Htc Desire 12 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my review of the HTC Desire 12 Plus, a mid-range smartphone that offers an attractive design, decent specs, and a reasonable price tag. Released in May 2018, this device has been on the market for a few years now, but it is still a popular choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The HTC Desire 12 Plus is a budget-friendly smartphone with a sleek and modern design that is sure to turn heads. The phone measures 148.5 x 70.8 x 8.2 mm and weighs 137 grams, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The device is available in two colors; Cool Black and Warm Silver.

The HTC Desire 12 Plus is built with a plastic body and a metal frame, which gives it a premium look and feel. The back of the phone has a glossy finish that reflects light beautifully, making it an eye-catching device.

The device's construction is sturdy, and it feels solid in the hand. The phone's buttons are well-placed and easy to reach, and the fingerprint scanner is located at the back of the phone for easy access.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12 Plus has a well-designed and durable build that is sure to withstand daily wear and tear.

Display

The HTC Desire 12 Plus boasts a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio is around 74.2%, which is not bad for a budget phone. The display technology used is not OLED, which is found in high-end phones, but it still produces decent colors and vibrancy, especially for the price range.

Brightness levels on the HTC Desire 12 Plus are adequate for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be a challenge, especially in bright sunlight. However, the device does come with an automatic brightness adjustment feature that helps in such scenarios.

Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are areas where the HTC Desire 12 Plus excels. The display is highly responsive to touch inputs, and scrolling is smooth and fluid. The 2.5D curved glass also adds a premium feel to the device.

Overall, the display on the HTC Desire 12 Plus is decent for the price range. While it may not be as sharp or vibrant as some of the more expensive phones on the market, it is still a solid display that will meet the needs of most users.

Performance

The HTC Desire 12 Plus is powered by a Mediatek MT6739 chipset with a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, and a PowerVR GE8100 GPU. It comes with two storage options: 16GB with 2GB RAM or 32GB with 3GB RAM, which can be expanded using a dedicated microSDXC slot. In terms of performance, the Desire 12 Plus is not the most powerful smartphone in the market, but it does deliver a decent performance for everyday use. Multitasking is smooth, and apps open relatively quickly, although there may be some lag when running more demanding apps or games.

In terms of gaming, the phone can handle casual games with ease, but more demanding games may not run as smoothly. In benchmark tests, the Desire 12 Plus scored a modest 223 points in Geekbench 4's single-core test and 685 points in the multi-core test. In Antutu, it scored a total of 36,870 points.

Real-world usage is generally satisfactory, and the phone can handle most tasks without any hassle. However, if you are looking for a phone with more processing power for gaming or heavy multitasking, then the Desire 12 Plus may not be the best option for you. Overall, the performance of the Desire 12 Plus is decent for its price range and should be sufficient for most users' needs.

Software and User Interface

The HTC Desire 12 Plus runs on Android 7.x (Nougat) with HTC's Sense UI on top. While it's not the latest version of Android, the Sense UI adds some useful features and customization options to the software. Users can customize the look and feel of the UI with different themes and change the app icons to their liking.

One of the most notable features of the Sense UI is the Edge Sense technology, which allows users to perform certain actions by squeezing the sides of the device. This can be used to launch the camera, take screenshots, or even launch apps.

The software also comes with a number of pre-installed apps, some of which may be considered bloatware by some users. However, many of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled if they are not needed.

Overall, the user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. The software runs smoothly on the device, with no noticeable lag or stuttering when switching between apps.

One downside is that the device has not received any major software updates since its release in 2018. This means that it may not receive any future updates, leaving it vulnerable to security issues and potential software bugs.

In conclusion, while the HTC Desire 12 Plus may not have the latest version of Android, the Sense UI adds some useful features and customization options to the software. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with no noticeable lag or stuttering when using the device. However, the lack of software updates may be a concern for some users.

Camera

The HTC Desire 12 Plus boasts a 13 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture and PDAF, accompanied by LED flash, HDR, and panorama features. The camera captures sharp and detailed images in natural daylight conditions, with accurate color reproduction and good contrast. However, in low light conditions, the camera struggles to produce detailed images, with visible noise and graininess.

The camera app is user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls and intuitive settings. The app offers a range of shooting modes, including manual, pro, and beauty modes. The front-facing camera is a 5 MP sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 1/5" 1.12µm pixel size. It captures decent selfies with good color balance and detail, but again, low light conditions can lead to noisy and grainy images.

