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HTC One S Pro Reviews

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AnandTech‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It took me a while to finish the One S review, partially because honestly I didn’t want to be done with it. Ok, well that's part of it, truth be told it took me far too long to finish the One S review, but I have some good excuses - a month full of abrupt life changes, a move across town, and a number of trips to exciting places covering the SGS3 announcement, Google I/O, and Windows Phone 8 all seemed to preclude hitting post on the One S review. The whole time, I've been using the T-Mobile One S with my own T-Mobile SIM and plan (the magical $30/mo prepaid one with unlimited SMS, 5 GB of full speed data, and 100 minutes) since getting it, and the device is almost always in my pocket alongside either the One X, SGS3, or Galaxy Nexus with my other AT&T line.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 17, 2012

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brighthand‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With the One S, HTC has created a new market category of smartphones which could be called an 'alternative flagship'. We are talking about a device whose each specification almost matches those of the currently most powerful smartphones on the market, and in several very specific details, it presents a better choice than the 'primary flagship' for certain purchasers. In the case of the One S, these details refer to dimensions; this smartphone is much more pleasant and practical to hold than the much larger One X. It offers the same software as the more expensive One X, with exceptional speed that even surpasses the One X. The price that those who choose the One S will pay includes a smaller screen and a lower screen resolution which, with the display's matrix, does not offer as sharp imaging as the One X does. Plus there's no microSD slot for expandable memory. Still, imaging quality is above average and in general, this smartphone's quality is also above average.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 17, 2012

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reghardware‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The One S is the Panther tank to the One X’s Königstiger. Smaller, lighter, not as visually impressive nor perhaps as iconic but at the end of the day still a fine and versatile device for use in the real world. That said it has been deliberately hobbled in some areas and of course it will forever be Liù to the One X’s Turandot.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 19, 2012

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PC Pro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A fine screen and camera backed up by surprisingly powerful hardware make for an excellent mid-range handset

8.3 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 22, 2012

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www.whathifi.com‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A smartly turned-out, solidly built, pocket-friendly slab of superlative smartphone

10.0 Rated at:

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Notebookcheck‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Despite our various tests, there is no clear winner. The smaller HTC One S offers a better packet for most users, as it has a dual-core processor from Qualcomm which offers more than enough performance for applications and games. The lower price and slim unibody of Aluminium are additional reasons to pick the HTC One S instead of its larger brother. The Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-Core SoC is the beating heart of the HTC One X and is especially powerful in specifically optimized games. The attractive design, the feel and workmanship of the new series left us with a good impression. The Smartphones use the latest Google OS: Android 4.0.3. The operating system is improved with the new HTC Sense UI 4.0. Both Smartphones have a 8 MP main camera with a LED flash, which is supported by HTC's own chip. The features of the HTC Image Sense package are nice extras. The protruding positioning of the lense and missing card reader are two flaws. HTC makes up for them with 25 GB of Dropbox storage. The HTC One X has the better screen with a higher resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, good values and a high-quality IPS panel. The One X is a high-end model with a quad-core SoC, more capacity, a Docking interface, a NFC chip and a larger 4.7 inch screen. Even though NFC is not ready to make payments at the supermarket, and the additional performance provided by the quad-core CPU is not noticeable, this editor would pick the HTC One X as it is technologically more advanced than its little brother. The Samsung Galaxy S3 is the next Android super star and will be available on the 29th of May.

8.8 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 08, 2012

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Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Sporting a thinner and lighter design, the One S doesn't deserve to be hidden in the shadow of its pricier brother. With the latest dual-core Snapdragon S4 and noticeable improvements to HTC's Sense UI, as well as Android 4.0 and a potent camera, this phone is likely to play a large part of the manufacturer's renewed efforts after a shaky 2011. With a tactile finish and enough power to go toe-to-toe with HTC's quad-core entrant, it comes down to whether you're willing to trade a technically weaker screen for a noticeable price difference and better battery life. It's a decision we'd prefer not to make.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 02, 2012

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Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Don't mess with a good thing -- that's clearly, wisely and rightfully the approach T-Mobile chose to follow when minting its own version of HTC's One S. There's no doubt this handset is the carrier's new flagship, a crown previously held by Magenta's Galaxy S II. If you can't afford the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus, $199 subsidized (after rebate) buys you a state-of-the-art Android smartphone that combines strong branding, refined design and a top-notch user experience. Now, can we have a One S with an HD or non-PenTile display, please?

