HTC Titan II Lightning Review: The Monster Phone's Got a Monster Camera [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5900740/htc-titan-ii-lightning-review-the-monster-phones-got-a-monster-camera

When we last met the Titan, it dominated our hands and brains with sheer massiveness. Now the sequel is here: the old standby, plus LTE and most importantly, a ginormo-camera. Does the big boy still impress?

What Is It?

A very (though not excessively) large 4.7-inch Windows Phone with a giant 16-megapixel camera.

Who's it For?

Fans of large phones, mobile photogs, penis compensators.

Design

Nearly indiscernible from the last time around, with a nice added lip to the bottom of the casing. Doesn't feel any heftier than it looks.

Using It

Using the Titan II is exactly the same as using the Titan I, only data is (much) faster and the camera is (much) better.

The Best Part

The camera. The Titan II's sensor is a clear champion—and certainly one of the best phone cams we've ever peeped, anywhere, in both broad daylight and the dim depths. Sample comparisons below.

(Note: all comparisons are Titan I/Titan II/Lumia 900, from left to right)

The Titan II flexes its nighttime guns here—and trust, you're going to care about that more than anything, as this will likely be your go-to drunk night out camera, not a DSLR. The original Titan, sadly, slaps Nokia across the face here.
More great exposure from the Titan II here, and evidence of its terrific color reproduction. The plant looks like a plant should. Aloe. It's soothing.
The Titan II's detail is unbeatable here, without any of the weird blue tint from Nokia's big blue phone.

Tragic Flaw

The screen. Sixteen megapixel photos! Awesome! 800 x 480 screen resolution! What a waste! Microsoft please fix this! Really soon! Thanks!

This Is Weird...

A 16-megapixel camera, but only generic 720p video? Big bummer.

Should You Buy It?

If the old Titan appealed to you, yes—it's the exact same phone with a very nice camera and LTE warp speed. On the other hand, it's the exact same phone in every way but those two ways—not exactly an investment in your powerful mobile feature.

HTC Titan II

• Price: $200, with AT&T contract
• Display: 4.7-inch 800 x 480
• Camera: 16 MP rear, 1.3 MP front, 720p video
• Memory: 512 MB
• Storage: 16 GB (internal only)
• Size: 5.2 x 2.7 x0.4 inches, 0.39 pounds
• Giz Rank: 4 stars