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HTC 8X and 8S Windows Phone 8 smartphones unveiled

by Mark Tyson on 19 September 2012, 20:19

Tags: HTC (TPE:2498), Windows Phone

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabmnj

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At an event in New York this afternoon HTC unveiled two Windows Phone 8 handsets; the 8X and the 8S. The two devices, which you might naturally feel are parallels to the HTC One X and HTC One S from the Android universe, are available in a multitude of colours. HTC said the devices will be available in November, shortly after the launch of the Windows Phone 8 OS. While the new range of Nokia Lumia WP8 smartphones have no customers named as yet, HTC says it has agreements with the top 4 US mobile networks and several European and Asian operators.

Two views of the HTC 8X, above

Introducing the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO said of the new HTC smartphones “Pairing these beautiful new HTC phones with our Windows Phone brand is a big milestone for both of our companies and our partnership. Together we are offering customers a simple choice and a truly unique experience.” HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou retorted that “We’ve been inspired by Windows Phone 8 to create new smartphones that give the platform the iconic design and personality it deserves.”

The new HTC devices have been designed “from the ground up” with tapered edges and an emphasis on great visual and sound quality. The top of the range HTC 8X has a dedicated chip to facilitate speedy camera functionality and both the 8X and 8S have Beats Audio sound systems to offer “deeper bass and crisp vocals”.

Let us compare the key specifications;

 

HTC 8X

HTC 8S

Processor

Qualcomm® S4 1.5 GHz, Dual-core

Qualcomm® S4 1 GHz, Dual-core

Display

4.3 inch super LCD 2 touch screen with HD 720p resolution

Gorilla® Glass 2

4 inch super LCD touch screen with WVGA resolution

Gorilla® Glass

Memory

Total storage: 16 GB

RAM: 1GB

Total storage: 16 GB

Expansion SD card slot

RAM 512 MB

Size/Weight

132.35 x 66.2 x 10.12mm, 130g

120.5 x 63 x 10.28mm, 113g

Colours

“California Blue”, “Graphite Black”, “Flame Red” or “Limelight Yellow”

“California Blue”, “Graphite Black”, “Flame Red” or “Limelight Yellow”

Camera

8 megapixel camera with auto focus, LED flash, and BSI sensor

F2.0 aperture and 28mm lens

1080p video recording

Dedicated HTC ImageChip

Front mounted 2.1 megapixel cam

5 megapixel camera with auto focus LED flash

F2.8 aperture and 35mm lens

720p video recording

Battery

1800 mAh

1700 mAh

 

HTC mentioned previously that it intends to “go big on Windows 8”. Also it indicated that a lot of its best designers have been busy working on these new Windows Phone 8 handsets. There’s a video about the new designs embedded below...

Iconic design behind the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC

I’d really like to see some pricing indications from either HTC, Nokia or Samsung for their Windows Phone 8 devices. It looks like they are all playing their cards close to their chests until launch time in this respect. Will HTC’s offerings undercut the prices of Nokia and Samsung efforts in their respective target market segments? Morgan Stanley analysts think they should...

Two views of the HTC 8S range, above



HEXUS Forums :: 22 Comments

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I dunno what the iPhone5 hype is about, I know its personal pref but these look 10x better.
Look nice but it's pretty similar to the lumia in its colourful style. Why does the s have an sd slot and the x doesn't?
Biscuit
Look nice but it's pretty similar to the lumia in its colourful style. Why does the s have an sd slot and the x doesn't?
Exactly what I was thinking :(
Had a look on HTC site, the X has micro sd slot and wav format, they were dropped on the last Windows phones. now i will go back to this Windows 8 x phone instead of my HTC Sensation XE Android thing. looks like a Microsoft Surface PRO, with Windows 8 will be PERRRRFICT setup. As a self-employed person this will give me access to Microsoft software and there band of followers software, this will help me run my business. see ya later Android.
I wonder if there will be a WP8 device that doesn't have this simple and colourful look; I quite like it but there seems to be little choice with regards to Windows Phone devices.