HTC One X: The One with the X-Factor

HTC. The 3-letter brand that spells AWESOME each time they release a shiny brand new smartphone. I have used and owned several HTC devices for the past several years, from the Smart Amazing Phone (do you guys remember that phone? Yeah, it was made by HTC) to the HTC Universal (a phone that has a Tablet PC form factor), the HTC Touch Diamond, and one of the brand’s first Android-powered phone, the HTC Magic. I haven’t used a new HTC phone since the Magic, so imagine my delight when I was offered to review their latest flagship phone in the form of the HTC One X.

SPECIFICATIONS:

OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Processor: 1.5GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core
Display: 1280 x 720 pixels, 4.7” Super LCD 2
Wireless Connections: HSPA+ Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, FM Radio, NFC
Memory: 32GB Internal Storage, 1GB RAM
Connectors: Micro USB port
Camera: 8.0 Megapixels with 1080p video recording at 24 frames per second with LED flash (Main), 1.3MP with 720p video recording (Secondary)
SIM Card Slot: Micro-SIM
SRP: Php 32,990 (unlocked)

HTC has dropped the metal grill on the speaker for a more minimalistic design

Minimalistic, Fabulous, Tough!

The HTC One X has the looks and feel of a flagship smartphone by the Taiwanese-based company. The first thing that caught my attention was the display. The Gorilla Glass 2 display covers most of the front section of the One X, which strikes a resemblance to the Nokia Lumia 900.  But unlike the Lumia, the curved sides of the One X accentuate elegance for a smartphone of its class. I noticed that the One X has dropped the metal grills on its speakers. The unibody design of the One X completes my impression of the phone’s design – minimalistic, yet fabulous looking.

But don’t be deceived. The HTC One X is a tough cookie for its good looks. A few days ago, the One X I’m reviewing fell down under the seat of our family van. I later found out that the legs of the seat were squashing the screen of the One X, and I was the one sitting on it! The good news is, after several minutes of (accidentally) trying to squash the One X, it functioned normally as if nothing happened!

X-ceptional Features

The HTC One X sports a 4.7” Super LCD 2 display. Having used a Samsung Galaxy S3 with its Super HD AMOLED screen recently, I say that the difference between them is not that big. Photos and videos look vibrant. And if you like HTC Sense, you’ll surely love how it would float with this display.

Another exceptional feature you should know about the HTC One X is its processor. With the 1.5GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core processor, The One X is one of the most powerful smartphones available today. All that processing power made me multi-tasked on the phone like there is no tomorrow.  As I have expected, the One X was able to hold up to my challenge. No hiccups on the UI, video-playing, games, even a Viber call while browsing a website then switching to email mode and back.

HTC Sense is now on version 4.0 and it was integrated with Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich. There will be a separate review on the One X’s HTC Sense but I would like to stress that HTC has done a tremendous job on the UI to make it easier for new users to adapt to the Android platform.

Camera X-tras

8 Megapixels seem to be the standard in the current smartphone models. The HTC One X’s camera has this resolution with the ability to take 1080pHD video recording. I’m happy to say that the camera’s performance is at par with the quality of photos taken by the likes of the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S3. I see this as a huge improvement for HTC because they used to be always left behind in this department. They have also included extra camera features like its continuous shooting mode and it can also let you take photos while recording a video! I also like the addition of filters in the camera application. This will perfectly suit well for Instagram addcits.

 

2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Backward

I have a hunch that HTC listened to Howard’s complaint on the former’s lack of internal storage in its previous offerings. He’ll sure be glad to hear that The One X comes with 32GB of internal storage ,and thanks to their partnership with Dropbox, every new HTC One X user will get an additional 25GB storage for 24 months. Sweet, isn’t it? However, the bad news is the One X doesn’t have an expandable memory.

Should I Bring my Charger?

The HTC One X is equipped with a 1,800 mAH rated battery, and with my kind of usage, it barely lasted me 9 hours. They should follow Samsung’s lead in providing larger battery life for these types of phones. Then again, if you are not a power user, then it should last you a day. Another thing that you should know is the One X has a non-user replaceable battery. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the One X has a unibody design so there’s no way for you to open it yourself.

Superphones: Samsung Galaxy S3 and the HTC One X

BOTTOMLINE:

Hands-down, I must say that this is HTC’s best work yet! With all the best features crammed into what we call a “Superphone” plus the unquestionable quality of HTC, one couldn’t help but want the HTC One X. Bravo, HTC, Bravo! Now you’re making me want to buy one too!

LIKES:
  • Large vibrant display
  • Large Internal Storage
  • HTC Sense functions smoothly
  • Camera
  • User Interface is Newbie-Friendly
DISLIKES:
  • No external storage
  • Non user replaceable battery
  • No Beats headphones
* Originally posted on Technoodling.net June 27, 2012

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