Official: HTC Desire 601, HTC Desire 300 unveiled at IFA

The HTC One and One mini are currently the only two devices in HTC’s “premium” category, but things are starting to get crowded in the company’s mid to low-end segment. Announced today, the HTC desire 601 and Desire 300 will brings some of the looks and features of HTC’s premium devices to those who are on a tighter budget. The HTC Desire 601 can be summed up as a slightly cheaper HTC One mini which replaces the aluminum chassis with polycarbonate and the UltraPixel camera with a traditional 5 megapixel sensor. The phone is powered by a 1.4 GHz Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (expandable up to 64GB), 4.5-inch qHD display and a 2100 mAh battery.

While the HTC Desire 601 slots in nicely between the HTC One mini and the Desire 500, the HTC Desire 300 comes in near the very bottom of HTC’s food chain, barely outclassing the HTC Desire 200. The HTC Desire 300 is equipped with a 4.3-inch WVGA display, dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage (expandable to 64GB), a 5 megapixel camera sensor and a very small (by today’s standards) 1650 mAh battery.

The HTC Desire 601 will be available in September while the HTC Desire 300 will launch in October. Pricing for both phones has not been announced.

Category-changers: HTC introduces new mid-range Desire 601 and entry-level Desire 300

New HTC BoomBassTM supercharges BoomSoundTM for the ultimate HTC One® audio experience

London, 3 September 2013 – HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced the addition of the HTC Desire 601 and HTC Desire 300, to its popular smartphone family enabling consumers to enjoy a premium experience at any price point. Changing the face of the mid-range, the HTC Desire 601 introduces LTE speeds and innovative features from the flagship One family, including HTC ZoeTM with Video Highlights and HTC BoomSound. Setting a new standard for entry- level smartphones, the HTC Desire 300 offers a powerful, large-screen browsing experience and HTC BlinkFeedTM.

In addition to extending its range of affordable Desire smartphones, HTC is also bringing new choice and performance enhancements to its acclaimed HTC One family. HTC BoomBass, a Bluetooth subwoofer, combines with the One family’s HTC BoomSound to offer a fully-immersive audio experience like no other. A new ‘Vivid Blue’ HTC One and One mini also introduce a bold new option for those who want a handset that stands out from the crowd.

“For the last 17 years HTC has challenged the mobile industry to develop innovations that change the way in which people use their mobile phone. Now we’re not only changing the way people view the mid-range and entry-level market but setting the bar even higher when it comes to our premium devices and capabilities,” commented Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “We are committed to offering the most innovative portfolio of products on the market. Our Desire family has become synonymous with affordable quality. Offering some of the most advanced capabilities of any smartphone, these phones truly represent premium quality in a more affordable price bracket.”

HTC Desire 601: A powerful value smartphone for everyone
The HTC Desire 601 comes complete with many of the features that have led the HTC One to be crowned the best phone in the world. HTC BlinkFeed, HTC Zoe with Video Highlights and HTC BoomSound make this the most advanced mid-range smartphone available on the market today.
The rear-facing 5MP camera captures HTC Zoes, bringing images to life in three-second videos. The simple editing capabilities of HTC Zoe support advanced features such as Sequence Shot, Always Smile and Object Removal, making it easy to achieve incredible results with minimal effort.

Video Highlights takes the camera experience to the next level by creating highlight reels displayed on the HTC Desire’s 601’s 4.5″ qHD screen. Accompanied by a range of pre-set themes for a more personal memory, these stunning 30-second video montages are simple to create and instantly sharable.

Superfast streaming, sharing and browsing
The HTC Desire 601 combines a Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 400, dual-core, 1.4GHz processor and LTE connectivity to enable superfast HD video and music streaming with no compromise on quality. Changing the way you experience media on the go, dual, front-facing HTC BoomSound speakers join with the large screen to create a completely immersive audiovisual experience. Delivering richer, sharper tones, the raw power of the speakers lets you take the “big screen, big sound” home entertainment experience with you, wherever you go.

HTC Desire 300: A personal and powerful entry-level smartphone
The HTC Desire 300 enhances the entry-level browsing experience with HTC BlinkFeed making personal and up-to-date content and social media updates available instantly on your home screen. Its stunning 4.3″, full lamination display is perfect for reading your customised HTC BlinkFeed updates, watching videos, viewing photos and surfing the web, whilst the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM dual-core, 1GHz processor means that you’ll never be short on performance.
Boosting the bass for HTC One

In the HTC One, HTC redefined the smartphone sound experience with HTC BoomSound and has now raised the bar again with the introduction of a new accessory for the HTC One family. HTC BoomBass, a compact, Bluetooth-enabled subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier, provides clearer, more powerful bass when combined with the HTC One family’s BoomSound. The subwoofer enables HTC BoomSound’s speakers to produce enhanced quality of lower range frequencies so, no matter what music you’re playing or video you’re watching, you are guaranteed immense and exceptional sound that can travel with you.

Availability
The new HTC Desire 601 will be available with mobile operators and major retailers in select markets across EMEA from September 2013. The HTC Desire 300 will be available in select markets from October 2013.

Source: Engadget