HTC One The Ultimate Guide to Features Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The HTC One stands out with its premium build quality, featuring an aluminum back and frame, and a Gorilla Glass 2 front, providing both durability and an elegant look. The device measures 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm and weighs 143g, striking a balance between portability and a solid feel in the hand. The aluminum construction not only adds to the phone's aesthetic but also contributes to its sturdiness, making it feel like a high-end device in every sense.

Display

The Super LCD3 display of the HTC One is undeniably one of its highlights. At 4.7 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, the screen offers an impressive pixel density of approximately 469 ppi. This translates to incredibly sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and deep contrasts, making everything from browsing to media consumption a delightful experience. The addition of Gorilla Glass 2 provides additional assurance against minor scratches and impacts.

Performance

Under the hood, the HTC One is powered by the Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 CPU and Adreno 320 GPU. This combination ensures smooth performance across various tasks, from everyday applications to more demanding processes. Whether it's multitasking or gaming, the HTC One handles it with expertise, proving its capability as a flagship device of its time.

Storage and Memory

The device comes in two storage variants: 32GB and 64GB, paired with 2GB of RAM. This setup allows users substantial space for applications, media, and more, though the absence of an external card slot might be a limitation for those who require expandable storage. Nonetheless, for average users, the internal storage configurations should suffice for everyday use.

Camera Capabilities

The HTC One features a unique 4 MP main camera with a wide aperture of f/2.0, 28mm lens, equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) and LED flash. HTC's innovative approach with larger pixels (2µm) contributes to better light absorption, enhancing low-light photography. The device can record videos at 1080p@30fps and 720p@60fps, along with HDR capabilities and stereo sound recording. Moreover, the 2.1 MP front-facing camera, also capable of 1080p video recording, ensures sharp and detailed selfies.

Sound and Audio Quality

Another standout feature of the HTC One is its immersive audio experience, delivered through stereo speakers with renowned clarity and volume. The device includes HTC BoomSound enhancements, offering exceptional audio fidelity. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories, maintaining user convenience and satisfaction.

Operating System and Software

The HTC One originally launched with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and was later upgradable to Android 5 Lollipop, overlaid with HTC's Sense UI 5. This user interface enhancement offers users a customized Android experience, integrating additional features and optimizations designed to maximize functionality and user enjoyment.

Battery Life

Equipped with a non-removable 2300 mAh Li-Po battery, the HTC One might not boast the largest battery capacity but compensates with efficient power management. The device delivers up to 500 hours of standby time on 2G and up to 480 hours on 3G, along with up to 27 hours of talk time on 2G and 18 hours on 3G, providing ample usage throughout a day for most users.

Connectivity Options

The HTC One supports a broad array of connectivity features, including GSM, HSPA, LTE networks, ensuring robust mobile data capabilities. Wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA, facilitate seamless browsing and media streaming experiences. Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX support enhances wireless audio connectivity, while GPS and GLONASS provide reliable positioning services.

Additional Features

The smartphone includes a range of sensors such as accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, further enhancing the device’s utility for various applications. The infrared port offers users an opportunity to control various IR-supported devices, increasing the smartphone’s versatility as a remote control alternative.

Conclusion

The HTC One remains a significant milestone in the evolution of smartphones. Its superior build quality, impressive display, and balanced performance make it a classic choice for technology enthusiasts even after its discontinuation. Though no longer in production, the HTC One exemplifies a device that successfully combined aesthetics with robust functionality, setting a high bar in the competitive smartphone markets of its time.