HTC Desire 601: The 4.5-Inch Budget Phone with Dual Front Speakers
The HTC Desire 601 arrived during a period when affordable Android phones were becoming genuinely usable rather than simply cheap. It sat below HTC’s flagship One range, yet brought across several appealing ideas: a compact 4.5-inch display, a dual-core Snapdragon processor, expandable storage and front-facing stereo speakers.
For Australian buyers in 2013, that combination made sense. A handset did not need a huge screen or a premium aluminium body to handle calls, Facebook, Google Maps, music and casual photography. It needed reliable battery life, broad network support and a price that did not hurt after a visit to a carrier shop in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
The Desire 601 is also interesting today as a snapshot of the Android market before large-screen phones became the norm. Its specifications are modest by current standards, but its practical design, loud speakers and manageable size give it a character that many entry-level phones lacked.
| Feature | HTC Desire 601 |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.5-inch Super LCD 2, 960 × 540 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, dual-core, 1.4GHz |
| Memory | 1GB RAM |
| Storage | 8GB internal, microSD expansion |
| Rear camera | 5-megapixel sensor with autofocus and LED flash |
| Front camera | VGA |
| Software | Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense |
| Battery | 2,100mAh removable battery |
| Audio | Dual front-facing stereo speakers with BoomSound |
| Connectivity | 3G or 4G LTE depending on version; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS |
A compact design with useful everyday hardware
The Desire 601 uses a straightforward plastic body, with a curved rear cover that sits comfortably in the hand. It is not as visually dramatic as the HTC One, but that was part of its appeal. The phone was easier to grip, lighter in the pocket and less worrying to carry on a crowded Sydney train than a larger, glass-covered flagship.
Its 4.5-inch screen also kept the dimensions sensible. Reaching the top of the display with one hand was realistic, and typing with two thumbs was still comfortable. At a time when many Android manufacturers were moving towards five-inch panels, the 601 offered a welcome middle ground for people who found oversized phones awkward.
The physical controls are familiar: a power button, volume rocker, micro-USB port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The rear cover could be removed to reach the battery, SIM slot and microSD card slot. That flexibility was valuable in Australia, where buyers might keep a spare battery or add a memory card rather than pay a premium for a higher-capacity model.
The display is modest but clear enough
The 4.5-inch Super LCD 2 panel has a 960 × 540 resolution. It cannot match the sharpness of later 720p and Full HD phones, particularly when reading small web text, but it remains suitable for messaging, maps and standard-definition video. Colours are reasonably natural, and viewing angles are useful for sharing a photo with someone beside you.
Brightness matters more than resolution when using a phone outdoors, and the Desire 601 performs adequately in ordinary daylight. Under harsh Australian sun at Bondi, along the Brisbane River or on a bright Perth afternoon, the screen can look less impressive than it does indoors. That is common for budget phones from this period, so a small amount of shade helps.
The display size works well with HTC Sense, the company’s Android interface. Large icons, a readable notification area and the familiar BlinkFeed news panel make the interface approachable. Anyone moving from an older HTC handset would find the controls immediately recognisable, while new Android users could learn the basics without much trouble.
Performance, software and storage
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM place the Desire 601 firmly in the affordable category. Everyday tasks such as phone calls, email, music streaming and social networking are handled comfortably, although switching between several demanding apps can produce pauses. Web pages with heavy advertising and modern image-heavy sites are particularly likely to test the hardware.
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, combined with HTC Sense, gives the handset a polished feel for its era. The interface includes HTC’s weather animations, BlinkFeed and a selection of useful settings, although Sense uses more storage and memory than a very plain Android installation. Buyers interested in the wider history of Google-powered handsets can browse this Android coverage for useful context.
The 8GB internal storage is the main limitation. After system files and pre-installed applications are counted, available space is considerably lower. Fortunately, the microSD slot allows music, videos and many photos to be moved onto a memory card. That is an important advantage over budget phones with fixed storage, especially for Australians who download podcasts or playlists for long drives between regional towns.
