HTC One X+ Review: Stunning Design, Strong Performance

Specifications

Display	4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Super LCD 2
Processor	1.7 GHz quad-core Tegra 3
RAM and storage	1 GB RAM, 64 GB internal
Cameras	8 MP rear, 1.6 MP front
Battery	2100 mAh
Size and weight	134.8 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm, 134 g
Software	Android 4.1 with Sense 4+

In the box and design

The phone arrives in a white oval box with a wall charger, USB cable and manuals. No headphones are included, which the reviewer found ironic given HTC’s stake in Beats Audio.

The body is identical to the original One X: a matte black polycarbonate unibody. It looks sleek and feels durable, and the finish adds grip. The display is bright, vivid and accurate. Three capacitive buttons sit below it for Back, Home and Recent Apps. The back carries a slight camera bump, HTC and Beats logos, the speaker and a 5-pin dock connector. The SIM tray on top needs a small tool. HTC’s usual trade-offs apply: no removable battery and no microSD slot. It is easy to hold, though people with small pockets may struggle.

Software

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean keeps things smooth and brings Google Now. Sense used to feel bloated on slower phones, but the quad-core chip hides most of that. Two features stood out:

• Liked: the Recent Apps key can be reprogrammed, so a long press opens Settings and a short press opens Recent Apps, or the reverse.
• Disliked: the notification area has no quick toggles, and a Power Saver entry is always there and cannot be removed.

Performance and camera

Navigation is lag-free, even with several apps open, and demanding games and video ran without dropped frames. More RAM would have helped. The camera is unchanged from the original One X, which the reviewer still ranked among the best on a phone. It handles varied lighting, offers many settings and includes filters.

Verdict

The Galaxy S III was the phone to beat, but the One X+ should not be overlooked. It was arguably the best-looking flagship. The reviewer noted a successor was expected from HTC.