HTC Desire 700 Review: Dual-SIM Sound in a 5-Inch Phone
The HTC Desire 700 was designed for buyers who wanted a large-screen Android phone without giving up dual-SIM convenience. Its 5-inch display, front-facing stereo speakers, and HTC Sense software gave it a distinctive identity in a crowded mid-range market. At a time when many affordable phones treated audio as an afterthought, HTC made entertainment a central part of the experience.
The handset arrived during a period when Indian buyers were paying close attention to screen size, battery capacity, expandable storage, and mobile data flexibility. A dual-SIM phone could separate work and personal numbers, or combine a low-cost calling plan with a different data connection. The Desire 700 addressed that need while borrowing several visual and software cues from HTC’s more expensive smartphones.
Its specifications were less ambitious than its design suggested. A quad-core processor, qHD resolution, and a modest battery placed it below premium devices such as the HTC One, but the phone still offered a balanced set of everyday features. The result was a capable media-focused handset whose strengths depended heavily on the buyer’s priorities.
Design And Dual-SIM Convenience
The Desire 700 used a rounded plastic body with a comfortable shape that made the 5-inch device easier to hold than its dimensions might imply. It was approximately 145.5mm tall, 72mm wide, and 10.3mm thick, with a weight close to 149 grams. The construction did not deliver the metal finish associated with HTC’s flagship range, yet the phone felt solid enough for routine use.
The front was dominated by the display, with HTC’s familiar capacitive navigation keys below it and a speaker grille positioned above and below the screen. These front-facing speakers were more than a styling detail. They gave the handset a clear advantage for video playback, games, speakerphone calls, and casual music listening.
Dual-SIM support was among the phone’s most practical features. The Desire 700 used a dual-standby arrangement, allowing both SIM cards to remain available while the device was idle. In typical configurations, one card handled 3G connectivity while the other was limited to 2G, so users needed to choose their preferred data SIM carefully. That limitation was common in phones of this era and did not diminish the convenience of carrying two numbers in one device.
Display, Sense Software, And Everyday Use
The 5-inch Super LCD 2 display provided a 960 x 540-pixel qHD resolution. It was not as sharp as the 720p or full-HD panels appearing on costlier Android phones, but colours were generally pleasant and viewing angles were useful for sharing content. Text and fine icons could look softer than on a 720p screen, particularly when viewed close up.
HTC’s Sense interface ran on top of Android, with BlinkFeed placing news and social updates on a scrolling home screen. BlinkFeed could make the phone feel more dynamic, although some users preferred a conventional home screen with greater control over widgets and shortcuts. Sense also brought HTC’s familiar visual design, notification behaviour, contacts integration, and gallery features.
The software experience was attractive for its time, but the hardware placed limits on multitasking. Moving between messaging, a browser, music playback, and social applications was generally manageable, while demanding games or several heavy applications could expose the phone’s modest memory. Buyers comparing it with later devices should remember that Android applications and web pages have also become more demanding over the years.
For context, the Desire 700 belongs to a generation of phones that sits between early touchscreen experiments and today’s highly polished smartphones. The broader character of that period can be seen in the BlackBerry Passport story, where manufacturers were still trying unusual designs to differentiate their devices.
Performance And Connectivity
Power came from a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor paired with 1GB of RAM. This combination was aimed at reliable daily performance rather than benchmark leadership. Calling, texting, email, social networks, YouTube, music streaming, and ordinary browsing were within its comfort zone.
The processor could handle many casual games, but 3D titles with demanding graphics were less consistent. Loading times could be noticeable, and the phone might pause briefly when switching between several open applications. Its 8GB of internal storage was another restriction, since the operating system and preinstalled software left less space for the owner’s files. A microSD card supported expansion, making it important for users who stored music, photographs, or offline video.
Network support was suited to the connectivity options common in the Indian market when the phone launched. The device offered 3G mobile data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio, while mobile hotspot functionality made it possible to share a data connection with another device. There was no 4G support, which is a major limitation for anyone considering it as a current smartphone rather than a historical model.
The specifications are easier to understand when placed alongside phones that targeted similar buyers:
| Feature | HTC Desire 700 | Motorola Moto G | Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5-inch, 960 x 540 | 4.5-inch, 1280 x 720 | 5.25-inch, 1280 x 720 |
| Processor | 1.2GHz quad-core | 1.2GHz quad-core | 1.2GHz quad-core |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB | 1.5GB |
| Rear camera | 8MP | 5MP | 8MP |
| Front camera | 2.1MP | 1.3MP | 1.9MP |
| Dual-SIM | Yes | Variant-dependent | Yes |
| Expandable storage | Yes | No | Yes |
| Standout feature | BoomSound speakers | Clean Android software | Larger HD display |
The comparison shows why the Desire 700 could appeal even when its screen resolution was behind rivals. It combined stereo front speakers, dual-SIM support, expandable storage, and a relatively strong front camera. The Moto G offered sharper display quality and clean software, while the Galaxy Grand 2 provided a larger HD panel and more memory.