The camera's video recording capabilities are decent, with 1080p@30fps recording quality. The video footage is sharp with good color reproduction, but the camera's lack of image stabilization leads to shaky footage when recording while moving.

Overall, the camera capabilities of the HTC Desire 12 Plus are decent for a budget phone, but they are not exceptional. The camera struggles in low light conditions, and the lack of image stabilization is a drawback when recording video. However, the camera app is user-friendly, and the camera offers a range of shooting modes for different scenarios.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

Connecting with people and staying up-to-date with the world has never been easier with the HTC Desire 12 Plus. The device comes with a variety of connectivity options to keep you connected no matter where you are.

The smartphone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring that you can take advantage of fast internet speeds. Additionally, it features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct technologies, enabling you to connect to wireless networks easily. Bluetooth 4.2 and A2DP provide seamless connectivity for file transfer and audio streaming.

The HTC Desire 12 Plus also boasts GPS and GLONASS, which provide accurate positioning and navigation capabilities. Unfortunately, the device does not support NFC, which could be a deal-breaker for some users.

The smartphone also has an FM radio for those who prefer listening to local radio stations. It uses a microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer, which is a bit outdated compared to newer devices that come with USB Type-C. Nonetheless, it still gets the job done.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features of the HTC Desire 12 Plus are solid, with fast internet speeds and reliable wireless connectivity. However, the lack of NFC and the use of an older charging and data transfer port may be a drawback for some users.

Additional Features

The HTC Desire 12 Plus is a feature-packed smartphone that comes with a host of additional features that make it a great choice for those who want more than just a basic phone. Here are some of the key additional features that make the HTC Desire 12 Plus stand out.

First, the phone comes with expandable storage options, allowing users to add extra storage space via a microSDXC card. This is great for those who need more space for their photos, videos, and other files.

Second, the audio quality on the HTC Desire 12 Plus is exceptional, with a loudspeaker that delivers clear and crisp sound. The phone also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack for those who prefer to use wired headphones.

Third, the phone's speaker performance is impressive, delivering high-quality sound that is perfect for watching videos or listening to music.

Fourth, the HTC Desire 12 Plus features a water and dust-resistant design, making it a great choice for those who want a phone that can withstand the elements.

Finally, the phone comes with a range of other unique features and innovations, including a fingerprint sensor for added security, and a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12 Plus is a great choice for those who want a smartphone that offers a range of additional features and capabilities. Whether you're looking for expandable storage, high-quality audio, or a rugged and durable design, the HTC Desire 12 Plus has something to offer.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the HTC Desire 12 Plus to other related phones, there are a few models worth considering. The first is the Samsung Galaxy J6, which offers a similar price point and screen size. However, the J6 has a higher resolution display and better camera performance, which could be a deciding factor for some users.

Another phone to compare is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which has a slightly larger screen and more powerful processor. It also has a better camera setup with a dual-lens rear camera system. However, the Redmi Note 5 is also priced slightly higher than the Desire 12 Plus.

Finally, the Nokia 5.1 Plus is another phone to consider in this category. It has a similar price point and screen size to the Desire 12 Plus, but with a more powerful processor and better camera performance. However, the Nokia 5.1 Plus also lacks some of the Desire 12 Plus' features, such as expandable storage and a dedicated headphone jack.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12 Plus is a solid mid-range phone that offers good value for its price. While it may not have the most powerful specs or best camera performance, it provides a reliable user experience with a sleek design and expandable storage options.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HTC Desire 12 Plus and HTC Desire 12s offer a solid smartphone experience for budget-conscious consumers. The devices feature sleek designs and quality displays, making them visually appealing. While the performance is not top-of-the-line, the phones are still able to handle most daily tasks with ease. The camera capabilities are decent, especially for the price point, but may not meet the expectations of avid photographers. Battery life is average and the phones lack some features such as water and dust resistance.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12 Plus and HTC Desire 12s are solid options for those seeking an affordable smartphone that still offers decent features. However, if performance and camera capabilities are a top priority, consumers may want to consider other options in a similar price range. Nevertheless, for those who prioritize style and value, the HTC Desire 12 Plus and HTC Desire 12s are worth considering.