HTC One X+
A powerful Android handset in its own
right, but has HTC finally produced a camera worth shouting about?
The HTC One X+ has a quality feel, with a
fantastic 4.7-inch HD screen, superb audio quality, a lightning-fast processor
and a comprehensive software suite. However, unlike the Sony or Samsung, it
does not feature a dedicated camera button, nor does it provide a removable
battery or memory card expansion.
HTC
One X+
It does, however, ship with 64GB of
internal storage and 25GB of online Dropbox storage to compensate. Additionally
unlike the other products which required third-party apps, the HTC provided
universal built-in wireless printer support which enabled us to print
effortlessly to our Canon printer.
As for the camera interface, HTC has
incorporated a wealth of features, from the lightning-fast burst mode which
takes up to 20 shots at a time, HDR, fun special effects modes and full HD
video recording with the ability to take photos at the same time.
Unfortunately, it’s still not the most
intuitive to use. Its settings become cluttered and various options are located
in unexpected places – the panorama mode being one example. The HTC is let down
slightly by its camera lens placement which was constantly being impeded by our
finger. The camera also struggled outdoors, especially in overcast conditions.
For example, videos had problems tracking sudden changes of movement and we
suffered issues with exposure and loss of detail. We also found that while the
photos look great on the screen, that didn’t transfer onto a desktop monitor
after importing.
Advanced options such as ISO adjustment and
exposure helped a touch. But its HDR mode was still less effective than on the
Nexus 4. On a positive note, its front-facing camera took some respectable
portrait shots and the flash was impressive.
Its macro function was also good, revealing
the potential from the optics of the camera. Likewise, with its on-board
editing software, you have the potential to do some neat fine tuning, while
battery life was surprisingly good considering its high-end spec.
Video tracking
The full HD video recording provides
touch-focus support and this works okay. However, when viewed back on our
computer, you see how it could not handle the camera panning – the image broke
up with any sign of movement
The
full HD video recording provides touch-focus support and this works okay.
Native wireless printing support
Samsung had native printer support for its
Samsung printers, but most of the other products required a third-party app
download to print to other printers – eg Canon. With HTC you have a native
wireless printer solution that seemed to work with a number of manufacturers
out the box
Interface
The HTC has a lot of camera features but
not all of them are as easy to access as the Sony. The settings drop-down list
is quite cluttered and it gets confusing when trying to pick out the option you
want
Screenshots from videos
Something we did not have space to mention
in the review was the ability to take screenshots from your pre-recorded
videos. In fairness this is something the Samsung can do, but it’s a useful
function none the less
The
HTC One X+ has a quality feel, with a fantastic 4.7-inch HD screen, superb
audio quality, a lightning-fast processor and a comprehensive software suite
HTC One X+ Information
Price: $669
Website: www.htc.com
Head to head
Picture quality
Shots taken from the macro function were
its best feature, with accurate color matching. But with the auto-focus in
play, the sensor didn’t cope well outdoor (especially when overcast) and it
struggled with overexposure issues.
General performance
Shot times are lightning fast, especially
in burst mode. Unfortunately, despite the wealth of camera features the
interface could have been more intuitive. We also had to constantly check our
finger placement so it didn’t cover the lens.
Features
The HTC is packed with camera features and
supporting software. Its macro function was good, but sadly its HDR mode was
less effective than the LG’s and its panoramic mode was fiddly. HD recording
was thwarted by poor speeds.
Battery life
From an Android point of view (especially
video playback) it did better than we expected, beating all the other products.
However, for heavy use you may still need to recharge the phone daily.
Verdict
HTC offers a great Android experience, but
not a good camera. You’ll need to master those fiddly manual settings
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Technical
specs
§ Operating
system: Android OS, 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean)
§ Processor:
Quad-core 1.7 GHz
§ Memory:
1GB RAM, 64GB storage (Dropbox 25GB online storage)
§ Dimensions:
134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9mm
§ Weight:
135g
§ Display:
4.7” (312 ppi) Corning Gorilla Glass 2, 720 x 1,280 pixels
§ Connectivity:
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS (including tagging), HSDPA 21 Mbps,
HSUPA 5.76 Mbps, TV-out (via MHL A/V)
§ Camera:
8-MP rear, 1.6-MP front, 1080p full HD video recording
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