HTC seems to be one of the few companies that tries to understand the importance of being able to cater to the female demographic. The HTC Rhyme, with its unique purple casing and pre-packaged premium accessories, is is one such attempt. So it may have the looks, but does it have the features to match it?
Apart from the fact that it each unit comes with premium accessories included in the box, the Rhyme is very much like many other Android smartphones that came before it. It comes with a somewhat large 3.7-inch 480x800 pixel resolution touchscreen display, a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS with A-GPS, and 4GB of internal storage. It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the default operating system with a not-so-powerful combination of a 1GHz processor and 768MB of RAM, but it gets the job done. And the limited amount of internal storage space can be expanded further with the use of microSD cards.
It works with CDMA networks in the US and supports EV-DO Rev. A data, which makes it quite useful for surfing the Internet on the go. Given that it runs Android and accepts compatible third-party software, this should be quite enjoyable.
Now based on what you’ve read about this phone so far, you might think that it’s really not that different from other smartphones after all. The truth is, it does have many similarities with other models in terms of overall features, but it comes with the superior build quality that’s normally associated with the HTC brand, and looks markedly more elegant than other products in its price range. So if you’re one to appreciate good looks but don’t want to skimp on features altogether, this phone should have you covered.
Need To Know: HTC Rhyme
1. Built-in touchscreen display offers good resolution-to-size ratio. (The Good)
2. Premium accessories are included with the sale of each unit. (The Good)
3. As a result of the compact design, the battery is non-removable. (The Bad)
4. Internal storage space is very limited at 4GB and almost mandates the use of an external storage card. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- GSMArena Team, GSMArenaHTC don't like to call it a smartphone, let alone mention Android anywhere in the conversation. However women are clearly the HTC Rhyme's demographic whether HTC admits it or not. Rich in features and generously accessorized, on top of being quite attractive, it will easily connect with its target a...
- Garry Clark, CoolsmartphoneFirstly I would like to say well done to HTC for realising there is a gap in the market for a phone designed with women in mind. Also they deserve credit for including the premium accessories in the box. This is something that they are actually doing more of with the introduction of the beats brand...
- Chandrakant Isi, TechTreeThe Rhyme has great build quality, beautiful customization, great earphones, and an interesting accessory. However, its specs are nothing out of the ordinary. A single-core CPU is quite common for Android phones these days, and a 5 MP camera is also nothing to write home about. The Wi-Fi reception...
- What Mobile, What MobileHTC knows how to do smartphones-as-boys’-toys, but rarely does it try the same for women. But before you plump for the Rhyme, ask yourself these questions and observe the answers before you buy. Do you need more power? HTC Sensation. More style? HTC Desire S. Less money? HTC Wildfire S.
- Chris Martin, The InquirerThe Rhyme is a medium sized and weighted handset. It's 61x119mm, which we found fits very nicely in the palm of the hand - a tiny bit larger than the Iphone 4S for reference. You can easily reach every corner of the screen with your thumb without stretching. The phone isn't the lightest around, but...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the HTC Rhyme user manual here.
HTC backs up the Rhyme with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Rhyme has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact HTC support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find HTC's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- HTC Rhyme Manual (PDF)
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