HTC Wildfire S / Reviews

In the end, the HTC Wildfire S is practically the same phone as its predecessor, except with Gingerbread integration, an updated design, and minor U.I. upgrades. It offers great call quality, wireless options, and software features to provide a solid Android experience. Plus, the phone is attractive and deviates from the phone-big-enough-to-be-a-tablet design HTC's known for.

Our biggest gripe centers around the underwhelming CPU, which is heavily accountable for the phone’s sluggish media performance. That could persuade casual consumers to seek higher powered options. Still, when taking T-Mobile’s unbeatable price options into account, you have a good mid-level phone best suited for the back-to-school and budget-balling crowd.

Read original review at Complex.

Less

It’s tempting to think that an inexpensive smartphone is going to suck, but that's not the case with HTC's Wildfire S. Even though it has some stripped down features (no front camera for video chat, no dual-core processor,) the features it does include work nearly flawlessly.

It's a solid little phone that is comfortable to hold and use. The battery life was very good for a smartphone, phone calls sounded great, and signal performance was good.

On the media side of the fence, the Wildfire offers basic music and video tools that work. They may not have all the latest doo-dads, but what's there is done right. The camera, browser, and third-party apps all work well.

If you're on a budget, the HTC Wildfire S will set you back just $80. For the low sales price and fantastic usability of the Wildfire S, it is a hard little smartphone to beat.

Read original review at Phone Scoop.

Less

To wrap things up I’d have to give this device a thumbs-up. For a first time smartphone or first time Android user this would be the ideal device. Some might want something larger but for the size and everything you get it really is awesome. For someone coming from a feature phone or a Blackberry use to a smaller device and great battery life this would be a great first step. Then maybe the next phone can have one of those massive 4.3″ screens.

For now I will leave you with those last words, say good job to HTC for making such a sweet little device and I hope you all enjoy the photos below.

Read original review at SlashGear.

Less

At the end of the day, the Wildfire S is a handset that many shoppers will choose based on its size (or color) alone. Fortunately, it's a rather good option. Despite its limitations, the phone offers a compelling set of features at a price that's hard to ignore. Yes, a faster processor, less glossy screen, and more thoughtful button placement could make this phone truly outstanding, but the device provides a respectable balance when form factor is the biggest concern.

Read original review at Engadget.

Less

There’s no other way of putting it. This is the best budget Android smartphone out there. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it’s the best budget smartie. The screen is a touch low res, the version of HTC Sense old, but these compromises keep costs low. Want to save money but need a do-it-all mobile? The Wildfire S is it.

Read original review at T3.

Less

The Wildfire S improves on the previous model by boosting the screen resolution and offering a more up-to-date operating system. It's very much the same beast, however, and the sluggish CPU -- which was just about forgivable when the original Wildfire launched last year -- feels behind the times in 2011.

With a flood of low-cost Android smart phones hitting the market -- including the superb Samsung Galaxy Ace -- HTC has a fight on its hands at this end of the market. Still, unless you're expecting a top-of-the-range device, the Wildfire S is worth a shot. Especially if you're not keen on gigantic, pocket-rupturing phones.

Read original review at Cnet.

Less

While it's an upgrade on paper, the new Wildfire S doesn't look as smart as the original, and we weren't sure about some of HTC's custom installed software. It also suffers in comparison with the Motorola DEFY, which has a larger, higher resolution screen, and is the same price on contract. The Defy only runs Android 2.2, but a 2.3 upgrade is rumoured to be on the way - an official Orange version was leaked on May 17th, so the official update should be here soon.

Read original review at Expert Reviews.

Less

There’s no question HTC needed to update their lower midrange lineup. Maybe they could’ve done better than the Wildfire S and probably they’re already working on it. Meanwhile, they’re ready to give a good enough deal to users who don’t necessarily need to squeeze every last drop of speed and performance out of their phone. The Wildfire S is a charming little handset that will rather be friends with than try to impress its potential users.

Read original review at GSMArena.

Less

As a fairly minor upgrade of the original WildFire, the WildFire S takes HTC's compact and affordable mobile one step further. It's a functional consumer smartphone that won't disappoint.

Read original review at Digital Versus.

Less

The HTC Wildfire S is a neat, compact smartphone. Naturally, with the small form-factor comes some loss in functionality, specifically applying to the usability of a virtual keyboard on its 3.2" screen. The other drawback comes in the form of the underpowered processor resulting in lag. On the flip-side, screen quality benefits from decent resolution while Gingerbread with HTC Sense serves up a user-friendly treat. This makes for a good phone that could have been better.

Read original review at PhoneArena.

Less

Problems with the phone from day one. Started a few weeks after getting the phone, garbled calls and dropped calls even when sitting down. I would make a call and it would keep ringing on my end when the other party as answered and could hear me. I never Could get the missed call notification to work. You will be lucky to get 12 hours of battery that includes one 10 munite conversation. I called Bell so many times they were on speed dial, try this try that. No mater what they would not replace the phone.

Less