Htc Desire 12s 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

The HTC Desire 12s is a mid-range smartphone that was released in December of 2018. With a sleek and modern design, this phone has garnered a lot of attention from tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Design and Build Quality

The HTC Desire 12s boasts a sleek and stylish design that is sure to turn heads. Its physical appearance is nothing short of impressive, with a well-crafted and solid build quality that feels comfortable in the hand. The phone measures 154.2 x 72.7 x 8.3 mm and weighs only 150g, which makes it easy to carry around without any discomfort.

The device is available in three color options: Black, Silver, and Red. The back of the phone is made of plastic with a glossy finish, which gives it a premium look and feel. The phone's frame is made of metal, which adds to its durability and sturdiness.

The HTC Desire 12s features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. While the resolution might not be the highest, the display still manages to deliver vibrant and crisp visuals with a decent level of brightness and outdoor visibility. The touch sensitivity is also responsive and accurate, making it easy to navigate through the interface.

In terms of ergonomics and comfort, the HTC Desire 12s does not disappoint. The phone's rounded edges and slim profile make it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The placement of the buttons and ports is also well thought out, with the power and volume buttons located on the right side and the headphone jack and micro-USB port on the bottom.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s has an attractive and well-built design that is sure to appeal to many users. Its solid build quality, comfortable form factor, and stylish aesthetics make it a great choice for those looking for a phone that looks and feels premium.

Display

The HTC Desire 12s comes packed with a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display that boasts a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio of nearly 75% is a significant improvement from its predecessor, the Desire 12. The display quality is decent, with vibrant colors that are well-saturated and reasonably accurate. The brightness levels are good enough to make the screen legible under direct sunlight, but it's not the best out there.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen is generally good, but it can be a bit sluggish at times. The phone lacks any kind of screen protection, which is a bit of a letdown, especially considering that most mid-range phones come with Gorilla Glass protection.

Although the display is not the sharpest or most detailed, it is still impressive and suitable for everyday usage, such as browsing the web, social media, and streaming videos. It's not ideal for high-end gaming or photo editing, but it's still a solid display that gets the job done. Overall, the display on the HTC Desire 12s is decent, but it's not the best in its price range.

Performance

The HTC Desire 12s is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor and comes in two RAM and storage options- 3GB RAM with 32GB internal storage and 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage. The device's performance is relatively smooth and handles day-to-day tasks efficiently. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps and games, and you may experience some lag or stuttering during multitasking.

The phone's gaming capabilities are decent, but the Adreno 505 GPU may not provide the best gaming experience for high-end games. Benchmark scores show that the HTC Desire 12s performs similarly to other smartphones in its price range.

In real-world usage, the device's battery life is average, and it may not last a full day with heavy usage. However, the power efficiency and optimization features help to prolong battery life and ensure that the device lasts longer on a single charge.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s is a decent performer for its price range. While it may not be the best device for demanding users, it is suitable for those who prioritize affordability and day-to-day efficiency.

Software and User Interface

The HTC Desire 12s runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, and it comes with the HTC Sense user interface. The interface is clean and user-friendly, with a minimalist design that emphasizes functionality over aesthetics. The phone offers a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their experience to suit their preferences.

One of the standout features of the HTC Desire 12s is its lack of bloatware. The phone comes with a minimal set of pre-installed apps, leaving plenty of storage space for users to download their own apps and media. The phone also benefits from regular software updates, ensuring that it remains up to date with the latest security patches and features.

The user interface is responsive and intuitive, with smooth animations and transitions that give the phone a premium feel. The phone also benefits from a range of software optimizations, including power-saving features that help to extend battery life.

Overall, the software and user interface of the HTC Desire 12s is well-designed and functional, providing users with a smooth and intuitive experience. The lack of bloatware and regular software updates are particularly notable, making this phone an excellent choice for those who value simplicity and reliability in their smartphone experience.

Camera

The HTC Desire 12s comes equipped with a rear 13 MP camera with f/2.0 aperture and PDAF, as well as a 13 MP front-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture and LED flash. The camera setup on the Desire 12s is decent but not exceptional when compared to other smartphones in its price range.

