HTC Status Review: A Phone for Facebook Fanatics

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Designed for Status Updates

The 2.6-inch display feels pretty cramped, however, and the low, 480-by-320-pixel resolution won't do your friends' profile photos any favors. The screen is too small for videos (aside from the quick YouTube clip), and the limited surface makes gaming difficult.

At the top of the phone, you'll find the power button and the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Facebook Integration and Software

The HTC Status runs Android 2.3 with the latest version of the HTC Sense interface (Sense 2.3.3), as well as some unique Facebook features. In this version of Sense, you get the spruced-up lock screen, where you can pin shortcuts to your most frequently used, go-to apps. Unfortunately, you don't get cool, 3D-like spinning walls (see our HTC Sensation review), but you can pinch anywhere on the home screen to see thumbnails of your walls (as on all of the most recent HTC phones).

If you want to stay connected on Google's new social network, we recommend downloading the excellent Google+ Android app.

Camera

The Status has a back-facing 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash. Image quality is okay. My indoor photos had a bit of a dark cast to them without the flash, but then they looked blown out with the flash. Outdoor photos seemed better, with brighter, more natural-looking colors.

Performance

The phone runs on AT&T's 3G network, not the carrier's "4G" HSPA+ network. If you're looking for a keyboard phone on AT&T's 4G network, your only option is the HP Veer 4G, with its tiny slide-out keyboard. Network performance was decent. I frequently got two or three bars of reception, as I normally encounter with AT&T phones in San Francisco.

Bottom Line

While the HTC Status might not have the most cutting-edge specs, it gets the job done, letting you easily stay connected to all of your social networks. The hardware integration, in the form of the Share button, is especially useful; the special Facebook widgets are unique, as well.

Posted in: HTC,Smartphones