Gadgetory

so the same thing always happens when a new device launches the media gets review units ahead of the official launch and we get to use them while we write our review then the press embargo lifts every outlet posts their reviews and videos at the same time writers and commenters go back and forth and it's a huge frenzy of opinion and buzz for about a day and then it all goes away I'm sure there's some follow-up coverage but after that initial blast almost no one revisits the device to see how well it's aged because we're all on to the next big thing already so let's do something about it let's take a look at a smartphone whose genetics have drifted a little from they're supposed perfection of just a few months ago I'm Michael Fisher this is PocketNow this is the HTC Droid DNA and this is episode 14 of after the buzz Verizon said it wanted to return to the roots of the droid brand when it dropped the smartphone on us in November hence the name DNA HTC said the DNA was the ultimate Droid and it's hardware did embody Verizon's droid brand to a tee with muscle car inspired styling and a red and black theme and with an aggressive marketing push and wider availability DNA could have been a superstar but instead just four months later HTC is releasing another flagship super phone the new and improved HTC one so no matter how good the DNA is it's still automatically now an older device so let's see just how well this newly minted old-timer has held up aesthetically the DNA's styling is held up nicely both because it hasn't been that long since launch and because HTC went minimalistic on the design the soft touch finish on the back and the Gorilla Glass 2 on the front are good armor against impacts but as always the latter isn't infallible we've seen at least one shattered droid DNA screen on the street since launch HTC future proved some elements very nicely the 1080p display was the first of its kind to hit the US market and it's just as beautiful now as it wasn't launched other aspects aren't aging so gracefully using the same underwhelming camera optics as the One X of 2012 prob wasn't the best choice from a longevity standpoint especially considering how hard HTC will market the new ultrapixel and Zoe functionality of its new camera and speaking of longevity the embedded 2020 milliamp hour battery continues to deliver performance just below average and the more often the screen stays on the worse it gets obviously now that high res display is worth the power cost it's gorgeous but batteries don't improve over time they degrade and not being able to swap the battery in the field means we've made good use of our portable power packs you still have to be ok with this if you're gonna invest in the DNA on the subject of degradation over time it's incredible how quickly HTC's Sense skin has aged in the past few months with stock Android looking better and better with each OT a update and samsung's touchwiz making up for its ugliness with responsiveness and its sheer added functionality since has stagnated it's less laggy on the DNA than on other devices but the visual style we used to think of as refined now seems somewhat archaic especially in the face of sense 5 on the new HTC One since for Plus now just seems old with its insistence on tainting every action with this mechanical click sound and it's large but inaccurate stock keyboard their minor annoyances but they great on the nerves quickly Plus this version of sense doesn't take advantage of the added resolution of the display so you're still faced with the same amount of information you'd get on any other jumbo screen smartphone it's wonderful for some functions don't get us wrong but the skin inhibits the beautiful display more than it sets it free you're still left with the need to root the phone to get the most out of its capabilities which is a shame ultimately this build of sense was crafted for a time when Android was ugly and needed to be covered up that's not the case anymore and unless and until an OTA update comes along bringing the new sense 5 the DNA will remain a beautiful car driven by a rapidly aging chauffeur none of this should detract from the Droid DNA as a capable reliable and in many ways a beautiful smartphone it's gorge display and the timeless beauty of its minimalistic build will serve it well in 2013 and if you're on Verizon and considering one you could definitely do much worse especially considering the carrier hasn't yet announced plans to pick up the new HTC one for reasons that might be obvious but with the arrival of that beautiful successor it now seems clear that the DNA is forever doomed to be the also-ran the smartphone that was almost a flagship the short burst of royal treatment it did get is most assuredly over and for a device that had as much potential as the Droid DNA and which actually does deliver a solidly good overall experience that's sad folks that's gonna do it for episode 14 of after the buzz follow us in all the usual places subscribe in the usual manner stay tuned for more from pocket now and thanks for watching I like that one let's stick it with it take it suck it to me baby subscribe and all the usual places subsisted on locked when I held the lockscreen for long enough that's stupid that's a truck do you know what a truck is