The HTC Hero will be officially launched in the Philippines today (later this evening actually) and I got an early review for those of you who might be interested to grab a unit soon.
The Hero is HTC’s 3rd handset to run Google Android OS (after Dream and Magic). I would think of the Hero as HTC’s fix to the Magic.
Let’s get the specs first out of the way:
Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 MHz
Android 1.5
512 ROM, 288 RAM
3.2 inch screen @ 320×480 pixels
3G/HSDPA 7.2Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1
Internal GPS
5MP camera
3.5mm audio jack
The HTC Hero’s form factor is a little odd with the bottom part bent crooked inward. In a way, it make sense when you make a phone call since the mic is placed closer to your mouth. On the other hard, I found it hard to get a case for the Hero because of this form factor.
The handset’s build and construction is pretty solid with a combination of brushed metal finish and a smooth rubbery surface (feels like Teflon coating but earlier reports say only the white model has it). Not thin but not too thick (14.4mm) as well — fits snugly with one hand and not that heavy for its size (135g, exactly same weight as the iPhone 3GS).
Aside from having a nice oil-resistant capacitive touch screen, the Hero has a number of physical navigation buttons including a trackball that glows when there’s a new message or alert on the phone. There’s the call button and the end call button that also serves as the power button situated on both ends. There’s the home button and the menu button in the middle. The second row has the plastic trackball at the center, a back button and a special search button.
What actually gives the HTC Hero an edge is the Android OS. You can read about my review of the Google G1 Phone and my impression of the Android OS here. The Hero has version 1.5 pre-installed and got more improvements from the previous version. This one has 7 desktop/panels you can easily switch with a flick of the screen or roll of the trackball — customize each panel to hold shortcuts, widgets and folders (mine has the Calendar, Weather, Home, Twitter and Contacts).
There are a number of HTC Widgets and Android Widgets you can use but I liked the toggle widgets for connectivity as it allows me to turn on or off the settings for 3G, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth very quickly. It helps save me on data charges and battery life.
With over 10,000 apps in the Android Marketplace, you have access to almost any imaginable application for the phone — a feature that closely competes with Apple’s iTunes Store.
The phone is very responsive and can run multiple applications all at the same time. However, I sometimes notice the handset to slow down when a lot of apps are open or running so the Task Killer widget come in very handy when that happens. The Hero has a 528 MHz (Qualcomm MSM7200A ARM11) processor and 288MB RAM that performs quite well with multi-tasking though I wish they added more RAM.
The touch screen is very good and responsive as well; the oleophobic coating of the screen makes it immune to oily finger fingerprints. Video playback is smooth and clear with very wide viewable angle (around 130-150 degrees IMO). The speakers at the back are a bit small and not loud enough for open playback. You will likely need a pair of earphones most of the time.
While the phone has multi-touch functionality, it is not available on all applications — works on web browsing but not on Google Maps.
The 5-megapixel camera has a nice autofucos feature but does not take photos very well especially on low light or non-stationary subjects. There’s no dedicated camera button and relies on the trackball for that function. Photos are also a little washed-out (and bluish at times) as shown in this sample shot below.
The 1350mAh battery gives me a decent 2 days with casual internet and phone calls but if you turn on WiFi and 3G and leave apps for Twitter, GMail and Facebook open, expect the device to be totally drained by end of the day.
The HTC Hero has its fair share or shortcomings as well — no large internal storage so you have to reply on a microSD card for that (hard to find 16GB around here so I only have an 8GB in place) which means you have to shell out more money, no FM Radio tuner and no front-facing camera for 3G video calls.
Over-all, the HTC Hero performs really well and is the closest (and even better in some areas) to the iPhone in terms of touch implementation performance, usability and added features (the Android Marketplace is a big plus). Bad news is that it’s as expensive as the iPhone. I got my HTC Hero from Hong Kong for $642 and some local stores have been selling them for Php33,900 (pretty close to the prepaid price of the iPhone 3GS).
Update: TJ Manotoc tells me the official suggested retail price of HTC Hero is Php33,999 with a free 2GB microSD card. I ordered a 16GB microSD card from one of the shops in Virramall, Greenhills and they quoted me a price of Php3,800. That means a 16GB HTC Hero can fetch up to Php37,799.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
How to transfer, withdraw money from PayPal to GCash
Prices of Starlink satellite in the Philippines
Install Google GBox to Huawei smartphones
Pag-IBIG MP2 online application
How to check PhilHealth contributions online
How to find your SIM card serial number
Globe, PLDT, Converge, Sky: Unli fiber internet plans compared
10 biggest games in the Google Play Store
LTO periodic medical exam for 10-year licenses
Netflix codes to unlock hidden TV shows, movies
Apple, Asus, Cherry Mobile, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Infinix Mobile, Pocophone, Honor, iPhone, OnePlus, Tecno, Realme, HTC, Gionee, Kata, IQ00, Redmi, Razer, CloudFone, Motorola, Panasonic, TCL, Wiko
Best Android smartphones between PHP 20,000 - 25,000
Smartphones under PHP 10,000 in the Philippines
Smartphones under PHP 12K Philippines
Best smartphones for kids under PHP 7,000
Smartphones under PHP 15,000 in the Philippines
Best Android smartphones between PHP 15,000 - 20,000
Smartphones under PHP 20,000 in the Philippines
Most affordable 5G phones in the Philippines under PHP 20K
5G smartphones in the Philippines under PHP 16K
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2024
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2023
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2022
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2021
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2020
Photo tour says:
htc hero at greenhills 30K flat.
tour ch?p ?nh says:
nakabile ako htc magic with myhero custom rom, Php 12,500 lang eheheheh… brand new from vodafone.
dich vu 24h, thu mua laptop, thu mua iphone, dich vu may tinh, dich vu iphone says:
I would not abandon your website ahead of suggesting i always incredibly appreciated the usual details anyone present on your company? Is definitely gonna be once more regularly to be able to evaluate completely new posts
ugg boots says:
However there are several makes involving uggs for kids that men and women talk about while Ugg shoes or boots, you should purchase the main Ugg shoes or boots on-line along with in several stores.
techihunt says:
The Hero represents a valiant work from HTC — although regrettably, the organization seems to have bitten off greater than its last-generation hardware can chew up.
sex shop says:
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
DICH VU VISA says:
thank
________________
Watchville says:
Matatapat na ba 2 sa iPhone??
