7.6 out of 10

HTC Hero

First seen: 11 february 2009

Information found in:

from 175 sources in 25 countries.

Great Deal: $99.99

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User Score (365)

8.4
Expert Score (39)

8.2
Design (67)

8.3
Value for money (58)

7.1
Features (32)

7.7
Ease of use (55)

8.0
Performance (2)

8.4
Sound quality (11)

7.9

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Prices

LetsTalk.com	In Stock	(CS)	$99.99	SEE IT
Sprint	In Stock	(CS)	$149.99	SEE IT
	Check Availability	(S)	$0.01	SEE IT
Amazon Marketplace	Check Availability	(S)	$0.75	SEE IT
Skinit.com Skins	Check Availability	(S)	$14.99	SEE IT

Prices from Shopper (CS), Shopping.com (S)

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Pros & Cons

vast array of software, pleasant web browsing experience, great facebook connectivity, customize ring tones, google andorid

no bluetooth file transfer, flash video is dodgy, keyboard is tiny, better aftermarket accessories, limited internal storage

Manufacturer's Description

Be yourself. That’s the idea behind the HTC Hero™, a phone that follows your lead. Time to work? Time to play? Time to put down your phone and think? The HTC Hero helps you be you.

Set the Scene for every time and place. It’s like having a different phone for every different thing you do.
Focus on people, not accounts. Look at all the messages from any one person—their emails, calls, texts, status updates, everything—all in one place.
Keep your friends close. St…

Specifications

Processor:

Qualcomm® MSM7600™, 528Mhz
Operating System:

Android™ platform
Memory:

ROM: 512MB, RAM: 288MB DDR, 2GB microSD™ memory card
Display:

3.2-inch 320 x 480 HVGA resolution, 262K-color TFT LCD touch-sensitive screen with LED backlight
Network:

Dual Band CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEVDO/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz)
GPS:

Internal GPS antenna
Camera:

5 megapixel camera with auto focus

Release Date

First seen

11 February 2009

WikiFreak Description

HTC Hero

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HTC Hero

The HTC Hero is a smartphone that is powered by a Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz processor and Android™ operating system. The handset has a 512 MV ROM memory capacity with 288 MB RAM that it fitted into its 112 x 56.2 x 14.35 mm, 135 grams (4.76 ounces with battery) form factor. The smartphone supports a 3.2 inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 HVGA resolution display and utilizes Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and HSPA/WCDMA 900/2100 MHz network bandwith which provides users with up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent). The smartphone supports a trackball with enter button for device input control, GPS with internal antenna, Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP connectivity for wireless stereo headsets, Wi-Fi® IEEE 802.11 b/g connectivity, and HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one) for PC synchronization. The phone also features microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) slot for memory expandability, a G-Sensor, Digital Compass, a 3.5 mm audio jack and a 5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus. The smartphone also supports audio formats such as MP3, AAC(AAC, AAC+, AAC-LC), AMR-NB, WAV, MIDI and Windows Media® Audio 9, and MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media® Video 9 video formats. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (1350 mAh) that provides up to 420 minutes (WCDMA)/470 minutes (GSM) of talktime and up to 750 hours (WCDMA)/440 (GSM) of standby time.

Features

The HTC Hero is the first phone from HTC to utilize its HTC Sense™ concept that allows users to personalize the phone by putting its content at glance view, with a selection of widgets that can be placed right on the home screen. The widgets themselves can be personalized with a variety of designs and sizes that best match a user’s personality. A profile feature called Scenes allows users to create and switch between Scenes that reflect different moments in life. The phone becomes an extension to life by helping users relax with their choice of tunes, catch up with friends and capture some memories with HTC Footprints™. The phone also functions as a personal guide and provides users with instant access to local time, weather and maps. Users can also stay connected with friends via social network website updates and event notices as well as see the latest pictures uploaded to popular photo sharing sites.

