Windows Phone 8X by HTC review

Though this may have been rendered a distant memory thanks to the revolution in smartphones during the past five years, Microsoft and HTC used to be kind of a big deal with Windows Mobile back in the day.

It is only fitting then that the Taiwanese smartphone maker is building the “signature” devices for Microsoft’s re-return to the smartphone game with Windows Phone 8.

The honour conferred by being the “signature” device builder is that HTC’s devices simply bears the name of the new operating system: Windows Phone 8, with a single character denoting the model.

“Windows Phone 8X by HTC” and “Windows Phone 8S by HTC” is quite a mouthful, so invariably the devices are often referred to as simply the HTC 8X and HTC 8S.

The 8X is HTC’s high-end Windows Phone 8 device, boasting a set of specs to pit it firmly against the likes of the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Ativ S.

With Microsoft enforcing a degree of uniformity across its platform as far as the user interface is concerned, focusing on the things where the HTC 8X sets itself apart is therefore the most interesting place to start.

Design

HTC opted to go for an angular design with a curved back rather than a straight-forward rectangle.

The head of HTC’s Middle East and Africa outfit, Jon French, tells us that it was quite a feat to make the edges so thin and still fit all the components in the shell.

While complex engineering is fun to discuss, the bottom-line is the combination of the shell design and matte finish makes the device easy to grip.

Windows Phone 8X by HTC front and left side

HTC have also managed to place Windows Phone’s mandated power/wake switch, volume rocker, and dedicated camera button in such a way that they are almost flush with the edge.

Overall, HTC’s decisions make for an aesthetically pleasing device.

However, one design decision continues to perplex: why does HTC insist on placing the wake switch along the top edge of the device?

Though one-handed operation is still possible, it does require a bit of hand-gymnastics to reach around the back of the device to wake it up.

Cameras

One great thing about Windows Phone (as opposed to Android smartphones or iPhone), is the requirement for a dedicated camera button.

HTC said that they have given special attention to the Windows Phone 8X’s cameras, talking up its dedicated image processing chip whenever the topic of cameras comes up.

Both the front and rear camera boast impressive F2.0 lenses, with the front camera’s lens offering a wider angle than those on other smartphones we’ve reviewed.

This means that it’s harder to get your arm out of the self-shot, but it is also possible to fit more people in when holding the camera at arms length.

HTC 8X indoor, close-up camera test

All the talk of ImageChips and F-stops aside, the Windows Phone 8X has a competent shooter aboard, and the wide angle front-facing camera is great in a pinch, so long as you’re shooting outdoors.

Indoor shots often came out slightly over-exposed, which is most-likely thanks to the wide aperture available on the lens combined with a flash that doesn’t automatically adjust its intensity.

The only other camera issue actually stems from the dedicated camera button. Just like the old point-and-shoot of yore, if you don’t hold the camera absolutely still, shooting on the exhale and so forth, pictures come out blurry.

Fortunately for those with less steady hands, the HTC 8X is a smartphone and does feature a shutter button on the touch screen which tended to offer this reviewer better results.

Other hardware

The other hardware on the HTC 8X is pretty standard fare for a top-end smartphone.

Call quality was acceptable, though users should take note of where the microphone is placed on the lower edge. Some of our guinea pigs reported that the HTC 8X user’s voice faded at times, coinciding with a stray pinky finger gripping the bottom of the device right where the microphone hole is.

Battery life was fine, with the 8X lasting a full 16 hours on most days with moderate usage, including a bit of browsing, app downloading, and message feed checking (including mail and social media).

Upholding the Windows Phone tradition, the touch display is responsive while providing a crisp user interface.

Windows Phone 8X software screenshots

Software

The Windows Phone software works great on the hardware HTC built, with the standard apps for messaging, calling, cameras and the like working exactly as expected.

HTC also offers its own apps to set itself apart a little, which include the “HTC” app, a flashlight app, and a converter app.

The HTC app brings a Sense-like live tile to Windows Phone 8, showing a clock along with weather on your home screen. When you enter the app it also shows stocks and includes a news reader.

“Converter” is a standard unit converter which includes not only the standard stuff such as length and volume, but currency and timezone conversions too. As one might expect, the currency conversion requires an Internet connection.

Beats is the final piece of custom software that must be mentioned when discussing the HTC 8X.

Windows Phone 8X by HTC back

It may seem odd to discuss the Beats Audio capabilities of the HTC 8X under a section dedicated to software, but it has been fairly well documented that Beats is essentially a software equaliser trick.

That said, the difference between Beats “on” and “off” seems to largely be volume, with perhaps a few subtle differences in terms of bass and vocal boost.

This doesn’t mean the sound from the HTC 8X is bad, far from it, in fact. Buyers should just regard Beats as clever marketing until they’ve tried it for themselves.

I, for one, wouldn’t pay extra for the feature, but HTC also isn’t asking us to.

Pricing

Of the two Windows Phone 8 devices available in South Africa at the time of writing, the HTC 8X is the cheaper one.

There are fairly big difference between Nokia and HTC’s Windows Phone offerings that have to be taken into consideration along with the price, however.

Ecosystem

Although it’s been pointed out previously, it bears repeating that Microsoft’s full suite of content is not available in South Africa.

As with most manufacturers, unfortunately, music, books, TV series, and movies can’t be bought from Microsoft’s digital marketplace from a South African Microsoft account.

Only apps and games are available, but unlike some manufacturers Microsoft has localised its store for South Africa, showing prices in Rand.

South Africans are also able to sell their apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace, which is also not something all app stores allow.

Windows Phone 8X by HTC

The Verdict

The Windows Phone 8X is a great device, let down mostly by Microsoft’s fledging ecosystem.

Though not dealt with in depth here, the Windows Phone Marketplace still lacks many of the “top apps” Android and iOS users enjoy. Some of the apps that are on the platform already also aren’t yet as good as on other OSes.

If the platform gains popularity as predicted by a number of analysts, this problem will hopefully disappear in future.

That said, HTC’s Windows Phone 8X is a well-designed device at a competitive price-point that is worthy of any Windows Phone user’s consideration.

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