In terms of image quality, the rear camera performs reasonably well in daylight conditions. The images captured are sharp and detailed, with accurate colors and good contrast. However, in low light conditions, the camera struggles to capture enough light resulting in noisy and grainy images. Additionally, the absence of optical image stabilization can make it difficult to take steady shots, especially in low light.

The front-facing camera, on the other hand, performs quite well in most lighting conditions. The LED flash is a useful addition that helps to take sharp and detailed selfies even in low light. The camera also includes a beauty mode that can help to enhance your selfies, although this feature can sometimes result in over-processing and unnatural-looking images.

The camera app is intuitive and easy to use, with a range of features and settings such as panorama, HDR, and manual mode. The video recording quality is decent, with the rear camera capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps.

Overall, the camera performance of the HTC Desire 12s is good, but not great. While it can capture decent images in daylight conditions, it often struggles in low light, and the lack of optical image stabilization can make it difficult to take steady shots. However, the front-facing camera performs well and includes useful features such as an LED flash and beauty mode. If you're looking for a smartphone with a good camera in this price range, there are better options available, but the Desire 12s is still capable of capturing decent images and selfies.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The HTC Desire 12s is equipped with a variety of connectivity and networking features that allow users to stay connected and productive on the go. The device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it compatible with a wide range of carriers worldwide. It also features dual-SIM support, allowing users to use two different phone numbers simultaneously.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the HTC Desire 12s supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct, as well as Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE for easy file sharing and device pairing. The device also features NFC capabilities, which enable contactless payments and other NFC-based services.

For location services, the HTC Desire 12s features GPS and GLONASS support, allowing for accurate and reliable navigation. The device also features a range of sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.

The HTC Desire 12s features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Users can also take advantage of the device's FM radio capabilities for on-the-go entertainment.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity and networking features that make it an ideal device for users who need to stay connected and productive while on the go.

Additional Features

The HTC Desire 12s comes with a range of additional features that enhance the overall user experience. Firstly, the phone boasts a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, which allows for quick and secure access to the device. Additionally, it comes equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which provide added functionality and convenience.

One of the standout features of the HTC Desire 12s is its expandable storage options. With a dedicated microSDXC slot, users can easily increase the storage capacity of the device and store more photos, videos, and apps without having to compromise on performance.

The phone also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome addition for audiophiles who prefer wired headphones over Bluetooth alternatives. The audio quality is further enhanced by the presence of a loudspeaker that produces clear and crisp sound.

While the HTC Desire 12s does not come with any water or dust resistance rating, it still manages to deliver a solid performance in terms of durability. The phone has a sturdy construction and can withstand everyday wear and tear, making it a reliable device for daily use.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s offers a range of additional features that add value to the user experience. From expandable storage options and a headphone jack to a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and a range of sensors, this phone ticks all the boxes when it comes to functionality and convenience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the HTC Desire 12s with other related phones, several devices come to mind. For example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is a popular alternative that offers a larger and higher resolution display, a more powerful processor, and a higher resolution camera setup. However, the HTC Desire 12s is more compact and lightweight, making it a great choice for those who prefer a smaller form factor.

Another comparable device is the Samsung Galaxy A10, which is a budget-friendly option with a similar display size and resolution. However, the HTC Desire 12s offers more RAM and storage options, as well as a higher resolution front-facing camera.

For those who prioritize camera performance, the Huawei P30 Lite is another option to consider. It offers a triple camera setup with higher resolution sensors and additional features like wide-angle and depth sensors. However, the HTC Desire 12s has a more compact form factor and a more affordable price point.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s offers a unique combination of features and specifications that make it a great choice for those who prioritize a compact design, decent camera performance, and a budget-friendly price point.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HTC Desire 12s is an affordable smartphone that offers a solid performance and a decent set of features. Its 5.7-inch display is bright and vivid, while the Snapdragon 435 processor and 3GB/4GB RAM options provide smooth multitasking and app performance. The cameras are also noteworthy, with the 13MP rear camera and front-facing camera producing decent images and videos.

While the design and build quality are not the most premium, the Desire 12s is still comfortable to hold and use. Its battery life is also decent, lasting a full day on moderate usage.

Overall, the HTC Desire 12s is a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with decent features and performance. However, those who prioritize premium design and construction may want to consider other options in the market.