After much adieu, we finally actually know what the Facebook Phone is. As it turns out, it’s not a phone from Facebook at all; It’s a modified version of the Android operating system that can run on multiple Android handsets. But only one phone – for the time being, at least – will come with the new Facebook Home interface pre-installed. HTC First act as the catalyst for your new Facebook experience, integrating the social network into every part of the device. Is it worth picking up the HTC First to get your Facebook fix? We take a look at how well the new handset, available April 12, stacks up to some of the best Android handsets available now.
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HTC First  |
Galaxy S3  |
Droid DNA  |
|
| Size | 125.6 x 64.93 x 8.96mm | 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 (mm) | 140.9 x 70.6 x 9.7 (mm) |
| Weight | 124g | 133g | 140g |
| Screen | 4.3-inch LCD | 4.8-inch Super AMOLED | 5-inch Super LCD 3 |
| Resolution | 1280×720 pixels | 1280×720 pixels | 1920×1080 pixels |
| OS | Android 4.1 with Facebook Home | Android 4.0 with TouchWiz UI | Android 4.1 with HTC Sense 4+ |
| Storage | 16GB | 16/32GB | 16GB |
| SD Card Slot | No | Yes | No |
| Processor | 1.4GHz Dual-core Snapdragon 400 | Dual-core Snapdragon S4 (US) | 1.5GHz, quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, EV-DO Rev.A |
| Camera | Front 1.6MP, Rear 5MP | Front 1.9MP, Rear 8MP | Front 2.1MP, Rear 8MP |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 |
| Battery | 2000mAh | 2100mAh | 2020mAh |
| Charger | Micro USB | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Marketplace | Google Play Store | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Price | $100 | $200+ | $200 |
| Availability | AT&T | AT&T, Sprint, T-Mob, Verizon | Verizon |
Obviously, the biggest emphasis on the HTC First is its Facebook integration. But given that, you’d maybe expect a better camera. The 5-megapixel front-facing camera seems like it leaves a bit to be desired, assuming the phone is designed to encourage sharing. There’s also a bit of a shortage on storage solutions with the device. It’s 16GB of built in memory is pretty standard, but that’s as big as it gets with no SD card expansion. The Snapdragon 400 series is a nice inclusion, especially on a budget-priced device.
The fact that the HTC First’s runs Facebook’s Home UI is it’s big selling point, but you don’t have to have the First to get that experience. Facebook Home will run on a variety of different upcoming phones (including the HTC One and Galaxy S4) and will roll out for download on the same day the HTC First comes available. If you already have an Android device that is or will be compatible with Facebook Home, why get a new phone – especially one that isn’t breaking much new ground?
