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Foundation (1997)

HTC was established on May 15, 1997, in Taiwan as a manufacturer of notebook computers and handheld devices. Initially, it operated as an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), designing hardware for other companies rather than selling products under its own name.

Entry into Mobile Devices (1998–2006)

HTC soon shifted its focus toward handheld computers (PDAs) and mobile communications. Major achievements during this period included:

• Producing Windows CE handheld computers
• Manufacturing smartphones for brands like O2, Orange, HP, and Palm
• Becoming one of Microsoft’s largest Windows Mobile hardware partners

During this time, HTC quietly became one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers, even though many devices carried other companies’ logos.

Android Pioneer (2007–2011)

One of HTC’s most significant achievements came in 2007 when it became a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, the consortium that developed Android alongside Google.

HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1)

Released in 2008, the HTC Dream (also known as the T-Mobile G1) was:

• The world’s first Android smartphone
• The first commercially available Android device
• A milestone that launched the Android ecosystem

HTC quickly became one of Android’s leading manufacturers with popular series such as the HTC Hero, HTC Desire, HTC Incredible, HTC Evo, and HTC Sensation. These phones helped Android compete against Apple’s iPhone.3

Between 2010 and 2013, HTC was considered one of the top global smartphone brands. Highlights included:

• Over 20 million smartphones sold annually
• Strong presence in North America and Europe
• Premium aluminum unibody designs
• HTC Sense user interface
• Beats Audio partnership
• Numerous industry design awards

Famous Phones

Notable models from this era include:

• HTC Desire
• HTC Desire HD
• HTC HD2
• HTC Evo 4G
• HTC One X
• HTC Butterfly (Droid DNA)
• HTC One (M7)
• HTC One (M8)

The HTC One (M7), launched in 2013, is often regarded as one of the greatest Android smartphones ever made due to its premium design, front-facing stereo speakers, and camera innovations.4

HTC introduced many industry-first features, including:

• First Android smartphone
• Early aluminum unibody smartphone construction
• Front-facing BoomSound stereo speakers
• UltraPixel camera technology
• Zoe photo and video features
• Sense UI customization
• Large Full HD smartphone displays

Many of these ideas later became standard across the smartphone industry.5

HTC maintained a close relationship with Google throughout Android’s history. Key collaborations included manufacturing the first Android phone, producing several Nexus devices, and helping design early Pixel smartphones.

In 2017, Google acquired part of HTC’s smartphone engineering team for US$1.1 billion, with many engineers joining Google’s hardware division. HTC retained its brand and continued developing products.

As its smartphone business declined, HTC invested heavily in virtual reality.

HTC VIVE

In 2015, HTC partnered with Valve to launch the VIVE VR platform. The HTC VIVE became one of the leading PC-based VR systems globally and expanded into a family of products for gaming, enterprise, healthcare, education, design, and industrial training.6

Today, HTC focuses primarily on:

• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Extended Reality (XR)
• Mixed Reality (MR)
• Enterprise solutions
• Healthcare technologies
• Education platforms
• Digital twins
• Immersive collaboration
• The VIVERSE platform

Its strategy has shifted from competing in the mass smartphone market to building hardware and software for immersive computing.

Smartphones

Notable models include:

• HTC Dream (G1)
• HTC Hero
• HTC Legend
• HTC Desire
• HTC Desire HD
• HTC Evo 4G
• HTC One X
• HTC Butterfly
• HTC One M7
• HTC One M8
• HTC One M9
• HTC U11
• HTC U12+
• HTC U23 Series

VR/XR Devices

• HTC VIVE
• VIVE Pro
• VIVE Cosmos
• VIVE Focus
• VIVE XR Elite
• VIVE Focus Vision

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HTC emphasizes three core principles:

• Humanity – creating technology centered on people.
• Technology – advancing hardware and platforms.
• Imagination – enabling immersive experiences through VR, AR, AI, 5G, and blockchain technologies under its vision of the VIVERSE.

HTC is widely regarded as one of the companies that helped define the modern smartphone era. Its contributions include launching the first Android phone, popularizing premium Android hardware, and later becoming a leader in consumer and enterprise VR. While its smartphone business is far smaller than it once was, HTC remains an influential innovator in immersive computing and extended reality.8

1. HTC
2. About HTC
3. Why did HTC become a footnote so fast in smartphones after helping Android (and Windows) reach mainstream appeal?
4. Why has Google bought HTC’s smartphone tech business?
5. Google pays $1.1 billion for some HTC employees
6. HTC
7. The History of HTC | Montreal’s Marketing Innovators | HTC
8. Investor FAQs