[6D] I Finally Got The HTC Amaze 4G!

In today’s market, mobile devices capable of data exchange are no longer called SmartPhones. They’re called SuperPhones! The new HTC Amaze 4G is packed with many features that make the phone stand out. With an amazing camera, processor and interface, this device’s reputation is only growing. HTC’s philosophy is about the phone being about ‘you’ and making it fully customizable, where the device should adapt to you and not the other way around. Let’s find out how the HTC Amaze 4G competes and levels in this market and your pocket.

Hardware

This device’s hardware really lives up to its standards. The 1.5GHz Dual Core Processor really performs without flaw and runs all applications without any issues. HTC’s Amaze 4G is one of the market’s first Dual Core Processor devices. Along with the 1.5GHz processor, known as the Qualcomm Snapdragon S3, (the i7 of mobile phones) there is 1 GB of RAM Memory. Both pieces of hardware working simultaneously means little to no lag on the device.

Once the operating system loads, opening applications and exploring the phone is instantaneous. One thing I noticed on my dad’s HTC Desire HD is that there is quite a few times that the device prompts a ‘Force Close’ while opening certain applications. On the Amaze 4G, I haven’t been prompted even once for a ‘force close’ with a week of very heavy use.

The only lags experienced so far relate to browsing the web with some select websites. However, HTC cannot be blamed for this. Browsing speeds are the responsibility of the carrier.  At most times, I found the download speeds at the 4G mark, but this can vary depending on physical location. Nonetheless, I’m finding speeds close to the standards of the industry.

Software

The HTC Amaze 4G comes equipped with Android 2.3.4 and HTC Sense version 3.0. HTC Sense is one of the main reasons that I chose the Amaze over the Samsung Galaxy S II X. The integration and ability to manage everything on the home screens makes it a great method of organization. I’m nothing if I’m not organized, so this is important to me. For those that are professionals and need to keep their life organized, id highly recommend it. Unfortunately, this device came out after HTC Sense 3.5 was released, so I wish they packaged it together. The widgets that HTC offers are a lot better and come in a much larger variety than other carriers or through the standard User Interfaces that Android 2.3.4 carries on its own.

Camera

What a Camera! Everyone says, never miss a moment again, but my lord you will never miss a moment again with the camera that is on the device! No shutter lag at all. There are not one, but two cameras with two led flashes on the back. The inner facing camera is a 2MP camera with an 8MP camera on the back. There are so many features in the camera of which one may even take a burst of shots simultaneously. Above all, there are two buttons to control the camera on the side. One for video and one for pictures. Don’t forget the ability to take videos in full 1080p high definition quality. The camera is loaded with features.

Furthermore, a camera feature that has made its way to the latest point and shoot cameras has now made its way into the HTC Amaze 4G. SweepShot allows the camera to take wide angle panoramic shots that much larger and expensive lenses can take. Now this feature is built right into this phone which also works amazingly without lag.

An in-depth review of the camera on the Amaze 4G can be found here.

Where the Phone Shines

This phone is a device that is not only powerful but competes with what is currently in the market. Dual sided cameras, dual LED flash and dual core processor – good things come in pairs. The HTC Amaze 4G is a device that shines in its performance, interface and great looks. The ability to include widgets on the home page, check emails without opening other applications, and even viewing multiple emails in the same inbox makes it amazing. Everything on home screens are important.

With the phone design and layout, there is a great ability to complete tasks that are required for any user. Imagine viewing your next appointment and few appointments that sync directly with your online calendar. The ability to organize your life is so simplistic. The inside camera is perfect for Skype calling and making sure you look good before you pick your date up or before you walk into a meeting.

The way the phone has been designed physically feels so nice in your hand. The bezel of the phone is simply beautiful. The back of the phone is one large back piece partially metal and partially soft leathery plastic. Both volume and speaker of the phone are phenomenal in call quality. I have already received compliments from people mentioning that my voice sounds so much better and clearer than before.

The way the phone screen unlocks at this point is absolutely exciting. Better than previous versions, including the HTC Desire HD my dad owns, you swipe the loop to the side. But if an application on the lock screen is swiped into the loop, it unlocks the phone to that application. Making things simpler and faster is clearly a goal that HTC has set and achieved. The phone is fully customizable out of the box! In this market, it is hard to find phones that are so customizable, which is where Android devices shine.

Where the Phone Lacks

Unfortunately with a phone that has so much power, you would expect a better battery life. With the way I use my phone, I’m able to get through just over 10 hours of battery life a day where I am using email, IM, music and calling a lot. I’m sure there are certain features that can be turned off to push the battery life to over a day.

Another issue I don’t like too much is the fact that certain applications turn on automatically that don’t need to be on. I always end up closing programs from advanced task killer that I don’t necessarily need running. Although they’re third party applications, I find that there must be a better way to ensure that the program only initiates if asked or required. Maybe there is a way to do this, but some more research is still required.

If you have any suggestions or would like to share your opinion with us about this phone,
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