HTC Hero mobile phone review
We need a Hero!
Following in the footsteps of the T-Mobile G1 and the HTC Magic, the Hero is the sensuous jewel in the Android crown. We’ve been hot on its trail since our hands-on video, and finally we got the chance to crack the box open, and have a good old fiddle.
- Video: Hands-on run-through of the HTC Hero
- Gallery: Take a closer look at the best Android phone yet
Design-wise, the Hero is an aesthetic marriage between the G1 and the Magic. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard has gone in favour of a full 3.2-inch touchscreen, which is a joy to use. Some of its predecessors’ charms remain in place including the trackball and a sprinkling of hard buttons. Taking its thinspiration from the Magic and measuring in at 112 x 56.2 x 14.35mm it’s pocket friendly even with its somewhat strange chin.
Previous to the Hero, both the G1 and Magic have been content to slap on an Android badge and be done with it. Start-up the Hero and you’d be fooled into thinking you’ve been duped as HTC has managed a wondrous Picasso-esque paint job. The revamped Android UI (named HTC Sense) draws on the HTC TouchFLO seen on the HTC Diamond 2 and offers seven fully-customisable homescreens for you to load with HTC or Android widgets. Whiz through the screens for one touch access to your favourite contacts, weather and multimedia, to name but a few.
More bonafide improvements are the live widgets. HTC has been beavering away with the boffs at Twitter and Facebook to create real-time apps that sit pretty on your homescreen. One such app is Twitter and with one touch you’re er… in touch. With access to your complete account including @replies, direct messages and favourites it’s much more of a desktop experience than a poky widget.
But, it’s the Hero’s sheer ease-of-use that warrants its iPhone botherer status. It’s just easy to do everything. An example would be within your contacts, or People in HTC’s book. We loved this on the Palm Pre and HTC has now nabbed the functionality of grouping your emails, messages and phone calls into one handy thread. Not only this within your contact the desktop feels continues with the interaction with Facebook. Just synch up to Facebook to get instant updates on your buddies’ status updates and peruse their pics without poking around trying to log-into the site.
With backing from Google, browsing on Android phones has always been a pleasure, and now it’s got even better. Not only is the Hero speedy with its HSDPA internet it now also boasts multitouch a-la the iPhone. Not content with a jab at Apple with multitouch, HTC has also packed in a function that resizes the text each time you zoom, so no more scrolling and squinting trying to decipher the latest footy scores.
It’s not all good news for the Hero unfortunately, and it’s multimedia that proves to be a stumbling block. Despite having upped the camera to 5-megapixels from the Magic’s 3.2-megapixels, pics still can’t compare with the likes of the Nokia N96 or Sony Ericsson Cybershots. The lack of a flash doesn’t help matters here either. Video also remains a problem with poor quality footage recording at 352 x 288, it doesn’t come close to HD touting behemoths such as the Samsung i8910. Video playback at MPEG 4 or Windows Media Video 9 was also shaky with poor colour contrasts and a lack of detail.
Some other small quibbles include the phone’s tendency to lag from time-to-time when opening messages, but fingers crossed a firmware update will be on the way before the phone hits the shop should solve this problem.
There’s no denying that the HTC Hero is a corker of a phone and it’s the first to truly stretch the Android OS’ legs. If you’re looking for an all-rounder it’s hard to beat. True, it can’t compete with the likes of the Samsung i8910 in terms of video, or Cybershots when it comes to the camera, but the UI is one, if not the best, we’ve used.
Link: HTC
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It's the Hero's sheer ease-of-use that warrants its iPhone botherer status
| Our Rating |  |
|---|---|
| Price | £400 |
WE LOVE
HTC Sense UIEase-of-use
Stonking touchscreen
WE HATE
Below par cameraSlight lag
Video performance
WE SAY
The Hero is a fantastic step-up from both the HTC G1 and Magic. With the new Sense UI and Android strapped to it's back it's a true contender for the do-it-all phone top spot.Essential Mobile Apps
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By johnsmith
27|10|2009 16:40
Shame that HTC customer service is appauling and cant backup the phone properly.
I had my hero for a month then the speaker broke so I sent it off under warranty.
One MONTH later and they dont know where the phone is, wont replace it and are telling me I should chase the courier they employed! Its an absolute shambles and wish I had never gone for the phone now. Not something you expect when you spend 400 on a phone!
By vivmejas
13|10|2009 19:17
Beautiful phone from HTC! It looks way better after removing the I'm surprise by the performance and the build quality. I get the unlock Hero@warehouse123.com for £300 only! What a deal!
By sparky0203
14|09|2009 17:22
Hello!
We are a market research agency conducting some research for a major mobile phone company. We are looking to recruit participants for several group discussions to be held in a central London venue. The discussion will be held in October 2009, time to be confirmed. We are looking for people who are forward-thinking and participation in these sessions would offer you the opportunity to contribute ideas towards the development of exciting new technology. In return for your attendance and participation we would pay you for your time and travel expenses.
If you are interested please contact me at pauline.elliott@truth.ms