HTC Introduces Budget-Friendly Alternative for Smartphone Enthusiasts

It won’t be available until Q3, but soon enough, there will be another decent Android device available at a reasonable price. HTC has unveiled a new budget smartphone to add to its existing line, the HTC Wildfire. The new device will feature the latest 2.1 Android operating system as well as an updated version of HTC’s patented user interface, HTC Sense. Other features on the Wildfire will include a five megapixel camera with flash and a MicroUSB charging port.

Sounds great, right? Let’s just say, you get what you pay for with the HTC Wildfire. The Wildfire will not perform as well as its fellow devices due in part to a painfully slow 528 MHz processor and lower resolution 3.2 in screen (but, hey you can always root and overclock). However, you’re main goal in buying this phone should be to save money. Look at it this way, you can download the only mobile Caller ID application, Privus Mobile, with the money you’ll save buying the HTC Wildfire.

HTC hasn’t scheduled a release date or finalized any carrier details just yet. Nonetheless, this looks like it could be a fine, budget-friendly addition to the enormous HTC portfolio. The smartphone developer has seen increasing success in the UK with the launch of the HTC Desire and HTC Legend – two devices that are similar in several ways. The only exception, the Desire has a more powerful processor and a larger screen, making it potentially more appropriate for business users who use the smartphone for e-mail viewing purposes more often than not. And of course, you can’t forget about the absolutely glowing reviews the HTC Droid Incredible and Nexus One have been getting.

It’s good to see HTC continuing to come out with new phones despite its ongoing patent dispute with Apple. HTC has called for the US International Trade Commision to ban the sales of iPhones, iPads and iPods over patent infringement. It’ll be interesting to see how this situation plays out for HTC, but in the meantime, it looks like it’ll continue to make some significant noise in the smartphone market.