MOBILE

Group Test - Mid-Range Maestros (Part 3) : HTC One SV

7/5/2013 11:08:12 AM

HTC One SV

HTC looks to blend premium specifications with an affordable price tag, but does it deliver?

Successful \ layers

The color combination of the casing highlights some great aesthetics. HTC always does a good job at bringing stylish touches to its phones and it has done it again

Make sense of Sense

Sense 4.1 still doesn’t offer a perfect user experience, but there’s no denying it’s improving. Browsing your phone is a lot smoother and the suite of pre-installed apps has certainly improved

All about 4G

Devices that offer 4G support aren’t good for your wallet, but the One SV is now one of the cheapest ways to get your hands on a 4G-enabled phone

Beats Audio

HTC has implemented Beats Audio into the One SV, offering users a chance to listen to their favorite tunes in crystal-clear high-quality. The speakers on either side of the SV are also great for sound

HTC One SV

HTC One SV

When you get your hands on an HTC phone, you know there’s a design treat waiting for you. The SV is a beautiful device. It feels well put together and the black, white and grey layering makes the device feel a lot more premium than both the Xperia T and S3 Mini. Taking a look at the back of the SV will reveal the 4G LTE branding and it’s the only phone here that caters for the new high speeds. When turning on the device you’re greeted to a 4.3-inch display sporting a LCD 480 x 800 resolution.

It isn’t anything spectacular and suffers from the same Pixelation problem as the S3 Mini, but for what you’re paying, it does the job well. One of the best uses of the display is to use it in conjunction with the decent camera that has been implemented. There are some terrific features included and plenty of photo sharing options available as well.

When you get your hands on an HTC phone, you know there’s a design treat waiting for you.

When you get your hands on an HTC phone, you know there’s a design treat waiting for you.

To use all these features you’ll want a speedy processor that can keep up. The One SV is a quick phone and the dual-core processor handled everything we could throw at it with flying colors. Whether you’re doing a spot of downloading, browsing or simply just using the camera, the processor handles it all very well.

The One SV ships with the Ice Cream Sandwich update and runs Sense 4.1, which is by far the best version of HTC’s custom skin yet, and there are some quality features included in this phone. You’ll find new entertainment hubs at your disposal and the default browser has undergone some changes. Sense is far more useable now and HTC has done a great job at updating it into a more user-friendly skin.

It’s also currently one of the cheapest ways of getting your hands on a 4G-compatible phone

It’s also currently one of the cheapest ways of getting your hands on a 4G-compatible phone

For a mid-range device, the One SV excels in most areas. We take our hats off to HTC who has successfully combined plenty of premium features without the premium price to boot. It’s also currently one of the cheapest ways of getting your hands on a 4G-compatible phone.

HTC One SV

Information

·         Price $534

·         More information www.htc.com

Technical Specs

·         Operating system: Android 4.0

·         Processor: Qualcomm S4 1.2GHz dual-core

·         Storage: 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (expandable to 32GB with micro SD)

·         Dimensions: 128 x 66.9 x 9.20mm

·         Weight: 120g

·         Display size: 4.3-inch Super LCD

·         Display resolution: 400 x 800 pixels

·         Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, HSDPA 42 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76, micro USB

·         Camera: 5-MP rear, 1.6-MP front, 1080p full video recording

Head-To-Head

·         Design and build: The curved back of the One SV helps it feel great in hand. HTC has implemented a plastic body here, but it has a premium look and feel to it.

·         Features: Sense is still trying to make ground on the pure Android experience, but Sense 4.1 is certainly the best iteration of the custom skin we’ve seen.

·         Battery life: You can get a fair amount of usage out of the 1800mAh battery, but hardcore users should be sure to carry a spare battery or portable charger with them.

·         Value for money: For what you get for your money, the HTC One SV is a great investment. It’s also the best solution for those looking to get their first 4G phone while on a budget.

Verdict: 4/5

·         As far as mid-range devices go, the HTC One SV is definitely up there. We’d even recommend it over some high-end phones

 

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