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HTC Desire 501 Quick Review, Price and Comparison

HTC today launched HTC Desire 501 in India which comes with a dual core processor and has all other specs more or less similar to HTC Desire 500. We expected HTC Desire 500 to be priced at around this price point, partly due to HTC campaign and other efforts to penetrate Indian market. Let’s see to what extent HTC Desire 501 with attractive body design and two less CPU cores at Rs. 16,890, justifies its price-tag.

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Camera and Internal Storage

This phone sports an 8 MP camera at the back with BSI sensor and F2.0 Aperture. The camera is same as that present in HTC Desire 700 priced at Rs. 33,050. The front camera has a 2.1 MP sensors and 88 degree wide angle lens for enhanced Video calling experience. The camera specs are better than HTC desire 500.

The internal storage is 8 GB and is extendable to 32 GB using a MicroSD card slot. The 8 GB onboard storage is something rare from a tier one manufacturer at this price range.

Processor and Battery

This phone is powered by 1.15 GHz Dual Core NovaThor U8520 processor, which is most likely based on Cortex A9 architecture and 45nm process technology. HTC has stated that they have optimized the processor for better performance. The RAM capacity is 1 GB. You can get 1.5 GHz MT6589T processor in domestic manufacturer’s phones like Micromax Canvas Magnus.


The Battery capacity is 2100 mAh and the battery is removable. The battery is expected to last for one whole day comfortably.

Display and Other Features

The display is 4.3 inches in size and sports WVGA resolution similar to HTC Desire 500. This amounts to pixel density of 217 ppi which is average clarity display. This display will suffice for intended general purpose usage considering the screen size.

The phone is one of those rare devices which supports Dual SIM Dual Active functionality which means both of your SIM cards will be active and reachable, even when you are making or receiving calls on any of those SIM cards. The operating system used is Android 4.1 jelly bean with HTC Sense UI on top.

Looks and Connectivity

The looks of this phone add to its grace and make it an attractive buy. The textured back panel is very attractive and the phone will be available in Blue, Pink and White colors. The body dimensions are 128.50 x 66.90 x 9.80 and weight is moderate 130 grams.

Connectivity features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DLNA, Micro-USB and built-in NFC.

Comparison

This phone will compete against phones like Micromax Canvas Magnus, Micromax Canvas 4, etc. The main rival however will be the upcoming Moto G which promises a premium experience at a similar price range and sports similar hardware specs. The phone will arrive in India in January next year.

Key Specs – HTC Desire 501

Model HTC Desire 501
Display 4.3 Inch, WVGA
Processor 1.15 GHz Dual Core
RAM 1 GB
Internal Storage 8 GB, MicroSD support
OS Android 4.1 Jelly bean, HTC Sense UI
Cameras 8 MP/ 2.3 MP
Battery 2100 mAh
Price Rs. 16, 890

Conclusion

HTC Desire 501 seems like a better option over HTC Desire 500 and also comes at significantly lower price. If you can wait, Moto G is expected to arrive next month to provide a competitive option from a tier one manufacturer. For now if you don’t want to opt for Domestic brands and are a basic user, this phone will be an attractive option.

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Deepak Singh

The Author spent a significant chunk of his formative years resisting technology. He now keeps an eye on where the world is heading to, and drives a passive pleasure from this indulgence. His passion to write, learn and improve drives him each day. When his day ends, he enjoys the pleasant languor and detoxifies with family. You can connect with him on and Twitter