Skip to main content

HTC First launched, the first and so far, only phone to feature Facebook Home (Updated)

HTC First Official
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out our review of the HTC First Facebook phone. 

After the announcement of the new Facebook Home software, it was revealed the app would not only be available through the Google Play store, but also on a selection of smartphones as standard. The first, and so far only phone to offer Facebook Home pre-loaded, is the newly announced HTC First.

Recommended Videos

Introduced by HTC’s Peter Chou, he described the First as the phone which will, “Bring mobile and social together,” while AT&T’s Ralph De la Vega called it, “The best Facebook Home experience on mobile, right out of the box.” It’s also the phone we’d already seen in a leak earlier today, and its appearance finally puts an end to the months of speculation surrounding such a device.

The First’s specification seems to match those leaked in relation to the the HTC Myst, as it features a 4.3-inch 720p touchscreen, a dual-core, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 4G LTE connectivity, and of course, Facebook Home. Other specs include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage memory, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and a 5-megapixel camera. On the subject of taking pictures, the HTC First will also be the first phone to come with Instagram pre-installed. According to Peter Chou, as reported by PhoneArena, the First will get some exclusive features not seen in the downloadable Facebook Home app, such as email notifications popping up in Cover Feed.

HTC’s First will come in a choice of four colors: White, black, red and pale blue. It’s available only with AT&T for $100 on April 12, however you’ll be able to pre-order one later today if you’re really keen. Quite who will do so is another question, as the more powerful Samsung Galaxy S3 is available for the same price, and Home will be available for it as a download from Google Play. There have been no official announcements concerning an international release for the HTC First.

Although the HTC First is the, um, first phone to feature Facebook Home as standard, a slide was shown during the launch event listing some of the other hardware manufacturers and interestingly, networks ready to partner up with Facebook. While no official news has come out, UK network EE and its Orange sub-brand appeared, indicating HTC could already be preparing to release the First in the UK. In the future, it looks like we can also expect Facebook Home to come installed on smartphones from Sony, Samsung, ZTE, Lenovo, Huawei and Alcatel. But for now, HTC has the jump on its rivals.

Updated on 04/05/13 at 07:00am by Andy: As we predicted, EE in the UK has put up a registration page for news updates on the HTC First’s impending arrival, and confirmed it will be an exclusive with the network. No price or release date is mentioned, but according to Pocket-Lint, it’ll be out this summer and will connect to EE’s 4G LTE network.

Article originally published on 04/04/13 at 11:00am.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
The best Apple iPhone 16 Plus cases for 2024
A person taking a photo with the Apple iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 16 series is available now, including the big and powerful iPhone 16 Plus. While you're choosing exactly what color you want for your shiny new phone, you should also look into a case to protect it from those times when you have butterfingers.

Although the iPhone 16 Plus is plenty durable on its own, a case can help you show off its design while protecting it against scratches. Even if you are really careful and you don't drop your phone, a touchscreen in the same pocket as your car keys is a recipe for disaster. Even a short drop can shatter a screen if it hits at the right angle. A good case will protect not only the screen but the cameras, sides, and ports of the phone, too.

Read more
The best Android phones in 2024: the 15 best ones you can buy
The OnePlus 12 and Pixel 8's screens.

When purchasing a new Android phone, several essential factors must be considered. Do you prefer a large screen for watching videos and playing games? How important is camera performance, especially if you enjoy taking high-quality photos? Are you someone who enjoys gaming on your phone and requires a device with excellent performance? Or do you need long-lasting battery life to keep up with your busy schedule?

This article aims to help you find the best Android phone that meets your specific needs in 2024. We have compiled a comprehensive list of Android phones catering to every type of requirement, including screen size, camera quality, gaming performance, and battery life.

Read more
Spotify vs. Pandora: which streaming service should you choose?
spotify vs pandora on iphone

Let's settle a musical debate: which music streaming platform should you use: Spotify or Pandora?

Both services have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Spotify boasts a more extensive music catalog, robust social features for sharing and discovering music with friends, and a more polished user experience across devices.

Read more