HTC Desire 600: The 4.5-Inch Dual-SIM Phone with Beats Audio and an 8MP Camera
The HTC Desire 600 arrived in 2013 as a mid-range Android handset with a feature set that felt unusually generous for its class. It paired a 4.5-inch display with dual-SIM support, an 8-megapixel camera, front-facing stereo speakers and Beats Audio tuning. Its design also borrowed the confident styling of HTC’s better-known One family, giving the phone a more premium presence than its specifications suggested.
For Australian buyers looking back at older mobiles, the Desire 600 is an interesting snapshot of a period when screen size, removable batteries and expandable storage mattered greatly. It was aimed at people who wanted a capable daily phone without paying flagship money, although its lack of 4G and dependence on older network technology make its appeal very different today.
Design And Display
The Desire 600 used a rounded polycarbonate body that was comfortable in the hand without feeling flimsy. Its front was dominated by a 4.5-inch Super LCD 2 display, while the stereo BoomSound-style speakers sat above and below the screen. The bezels were more noticeable than those on a modern smartphone, yet the layout gave the handset a distinctive HTC identity.
With a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels, the screen was not especially sharp by current standards. Text and photographs looked perfectly serviceable at normal viewing distance, but fine details were less crisp than on a 720p or Full HD panel. Colours were generally pleasing, and the LCD technology delivered reasonable viewing angles for browsing, messaging and watching short videos.
The build also included a microSD card slot and a removable rear cover, two features that have largely disappeared from premium phones. A user could carry a spare battery or replace the original cell after years of use. For perspective, the design sat between the compact 2012 flagship generation and the larger-screen trend that soon became standard; the Samsung Galaxy S3 review provides useful context for that earlier Android era.
Dual-SIM Features And Connectivity
The handset’s main selling point was its dual-SIM arrangement. It allowed two numbers to remain active in one device, which was useful for separating work and personal calls or combining a cheaper data plan with a different voice provider. In India, where dual-SIM phones were already highly popular, this was a practical advantage rather than a novelty.
The Desire 600 used a dual-active approach for calls, meaning the second SIM could remain reachable while the first was being used. Mobile data generally had to be assigned to one SIM at a time, and users needed to check which slot handled 3G connectivity. The exact radio support varied by regional model, so imported versions required careful checking before purchase.
For Australian users, compatibility would have been a serious consideration even when the phone was new. A handset bought overseas might work differently on Telstra, Optus or Vodafone because of band support, and rural coverage around places such as Dubbo or Cairns could expose weaknesses sooner than use in central Sydney. The Desire 600 was fundamentally a 3G-era phone, with no 4G LTE modem, so it was never suited to the faster networks that became important soon afterwards.
Processor And Sense Software
Inside was a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200-series quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, supported by 1GB of RAM. That combination was adequate for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, everyday messaging and light web browsing. Applications opened at a reasonable pace, although the phone could hesitate when several programmes were active or when a demanding webpage loaded.
HTC’s Sense interface added visual polish and useful shortcuts to the standard Android experience. BlinkFeed, HTC’s news and social update stream, placed selected content on the home screen, while the familiar app drawer and notification panel made the phone easy to learn. Sense was heavier than stock Android, though, and its animations could contribute to the occasional pause.
Storage was a limiting factor. The handset offered only a modest amount of built-in space after the operating system and pre-installed software had taken their share. A microSD card helped with music, photos and video, but many applications still needed internal storage. Compared with later budget phones, this made careful housekeeping part of normal ownership.
The overall performance profile was similar to other affordable Android models of the time: smooth enough for calls, social networks, navigation and casual games, but not designed for serious gaming or high-resolution media editing. Anyone comparing historical value with a later bargain flagship can see how quickly hardware moved forward in the Xiaomi Mi3 budget flagship.
Camera And Beats Audio
The rear camera captured 8-megapixel images and included an LED flash. In good daylight it could produce attractive photographs with enough detail for social media, small prints and ordinary family snapshots. HTC’s image processing tended to favour strong colour and contrast, although fine texture could look soft when images were enlarged.
Low-light performance was much less impressive. Noise appeared quickly, autofocus could hunt in dim rooms and the flash had limited range. There was also no expectation of the computational photography found on modern Google Pixel or iPhone models. The front camera was suitable for basic video calls, but it was not a major selling point.
