HTC is marketing its new Droid DNA as the "most advanced smartphone yet" -- and on paper, the device certainly looks that way.

The Droid DNA, launching this Wednesday, November 21 on Verizon Wireless for $200 with a new two-year contract, has all the specs of a high-end superphone. The Android 4.1-based device has the looks, too, with a sleek and distinctive design and eye-catching 1080p display.

Appearances aren't everything, though, and while the Droid DNA has some impressive elements, it also has some troubling drawbacks.

I've spent the past several days using the Droid DNA in place of my own personal device to get a feel for how it fares in the real world. Here's a look at where the phone shines -- and where it falls short.

Body and display

HTC's Droid DNA falls into an interesting spot in the smartphone size spectrum: With a 5-in. display, the device is quite large for a normal phone, but significantly smaller than a plus-sized phone- tablet hybrid like Samsung's Galaxy Note II.

The Droid DNA measures 2.8 x 5.6 in. Compared to the Note II -- which, with its 5.5-in. screen, measures 3.2 x 5.9 in. -- the Droid DNA is practically a baby. But compared to a more typical phone like the Droid Razr Maxx HD, which measures 2.7 x 5.2 in., the DNA is decidedly big, especially when it comes to length.

The phone feels good in the hand, however, and is right on the upper limit of being comfortably pocketable. The device is pleasantly thin -- 0.38 in. officially, though thinner at the edges thanks to a tapered back design.

HTC Droid DNA

The Droid DNA's display is a gorgeous 1920 x 1080 Super LCD3 with 440 pixels per inch (ppi), making it the highest resolution screen on any smartphone today. The display looks fantastic, with crisp, sharp details and brilliant colors that delight the eye. Even in sunlight, the Gorilla Glass 2 screen remains perfectly viewable. When it comes to the smartphone display department, it's easy to give the Droid DNA top honors.

Read the original here:
HTC Droid DNA review: A superphone with flaws