HTC Desire 620: The 5-Inch Dual-SIM Phone With an 8MP Selfie Camera
The HTC Desire 620 arrived during a busy period for affordable Android phones, when a bright 5-inch display, two SIM slots and a capable camera could make a mid-range handset stand out. Its design borrowed the clean, front-facing speaker layout associated with HTC, while its modest hardware aimed at buyers who wanted a dependable everyday phone rather than a premium flagship.
The camera description needs some care. Many listings and discussions connect the Desire 620 family with an 8-megapixel camera, but the front-facing selfie camera is generally listed as 5MP, while the rear camera is 8MP. Regional variants, retailer errors and confusion with similar Desire models can explain the mismatch. That distinction matters for Australian shoppers researching an older imported handset today.
Design And Display
The Desire 620 used a rounded polycarbonate body with a two-tone finish, giving it a more distinctive appearance than many plain black budget phones. Its front stereo speakers sat above and below the screen, a feature that helped HTC phones sound fuller for video, podcasts and speakerphone calls. The body was not especially slim by modern standards, but the curved edges made the 5-inch handset comfortable to hold.
The 5-inch LCD offered a 1280-by-720 resolution, often described as HD. It was sharp enough for maps, messages, social media and streaming at normal viewing distances, although it could not match the contrast or deep blacks of an AMOLED panel. For a device from the mid-2010s, this was a sensible balance between screen size, battery demand and price.
That size also suited Australian use. It was compact enough to slip into a pocket on a Sydney train or fit into a small bag during a Melbourne commute, yet large enough for checking a tram timetable, reading an email or navigating unfamiliar suburban streets. Buyers accustomed to today’s six-inch-plus phones may find it small, but its proportions remain practical.
Dual-SIM Hardware And Everyday Performance
The dual-SIM capability was one of the handset’s strongest selling points. Depending on the version, the phone could support two micro-SIM cards, allowing users to separate work and personal calls or combine a local Australian number with an overseas SIM while travelling. Standby behaviour and mobile-data switching depended on the model and carrier configuration, so buyers should check the exact product code before ordering.
Different Desire 620 variants used different chipsets. The standard Desire 620 was associated with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, while the Desire 620G Dual SIM used a MediaTek octa-core chip in some markets. Both were designed for basic Android use rather than demanding gaming. Web browsing, email, music, messaging and light games were within reach, while newer 3D titles and heavy multitasking could expose the limits of the hardware.
The phone generally paired its processor with 1GB of RAM and around 8GB of internal storage. After Android and pre-installed applications took their share, available space was limited. A microSD card was therefore important for photos, music and downloaded video. Storage expansion could ease the pressure, although applications could not always be moved freely to the card.
Camera Claims And Selfie Quality
The rear camera was commonly specified at 8MP and included autofocus with 1080p video recording. In good daylight, it could produce useful photographs for social posts, receipts, travel snapshots and family events. Colour and detail were acceptable when the subject was well lit, but low-light images tended to show noise and softness. There was no expectation of the computational photography found in current Pixel, iPhone or Galaxy models.
The front camera is where the “8MP selfie camera” claim becomes questionable. Most reliable specifications for the Desire 620 and Desire 620G identify a 5MP front camera, not an 8MP unit. An online store may have reversed the front and rear figures, copied specifications from the Desire 820, or used an inaccurate regional listing. Anyone buying a used or imported phone should request a photograph of the settings screen or confirm the model through HTC’s original documentation.
A 5MP selfie camera was still reasonable for video calls and casual self-portraits at the time. It could handle a well-lit face near a window or outdoors, but it was not designed for highly detailed group selfies. Australian outdoor light can be intense, so keeping the sun behind the camera and avoiding harsh midday shadows would make a noticeable difference.
For perspective, the era included several aggressively specified budget phones. The Micromax Canvas 4 pushed a higher-resolution rear camera and a very thin body, showing how manufacturers used megapixel counts and slimness to attract attention. The Desire 620 took a more balanced approach, combining a familiar HTC design with dual-SIM flexibility.
Software, Connectivity And Battery
The Desire 620 launched with Android 4.4 KitKat and HTC Sense. Sense added HTC’s own visual style, widgets, lock-screen tools and applications on top of Android. The interface was polished for its time, though 1GB of RAM meant that switching between several large applications could lead to reloads. Buyers today should also remember that an old Android version may no longer support current banking, messaging or streaming applications.
