HTC Legend hands-on (updated with video)
By Sean Cooper 
posted February 16th 2010 6:45AM
posted February 16th 2010 6:45AM
OK, we admit it -- we're complete HTC fanboys here today at MWC. But c'mon, can you really blame us? Today's HTC launch -- including the HD mini, Legend, and Desire -- while not surprisingly lacking a Windows Phone 7 announcement, was still full of some very, very fine hardware. The Legend is an all-metal set -- the housing is the frame of the handset -- and like the other launches, this one features the updated version of Sense, a new optical trackpad (which seemed to behave quite well) and a stunning 3.2-inch AMOLED display. The Legend also seems pretty sturdy, as demonstrated by HTC's CEO Peter Chou when he smacked it against the wall during the press conference. The take away here is this phone is pure beauty and class, and an absolutely huge upgrade (as far as aesthetics go anyway, we'll hold judgment til we can really test it out) from the HTC Hero it replaces. Follow on for a gallery of photos and check back soon, as we're definitely going to get some video once we can get it into some better light.
Update: Full Legend and Sense UI walkthrough after the break!
Update: Full Legend and Sense UI walkthrough after the break!
Are the buttons on the front real buttons or touch buttons?
@Ferco Yeah, they're real buttons...
@Sean Cooper
It's hard to tell in these dark photos but they look more like touch-sensitive buttons to me. Which is a shame.
@Sean Cooper
Ok, I think you may be right. This leaked render shows a gap between the buttons, and if you look at that main article image, you can just barely make out the gaps in the real thing.
http://androidcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/htc_legend-540x538.jpg
@tonicboy
I took the pics, I'm absolutely sure :)
@tonicboy Why are you even questioning sean? He's the only holding it in the photos X(
@Sean Cooper
BWAHAHA, I didn't make that connection :)
@Ferco
jizz in my pants
@Ferco One interesting thing to note about the Legend is that it's got a few new tricks up its Android sleeve. A "helicopter view" which is almost like Mac OS X's exposé means you can pinch the screen to view all the five Android homescreens, switching between the widgets easily.
A new FriendStream scrobbles all status updates. photos and links from your various social networking sites. Concepts: http://bit.ly/htc-legend-preview
I bet Apple were planning on a all alu construction for iPhone 4. Well done HTC. Somewhere, Steve's head is expanding.
@JBaker
this is about HTC, not steve jobs and the iPhone man.
wait your turn until June.
@Aubrey
I'm talking about HTC though. To my knowledge no one else has done this construction before in a phone, and since Apple likes to make things from aluminium (< proper English spelling) I should imagine they are looking to do it for iPhone 4. It appears they have been beaten to it by HTC.
@JBaker
Did you not see an original iPhone? It was aluminum.
@SC40095 Yeah, and actually, I think the Legend, Desire, or the next iPhone will be my next phone, but I don't actually know if aluminum, even though the solid construction and all is good, the temperatures and stuff may not. This might be another factor in my choosing a Desire. When the phone get's warmer with aluminum, the heat conducting through metal is kinda painful. And when it's cold, and I'm walking in the snow like I did this morning, uhh, aluminum might be a hurt on me.
real buttons, but this phone is real nice!!!!!!! if i comes to sprint i will camp out and get one if i have to or a supersonic.
@redmaxer Someone pls give me more info on the HTC supersonic. This is the phone (spec wise) I've been waiting for, for ages. When will it come to the UK? I thought it was going to be announced at MWC? Need more info. Someone must know something? surely?
this phone is nice! if it comes to sprint i will get this or the supersonic as my next upgrade.
More than a 1/3 of the front is non-screen - color me unimpressed. It's just like the Moto Quench...
@NewL
The trend I'm seeing is that on these "second-tier" devices with ~3.2" screens, it's just not possible to reduce the bezel that much. Conversely, only the top-tier "monster" phones have small bezel (HD2, Nexus One, Xperia X10, etc.) because the size of the screen hides the size of the components inside. We may simply have to accept that the state of miniaturization has not progressed enough for that.
HTC, stop making phone...I'm losing my mind over here.
How about European price?!
And just one thing...is the battery removable?!....Where i put my sim?! I think on the bottom plastic side?!
@Netstorm
£399 at launch.
