93
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Reception and call quality This might be the one area where I was surprised by the DNA. Call quality has not been that good.
- Display You won't find a better screen on a phone.
- Battery life Nothing out of the ordinary for a high-end Android phone, but it can be tough to get a full day's use.
- Camera No comments
- Ease of use I'm not a fan of any of the OEM customizations of Android, but HTC Sense is one of the better ones.
- Design and form factor I don't like the accents on the design, but the build quality is excellent and the phone feels very solid.
- Portability (size / weight) The first few times I picked up the DNA I expected it to feel heavier. And they've done an admirable job of making it feel smaller than it really is.
- Media support No comments
- Durability No comments
- Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) No comments
Detailed review
I'll admit that while I was eagerly awaiting the launch of the DNA, I was not expecting to be so impressed with it. HTC has done an amazing job here. Despite having a five-inch screen It's thin, light, and easy to hold in the hand. While I think 4.7-inches might be my personal sweet spot for phones, the DNA never feels oversized like the Galaxy Note or Note 2.
You've probably read a lot about the DNA's 1080p, 441 PPI display by now, and it definitely does not disappoint. Text and images look phenomenal. Not all apps are optimized for 1080p -- Chrome is a little wonky, for example -- but by and large everything I typically use has run fine on it.
Is the DNA's screen enough of an improvement over the 720p screen of the One X to merit upgrading? Probably not, for the most part the difference is not large enough to justify switching, and I'd say we have probably reached the point where further noteworthy improvements in mobile screens are going to come from things like better color reproduction and energy efficiency, rather than pixel density. (I'm not saying that phones will never go beyond 1080p, just that there are other areas now where improvements will have a more meaningful impact on user experience.)
While the DNA does have some design elements that I dislike -- I could do without the race car-inspired accents or the big Verizon logo on the front -- overall I'm impressed. The phone is very solid and feels great in the hand. There is no comparison between the high-end fit and finish of the DNA and the plastickyness of the Galaxy S3.
Battery life could be better. The DNA does have a large battery, but pushing all those pixels is power intensive. I've found battery life to be better than on the One X, though not as good as on the S3, so I'd say it's about average for a top-tier Android phone. I've been able to get a full day's use out of it, but not always, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to keep an eye on my usage just to make sure I don't run out of juice too early.
Overall, though, I find myself liking the DNA quite a bit. It's big, but I've never found it to be too big. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you're a pixel density nerd like I am, it's hard not to feel the allure of this phone.
You've probably read a lot about the DNA's 1080p, 441 PPI display by now, and it definitely does not disappoint. Text and images look phenomenal. Not all apps are optimized for 1080p -- Chrome is a little wonky, for example -- but by and large everything I typically use has run fine on it.
Is the DNA's screen enough of an improvement over the 720p screen of the One X to merit upgrading? Probably not, for the most part the difference is not large enough to justify switching, and I'd say we have probably reached the point where further noteworthy improvements in mobile screens are going to come from things like better color reproduction and energy efficiency, rather than pixel density. (I'm not saying that phones will never go beyond 1080p, just that there are other areas now where improvements will have a more meaningful impact on user experience.)
While the DNA does have some design elements that I dislike -- I could do without the race car-inspired accents or the big Verizon logo on the front -- overall I'm impressed. The phone is very solid and feels great in the hand. There is no comparison between the high-end fit and finish of the DNA and the plastickyness of the Galaxy S3.
Battery life could be better. The DNA does have a large battery, but pushing all those pixels is power intensive. I've found battery life to be better than on the One X, though not as good as on the S3, so I'd say it's about average for a top-tier Android phone. I've been able to get a full day's use out of it, but not always, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to keep an eye on my usage just to make sure I don't run out of juice too early.
Overall, though, I find myself liking the DNA quite a bit. It's big, but I've never found it to be too big. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you're a pixel density nerd like I am, it's hard not to feel the allure of this phone.
good review!
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