If Facebook is your thing, you’ll probably be interested in the HTC Status from AT&T. Here’s the spec rundown upfront: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB internal storage, 2.6-inch HVGA (480×320) display, 2GB microSD preinstalled, 5-megapixel camera, VGA front-facing camera, portrait QWERTY keyboard, and a dedicated Facebook button.
The Status is the US version of the HTC ChaCha, and it represents a new category of portrait QWERTY Android devices with a BlackBerry-like form factor. It runs $50 with a two-year contract from AT&T.
Call Quality
Call quality was average. Some calls were clear, others slightly distorted. The speakerphone was on the quiet side but usable in a quiet room. The proximity sensor worked correctly and signal toggled between 3 and 4 bars. No dropped calls during testing.
Hardware
The 2.6-inch screen with a portrait QWERTY keyboard below it gives the Status a distinctive look that you’ll either love or hate. The white plastic and aluminum combination looked clean and minimal. The keyboard was one of the best portrait keyboards tested, with solid key feel, good key travel, and comfortable spacing. The number keys matched the Facebook button’s blue color, a nice detail. HTC also included physical Send and End call buttons.
The screen resolution of 480×320 was below the 480×800 that was becoming standard in 2011. The Facebook button placement could have been more intuitive; a continuously blinking state for contextual sharing opportunities would have been a welcome addition.
Software
The Status ran Android 2.3.3 with HTC’s “Messenger” skin, a customized version of Sense 2.1 designed for smaller screens. Notable changes: app switching sliders moved to the right side of the screen for vertical scrolling rather than horizontal, and a new launcher offered up to seven home screen panels with quick app drawer and personalize buttons. The Sense 3.0 lock screen was included.
HTC did a solid job optimizing Sense for the unusual screen. AT&T allowed sideloading, a welcome change from their earlier policy, and kept the bloatware relatively restrained: AT&T Code Scanner, AT&T Family Map, AT&T Navigator, Live TV, myAT&T, Twitter, Shop Music, and YP Mobile.
The landscape-only design caused problems with a small number of apps that had no landscape support, requiring the phone to be rotated sideways. The Messenger launcher also had an annoying flaw: the All Apps and Personalize buttons were only visible from the first home screen panel.
Facebook Button
The Facebook button adapted to context. From the home screen, a press prompted a status update with options to add photos or post to a friend’s wall. A long press triggered a Facebook Places check-in. When the button was blinking during contextual activities, pressing it shared accordingly: a photo while in the gallery, a web link while browsing, a song while listening to music, or a wall post while viewing a specific contact’s profile.
The sharing experience was well executed. The receiving side was less impressive, requiring multiple taps through Friend Stream to check notifications. Facebook notification reliability on mobile was inconsistent at the time regardless of device.
Camera
The 5-megapixel camera with LED flash produced decent shots with good lighting and patience. Macro range was limited. Compared to an 8MP camera on a higher-end phone, the gap was obvious. Video quality was acceptable but unremarkable. The front-facing VGA camera worked as expected; light conditions had a significant impact on quality. Including a front-facing camera on a $50 device was a genuine plus.
Performance and Battery
Performance was better than expected. The phone moved quickly with minimal lag, helped by 512MB of RAM allowing true multitasking. The main lag point was the lock screen unlock animation. The biggest hardware weakness was 512MB of internal storage; after about a week and only 5 to 8 installed apps, a “Low Phone Memory” warning appeared. Battery life under heavy use ran 7 to 8 hours.
Conclusion
The HTC Status is no ordinary mid-range Android phone. It’s responsive, has an outstanding keyboard, a unique design, and a genuinely useful Facebook integration. The camera and storage were the weakest points. At $50, it’s a strong option for teenagers, heavy texters, Facebook users, and anyone who wants a solid physical keyboard. It won’t blow anyone away with raw speed, but it’ll get the job done.
