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Welcome to the 2012 HTC One XL review. It 's been a long time since we've tested an HTC phone due to the lack of any interesting models to write about. However with the release of this model things have changed. In fact we think that the One XL is indeed one of the best Android based smart phones. Unfortunately it still priced quite high being the current top of the range model but at least it works and feels like it! At the time of writing the One XL was selling for $668 outright.
Note that the difference between the HTC One X and the One XL is the different CPU but just as quick, 4G and color availability. The One X is available in white and the One XL in grey, we prefer the grey version.
The HTC One XL construction and build quality is excellent, light enough and very solid. The curved screen edges and frame give it a comfortable 'built' for long term use. The HTC feels like its made of an exotic material not plastic or metal due to the coating and can only be described as very cool. Sure it might smooth out over time but first impressions do count for lots. We're sure that most will probably buy some sort of case for it regardless.The 4.7 inch screen is big enough and the screen image quality is very good too. It may not be the leading edge AMOLED screen but it is better than the iPhone4S in terms of real life color re-production. The only thing missing is a microSD card memory expansion. The overall size of the phone is not too big or small...
In terms of operation the HTC One XL has the latest version of Android and the customised interface called 'HTCsense' which is the best set of modifications we've seen on an Android phone. The menus are 99% smooth with only heavy duty widgets causing micro second delays with updates from the main screen as per any Android OS phone everywhere else there is literally nothing else to really complain about. Like most HTC models it has the Beats sound enhancement and it makes the best music player out of any mobile phone we've heard to date. Sure it doesn't have all the latest software features like the Samsung Galaxy S3 but you probably won't miss them.
In all honestly the ability to run widgets on the main menu screens (for any andriod OS phone) with just a flick of the finger is a fantastic feature instead of trying to find the app icon running it than closing etc.. is now strangely annoying.
The only problem we found on the One XL was it's relatively low battery life, lasting a mere 1.5 days with minimal usage.
In the end we think the HTC One XL is the best value top end Android OS based smart phones to date. It has a very slick and speedy interface with amazing options. It does everything the newly released and still outdated iPhone 5 can do and more, with a much more impressive interface. It almost matches the Samsung Galaxy S3. We think the One XL is a great buy, priced less than the currently leading Samsung Galaxy S3.
Specifications
- HTC One X
- Network
Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Quad-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100
Single band 4G LTE
- Design
Touch screen
L134.36 x W69.9 x D8.9 mm
- Weight 130 grams
- Display/s
4.7 inch 1,280 x 720
- Camera
8MP auto-focus
LED Flash
2nd forward facing video call camera 1.3MP (720p)
- Video Camera
1080p high definition 30FPS main video camera
- Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth V4
NFC
DLNA
GSM and 3G networks
- CPU
1.5 Ghz Quad Core
Separate Graphic CPU
- Memory
1Gig RAM
32Gig for user
- Features
- A-GPS
Gyro sensor
Proximity sensor
Digital compass
Ambient light sensor
FM Radio with RDS
Ring tones: MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
AndroidApp store
Beats Audio
Music and Media player
Organiser/Calender
SMS, MMS, IM, Email
Speaker Phone/Hands free
- Battery
Li-Po 1,800 mAh battery
Up to xxx hours Standby
Up to xx hours Talk Time
- Price history
Under $650 AUD late 2012 (Outright)
