HTC One X review

Having released a flurry of devices during 2011, HTC appears to be taking a more measured approach this year - focusing on quality rather than quantity.

The firm debuted its ‘One’ range during MWC in February and the flagship handset - the One X - is now available.

HTC has tried to improve a number of areas including the processor, display, camera, interface and, perhaps most importantly, battery life. We take a look to see if the One X can unseat the Galaxy S II as king of the Android handsets.

Design

Looks are subjective, but we feel it is fair to say that HTC has nailed the design. The One X is one of the most beautiful smartphones available, with a sleek unibody design and premium look.

The handset is unbelievably light, considering it contains a giant 4.7in display and weighs in at 130g. By way of comparison, the HTC Titan also had a 4.7in screen, but tipped the scales at 160g.

The One X is looks great and is lightweight considering the size

With a thickness of 8.9mm, the smartphone is a shade thinner than the iPhone 4S (9.3mm), but not quite as slim as the Samsung Galaxy S II (8.5mm). Despite the large size, the device easily fits into the palm of your hand, and the soft back makes it very comfortable to hold.

Volume rockers are on the right hand edge and a solitary micro-USB port is on the left hand side. HTC has opted to use a micro-SIM, so some users may have to get a new SIM from their operator when they upgrade. The firm also provides a handy little tool to get access to the pop out the tray. There is also a 5-pin connection on the back so the device can be slotted into a dock.

The white version of the device looks very stylish

There are two colours available – black and white. Our review unit came with white trim and back, which is our preferred choice.

The only real source of disappointment is the fact the back cover is sealed. We would have liked to have the option to replace the battery and extend the longevity of the device.