We would like to add some of what we didn't
already explore in our original review for Windows Phone 8: HTC has so subtly
added its own feel to the OS in the form of some apps. In reality, there are a
pre-installed hub for news, weather and stock information, a Photo Enhancer app
and a connection utility. Apart from those, there's little offered here. But,
as Engadget is considered one of the technology news sources, we do not completely
love them. However, if you decide that there are not anough apps that show the
image of HTC, just poke the tile for the Windows Phone store, and you'll see
that there is also an option to get some more apps. Once again, though, there
are just a few more things offered here like a simple converter app and the
ubiquitous flashlight tool nothing you wouldn't get from any developers.
HTC
has so subtly added its own feel to the OS in the form of some apps.
The other main software addition comes in
the form of Beats audio. This has been a feature of HTC phones for a while so
far, so it would bring no surprise to anyone who's used a previous device
before. But if you haven’t heard of it, Beats audio "enhances" your
music through proprietary preset equalization (balance has been previously set
up), which is changed to give your music more impact. Or, in our experience, it
simply makes it louder – specifically at the low and high ends of the spectrum.
Some will love it, others do not, but it's there to knock yourself out if you
are so in love with it.
Conclusion
If
you're not willing to wait, we suggest you start thinking about color options
for your own 8S.
When putting our hands on the 8S, we felt
it would make a valuable high-end phone, with a good balance of specifications
and design. Fortunately for the 8S, much of the design DNA has been made on it,
and we really like it. Naturally, the specifications differ so much, but that
is what you would expect from a phone targeted at a more mainstream section of
the market. Some people might not like the sound of a 1GHz dual-core chip or a
5MP camera, and these people should really look for something else at another
place. But, if you want a phone that looks good, has a reasonable price and is
capable of getting the job done, then we're really eager to recommend the 8S to
you. And until the Nokia Lumia 620 appears, the 8S has the whole stage to
itself. So, if you're not willing to wait, we suggest you start thinking about
color options for your own 8S.
We
suggest you start thinking about color options for your own 8S.
|
Info
·
Product name: HTC Windows Phone 8S
·
Price: $370
Advantages
·
Great build quality
·
Outstanding call quality
·
Great performance for its price
Disadvantages
·
Narrow viewing angles
·
Erratic camera performance
Verdict
·
Even when more Windows Phone 8 devices started
to be launched, there were few friendly but cheap options.
·
The 8S proves that being cheap doesn't have to
mean compromise in design or performance.
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