HTC has announced that its first two WP8 handsets, the Windows Phone 8X and 8S, will be released in India this month. The Taiwanese mobile giant also released pricing information for the two devices – the top-end HTC Windows Phone 8X gets an MOP of Rs. 35,023, the mid-range HTC Windows Phone 8S gets an MOP of Rs. 19,260.
The company also announced two other smartphones for the Indian market, the HTC Desire SV, and HTC One X (hit up the links for detailed coverage), pricing them at Rs. 22,590 and Rs. 40,190 respectively.
We’ve received a test unit of the HTC Windows Phone 8X from Microsoft, so do stay tuned for our in-depth look at the new device, and the new platform, in our hands-on.
HTC Windows Phone 8X
Running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset, the HTC Windows Phone 8X features a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and Adreno 225 GPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM. It bears a 4.3-inch (1,280×720 pixel – 342ppi) Super LCD2 display, complete with Gorilla Glass 2 protection, and anti-glare lamination. Lightweight at 130 grams (compared to the Nokia Lumia 920's staggering 185 grams), the 8X is 10.1mm-thick, and uses a polycarbonate unibody design. The HTC Windows Phone 8X is available in four colours – California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow.
The HTC Windows Phone 8X comes with 16GB of built-in storage, with no microSD slot. It features an 8MP autofocus camera with a BSI sensor, LED flash, and an f/2.0 lens, with a 28mm FOV. The 8X also boasts of a dedicated image processor – the HTC ImageChip, which will also deliver 1080p HD video recording at 30fps, along with stereo sound. The device also comes with Beats Audio sound – there will no bundled headphones though.
As for connectivity options, the HTC Windows Phone 8X offers 3G (HSUPA/HSDPA), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band functionality, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and EDR, NFC, microUSB v2.0, GPS with A-GPS support, 3.5mm audio jack, and no FM radio. The 8X is powered by a 1,800 mAh battery, however, HTC has not revealed expected battery life for the device.
HTC Windows Phone 8S
The HTC Windows Phone 8S also runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset, with a dual-core 1GHz processor and Adreno 225 GPU, coupled with 512MB of RAM. The 8S features a 4-inch S-LCD display with an 800×480 pixel resolution (233ppi), and a Gorilla Glass screen. Weighing in at 113 grams, the 8S is 10.3mm thick, and features 4GB of built-in storage, with microSD expandability up to 32GB (unlike the 8S).
It features a 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash, and 720p HD video recording at 30fps. The 8S also comes with Beats Audio sound, with no bundled headphones once again. In terms of connectivity, the HTC Windows Phone 8S offers 3G (HSUPA/HSDPA), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and EDR, microUSB v2.0, GPS with A-GPS support, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The HTC Windows Phone 8S is powered by a 1,700 mAh battery.