Connectivity included 4G LTE on relevant models, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a 3.5mm headphone jack. LTE band support is especially important in Australia. A handset imported from India, Europe or another region may not support every band used by Australian carriers, and compatibility can vary between Telstra, Optus and Vodafone network layers. Network shutdowns and changes to legacy services also make it wise to check current carrier requirements before relying on an old phone.
The removable-back design provided access to the battery, SIM slots and microSD card on many versions. Battery capacity was around 2100mAh, which was adequate rather than generous. Light users could often reach the end of a day, but frequent navigation, mobile data, camera use and video playback would reduce endurance quickly. Aged batteries are another concern: a second-hand Desire 620 may last far less than it did when new.
Charging was handled through a micro-USB port. That was standard in 2014, but it now means carrying an older cable alongside the USB-C leads used by most current Australian phones, tablets and accessories.
Australian Buying Considerations
The Desire 620 was aimed at value-conscious buyers, and its dual-SIM design remains relevant in Australia for people managing separate numbers. A small business owner could keep a work SIM and a personal SIM in one handset, while international students or frequent travellers could switch between an Australian service and a travel SIM. Call quality, 4G access and data performance still depend on the network and the specific regional model.
Price is harder to judge than it was at launch because this phone is now found mainly through used marketplaces, clearance stock and overseas sellers. An apparently cheap listing can become poor value after international postage, GST treatment, return costs or a weak battery are added. Local sellers in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide may charge more, but a handset that can be inspected and tested before purchase is often the safer option.
Check the IMEI status, screen condition, charging port, cameras, speakers and SIM recognition. Confirm that the phone is unlocked and that the included charger is safe for Australian mains power. A foreign plug with a cheap travel adaptor is not the same as a proper Australian-approved charger. Also inspect the display for yellowing or touch dead spots, since replacement parts and labour may cost more than the handset itself.
The Desire 620 is best understood as a basic communication device today. It may suit a child’s first phone, a backup handset or someone who needs two numbers without spending much. It is less suitable as a primary device for secure banking, modern games, high-quality photography or applications that require recent Android security updates.
How It Compares With Similar Phones
The closest alternatives depend on the buyer’s priorities. The Xiaomi Mi 3 offered a faster processor and a sharper 5-inch Full HD display, though its availability and software experience varied by market. The Xiaomi Mi3 launch also illustrates how quickly specifications were advancing in the same period, particularly in performance and screen resolution.
The Desire 620’s advantage was its straightforward design and dual-SIM practicality in selected variants. It was not the fastest or most camera-focused model, but HTC’s front speakers and Sense interface gave it a recognisable identity. The camera specification should be verified before purchase because an advertised 8MP selfie sensor is likely to be a listing mistake rather than a standard feature.
| Feature | HTC Desire 620 / 620G | Xiaomi Mi 3 | Typical modern budget phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5-inch HD LCD | 5-inch Full HD LCD | Around 6.5-inch HD or Full HD |
| SIM support | Dual-SIM on selected variants | Usually single-SIM by market | Commonly dual-SIM |
| Main camera | 8MP | 13MP | Often 50MP, with processing advantages |
| Front camera | Generally 5MP | Around 2MP | Commonly 5MP to 16MP |
| Processor class | Entry-level quad-core or variant-specific octa-core | Higher-performance quad-core | More efficient multi-core chip |
| Battery | About 2100mAh | About 3050mAh | Usually 5000mAh |
| Software at launch | Android 4.4 with HTC Sense | Android with MIUI | Recent Android version |
| Best use today | Backup phone or basic dual-SIM use | Retro or collector interest | Primary everyday smartphone |
For buyers comparing specifications, megapixels alone should not decide the purchase. A newer budget phone will usually provide a larger battery, better network compatibility, stronger security support and a more capable front camera, even if the old HTC feels better built. The Desire 620 makes sense mainly when its low price, compact size, HTC styling or dual-SIM arrangement solves a specific need.
The HTC Desire 620 remains an interesting snapshot of the mid-range Android market: a compact 5-inch handset, practical dual-SIM potential, front-facing speakers and an 8MP rear camera. Treat the advertised 8MP selfie specification cautiously, verify the exact regional model and test battery health before paying. For a dependable everyday phone in Australia, a newer budget device is usually the wiser purchase, but the Desire 620 can still serve as an inexpensive backup or a piece of HTC smartphone history. Browse the handset’s specifications and compare current used prices before choosing the model that best fits your calls, data needs and network.