HTC Windows Phone 8S Specs Pricing Perks & Pitfalls Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The HTC Windows Phone 8S features a striking design that was quite appealing at the time of its release. The phone measures 120.5 x 63 x 10.3 mm and weighs just 113 g, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The device is available in multiple color options including Domino, Fiesta Red, Atlantic Blue, and High-Rise Gray, allowing users to express their personal style.

The build quality of the HTC 8S is solid, featuring a plastic body with a matte finish that provides a good grip. It also includes Gorilla Glass protection on the display, which was a welcome addition for durability against scratches and minor drops.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 4.0-inch S-LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 233 PPI. Overall, the display offers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles for a device in its class, although it falls behind the modern standards for sharpness and brightness. The contrast ratio of 1318:1 contributes to satisfactory performance under various lighting conditions.

Performance

Under the hood, the HTC Windows Phone 8S is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset, a dual-core 1.0 GHz Krait CPU, and an Adreno 305 GPU. This combination offered reasonable performance for basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and light multitasking. However, it might struggle with more demanding applications due to its modest specifications.

The device comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card. The addition of a dedicated microSD slot helps alleviate the minimal built-in storage, allowing users to store additional apps, photos, and media.

Software and User Interface

Launching with Microsoft Windows Phone 8, the HTC 8S provided a fresh take in comparison to other operating systems of the time. The user interface was intuitive, featuring dynamic live tiles, integration with Microsoft services, and limited but useful customizability. Users could upgrade the OS to WP8 GDR3, which introduced minor improvements and enhancements to the overall functionality.

Camera Capabilities

On the rear, the HTC 8S is equipped with a 5-megapixel camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash. The camera delivers adequate photo quality, capturing decent images in well-lit environments. However, the performance in low-light conditions is somewhat limited. The device supports 720p video recording at 30fps, which is suitable for casual use.

It's important to note that there is no front-facing camera, a feature that could limit appeal to users looking for advanced selfie capabilities or video calling features.

Battery Life

The phone includes a non-removable Li-Po 1700 mAh battery, delivering usage that can typically last a full day under moderate usage conditions. Users could expect to perform day-to-day activities such as calling, texting, and browsing the web without frequent recharging, though intensive tasks like gaming might drain the battery quicker.

Connectivity

The HTC 8S offers a range of connectivity options suitable for its era, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.1 with A2DP and EDR, and upgradeable to 4.0 with LE after the Amber update. It supports GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring broad compatibility for users around the globe. The phone also features GPS with GLONASS and an FM radio, providing additional utility features.

Audio and Multimedia

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it versatile for media consumption. Although it does not feature advanced audio enhancements, the loudspeaker performance is average, with voice clarity at 66dB, noise at 65dB, and ringtones at 75dB.

Additional Features

Among its sensors, the HTC 8S is equipped with an accelerometer and proximity sensor, contributing to basic functionality like auto-brightness adjustments and screen orientation changes. The phone offers a simple but effective approach to handling everyday smartphone interactions.

Market Position and Legacy

When it was released in 2012, the HTC Windows Phone 8S was positioned in the mid-range segment with an approximate price of 150 EUR. Its blend of unique design, Windows Phone 8 OS, and relative affordability made it an interesting choice for users seeking alternatives to the more common Android or iOS devices at the time.

Despite being discontinued, the HTC 8S remains a noteworthy chapter in HTC's foray into Windows-based smartphones, demonstrating innovation in user experience and design. While it holds historical significance, the HTC 8S now stands as a symbol of a bygone era where smartphone choices were more diverse.