Camera Quality And Battery Life
The 8-megapixel rear camera was a reasonable fit for casual photography. In good daylight, it could produce usable images with acceptable colour and detail. HTC’s camera software included familiar shooting controls and scene options, although the phone lacked the advanced low-light performance and processing sophistication associated with flagship models.
The 2.1-megapixel front camera was more generous than the basic selfie cameras found on many affordable phones of the period. It worked for video calls and social images, particularly in bright surroundings. Indoor photographs could become noisy, and neither camera was designed to replace a compact camera for challenging scenes.
A 2,100mAh removable battery powered the phone. With moderate calling, messaging, browsing, music, and occasional video playback, it could usually last through a working day. Heavy use of 3G data, GPS, gaming, or maximum screen brightness reduced endurance significantly. The removable design was useful because owners could carry a spare battery or replace an ageing unit rather than retire the phone immediately.
Battery performance also depended on how aggressively the two SIM cards were used. Keeping both networks active could consume more power than running one connection, especially in areas with weak reception. Users seeking the longest runtime benefited from disabling mobile data on the secondary SIM and reducing background synchronisation.
BoomSound And Media Experience
BoomSound was the defining feature of the Desire 700. The dual front-facing speakers directed audio toward the user rather than toward the rear or side of the phone. This placement made spoken dialogue easier to follow and gave games and videos a wider, more immediate presentation.
The speakers were not a substitute for headphones or a dedicated Bluetooth speaker, but they were louder and more enjoyable than the small rear speakers fitted to many competing handsets. Podcasts, navigation prompts, ringtones, and short video clips all benefited. The front placement also reduced the chance of muffling the sound when the phone was resting on a desk or bed.
Audio quality was one of the reasons to choose the Desire 700 over a phone with a sharper display but weaker sound. Its 5-inch panel was suitable for movies and streaming, and the expandable storage allowed users to carry a larger offline media collection. The qHD resolution meant that video did not look as crisp as it did on an HD competitor, yet the overall experience remained engaging because of the speaker system.
HTC’s approach reflected a broader effort to make smartphones entertaining rather than purely functional. A useful comparison is the LG G2 review, which shows how manufacturers were experimenting with distinctive hardware features while competing for attention in the same period.
Value, Limitations, And Buying Perspective
At launch, the HTC Desire 700 occupied an awkward price position in India. Its expected pricing was around the Rs 33,000 mark, depending on the market and retailer, placing it above several value-focused Android phones. The premium was easier to justify for buyers who specifically wanted HTC’s interface, stereo speakers, dual-SIM support, and expandable storage.
The screen resolution was its clearest weakness. A 5-inch qHD panel looked dated beside 720p rivals, and the Snapdragon 200 platform did little to change that impression. The lack of 4G also means that it cannot provide the connectivity expected from a modern primary phone. Owners interested in using one today should treat it as a collection piece, a backup handset, or an example of early dual-SIM Android design.
There were still sensible reasons to appreciate it. The design was comfortable, the speaker system was unusually effective, and the camera package was competitive for its class. HTC also gave the phone a recognisable software identity rather than presenting it as a generic plastic Android device.
The New Mobile Arrivals archive provides useful wider context for comparing this handset with other launches from the same period. Looking at phones from the same release window makes the Desire 700’s priorities clearer: it was built around sound, flexibility, and brand design rather than maximum display sharpness or raw performance.
Who Should Consider It
The handset makes the most sense for collectors, technology historians, and readers interested in how dual-SIM smartphones developed in India. It also remains an appealing example of HTC’s attempt to bring the audio experience of its flagship phones to a more accessible Desire model.
For anyone evaluating it as a practical phone, expectations must be realistic. Older software may limit application compatibility, the battery may need replacement, and the 3G-only network support is unsuitable for many current mobile plans. A clean, well-preserved unit can still be enjoyable for calls, offline media, and basic photography, but it should not be confused with a modern budget Android alternative.
- Choose it for front-facing stereo speakers and a distinctive HTC design.
- Choose it when dual-SIM operation and microSD expansion matter more than 4G.
- Avoid it if you need current applications, high-resolution video, or strong gaming performance.
- Check the battery, charging port, screen, and SIM trays carefully on a used device.
- Compare its condition and price with newer entry-level phones before purchasing.
The HTC Desire 700 remains an interesting mid-range phone because it gave its priorities a clear voice. Its 5-inch display, dual-SIM flexibility, 8-megapixel camera, expandable storage, and BoomSound speakers formed a recognisable package, even when the processor and resolution were modest. For a closer look at classic mobile releases and buying history, explore the New Mobile Arrivals archive and compare this Desire model with the phones that followed it.