Comments on: HTC Explorer A310E Unlocked Android GSM Smartphone – International Model – Black

By: Nicholas Bates "Niccho"

Nicholas Bates "Niccho" — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:22:52 +0000

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Hot, small package, February 5, 2012

Nicholas Bates "Niccho" (Syndey, NSW, Australia) -

This review is from: HTC Explorer A310E Unlocked Android GSM Smartphone - International Model - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I bought this phone on a whim with minimal research. I was umming and aaagghing about getting an iphone but kept balking at the cost especially as I had an ipod already which I use constantly for listening to podcasts, wi-fi at home and the office, and reading books. So what did I need in a phone I finally asked myself? Phone, email and internet. Occasionally a camera and the option of reading a book if I am without my ipod. The Explorer jumped out of me in the first shop I went into after I had decided not to go down the iphone path at present. I liked the look of it including its robust rubber casing, the size and most of all the price. So just like that I bought it, and within a day of using it and realising just how much it did, I was hooked. Its easy to use even for an android beginner like me. No, its not an iphone 4S or a Samsung Galaxy but it is proof that for under $200 (and what did that buy you in the phone department five years ago? Not much) you can join the world of smart phones and embrace all the mobile technology that the everyman/woman needs. On the basis of having owned this phone for less than a week, but having operated it in two countries, I could not be happier with my spontaneous purchase and count myself as a new fan of HTC phones.

27 February. Have now had the phone about a month. Still enjoying it but it does have some issues - for example it can sometimes take a long time to 'load' which can be annoying if you need to make a phone call in a hurry. I have even had the situation where the phone was ringing but the usual swiping process to answer the phone just didn't work! Music player is nothing to write home about and no challenge to your everyday ipod. So, with that I am revising my rate down from 5 stars to 4.

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By: mercyshipper

mercyshipper — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:53:52 +0000

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

US Buyers Beware - 3G doesn't work! Not enough internal memory., July 5, 2012

mercyshipper -

This review is from: HTC Explorer A310E Unlocked Android GSM Smartphone - International Model - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

There are two main problems with this phone. If you're going to be using data in the U.S., I couldn't ever find a way to get 3G working, so your fastest speed will be Edge. But the other problem is even worse - there's only 130MB of internal storage, which fills up so incredibly fast, even if all of your apps are on your SD card. It's awful, and it's constantly telling me I don't have enough memory. I keep clearing my cache and it doesn't help. Probably won't be long until Android starts crashing due to the lack of internal memory. Apart from that, it works well and is a reliable phone.

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By: Iggy White

Iggy White — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:41:12 +0000

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

Excellent phone!, January 10, 2012

Iggy White -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: HTC Explorer A310E Unlocked Android GSM Smartphone - International Model - Black (Wireless Phone Accessory)

This little phone is a marvel. It has most of the bells and whistles much more expensive phones have but for fraction of their price. Also, it has the latest Sense 3.5 layered over Android 2.3.5. User interface is therefore first class. You will learn how to use it in no time.

There's a lot of applications built in: web browser, navigation, social networking, Google search, address book with deep integration with all your contacts across various media, audio and video players and recorders, Android market, calendar and organizer, e-mail clients, etc.

Connectivity is brilliant: Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, several modes for connecting to your PC, Wi-Fi, micro USB. GSM connectivity covers most bands: quad-band 2G and dual-band 3G. Also, the phone is fully unlocked, unbranded, SIM-free; you can check the software information to prove that (software revision/build number is *.401.*).

Build quality is surprisingly good for this price range, mixture of aluminum and rubberized body give a sense of holding much more expensive device in your hand. Battery life could definitely be better, but it's not a deal-breaker.

The response is snappy, considering the hardware inside. Screen is very good and clear, and covers almost whole front face of the phone. Camera is of modest quality. Audio quality is good. Video playback is limited, but this is not what this phone is really made for. Memory is big enough for several additional applications/gadgets and there's a microSD slot if you need more space.

To summarize - there are definitely better phones out there. But not for this price. All in all, this was one of my best investments ever (and I have much more expensive phones to compare it with). Highly recommended.

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