HTC Desire 600 Dual Hands-On Review with Key Insights

Introduction

HTC's Desire 600 Dual SIM was introduced to offer a mid-range smartphone that blended sleek design with performance-targeted at users seeking harmony between their professional and personal lives without compromising on features. 

This review is still relevant in 2025. Not just because of its nostalgia, but also as a snapshot on how midrange smartphones have evolved over the years. Are you curious about how the smartphone market compares today? In our Rumors & News section, you can learn how AI is reshaping the user experience or why OnePlus continues dominating Android users.

Dual-SIM midrange smartphones were redefined by the Desire 600, with its signature BoomSound speakers and Snapdragon 200's performance. It also had an intuitive Sense UI. This hands-on review will give you insights into the design, usability and how this phone compares to other phones in its class.

Design & build

HTC Desire 600 dual SIM design is undoubtedly its best feature. Its plastic body, which felt solid in the hand, gave it a mid-range premium feel when its competitors still experimented with basic finishes.

It was equipped with a detachable back cover that allowed users to access the microSD and dual SIM expansion slots. This is a feature you don't see very often anymore. The form factor and lightweight design made the phone easy to carry.

Display

HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM comes with a Super LCD2 display measuring 4.5 inches and a resolution of 580x960 pixels. It didn't have the crispness of Full HD displays or the brilliance of modern AMOLED screens but it delivered vibrant colors which were perfect for reading, browsing and watching videos.

The screen of the Desire 600 feels small and restricted compared to the FHD+ displays and higher refresh rates on today's midrange phones, or even the innovations that we see often in the latest technology news. It was a good screen for its age, with a decent viewing angle, good sunlight visibility and a size that is comfortable for media consumption, social applications, and daily use.

Audio & Multimedia Features

HTC's BoomSound Dual Front-facing Speaker is one of the features that makes the HTC Desire 600 unique. HTC prioritized audio in this device, which is rare for mid-range phones.

• Stereo sound for video and music

• loud output with no heavy distortion

• Enhanced HTC Sense integration

This feature gives the Desire 600 a competitive edge against rivals such as Samsung Galaxy Grand Series.

Software & UI experience

The HTC Sense UI 5.0 was layered over Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2. Sense UI, at the time, was the best Android skin available. It offered integration with BlinkFeed, smooth navigation and clean layouts.

Although modern Android users have become accustomed to Android versions 14 and higher, the HTC Sense UI has shaped expectations for customized interfaces. The UI was more fluid, intuitive, and less bloated compared to other UIs.

Performance & Hardware

The HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon200 quad-core processor, clocked at 1.22 GHz. It also had 1GB of RAM. This was enough for casual gaming and everyday apps in 2013.

Use in real life:

• Easy social media browsing

• Performance of basic games like Temple Run or Subway Surfers

• Occasionally lags while switching between heavy applications

This is not competitive by today's standard. It was a budget-friendly device that offered balanced performances.

Camera & Image Quality

This phone has a rear 8MP camera with an LED flash , and a front facing 1.6MP camera.

• Daylight Photography is sharp and has decent color reproduction

• The low-light images are grainy and highlight the limitations of old sensors

• Maximum video recording is 720p. This will suffice for most casual videos

HTC's 5MP camera was a step up from some of its rivals, who were offering only 5MP cameras at the time.

Batteries & Connectivity

The HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM's connectivity options include Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. This was a pretty impressive list for a midrange smartphone.

The battery life was derived from a removable battery. On average:

• Use for the full day Moderate calls and web browsing

• 5-6 Hours of Screen Time For Multimedia-Heavy Use

• The removable design allows for easy replacement.

This was an advantage in the world of modern sealed batteries.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Design that is stylish and durable

• Dual SIM support microSD expansion

• BoomSound stereo speakers

• User-friendly HTC Sens UI

• Decent daylight photography

Cons:

• Average low-light camera performance

• Modern standards require limited RAM and storage.

• Support for 4G/LTE is not available

• Battery size is small compared with today's standards

Conclusion

The HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM is more than just a Android midrange smartphone. HTC focused on multimedia, design and the user experience. It may be outdated in 2025, but it will still hold nostalgic value to those who have experienced the speakers and Sense UI.

HTC Desire600 is still functional for collectors and users looking to have a back-up device. It's still a functional device for collectors or users who want a backup.

FAQs

Q. 1. Is the HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM still worth buying in 2025?
Ans: Not as a primary phone, but it’s useful for collectors or as a backup device.

Q. 2. How is the HTC Desire 600’s battery performance?
Ans: It lasts a full day with light use, but it’s small by modern standards.

Q. 3. Does the HTC Desire 600 support HD video playback?
Ans: Yes, it supports 720p HD playback smoothly.

Q. 4. How good is the HTC Desire 600 camera for low light?
Ans: Low-light photography is weak compared to modern phones.

Q. 5. What are the pros and cons of the HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM?
Ans: Pros include Boom Sound speakers, dual SIM, and design, while cons include limited power, no 4G, and weaker low-light performance.

Q. 6. What makes the HTC Desire 600 Dual SIM unique?
Ans: Its dual SIM capability and BoomSound speakers set it apart from rivals.

Q. 7. Is the HTC Desire 600 a gaming-friendly phone?
Ans: It handles casual games well but struggles with heavy titles.

Q. 8. How does the HTC Desire 600 compare to today’s budget phones?
Ans: Modern budget phones far outperform it, but the Desire 600 was a trendsetter in its time.

Q. 9. What is the launch price vs. current value of HTC Desire 600?
Ans: It was launched as a mid-range phone but today holds mostly sentimental and collectible value rather than market worth.