The embargo was lifted on talking about the international version of the HTC One X / One X, and the reviews are coming in a barrage. Mostly the views are positive, with the flagship One X taking the cake, though all the tested units are running Tegra 3. Here in Canada we will see the One X with a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, which is in the HTC One S as well.
We’ll be taking a look at the Canadian versions of the phones in the upcoming weeks, including the LTE One X and (hopefully) micro arc oxidated version of the One S.
HTC One X
Engadget: “HTC’s really crafted something special here, with a brilliant combination of branding, industrial design and user experience.” And, something to keep in mind for our review: “While it’s incredibly quick and smooth in actual use, we’re surprised that the quad-core Tegra 3 in the One X performed slightly worse in our benchmarks than the dual-core Snapdragon S4 in the One S.”
The Verge: “Just give me a One X running something closer to stock Android 4.0, HTC, and I believe you’ve got the best smartphone ever made.” He doesn’t love the software improvements in Sense 4.0, but thinks that everything else is pretty well perfect, including the Super LCD 2 screen which he says is the best ever on a smartphone.
The Next Web: “HTC’s focus on doing the important things right has paid off with the One X, it really is a gorgeous device that feels nice in the hand and you will want to pull out of your pocket time and again to show everyone.” He likes everything except some quirks in the software, and the battery does not compete with other products in the category.
Android Central: “The HTC One X is the standard-bearer for the new HTC One line, and rightfully so. For as great its middle brother, the HTC One S, is with its slim, sleek and (no kidding) space-age design is, the HTC One X trumps it with its beautiful display and higher resolution. Indeed, the HTC One X has set the bar high for this new generation of Android phones.” The major concern here is scratching up the camera lens, which he thinks protrudes too much from the chassis.
Pocket-lint: “Yet, this isn’t a perfect phone. We found the camera was oversaturated by default and could do some things better, the keyboard takes up too much space with little benefit… But these aren’t insurmountable problems, easily fixed with tweaks or third-party apps. The HTC One X is an excellent and fitting flagship handset. It’s a great smartphone to live with: a cleaner, fresher HTC experience, packed into a device with the power to impress and a design that will turn heads.”
HTC One S
Engadget: “Sporting a thinner and lighter design, the One S doesn’t deserve to be hidden in the shadow of its pricier brother. With the latest dual-core Snapdragon S4 and noticeable improvements to HTC’s Sense UI, as well as Android 4.0 and a potent camera, this phone is likely to play a large part of the manufacturer’s renewed efforts after a shaky 2011. With a tactile finish and enough power to go toe-to-toe with HTC’s quad-core entrant, it comes down to whether you’re willing to trade a technically weaker screen for a noticeable price difference and better battery life.” In short, Pentile display = bad, fantastic battery life = good. Got it.
The Verge: “When it comes to first impressions, the HTC One S is an instant winner. It marries thinness with a subtle, exquisitely refined design, and its AMOLED display is exactly the sort of vibrant eye-catcher… on closer inspection that Pentile display can drive you to distraction, but I’m learning to forgive that downside for the rich upside on offer from the dual-core Snapdragon S4, ImageSense camera suite, and Ice Cream Sandwich OS.” It’s Sense 4.0 here that’s the biggest issue, with inconsistent skinning and some vexing design choices that mar an otherwise complete package.
Android Community: “I’m honestly having a tough time attempting to find any faults in this device as it’s quit (sic) honestly impressed me enough to say that HTC has completely redeemed themselves from last year.”
Overall, it seems as if HTC has largely redeemed itself after a shaky 2011. But Sense 4.0 is still a contentious and divisive property, with some reviewers saying they love it and others finding it thoroughly distracting. We can’t wait to review them ourselves, so until then, let us know what you think.
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