HTC Officially Unveils the Windows Phone 8X and 8S at Press Event

[dgstorm]

Just in case any of you guys are curious to see what some of the competition is up to, here's a new HTC Windows Phone story from our sister-site @http://www.windowsphoneforum.net. We have the official word now, and it looks like HTC is getting into the Windows Phone game in a big way. They just held a press event in New York, where they announced their two newest smartphones, and both of them are Windows devices. They are the HTC Windows Phone 8X and 8S. Here's the press release below with details,

HTC AND MICROSOFT UNVEIL FIRST SIGNATURE WINDOWS PHONES

New Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC to be available through more than 150 mobile operators globally

NEW YORK, 19th September, 2012 — HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, and Microsoft today unveiled the first signature Windows Phones, the stunning Windows® Phone 8X and 8S by HTC®. The smartphones feature the new Windows Phone 8 operating system and boast iconic design, studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™ and incredible camera capabilities.

“Pairing HTC’s beautiful new Windows Phone 8X and 8S with our brand is a big milestone for both companies,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. “Together we are offering customers a clear choice and a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to take our longstanding partnership to the next level.”

“We’ve been inspired by Windows Phone 8 to create new smartphones that give the platform the iconic design and personality it deserves,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “Windows Phone has clearly emerged as one of the top mobile ecosystems and is competitive against any other smartphone platform in the world.”

Iconic Design
The only phone with Live Tiles, Windows Phone has a clear, differentiated vision and the consumer experience has been widely recognized as being groundbreaking, innovative and fresh. HTC created the Windows Phone 8X and 8S to blend the virtual and the physical utilizing a three dimensional, pure uni-body design based on the Windows Phone Live Tiles. The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC are perfectly sculpted with a dramatic taper making them feel magically thin in your hand.

Because color is such an integral part of the Windows Phone experience, HTC is bringing bold, sophisticated and adventurous colors in a premium matte finish to these devices. The Windows Phone 8X will come in a variety of colors including California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow. The Windows Phone 8S by HTC will be available in Domino, Fiesta Red, Atlantic Blue and High-Rise Gray.

Capture and share your world
For the first time, HTC is introducing a 2.1mp, f/2.0 aperture, 88° ultra-wide angle front-facing camera that allows up to four people and more to be captured at once. It also supports 1080p video capture. The rear camera sports an 8mp CMOS sensor with backside-illumination (BSI) for improved low-light performance, along with an f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens and a dedicated imaging chip. A physical shutter button makes it quick and easy to capture spontaneous action, even if the phone is locked.

Spectacular Sound with Beats Audio
Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the spirit of the original recording. The Windows Phone 8X by HTC featuring Beats Audio also offers a unique audio amplifier powering the 3.5mm audio jack and the speaker, boosting the audio signal for even better sound no matter if you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video.

Brilliant Display
The Windows Phone 8X by HTC features a beautiful, 4.3” HD-resolution super LCD 2 screen protected from everyday bumps and scrapes by lightweight Gorilla® Glass 2, while optical lamination reduces reflections and glare, ensuring you see every detail. The Windows Phone 8S by HTC boasts a bright super LCD 4” screen with Gorilla® Glass, allowing users to see the Windows Phone Live Tiles, and every message and photo, with crystal clarity and sparkling color.

Entertainment
With the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC people can carry their favorite music, movies and photos with them wherever they go. With the Windows Phone Store and Xbox Live, it is easier than ever to enjoy the latest video, music and games on the move.

Availability
The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC will be available beginning in November. Available through more than 150 carriers in 50+ countries, the Windows Phone 8X or 8S by HTC will be available from the world’s top carriers including: United States: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Europe: Orange, O2 Telefonica, MTS, Three UK, T-Mobile, and Vodafone Asia-Pacific: Chunghwa Telecom, Optus, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel), Smartone, Telstra and Vodafone Australia.

About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense®, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit HTC - Mobile Phones, Smartphones, Cell Phones, Tablets.

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The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: WindowsPhoneForum.net

 

[MissionImprobable]

Not too shabby, but I could never live with those Live Tiles =p

 

[armeddroid]

Agreed.
Phone itself looks good.

 

[hotice]

I can't believe they didn't announce an Android phone. I was sure hoping to see a 5" 1080p device.

The 8X looks great and if I wanted to buy a Windows Phone 8 device I'd have a very hard time choosing between the 920 and the 8X but the 8S is poor...only a 480x800 display and it doesn't even have a front facing camera. At least it has a 28nm Snapdragon S4 but it's probably only clocked at 1GHz. I'm not sure what they were thinking there. I guess they're trying to squeeze battery life out of a battery that doesn't have a very high capacity.

 

[johnomaz]

I'm very interested in the WIndows phones but a few things kill it for me. I don't use social websites anymore. I don't live on XBOX Live or even use my 360 much anymore so that integration is useless for me. As for customization, I don't use themes on my S3 and usually stick to stock Android best I can. My S3 is stock, but I use NOVA launcher to get the AOSP feel. Too lazy to do the work on it. I'd like to have a phone for a couple weeks to use it, experience it and what not. The other problem is I'm very happy witn Android. ICS on my S3 and JB on my Nexus 7.

 

[boundlesswater]

Hardware is spectacular!

 

[Javaknight]

can we root it and put Android on it? lol

 

[Xplorer4x4]

The 8X looks great and if I wanted to buy a Windows Phone 8 device I'd have a very hard time choosing between the 920 and the 8X but the 8S is poor...only a 480x800 display and it doesn't even have a front facing camera. At least it has a 28nm Snapdragon S4 but it's probably only clocked at 1GHz. I'm not sure what they were thinking there. I guess they're trying to squeeze battery life out of a battery that doesn't have a very high capacity.

I have to agree. I love the look of this phone, but the 920 isn't bad. I think the camera for the 920 will probably be the better camera by far from the samples shown. Of course real world usage probably won;t turn out quite as great but even if the consumer only sees 50% quality compared to the preview images, that would still be a big plus for taking pictures in darker environments.

 

[armeddroid]

Well, the thing is...it looks like a Nokia at a glance.
I know Nokia isnt tripping about it. If anything they are calling it a tactical rebranding of Windows.
They know that this phone isnt gonna touch their lineup but it looks pretty damn close.
Just thinking out loud.

 

[djspy]

Where's the red one for the team red gangsters?

 

[pc747]

looks nice like the one x except with windows 8.

 

[ntrddragn]

cali blue ... im not sure about the blue bar at the bottom.

 

[scott craft]

I was sold on the Lumia 920, but I guess I'll have to play with them in the store to decide which one to get.
Sent from my HTC Trophy using Board Express

 

[pc747]

[video=youtube;x-3ryq_Q2Lg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-3ryq_Q2Lg[/video]

 

[pc747]

[video=youtube;TfZQwtWHal8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfZQwtWHal8&feature=related[/video]