This week has seen the launch of at least one phone, and HTC is set to join with two more, updating two models from last year with new features and designs.
The phones HTC is introducing this year include updates to both the HTC Desire and HTC Wildfire, two handsets that were originally released on the Telstra network.
“Australians are displaying an incredible appetite for adopting smartphones,” said Ben Hodgson, Country Manager for HTC Australia and New Zealand. “HTC is committed to offering strong alternatives to Australian consumers looking for a smartphone to suit their individual lifestyles.”
This year’s Desire S (above) gets the same sized 3.7 inch screen from the original, although this time it’s being moved over to a new body made out of the single block aluminium casing that was used on both the HTC Legend and HTC Desire HD.
We’re also reminded of last year’s Desire HD in the new Desire S, as we’re seeing the same 1GHz Snapdragon processor and Adreno graphics powering this handset. Some things are different here, however, namely the inclusion of Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”, a lighter weight (130g compared to the HD’s 164g), and a front-facing camera for when video calls are desirable… or when you need a mirror.
HTC’s revamped Wildfire – the Wildfire S – has undergone one of the more impressive changes, the small budget phone now sporting a clearer 3.2 inch screen, 5 megapixel rear camera with flash, 105g weight, and the latest version of Android (2.3).
Telstra has grabbed the exclusive rights to both of these phones – at least for the moment – with the HTC Desire S going on sale now on a range of new plans, including the Freedom Connect $59 plan, which includes $550 worth of calls, unlimited text, and 1.5GB of data.
The new Wildfire S will go on sale from July 19 in Telstra’s Freedom Connect post-paid plans, or outright from $360. This marks a change for Telstra, given that the original Wildfire was also released as a prepaid handset.
