HTC just upgraded its HTC Desire 820 with the 820s model that features a MediaTek octa-core processor, something that was missing from this range, although not sorely. Eight cores don’t necessarily mean more power, or a faster phone per se, as the Snapdragon 801 processor powering the competition is pretty good of a powerhouse, while Snapdragon 410 chips aren’t bad either. But what about marketing gimmick? Ya sure, octa-core wins!
Anyway, when it comes to aesthetics, we’re really loving the dual-color tone HTC has adopted in 2015, which has also made it to Desire 820s. That’s sweet and funky, pretty lovely design. Until the HTC One M8s strikes the mid-range segment, bringing with it the same metal build quality of One M8 with a flux of a bit inferior specs, we’d gladly accept the Desire 820s from HTC, but note that the competition is not outdone. Not at all.
In fact, for the range of Desire 820s, INR24,490, there are many good, in fact better, devices available to choose from, unless you’re quite fixated on dual-SIM, in which case, YU Yureka and Redmi Note 4G deserve your thought, too — and they cost less than half of Desire 820s, which packing a punchy specs-sheets.
Let’s check out best device in the mid-range that challenge HTC Desire 820s. Or let’s say, give HTC Desire 820s a run for money!
Aesthetics
We’ll talk specs, of course, but let’s talk about the looks and feel first. Actually, this is where HTC scores over the competition, if you’re game for slightly modern, on-traditional design, that’s both delightful, and colorful, and yet, very beautiful. Not many companies can achieve this, FYI, and talking about other sets, Samsung’s Galaxy E7 isn’t poor at all, while Xiaomi Mi4 is kind-of best of the lot if you want serious design, while OnePlus One is a proven good.
Display
5.5 incher OnePlus One is a winner but if you want the crispest display, get 5.0″ Mi4, with 441 pixels an inch. At 267PPI, display of both HTC Desire 820s and Galaxy E7 aren’t crisp, and look noticeably pixelated in comparison. All devices are protected by Gorilla Glass 3, btw.
Processor and GPU
Well, Mi4 and OnePlus One lead the line but Desire 820s goes toe-to-toe with them. Galaxy E7 remains tucked in behind at some distance. Multitasking, heavy games and the like aren’t an issue for these devices, but Mi4 and OnePlus are the best of the lot.
RAM & Storage
2GB RAM is enough, but when you can get 3GB of that for less, you want the latter of course.
Battery
With less pixels to light up, Galaxy E7 scores good points, but there is nothing to worry over the battery life of the rest three handsets here. OnePlus One is known for great battery life, btw, something that can be said for Mi4 too. On the other hand, a 2600mAh battery should prove good for the Desire 820s.
Camera
Mi4 and Desire 820s sport whopping 8MP camera in front, while the 5MP sensor graces the front of other two, which isn’t bad in anyway, either. 13MP camera chip is slapped on the back of all four sets, but if we are to pick one, we’ll pick OnePlus One, followed by Mi4.
Software
No Lollipop OS yet for any device, but all of them should get at some point. Now, when will that happen is a question, both nice and tricky one. We think OnePlus One would taste the sweetest Android update yet first of all, followed by Mi4 and Desire 820s, while only god knows when Samsung will get lenient on E7 users.
Custom skins play the decider here, truth be told. We’re in love with Lollipop’s UI, and given that OnePlus One plays stock Android UI, we’d recommend it over others anytime even though all devices are running on KitKat for the time being. MIUI on Mi4 looks damn beautiful after the latest update, v6.3.5, but doesn’t beat the Lollipop just yet. Desire 820s sports HTC’s Sense UI, which is pretty great UI, and is without a doubt better choice than TouchWiz custom skin that you’d find on Galaxy E7.
Size & Weight
At 7.3mm and 7.7mm respectively, both Galaxy E7 and Desire 820s are pretty compelling choice. Mi4 and OnePlus One hold out goof enough for sure and both are lovely to hold, while feel light-weight too even though weight tad more than liking.
Colors
Desire 820s is a device to go for if you want something new in aesthetics. It’s the appeal of the Desire 820s that makes it stand from the crowd. To me, HTC has done a remarkable job! That said, Mi4 is available only in white color, while OnePlus One’s all black front and grey back are good enough. Galaxy E7? Well, visit a Samsung store and go for it only if you like it after playing it for a bit.
Dual-SIM
If dual-SIM is a must for you, then Desire 820s and E7 are your choice of devices.
Price & Value for money
There wasn’t a better Value for money phone than OnePlus One for the whole of 2014 arguably, and that still stands true. Mi4 definitely comes close, while Galaxy E7 is a pretty remarkable buy at just INR19,799. Desire 820s looks a bit pricey, and the cool aesthetics don’t really look fully worth it. We expect Desire 820s’ price to go down by some INR2,000-3,000 pretty soon, and then it will feel rightly priced.
Verdict
OnePlus One, with stock UI, sooner Lollipop update and best specs around, remains our choice of device in this range. Followed by Mi4 of course, but if you want a dual-SIM device, go for Desire 820s, even though at current price, it does sounds somewhat over-priced compared to Galaxy E7. If you wait for a month or two, Desire 820s at reduced price could be the best buy. If you mind the money, though, Galaxy E7 is a darn good choice, too.
Let us know what do you think, btw.
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