Virgin Mobile this morning announced that it's carrying the HTC Desire (this is the Desire 601 model, for those keeping score at home) for $279. This version of the Desire has a 4.5-inch qHD display, a 5MP camera, 4G LTE data and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor.
For storage, you've got 8GB on board, plus a microSD card.
Virgin Mobile's plans start at $35 a month.
- Buy now: Virgin Mobile
- More: Hands-on with the HTC Desire 601
Virgin Mobile USA Partners With HTC to Give Customers New Meaning to Mobile Sound without a Contract
Virgin Mobile USA, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry has added the HTC Desire® to its growing family of 4G LTE devices. Available today for $279.99, this smartphone enables consumers to enjoy superior experience along with Virgin Mobile’s no-contract Beyond Talk plans starting at $35 a month with unlimited data & messaging.
“HTC Desire is a sleek smartphone designed to deliver an unforgettable experience,” said Mark Lederman, Director of Marketing, Virgin Mobile USA. “This high-tech LTE device is a great addition to our lineup, and with the value, choice and flexibility of no-contract wireless plans, breaking free from a long-term contract is a simple and money-saving decision.”
Marty McGinley, Vice President of Sales, HTC America said, “We’re proud to introduce a premium quality smartphone at an accessible price that features HTC’s distinctive innovations in audio, imaging and performance.”
HTC Desire enhances the mobile experience with HTC BlinkFeed™, which populates new content and social media updates and makes them available on the home screen. Its stunning 4.5” qHD full lamination display is perfect for reading these updates, watching videos, viewing photos and surfing the web, while the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor featuring a dual-core, 1.4 GHz processor enhances the overall performance. HTC Desire also offers HTC BoomSound™ – dual front facing stereo speakers powered with built-in amps that with the display create an immersive audiovisual experience,, so you can enjoy and share your music, videos, games, and content with amazing sound.
Key features of HTC Desire:
- 4G LTE
- 4.5” qHD Touchscreen Display with Corning ® Gorilla® Glass 2
- 5.0 MP Rear Facing Camera w/ HD Video Capture
- Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor featuring dual-core, 1.4 GHz processor
- Operating System: Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) with HTC Sense
- Wi-Fi & NFC capable
- Stereo Bluetooth 4.0
- Memory: 1 GB RAM | 8GB ROM*
- External Memory: MicroSDTM slot for expandable storage up to 64 MB (card not included)
- Experience-enhancing features from HTC - HTC BoomSound™, HTC BlinkFeed™, HTC Zoe™, Video Highlights, and more!
Reader comments
HTC Desire (601) announced for Virgin Mobile
Look pretty cool and boomsound is nice if its anything like as good as on the HTC One, but i think the Moto G will be better value
... and they hope no one has heard about the G.
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This! Moto has changed the game for us and we aren't even able to get our hands on the phone stateside yet.
Lots of bezel.
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This is nothing compared to their latest phone the HTC Max Bezel.
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Unless you REALLY love BoomSound (or Sense) you might as well wait for the Moto G.
But if you need a phone now on Virgin Mobile, there's nothing wrong with this phone.
Plus, the Moto G hasn't yet been confirmed for Virgin (Verizon Wireless is the only carrier that has announced plans to carry it in the US).
It's a decent phone with reasonable specs at an average price that's available now. For what it is and what it offers, it seems pretty reasonable to me.
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Not bad for the money although the Moto G may have the biggest audiance right now. hmm what can Htc do to turn things around?
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Since my one x never getting updated past 4.1 I minds well get this
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Might as well?
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Midas Whale?
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Seems like a minimal upgrade over the EVO 3D (what I currently have). I would rather spend the extra money and move to another carrier with a Nexus 5. Comaparision: http://goo.gl/ZI6fC9 Virgin is okay where I live, but travelling to visit family and friends can be a pain. No service on one side of the family, minimal 3G on the other. At a friends family lake house an hour away I can't even get service. Just kind of tired of having to use a second pre-paid AT&T flip phone in areas Virgin does not cover because they have no roaming.
qHD on a 4.5"? I bet that looks nice.
How much is a 64MB card? Like 25 cents?
Virgin mobile's service may not be perfect, but like it for what I pay without a contract.
As far as Moto G being a better value, I thought the G didn't have LTE and the Desire does. That alone should be worth the $100.00 difference when you consider how slow Virgin Mobile's (Sprint) 3G is.