@Netstorm The video shows where battery and sim card are hidden. You can remove the plastic on the bottom, and it seems to me as if you can replace the battery. As with every good phone.
Android updates way to much for me to buy a phone with a skin over it. That's why I bought my nexus one. By the time Froyo is available for this phone the Nexus one will be on the next update.
hi all!
can anybody tell me what kind of phone the yellow one is ?
@ftyoo7
It seems the Mini HD without the rear cover
Aaah, the phone I've been waiting for, looking great. But where is the green color on the antenna cover we've seen in rendered pictures?
And to be honest, MS kinda stole the show... Suddenly also Android seems a bit.. old.
didnt the leaks show different colours on the shell, i wonder if this phone can be customized like that?
So the Legend isn't running Android 2.1 then? And why oh why is it only 3.2" screen :(
@Ahmed Eltawil
He says in the video at 1:12 that it's running 2.1
HTC know how to engineer some truely stunning handsets. Great show HTC!
As this is the most recent Android-related thread at time of writing, and I haven't been keeping up with comments lately, may I ask:
When is the Engadget app coming to Android? You guys seem to love the OS and the phones, yet don't show it any love by releasing said app :(
@Rob Bourne
You don't deserve an app after all the bitching you fanboys do at Engadget.
I hope they NEVER release an app for you guys. If anything they should release one for Windows Phone 7 Series which will be out around Holiday season so you guys can get comfy and wait cuz it will be over a YEAR before you see it. And that's truly what you hypocrites deserve...
@Rob Bourne
Engadget seems to love Android?
Wow. You're quite a man.
What do you need an app for? m.engadget.com
@TheLionOfAzzalle
What fanboyism? What the fuck are you talking about?
All he wants is an app.
@TheLionOfAzzalle
Congrats. I pronounce you this weeks most brainless boy(?) on Engadget.
@TheLionOfAzzalle
Actually that is a very good question asked by @Rob Bourne. I've been wondering the same thing. Maybe, as strange as this may sound, he has an android phone and would like a convenient way to read his favourite gadget blog. Na that's just silly.
Love the aluminum construction.
Hate the small screen.
So So on the real vs touch buttons.
I can't see it without that green light. @ Engadget any carrier announcement for the LEGEND?
Look, I LOVE HTC design, but honestly can they make something with a physical keyboard please.
While I am a nerd when it comes to all things smartphone. I easily text more than anything else with my device!
Sure I love the idea of social site integration, the browser has to be snappy, maps have to be even more snappy, and good: music playback, camera, calendar. But, most of all, texting is the way I communicate the most with what is essentially the most important component of a phone now for a great majority of people. Chris Ziegler (sorry if I got your name wrong Chris), even mentioned it in podcast 183, I completely agree with him that it's sad but TRUE!
Bottom line: My smartphone has to still be, most importantly, a PHONE, it's a piece of technology that will allow me to directly contact someone (by voice or text) wherever I am in the most efficient way possible. These companies are so focused on showing me how sunny its going to be outside today that they forget that I still need to type a quick message to my girlfriend to remind her about "dinner @ 8" ends up coming out of my virtual keyboard saying "dingo @ 8".
@Joe P totally agreed. I want that rumored HTC Supersonic with a keyboard like the Touch Pro2.
@Joe P It's kinda ironic that your keyboard focused comments are somewhat undermined by the point you're trying to make... afterall, a keyboard obviates unibody construction- what is notable about the Legend- and texting which is NOT a necessity for a PHONE (etymologically dealing with audio).
What's with HTC and the chin?
Does anyone know if this is coming to Sprint? This being a HERO replacement and all?
Am I the only one that wonders how HTC can make new phones so quickly? Its like they announce a new one every month..
Damn, each time i see a new HTC phone, im always more amazed at the incredible work they did to personalise the UI and bring it to the next level. This is way better than an android phone. Now i need this with a keyboard please!
@choufleur47
These new phones are great, but I hate the trend of not having physical keyboards. Where are they? Just because people like the iPhone doesn't mean we want all phones to emulate it. For instance, give us back our Directional Pads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@zachavm yeah! Most of the time, im not using both hands to navigate with my phone and it is the main problem of touch phones, you need to have both hands free most of the time. a Dpad makes it easier to navigate on the phone, especially on large screen phone. Guess ill wait for the pro3 or ill buy a n900.