HTC Status hands-on (photos)

On July 17, AT&T will launch the first Facebook-optimized smartphone. Get a closer look at the HTC Status here.

Bonnie Cha

July 13, 2011 9:40 a.m. PT

1 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

HTC Status

Originally introduced as the HTC ChaCha at Mobile World Congress, the HTC Status will be available from AT&T starting on July 17 for $49.99 with a two-year contract.

2 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Facebook button

The Status features a dedicated Facebook button that allows you to easily post status updates, check in to places, share links, and more. It's also context aware, so if you take a photo, the button will glow to remind you that you can upload it to Facebook.

3 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Status update

With a short press of the Facebook button, the phone will automatically launch the status update screen.

4 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Check in

Meanwhile, a long press takes you to the page where you can check into locations.

5 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Facebook chat

The HTC Status also comes preloaded with a Facebook chat client, so you can instant message with any online friends.

6 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Share stories

In addition to the ability to share what music you're listening to, you can post links from around the Web to your wall.

7 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

HTC Sense

Though the Facebook integration is the main attraction, the Status has other things to offer. It's running Android 2.3 Gingerbread and also features the latest HTC Sense user interface.

8 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Display

The menus have been redesigned to accommodate the phone's smaller 2.6-inch HVGA touch screen. Even with the modified menus, we found it pretty difficult to navigate the phone with such a small display.

9 of 12

Bonnie Cha/CNET

Chin, chin

Like a number of other HTC devices, the Status has a slight chin at the bottom. The phone itself is nice and compact, and the unibody design gives it a premium feel.