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HTC Status
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Specifications
![MrMobile [Michael Fisher]](https://yt3.ggpht.com/RpqJy1uS9sbNkT9zExMcvg0_wiGr-84xC-D0k5gLyOtDw1NMSzySlMz-ldmBtWCKqgUzjHMu=s88-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj){kind=small}
MrMobile [Michael Fisher]
10/16/2025
MrMobile [Michael Fisher]
10/16/2025
When Phones Were Fun: HTC Status, 2011
Pros
- The 2.6-inch display offered surprising saturation and brightness.
- It was positioned as an affordable alternative to high-end devices.
- Its compact display was noted as a beneficial feature.
Cons
- Camera quality for photos was outdated, and video was grainy.
- Low-light camera performance was poor without the use of flash.
- System performance suffered due to processing overhead.
- The phone did not sell well despite its low contract price.
The HTC Status was presented as a dedicated messaging phone and an affordable alternative in the smartphone market. Its 2.6-inch display was surprisingly saturated and bright for its time, considered a positive feature.
However, its 5-megapixel camera produced outdated photos and grainy 720p video, struggling significantly in low light. The Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor also exhibited performance issues with system animations.
Despite being offered at a low price with a contract, the phone failed to sell well and was reportedly slated for discontinuation shortly after its launch.
The reviewer, however, appreciated its concept as a purpose-built communicator, suggesting a modern version could still be appealing today.
“I think it's important to say that the Status was so much more than just a Facebook tie-in.”
“It was part of the last wave of messaging phones aimed at the mainstream. An affordable alternative to the topshelf tall boys, a purpose-built communicator instead of a do-it-all Swiss Army knife.”
“If someone built a phone like this today with modern Android and a few purpose-built features, it's easy for me to imagine it's sitting in my second pocket.”