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Reviews of HTC Hero

Expert Reviews

HTC Hero (Sprint)

Reviewer: CNET
16 September 2009

Overall 7

Design 8

Features 7

Performance 8

The bottom line: While it could use a boost in the performance department, the HTC Hero is the most feature-packed Google Android device to date, bringing some notable improvements and a highly customizable interface. Read more
Sprint HTC Hero

Reviewer: Wired
17 September 2009

Overall 7

Sprint's Hero Has Buff Software, Feeble Hardware A lot has happened since the first Google phone arrived 12 months ago. So it makes sense for HTC to finally make a legitimate stab at upgrading the Android operating system, now that Palm has its web-errific Pre, the iPhone graduated to video (not to mention cut-and-paste!), and Motorola just unveiled the Cliq, the first non-HTC phone to run Android. HTC's third Android phone, the Hero, is available on Sprint in the United... Read more
HTC Hero Review

Reviewer: Digitaltrends
1 October 2009

Overall 8

When it goes on sale on Oct. 11, the HTC Hero could rescue Sprint – this is easily the best iPhone-like handset the carrier has ever had. But the handset’s biggest drawback is its sluggishness – it doesn’t react as instantaneously as other phones. Still, there are a treasure trove of enhanced operational gems buried inside just waiting to be joyfully discovered. Read more
HTC Hero

Reviewer: CNET
14 September 2009

Overall 8

Whether it's physical design or software, the Hero trumps the Magic. That said, we don't find it a good upgrade for those who already own a Magic, unless you really want the 3.5mm audio jack. This is because HTC has already announced that Sense UI will be available for the Magic, so the main differentiating factor will be plugged when the firmware update is released. But if you looking to buy a new Android phone in Asia now, the Hero is your best bet. It costs just S$30... Read more
HTC Hero Review

Reviewer: LAPTOP Magazine
16 September 2009

Overall 8

The HTC Hero is Sprint’s first Android phone, and is arguably the best Android device on the U.S. market today. It sports HTC’s custom Sense interface for home screen multitasking, a 5-megapixel camera, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Plus, this device offers pretty snappy performance, addressing the biggest complaint reviewers have had with the European version. These features—paired with its full Microsoft Exchange support—make the $179 Hero a top-notch smart... Read more

Read More HTC Hero Expert Reviews and Problems

User Reviews

"Does Not Accurately Configure Daylight Saving Time"

Reviewer: CNET
25 October 2009

Overall 2

Got the HERO (Sprint) last week for a 30 day test drive. Functions nice as a phone. Synced my Outlook calendar using Google Calendar Sync, and all appointments for the week of 10/25 are off an hour on the phone calendar. Beginning Nov 1, some appointments are still off an hour, but most are the correct time. Re-booted and synced using HTC Sync that came with the phone - same issue, everything off an hour. Then, this morning at 2:00 a.m. (10/25), the phone's internal time... Read more
Best Android Phone with HTC Sense!

Reviewer: dreamjoe, CNET
9 January 2010

Overall 9

I've used iPhone, then Nokia N85, before switching to my first Android phone and I have never looked back since. The combination of Andriod and HTC Sense is just heavenly. The UI is very intuitive, everything you want to do with a smartphone, you can do it without much learning. And there are thousands of free apps that are easy to install (and uninstall), and still counting! I've played with the HTC HD2, it's too big in my opinion, very unweldy, and it's WinMo, still... Read more
Broke up with my blackberry & have a new Hero - HTC Hero Review

Reviewer: Shopping.com
17 July 2009

Overall 10

So, after over a year of living and loving my Blackberry Curve I was itching for a new phone. A part Read more
Reviewer: PC World
25 March 2010

Overall 2

My husband bought this for his business phone. It's a good thing it's not mine! I would take it back and tell them I'm through with this junk. I would... Read more
Incredible Phone

Reviewer: Newegg
12 January 2010

Overall 10

I had thought of buying this phone ever since it was announced in June of 2009 and finally got around to getting it and I am glad. I moved from a WinMo 6.5 to Android and I am here to stay. From the expandability and freedom to do what you want when you want makes this phone and UI a keeper. Read more