HTC unveils the Desire 820, a mid-range phone with the world’s best ‘selfie camera’

Just because a phone is midrange, that doesn’t mean it should be devoid of at least some high-end specifications. In the case of the new HTC Desire 820 that HTC unveiled on Thursday, that high-end specification just happens to be its 8-megapixel front-facing camera, which gives it the best “selfie camera” of any other phone on the market. For comparison’s sake, consider that even Samsung’s beastly Galaxy Note 4 can only boast a 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera.

The 8-megapixel front-facing camera isn’t the only notable feature for the device, however, as it will also be the first HTC phone to feature a 64-bit processor, which means that we should similarly expect a 64-bit processor for whenever HTC unveils its next flagship phone sometime in early 2015. The processor itself will be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, a quad-core 1.5GHz chipset.

Other specs for the device include a 5.5-inch 720p display, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 2,600mAh battery.

HTC’s full press release follows below.

HTC DESIRE 820 TAKES BIG-SCREEN PERFORMANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Premium imaging experience and HTC BoomSound™ set a new standard for the mid-range

IFA, Berlin, Germany, 4th September 2014, – HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has announced the HTC Desire 820, the successor to the popular HTC Desire 816. Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 615 processor, with integrated 4G LTE Cat 4 connectivity and 64-bit, multi-core CPU, this new addition to the HTC Desire family delivers content on-the-go at exceptional speeds and with stunning clarity on its 5.5” high definition screen. Sporting a premium imaging experience and powerful HTC BoomSound™, the colourful, stylish HTC Desire 820 sets a new benchmark for mid-range smartphones.

“Our new HTC Desire model gives entertainment lovers exactly what they are looking for; a powerful, fast, stylish smartphone that delivers their favourite content on a big screen at a competitive price” said Peter Chou, HTC Corporation. “With the HTC Desire 820, we’ve combined the most advanced technology with the best possible entertainment experience and bold, distinctive design, to deliver a handset that is both desirable and affordable”.
Premium camera for stunning photos and selfies

For high quality selfies, the HTC Desire 820 features an 8MP front-facing camera, delivering impressive solo poses and effortless group shots. Enhancing the imaging experience, it also offers software that allows you to merge your features with those of a friend or celebrity for a completely original look, real time Live Makeup, which allows you to preview the image and set the desired level of skin smoothing before the image is captured and Photo Booth, where you can capture several moments in a single image.

Offering high-performance imaging, the phone’s rear camera, with f/2.2 aperture and a 13MP BSI sensor, captures incredible quality images in both daylight and low light, so your photos will be bursting with detail even as the sun goes down. If photography isn’t your strength, press and hold the shutter for rapid-fire and continuous shooting – ideal for capturing fast moving objects or for selecting your best image at a later date.

Advanced technology for ultimate performance

With the Snapdragon 615 processor, the HTC Desire 820 offers lightning-fast Cat 4 4G connectivity at speeds of up to 150mbps1. With an integrated LTE modem and the latest high performance multi-core, 64-bit processing power, entertainment lovers can revel in the ability
to stream music, download films and juggle multiple social feeds or apps both smoothly and effortlessly.

Thanks to Qualcomm Technologies’ processing capabilities, with separate performance and low power clusters within the processor for managing intensive and lighter workloads, the HTC Desire 820 also operates at maximum power efficiency, ensuring you get more from
your phone for longer.

Lose yourself in content

Whatever your surroundings, the HTC Desire 820 is perfect for immersing yourself in your favourite content. Whether gaming, watching TV or creating momentous video and photo sequences with Zoe™ Highlights, you’ll lose yourself in the rich, clear sound offered by the front-facing stereo speakers and two powerful, dedicated amplifiers of HTC BoomSound™. The vivid, 5.5” high definition display also puts big-screen entertainment in your pocket for the ultimate no-compromise experience.

Bold, distinctive style

In true HTC style, quality doesn’t stop at performance. Bold, bright and sleek, the newest addition to the HTC Desire range features HTC’s double shot colour technology, which allows us to create a two-tone colour unibody, that is not only perfect for reflecting both personality and style, but that also improves device quality, strength and tolerance. With distinctive colour trims around the camera, buttons and flash, the two colours merge seamlessly into one another creating a slick look that really stands out from the crowd. Available in an array of colours2 and featuring HTC’s iconic unibody design, the robust polycarbonate device is not only stylish but also boasts the excellent build quality that has become synonymous with HTC.

Cool and convenient, the HTC Desire 820 also supports HTC’s Dot View™ case, providing instant access to your phone without opening the cover. With a range of functions from answering calls and receiving and dismissing notifications with a simple swipe, this retro style case can be customised to suit any situation, with the ability to create your own wallpaper by selecting images from your gallery or from 18 different themes.

Availability

The HTC Desire 820 will be available with mobile operators and major retailers worldwide beginning at the end of September 2014.