Today HTC and Verizon unleashed the Droid DNA, a new smartphone with seriously slick display capabilities. HTC Called it “the most advanced smart phone on the market.” Here’s what you should know.
1. It’s the First Smartphone to Play Full 1080p HD Video
The Droid DNA is the first smartphone ever to have a 1920 x 1080 resolution with 440 pixels per inch (PPI). For comparison, the iPhone 5 has a 4-inch, 1136 x 640 screen with just 326 PPI.
2. The Screen is Seriously Awesome
With a 5-inch, 1080p, Super LCD 3 screen, it also boasts better viewing angles, like the ability to see clear images on the screen from flat angles. It also upped the brightness of the display and sped up the refresh rate to prevent video blurring.
3. It Comes with the Best in Hardware
With the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, the Droid DNA is powered by a Quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, has a whopping 2GB of RAM, and runs along Verizon’s LTE network. That’s fast.
4. It is Just 4mm Thick
With a soft-touch back and curved edges give it a good feel, the red grilles that run along the DNA’s side enhance it’s sleek appearance. It also weighs under 5 ounces, lighter than past HTC products.
5. It is Not a Tablet-Smartphone Combo
Despite its capabilities, unlike the “phablet” status of the Samsung’s Galaxy Note II, it is strictly a smartphone.
6. It’s Supports Wireless Charging
The DNA is among the first phones to have wireless charging capabilities. You’ll need it as it is equipped with only a 2,020mAh battery, compared to the 3100 mAh battery that the Galaxy Note II has, and the Note II is just a mere half-inch larger.
7. It Has New Camera Software
The 8-megapixel camera has better face detection and comes with a new mode called “sight seeing,” which allows you to access the camera just by pressing the lock button. It also now has a countdown timer for pictures, and the front-facing camera has been improved with a wide-angle lens. There are also new photo gallery options, like viewing photos by event or location and copying and moving photos from one album to another.
8. It Has Great Sound Quality
It has separate amplifiers for the speakers and for headphones, and it also uses the 2.55v headphone amplifier, also present in HTC’s 8X Windows phone, which gave the 8X some powerful sound. An additional amp for the speaker keeps that sound booming, and Beats Audio will also sell portable speakers through Verizon that let you play music wirelessly with your phone.
9. It’s Under $200
It will cost $199 with a two-year contract with Verizon.
10. It Goes on Sale November 21
Tech heads, fear not. You can beat the shopping season rush and pre-order your Droid DNA right now.