HTC Explorer

Available now
29th September 2011

An entry-level Android device, the HTC Explorer is another good reason not to settle for a "dumb" feature phone and to go for a smartphone instead.

Although this is a new device, in hardware terms it is almost identical in specification to the existing HTC Wildfire S, except for a downgraded camera. Most of the differences are in software, the HTC Sense environment has been significantly updated with social networking tools and a refreshed user interface.

Even though the Explorer and Wildfire S are closely related, the indications are that the Explorer will be much cheaper, competing directly against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Mini which currently retails for about €135 SIM-free.

The HTC Explorer has a 3.2" 320 x 480 pixel touchscreen display and a 3 megapixel camera on the back. The 600 MHz processor isn't fast when compared with high-end devices, but the 512MB of RAM should be enough to run several applications at once.

Other features include an FM radio, multimedia player, GPS with turn-by-turn navigation, WiFi, 3.5G support and Bluetooth plus all the usual Android smartphone features and access to thousands of applications in the Android market. Despite the relatively basic feature set, the HTC Explorer is still a very powerful and capable device and makes an ideal first smartphone.

Inside is a 1230 mAh battery quoted as giving up to 7.5 hours talktime and 18 days standby time on 3G. The whole package measures 103 x 57 x 13mm and weighs 108 grams.

HTC say that the Explorer should be available in Europe and Asia from Q4 2011 onwards in "Metallic Black", "Active Black" and "Metallic Purple" colours.