HTC Explorer Performance Review, Android Cruising ala HTC

This HTC’s latest smartphone shown that enjoys Android not always have to rely on top-class devices.

Typically, better known as the HTC smartphone products with a sophisticated upper middle segment. Actually, they also have a product to lower segment but unfortunately not very well known.

For the middle and lower segments (entry-level), HTC has some products that are not less interesting. One is the Explorer.

As an entry-level smartphone, HTC Explorer comes with a look that did not disappoint. With a rear body a kind of mixture rubber and metal, Explorer seems tough, as its name a nuanced adventure.

But do not wrong. Although it looks look tough, Explorer was not designed as a smartphone which able to deal with various physical disorders. This is because, behind the rubber layer and the “metal”, the body HTC Explorer remains fairly thick plastic though.

HTC Explorer comes with a screen of 3.2 inches and has a resolution of 320×480 pixels. Including better screen quality itself, especially considering its target segment. Then at the bottom of the screen, there are four softkeys buttons standards such as Home, Menu, Back, and Search. While physical buttons on the side of the smartphone such as power/sleep on the top side and volume on the right side. Buttons are fairly easy to push while the rear body covered with coating rubber.

Armed with Android Gingerbread 2.3.5, Explorer relies on SoC MSM7225A from Qualcomm. Different from previous MSM7225, this latest version has supported ARMv7 instruction. This chip and included in the Snapdragon S1 line of processors aimed at entry-level smartphones.

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The advantage, by leveraging ARMv7 instruction, the Explorer was able to perform flash-based content. When we test it by visiting the Youtube desktop version, Explorer smoothly plays any existing video quality up to 480p. This is quite impressive considering the low speed of the processor itself, including 600 Mhz.

In terms of multimedia, HTC Explorer comes with a polishing feature which is sound SRS Enhancement and HTC 5.1 Surround. SRS Enhancement polishing sound with an increasing level of certain frequencies such as bass and treble. While HTC 5.1 Surround simulates 5.1 sound effects when you using an earphone/headphone. HTC Explorer also comes with an FM radio which can be an alternative when you’re feeling bored with your own music collection.

HTC Explorer is not an advanced smartphone with top-class specifications. But for a newcomer to the world of Android smartphones, in particular, HTC Explorer provides a pleasant experience.

Testing results

Armed with similar SoC, HTC Explorer looks far excellent as compared to Xperia X8. Revisions made by Qualcomm make the performance of this SoC shot doubled compared to early variants. The most significant improvement felt by graphics render unit that generates scores up to approximately 144% higher.

Specification

	Camera HTC Camera Explorer has a 3.2-megapixel resolution, which unfortunately comes without LED Flash
	MicroSD Although supported hot-swap, the microSD slot location is somewhat inconvenient because inside the casing.
	Button Pressing the Power/Sleep requires extra energy. This caused the rubber layer to protect it.

Conclusion

• Plus: good performance, support flash content.
• Minus: Quality camera is not good enough, a small internal memory.

Score Assessment

 - Performance: 3.75
 - Facilities: 4
 - Ease: 3.75
 - Price: 3.75
 - Total Score: 3.8125