Audio is the feature that sets it apart
HTC gave the Desire 601 dual front-facing speakers, supported by the company’s BoomSound branding. They are positioned above and below the screen, directing audio towards the listener instead of firing it into a desk or being muffled by a hand. For a budget handset, this is one of the most noticeable differences in daily use.
The speakers are useful for YouTube clips, radio, navigation instructions and speakerphone calls. They do not turn the phone into a portable hi-fi system, and the low-end response is limited, but voices are clear and the stereo effect gives video a more engaging presentation. It is a practical feature for playing something at a lunch table or following a recipe in the kitchen.
This focus on sound helps distinguish the 601 from other affordable phones of the same period. For comparison, the Micromax Canvas 4 put more emphasis on its larger screen and metal-look construction. HTC’s choice was less about making the phone appear luxurious and more about improving an experience people could notice immediately.
Cameras and mobile photography
The rear camera has a 5-megapixel sensor, autofocus and an LED flash. In good daylight, it can capture acceptable snapshots for social media, shopping listings and quick travel records. Exposure is generally more important than the megapixel count, and the camera can produce pleasant results when the subject is still and the light is even.
Low-light performance is much weaker. Indoor images can show noise, fine detail disappears quickly and moving subjects often blur. The VGA front camera is adequate for basic video calls but should not be treated as a serious selfie camera. This was typical of mid-range Android hardware before front cameras became a major selling point.
HTC’s camera software includes familiar scene and shooting controls, helping users adjust the result without installing a separate application. The phone is suitable for recording everyday moments, but anyone buying it primarily for photography should look towards a later model with a stronger sensor and improved image processing. A comparison with the Nokia Lumia 930 shows how far flagship camera hardware stood above this budget class.
Battery life and Australian network choices
The removable 2,100mAh battery is a sensible match for the screen and processor. Moderate users can generally expect a full day involving calls, messaging, occasional GPS and some music. Heavy navigation, mobile data and video playback will reduce endurance, so a charger is still sensible for a long trip down the Hume Highway or a day exploring the Gold Coast.
Network compatibility needs careful checking because the Desire 601 was sold in different regional versions. Some models supported 4G LTE, while others were limited to 3G. Australian buyers should confirm the exact model number and supported bands rather than relying on a seller’s broad “unlocked” description. Compatibility with Telstra, Optus or Vodafone depends on the variant and the network frequencies it supports.
That concern is even more important for a second-hand purchase now. Older 3G-only devices are no longer a practical choice in Australia following the national 3G shutdown, and a phone may also have trouble with modern carrier requirements. Buyers in regional New South Wales, Queensland or Western Australia should pay close attention to coverage because a handset that works in central Melbourne may be less dependable outside major population centres.
Where the Desire 601 fits today
The HTC Desire 601 makes the most sense as a historical device or an inexpensive collector’s handset, rather than as a dependable primary phone in 2026. Its design remains comfortable, the front speakers are still enjoyable and the removable battery has nostalgic appeal. However, Android 4.2 is far too old for current security expectations, banking applications and many modern services.
Second-hand pricing should therefore be modest. Look at Australian marketplaces such as Gumtree, eBay Australia and local phone-repair shops, while remembering that a very low price may reflect a worn battery, locked network status or missing charger. A clean device with an intact screen and a confirmed 4G model is more useful than a cosmetically perfect phone that cannot connect properly.
The same advice applies when comparing it with old Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Moto G or Nokia Lumia models. Check software support, battery condition, charging reliability, storage expansion and network compatibility before judging the headline price. The 601’s dual speakers and compact body are appealing, but they do not outweigh fundamental problems with connectivity or security.
If you enjoy classic mobile hardware, the HTC Desire 601 remains an easy phone to appreciate. Its 4.5-inch format feels comfortable, BoomSound gives it a distinctive personality and the microSD slot keeps its limited storage manageable. For a practical Australian handset today, treat it as a retro Android device and verify its LTE support before buying.