ring tones
  MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
• Features
  A-GPS
  Proximity
  Compass
  Accelerometer (G-Sensor)
  Light Sensor
  FM Radio
  Music and Media player
  Organiser/Calender
  SMS, MMS, IM, Email
  FM radio
  Speaker Phone/Hands free
  Li-Po 1230mAh battery
  Up to 570 hours Standby
  Up to 430 minutes Talk Time
• Price history
  Under $199 AUS November 2011 (Pre-paid)
  Under $350 AUS 2011 (Approx outright)