The back of the phone also features a gently tapered design that helps mask the large size of the device. Though the DNA is listed as 0.38 inches thick, the tapered design brings it to a rather thin 0.16 inches at its sides. The sides' perforated red panels (HTC calls it a "micro-grill pattern) that are meant to evoke a sports car. The volume rocker is inset in the panel on the right side of the phone, and while its placement feels less natural to me than if it were on the left, it works well and I didn’t have any trouble using it.

As mentioned, the Droid DNA is a large phone — at 5.55 inches tall and 2.78 inches wide, it’s definitely at the bigger end of the smartphone spectrum. But it’s not much larger than the already big One X or EVO 4G LTE. One-handed use with the DNA can still be a chore, despite the tapered rear design and minimal borders around the display. As is the case with all of these massive smartphones, I frequently missed tap targets in apps when I tried to reach them with my thumb. That’s certainly not a unique trait of the DNA, and if you are interested in this particular device, you are probably well aware of the ergonomic limitations that come with such a massive display.

But not all is rosy with the Droid DNA’s design. Power / sleep / unlock buttons have always been hit or miss on HTC’s smartphones — the Windows Phone 8X’s power button is nearly unusable, and I’m not a fan of the placement of the button on the One X — but the location of the Droid DNA’s is a new low. Or a new high, if you will, since it’s located in the middle of the top edge of the phone, which might be the most awkward place it could be on a phone of this size. There is no easy way to press the button without shifting the phone in your hand and assuming a ridiculous claw grip with your index finger on top of the device. Somebody really needs to tell HTC’s designers that power buttons work best on the side when phones have 4.3-inch or larger displays. Motorola, Samsung, and LG have all figured this out, so it’s time that HTC got on board.

My complaints with the DNA’s design don’t end with the power button either. Instead of just leaving the bottom-located Micro USB port open and accessible, HTC decided to put an infernal protective flap over the jack, making it far more difficult to access whenever you need to charge your phone. The silly little flap is fiddly to remove and fiddly to put back in place when you remove the USB cable, and its frustrating every time you use it. This idea wasn’t good on the Palm Pre back in 2009, and it’s not good on the DNA in 2012. Fortunately, the Droid DNA supports wireless charging with Qi-compatible accessories, so you don’t need to use the Micro USB port if you own a compatible charging pad. Don’t expect to find one in the box with the DNA, however.