Business Advertising says:
it is great phone but to me any phone sana na may gps that upon reach of your destination can show your latitude and longitude. like this. 13-23-34.544 and 122-24-56.123. is there any phone like this, Sir? the iphone has gps but i doubt if no signal or out at wifi zone can give the latitude and longitude.
du lich nha trang says:
can you transfer that application to your micro SD?thanks
du lich nha trang says:
This will be my first time buying a phone, give me more information to access the site. thanks
jehuty says:
Hi sir! and everyone else….
This would be my first time purchasing a phone like this…actually…first time na touch screen phone…hehehe! e gusto ko lang po makahingi nang opinion nyo regarding these phones.
can you rank 1-4 (1 being the best) these phones..tsaka if alam nyo po ung price nya, kindly indicate it sa tabi nya? thanks!
>HTC desire
>HTC wildfire
>HTC Hero
>HTC legend
I would really appreciate it po! thanks! :)
PS: important lang po sakin e may Wifi sya, may multitouch, tsaka ok ang music.
Joey Cosi says:
For some reason, I still like the Hero over the wildfire and the other new htc phones.
allan says:
@reggie:
just want to ask if after you’ve saved your downloaded application from the market to your phone memory, can you transfer that application to your micro SD?
clark says:
I have an HTC tytn_II, pls help me where to ask for settings for sms gprs settings.
lito says:
it is great phone but to me any phone sana na may gps that upon reach of your destination can show your latitude and longitude. like this. 13-23-34.544 and 122-24-56.123. is there any phone like this, Sir? the iphone has gps but i doubt if no signal or out at wifi zone can give the latitude and longitude.
brian says:
Hi. Is HTC Legend or Desire, available in Manila. How much?
Rom says:
sir yuga, are you a Smart user? how did you get the mms to work? I’ve been setting this up for days and still can’t get the correct configurations. thanks
mattscradle says:
Guys added details about HTC Legend
Htc Legend – It’s All About You And Your Personality
http://mattscradle.com/?p=203
Sampat says:
is this better than the iphone 3g? where can i go to test this phone?
Abe Olandres says:
@sampat – at the HTC Concept Store in SM North Edsa, 4th floor Cyberzone Annex
Kat says:
Guys,
I’m selling a bnew HTC Hero for only P29k. Anyone intersted? ;)i’m also selling other smart phones (other HTC and blackberry handsets) just send me an email.. its katrina.p****@****.***
Thanks! ;)
fahrenheit says:
geeee what a hell of a phone… nice fight between iphone and these htc…
geo77 says:
I’m selling a bnew white (teflon coated) HTC Hero for Php28,500 and a bnew motorola milestone for Php37,000.. 0918-9123980
jumper says:
nice to see HTC finally getting some love here in the Philippines. :D
Jazmine says:
shit expensive
John Alvero says:
htc hero at greenhills 30K flat.
gillbates says:
@yam & @reggie
I haven’t tried it yet, but there’s an app for that called apps2sd
I’m not sure if it’ll work on an unrooted hero though.
ewancoo says:
hopefully matuloy yung rumors na iooffer ito ng Sun Cellular for 1k+/month :)
Andrew Mercado says:
IMO! better to wait for android 2.0 because it has significant upgrades. I wish Motorola Droid will be available also in Phils. Is has a lot of cool features.
num_lock_er says:
I have these two gadgets (HTC Magic & Iphone)
HTC goodpoints: lots of buttons for easy shortcuts like menu… multi-tasking, cheaper price.
Apple iphone: better music feature.
My choice: HTC.
marvin says:
hayss… nakakainggit naman. gigil. baka pede patesting.
luiboowee says:
I’m still waiting for HTC Tattoo.. it would be a lot cheaper compared to this one.
Reel Advice says:
looks yummy! i want one!
tsokslam says:
Sir yuga kamusta ang GPS function kailangan bang always connected sa net para gumana o puwedeng download sa phone. Been looking for a good travel phone that can be used as a gps/map tool and a translator any suggestion?
Reggie says:
Problem I had with the Hero is the installation of apps. Whenever I install an app from Marketplace, it automatically installs it on the phone memory, not giving you an option to install it on the memory card
yam says:
you forgot to mention, even if Android Marketplace has 10k apps and even if you bump up your storage, you can only install upto 256MB (or 512MB) of applications on the phone.
Solidad Romero says:
Wow, It’s very competitive to the Iphone. Maybe this is more reachable than a HD2. But, let’s just and see next year.
Brian_B says:
emails.
boyet says:
Wow, at 33k this is the perfect phone for the average Filipino.
daddy joey says:
htc or iphone? :)
num_lock_er says:
Hehhe nakabile ako htc magic with myhero custom rom, Php 12,500 lang eheheheh… brand new from vodafone.
drew says:
sir yuga,
san niyo po nabili sa HKIA ito? maraming salamat po.
mark pelicano says:
wow another gadget’s geek. is it available now? where can i but it?