How We Test

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How We Test

Nowadays Smartphones are getting smarter and smarter. There’s a lot more to a smartphone than just making and receiving calls and jotting down notes. They now come with an array of features, including built-in digital cameras, instant messaging, speakerphones, MP3 players, streaming video, Bluetooth connectivity and much more.

HTC devices come in different styles, from “Touch” and “Type” styles to the “Touch or Type” designs. As a result, how each model performs and implements its features can differ from one model to the next, even if it is in the same family line. We test each device to provide a complete scope of the features and functionality built into every smartphone. Some important aspects that we test include usability, call quality, connectivity, camera quality, and battery life. After using the device for at least three days (in most cases for at least one week) we then average the results and provide a detailed editorial review.

Usability
We test every HTC smartphone by evaluating menu navigation and usability, durability, ease of use, buttons and keypad layout, display resolution and readability, software design, and ergonomics. If the device has a touch-screen display (which includes most new HTC smartphones), we carefully examine the responsiveness of the touch screen. By using the device for number of days, we test all available features a number of times so as to compare a mobile phone’s performance to other models in its class.

image 1. (usability)

Please note, every device is being tested inside and outside the office as it creates an opportunity to test the smartphone in various real-world situations. Screen visibility tests are conducted under various conditions, including at night, in broad daylight, indoors and outdoors.

Call Quality
In the course of testing, we also evaluate how well a phone performs in terms of audio quality for both incoming and outgoing parties. We place numerous calls from the smartphone to other callers, testing the sound quality on our end and wait for feedback from the caller on the other end. We use the device as a personal phone; therefore every phone call is being examined intensely for call and sound quality. The performance of the speakerphone, if included, is also evaluated both indoors and outdoors.

image 2. (speaker)

Connectivity
We test a mobile phone’s Bluetooth feature by using multiple Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth stereo headphones (exact models are noted in each review). We also synchronize every HTC smartphone with a computer, either via Bluetooth or a USB data cable. In addition, for mobile phones with built-in GPS, we test the reliability of the navigation system and list whether it comes with turn-by-turn directions.

Camera
We take snapshots with the device’s camera in different settings. We also photograph a set scene and evaluate the image quality of the captured image. For example, we take pictures with the phone, then send the images to other camera phones and e-mail addresses from the mobile phone’s address book.

image 3. (camera)

Battery Life
To test a smartphone’s battery life for standby time and talk time, we set a device to HTC’s default settings. We don't change any of the power-saving settings, but we do maximize the volume setting while on calls, as well as when listening to music and watching video playback. We start with a fully charged battery when testing battery life on any smartphone.

These are just some of the many ways we test HTC mobile phones. You will find more detailed feature reviews on our site for each specific mobile phone we’ve tested.