We’ve already hailed the HTC One X a
resounding success, so can the slightly less potent One S produce the same
result?
One of the standout features of the HTC One
X was the brand new version of the Sense user interface, so we’ve glad to
report that it’s just as much fun to get stuck into on the S too. If you liked
the look of the One X then you get much more of the same from the S, only it
comes with a slightly watered down specification, such as the smaller on-board
storage capacity of 16 as opposed to 32GB and it’s also got smaller dimensions
too. There’s not actually much in it to be honest, although the screen is less
capacious as a result of the more slimline styling. And slim this phone is too,
at just 7.9mm deep.
Perfect finish
HTC
One S
The exterior is certainly very eye-catching
and that’s mainly because it features two different style options, including
one that is an ultra-matte black Ceramic Metal Iustre that, apparently, has
some kind of previous use in satellites, while the other is a luscious anodized
finish that looks very sophisticated indeed. Then, once you’ve picked your way
around that impressive exterior, there’s plenty to discover inside the One S
too. It’s got the same camera as that fitted to the One X, which means there are
8-megapixels plus auto-focus, a smart LED flash along with the special sensor
that allows it to cope with low-light exposures.
Adding to the appeal for any photography
fan is full HD video recording at 1080p, a front-facing VGA camera for social
media updates and the like, plus image stabilization, which is often a must for
many picture taking scenarios on a camera phone due to their small sized
status. The One S does deliver the goods on most fronts in that respect, but
it’s the updated Sense user interface experience that really makes it more of a
success story than anything.
All-round performance is much like that of
the One X too, with plenty of power at hand from the 1.5Gz dual-core processor
to motor Android 4 along very nicely. On-screen graphics are very impressive,
while the multimedia tools on hand are an added bonus and make the One S a
premium all-rounder. Of course, thanks to the slightly humbler design and build
specifications, you’ll find that the One S is a little lighter too, so the
slimmer dimensions come with an extra bonus on that front. In fact, this
particular smartphone is one of the thinnest you can currently buy.
Get connected
Alongside the quality finish and
performance-minded innards, the One S will also keep most people happy when it
comes to on-board toys. HTC was been careful to retain much of what has made
its earlier models so user-friendly, an Sense now means they’re friendlier than
ever. Ice Cream Sandwich, the fourth incarnation of the Google smartphone OS,
is also beautifully stable and never instills any feeling of nervousness, even
when dealing with things like large image files or wodges of high-definition
video footage.
There are also the day-to-day essential
tools including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPRS and EDGE connectivity. The audio tools
here are on a par with those found on the One X, so put it altogether and this
is a smartphone that pretty much does it all, while also looking good as part
of the deal. Indeed, if you spend an increasing amount of your time listening to
and streaming content from the internet then HTC’s Music Hub concept will
provide you with an excellent way of streamlining your music listening
activities.
You can improve that experience still
further by calling on the help of a special stereo clip that lets you play the
same content through your car speakers, which adds a neat additional appeal to
proceedings. Put it all together and you’ve got a smartphone that is going to
prove a huge hit with gadget fans. What’s more, the excellent camera plus associated
software and hardware capabilities man that it could also do good business with
photography fans. The finish alone is going to attract a reasonable amount of
attention from envious fellow smartphone owners if you’re tempted to buy.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a smartphone that
comes bristling with all of the latest technological developments then the HTC
One S is the one to go for. Although it’s slightly smaller than the One X,
which is actually the sort of thing that might appeal to those who need a
pocket-sized mobile solution, the performance on offer here is still top-notch.
HTC has done another sterling job at making their Sense user-interface a real
success story, while Android 4 chunters along as dependably as earlier versions
of the operation system. In that respect, S really does look like being short
for Success.
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Specification
·
Price: $629
·
Processor: 1.5GHz
·
Memory: 16GB
·
Display: 4.3-inch
·
Camera: 8-megapixel
·
Operating system: Android 4.0
·
Web: www.htc.com
·
Total: 8/10
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