HTC took to the stage earlier and, as expected, announced 2 new Windows Phone 8 devices, the “8S” and the “8X”. The 8S is aimed at a more budget market but the 8X has the Lumia 920 firmly in it’s sights.

This is HTC’s second bite at Windows Phone after pretty unsuccessful forays with the likes of the HD7, though it is not surprising to see them and other manufacturers renew their efforts as the OS matures and they try to diversify their portfolio away from being solely Android based.

The 8X will come with a 341ppi, 1280 x 720, 4.3″ screen making it one of the clearest available. Other notable specs include:

  • CPU: Qualcomm S4 1.5 GHz dual-core
  • Network: GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE/ CDMA/ HSPA/ WCDMA/ LTE
  • Memory: 16 GB, RAM 1 GB
  • Wireless: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, 2.4 & 5 GHz
  • Ports: 3.5mm audio, microUSB
  • Cameras: Front- 2.1 MP, f/2.0 aperture, ultra-wide angle, 1080p recording; Rear- 8 MP, f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens
  • Battery: 1,800 Ah
  • Dimensions: 132.35 x 66.2 x 10.12mm, 130 grams; 5.21 x 2.6 x 0.39 inches, 4.58 ounces
  • NFC capable, depending on operator
  • Audio: Beats Audio
Unfortunately there is no user expandable memory and there is only a 16GB option but cloud storage will go some may to mitigating that.
It is interesting that Windows Phone OEM’s are deciding to use such bright colours as a selling point. The similarities between Nokia’s Lumia phones and HTC’s are hard to avoid, but it is a break away from the black slabs that have become the norm of late.
With Samsung also announcing their renewed push into the Windows Phone market a short time ago, things are certainly starting to get more interesting, but WP8 is still facing an uphill battle to make inroads into a smartphone market which is being completely dominated by two players at present.
Hardware wise, phones such as the X8 are now getting close to competing with other high end smartphones on the market, but how WP8 runs on these devices and what it delivers will ultimately decide whether people will make the leap and leave iOS or Android behind.
Watch out for our review in the coming weeks.

 

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