HTC had a real winner of a smartphone in the One X. The device offered plenty of goodies to make demanding Android users happy, such as a large 4.7-inch screen, a fast 4G LTE data connection, and nimble dual-core performance. Now HTC is upping the ante with the One X+, a significantly enhanced version of its worthy predecessor. This fresh device adds new quad-core processing courtesy of Nvidia, an updated Android 4.1 operating system, and a host of other improvements to an already excellent handset. I was lucky enough to spend some hands-on time with the HTC One X+ at AT&T's huge fall event, and I certainly liked what I saw.
HTC's new One X+ with its Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU.
(Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET)
Design
When I first picked up the handset I honestly couldn't tell the HTC One X+ from the previous HTC One X. Both devices have a thin chassis constructed from premium polycarbonate with gently curved edges and a comforting soft-touch finish. The phone's 4.7-inch 720p HD display looks to be identical to the LCD panel used in the One X as well.
When I first picked up the handset I honestly couldn't tell the HTC One X+ from the previous HTC One X. Both devices have a thin chassis constructed from premium polycarbonate with gently curved edges and a comforting soft-touch finish. The phone's 4.7-inch 720p HD display looks to be identical to the LCD panel used in the One X as well.
The same goes for the three capacitive buttons that sit below the screen to control essential Android operations (Back, Home, and recent apps). Around back is an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash, the same resolution sensor as the original One X. The camera lens juts out from the back of the phone body, something One X users have complained to me about. Frankly I don't mind it, but I do have a problem with the phone's embedded battery and lack of a microSD card slot.
Just as large as its predecessor, the One X+ is by no means a compact handset. Its size also makes it difficult to reach the opposite end of the device's screen when held in one hand. That said, thanks to the HTC One X+'s trim and flat chassis, it's not entirely unreasonable to slip the phone into pants pockets.
The HTC One X+ looks as thin as the One X.
(Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET)
Features
Of the HTC One X+'s various upgrades, the most important one is its fresh 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. It's a big step up from the 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 CPU that powered the One X. Another welcome addition is the 64GB of internal memory, which is vast compared with the One X's paltry 16GB. I can say that the phone felt smooth and responsive while I flipped through menus and applications. Of course, the first One X was a nimble performer as well, so benchmark testing and perhaps a little mobile gaming will likely highlight the difference between the two devices.
Of the HTC One X+'s various upgrades, the most important one is its fresh 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. It's a big step up from the 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 CPU that powered the One X. Another welcome addition is the 64GB of internal memory, which is vast compared with the One X's paltry 16GB. I can say that the phone felt smooth and responsive while I flipped through menus and applications. Of course, the first One X was a nimble performer as well, so benchmark testing and perhaps a little mobile gaming will likely highlight the difference between the two devices.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean comes standard, along with HTC's Sense 4+ user interface. The combination, HTC says, will help the One X+ deliver longer battery life and smoother performance.
The phone uses the same imaging hardware as the HTC One X. That's actually a positive since the One X's camera goes toe-to-toe with the vaunted iPhone 5 in terms of image quality and shot-to-shot times. Plus the HTC One X's camera offers way more than the iPhone's in the way of settings and scene modes. HTC has added a few new camera capabilities, too, including a timer function to better nap self portraits. I tried the timer and it worked well enough, displaying a countdown in large numbers in the top left side of the screen.
The One X+ has plenty of camera features.
(Credit: Brian Bennett/CNET)
Outlook
I have to say, I'm really excited about the HTC One X+. American smartphone fans have been waiting for real quad-core processing to finally arrive on U.S. shores. Quad-core versions of the One X and Samsung Galaxy S3 have been available globally since their initial launches. We Yanks have had to be satisfied with dual-core Snapdragon S4 chips since fancy quad-core hardware apparently had problems playing nice with 4G LTE radios. Now it looks like those problems have been worked out, judging by the number of four-cored handsets about to hit the market this holiday season. The million-dollar question, though, is just how the HTC One X+'s Tegra 3 chip stacks up against the quad-core Exynos (in the Samsung Galaxy Note II) and Qualcomm Snapdragon Pro (in the LG Optimus G) in terms of horsepower and battery life. Be sure to check back soon for a full review of the HTC One X+ to find out.
I have to say, I'm really excited about the HTC One X+. American smartphone fans have been waiting for real quad-core processing to finally arrive on U.S. shores. Quad-core versions of the One X and Samsung Galaxy S3 have been available globally since their initial launches. We Yanks have had to be satisfied with dual-core Snapdragon S4 chips since fancy quad-core hardware apparently had problems playing nice with 4G LTE radios. Now it looks like those problems have been worked out, judging by the number of four-cored handsets about to hit the market this holiday season. The million-dollar question, though, is just how the HTC One X+'s Tegra 3 chip stacks up against the quad-core Exynos (in the Samsung Galaxy Note II) and Qualcomm Snapdragon Pro (in the LG Optimus G) in terms of horsepower and battery life. Be sure to check back soon for a full review of the HTC One X+ to find out.
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