Audio was where the Desire 600 offered a more memorable experience. Its front-facing stereo speakers projected sound towards the user instead of directing it away through a rear grille. Beats Audio processing added extra energy to music through headphones, with a bass-heavy presentation that suited pop, hip-hop and electronic tracks.
The feature was less about audiophile accuracy than enjoyment. Podcasts, YouTube clips and streamed music sounded fuller than they did on many small budget phones. For Australians using the handset on a train into Melbourne or while relaxing at a Brisbane park, the loud front speakers were genuinely convenient, although Bluetooth audio quality and modern streaming compatibility were naturally limited by the phone’s age.
Battery And Everyday Use
A removable 1,860mAh battery powered the phone. That capacity was modest, but the relatively small display and low-power processor helped it achieve a full day for many light users. Heavy mobile data, gaming, navigation and prolonged camera use could drain it sooner, particularly when the phone was searching for a weak signal.
Having a replaceable battery was valuable at the time. Owners could carry a spare for a long trip, and replacement cells were easier to find than they are for sealed modern devices. An Australian traveller heading through regional Victoria or along the coast could appreciate that flexibility, although a spare battery would not solve poor network coverage or outdated network bands.
The phone was also practical for people who valued a straightforward mobile rather than a technically ambitious one. Calls were clear under suitable network conditions, the physical size was manageable and the 4.5-inch display offered more room than the smaller screens common in earlier Desire models. Its limitations became more obvious with intensive multitasking and modern app requirements.
Today, network shutdowns change the buying equation. Australian carriers have progressively retired 3G services, and older 3G-only handsets may no longer make calls or connect to mobile data. Even if a second-hand Desire 600 powers on, buyers should check network status, VoLTE support and emergency-call compatibility before treating it as a usable everyday phone.
Price, Position And Long-Term Value
At launch in India, the Desire 600 was positioned above entry-level Android phones and below HTC’s flagship range. Its dual-SIM design, stereo speakers and 8MP camera helped justify that middle position. It was aimed at customers who wanted a refined brand-name handset with practical extras rather than the highest benchmark score.
In Australia, availability was less straightforward. Official local stock and carrier support were not as prominent as they were for mainstream HTC models, so an imported device could involve warranty uncertainty, different chargers and unfamiliar firmware. Australian shoppers often compare prices at major retailers such as JB Hi-Fi or through second-hand listings on Gumtree; in either case, the model number and radio bands deserve close attention.
The following comparison places the Desire 600 beside two phones that help explain its market position. The figures reflect the period’s typical specifications and are most useful for historical comparison rather than modern purchasing.
| Feature | HTC Desire 600 | Samsung Galaxy S3 | Xiaomi Mi3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release period | 2013 | 2012 | 2013–2014 |
| Display | 4.5-inch, 960 × 540 | 4.8-inch, 1280 × 720 | 5-inch, 1920 × 1080 |
| Processor | Quad-core Snapdragon, 1.2GHz | Exynos quad-core or Snapdragon variant | Snapdragon 800, 2.3GHz |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB or 2GB, depending on model | 2GB |
| Rear camera | 8MP | 8MP | 13MP |
| SIM support | Dual-SIM | Usually single-SIM | Usually single-SIM |
| Battery | 1,860mAh, removable | 2,100mAh, removable | 3,050mAh, sealed |
| Network era | 3G | 3G, some later 4G variants | 3G or 4G variant by market |
| Main strength | Dual-SIM and stereo audio | Larger HD display and broad support | Flagship-level performance for the price |
The Desire 600’s appeal was therefore highly specific. It was not the fastest Android phone, its screen was behind leading rivals and its camera was ordinary in difficult lighting. However, dual-SIM flexibility, expandable storage, replaceable battery access and Beats-enhanced stereo sound made it a well-rounded choice for the right buyer.
For readers exploring older HTC releases, Android history or the evolution of dual-SIM mobiles, the wider New Mobile Arrivals archive offers additional launch coverage and specification comparisons. The Desire 600 remains worth remembering as a phone that prioritised useful everyday extras over headline performance.
If you are assessing one today, treat it as a piece of mobile history or a collector’s handset rather than a dependable primary phone. Check the battery, SIM trays, charging port and display, then confirm Australian network compatibility before spending money. Its blend of dual-SIM convenience, 4.5-inch usability, stereo sound and an 8MP camera explains why it stood out in 2013, even though modern network changes have made practical ownership far more difficult.