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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TheVerge‘s review Edit Like Unlike

When it comes to first impressions, the HTC One S is an instant winner. It marries thinness with a subtle, exquisitely refined design, and its AMOLED display is exactly the sort of vibrant eye-catcher that attracts people in stores. It almost sounds like the perfect premise for a device that's all style and no substance, but that's not the case with the One S. Sure, on closer inspection that Pentile display can drive you to distraction, but I'm learning to forgive that downside for the rich upside on offer from the dual-core Snapdragon S4, ImageSense camera suite, and Ice Cream Sandwich OS. This wouldn't be an Android phone review, however, if I didn't bemoan the state of HTC's custom skin. Sense 4 is an improvement on the company's previous efforts, but that's not saying much. The skin sits like a lumpen deformity atop the sleek Ice Cream Sandwich and breaks up the otherwise quick user experience with frustrating design choices and a few instabilities all its own. The One S' qHD screen resolution is also quickly going out of style and rather lets down the rest of the top-notch spec sheet.

8.1 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 02, 2012

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Overall the HTC One S is a fabulous phone and has wonderful hardware. It does what it needs to do and it's got fabulous benchmarking scores. Unfortunately, Sense slows that experience down and makes the phone feel slower than it should. Combine that with the other items we've noted and we give the HTC One S 3.5 out of 5 stars.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 16, 2012

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Phone Scoop‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S for T-Mobile is by no means a perfect device. The biggest problem, in my mind, is the inconsistent voice quality I experienced. Almost every other facet of the device is excellent. The hardware is simply great, the display good, the battery life good, and the network performance excellent. The user interface could use some further refinement, but it is amazingly flexible and far better than anything running older versions of Android. The media capabilities of the One S are amazing, with plenty of power and options when it comes to consuming music, video, and games. Throw in the solid camera and video capturing tools, and the One S is as well-rounded a device as one could ask for. There's no doubt in my mind that the One S is the best smartphone available from T-Mobile at the moment. If you're in the market for a T-Mobile Android smartphone, this is the one to get.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 19, 2012

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S is one of the most impressive mobile phones we've handled recently - both in terms of hardware and software. The slim metal unibody (with either ceramic or anodized finish) is brilliant, HTC have outdone themselves here - and that's easily said than done. The 4.3" qHD Super AMOLED screen is a welcome change from the LCD-only lineup HTC had for a while. They've done much to improve the photo quality and add advanced features to the camera too. The Snapdragon S4 chipset with two powerful Krait cores and Adreno 225 graphics bested all current smartphones and will readily stand up to upcoming phones too - yes, even its quad-core sibling, the One X (and probably the rest of the quad-core phones that use Tegra 3).

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 11, 2012

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PC World‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S is the best phone on T-Mobile and one of the top Android phones overall for any of the four big carriers. Both AT&T and Sprint are releasing versions of the HTC One X, which has a bigger, higher-resolution display and LTE connectivity. Hopefully the call quality issues I experienced with my test HTC One S are an isolated incident. Phones can do a lot more these days than simply make calls, but call quality remains an important element to consider when buying a smartphone.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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expertreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A slim and light handset with an excellent camera, a fast chip and Android 4.0, but HTC's software can be annoying, there's no memory card slot and the faster One X doesn't cost much more

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 03, 2012

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Gizmodo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

If you're already on T-Mobile, seeking an upgrade, then totally. It's fast, sleek, and pretty excellent. If you're in between contracts, then it's not worth switching over for. The HTC One X on AT&T and the HTC Evo 4G LTE on Sprint are both better phones, with better screens, plus LTE and NFC. That said, most who buy it will likely be happy with it.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 26, 2012

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S is one of the top Android phones. The HTC One X has a bigger, higher-resolution display and LTE connectivity (not much use in the UK for now). Hopefully the call quality issues I experienced with my test HTC One S are an isolated incident. The lack of a storage expansion port is a shame, but other than that the HTC One S is a winner.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 19, 2012

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S looks good, feels good, and runs Android 4.0 out of the box. It's our favorite new powerhouse smartphone on T-Mobile.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 19, 2012

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TechRadar UK‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There are few phones we play with where we think that we have the complete package and would happily give five stars. The HTC One S would have had five stars had it not been for this ridiculous 16GB memory cap and non-HD screen. We'd have even settled for 32GB in the absence of an expansion card slot. If you're a music lover, you may be better hanging about for the yet-to-be-announced-but-we-all-know-it's-coming Samsung Galaxy S3. Or check out the HTC One X if you've shovel-sized hands. And it really pains us to say that because we want to tell you this is one of the best phones we've used in recent years. Which it is. And all that aside, if you're not bothered about a massive memory, you probably can't do much better now. The HTC One S is a beautiful handset blessed with beautiful capabilities and is already available at very palatable price points.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 17, 2012

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Big phones, like the Galaxy Note, remain outliers on the market. Even the One X is going to be too large for many, its 4.7-inch display delivering 720p resolution but demanding big pockets and, it has to be said, a fair amount of battery life too. The HTC One S is more of a compromise, true, but one which still delivers speed, longevity and construction that belies its mid-range ambitions. For those reasons alone, it deserves to be T-Mobile USA’s best-seller.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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CNET Reviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In many ways the HTC One S is the Android smartphone loyal T-Mobile subscribers deserve. It's slim, fast, and runs up-to-date software. At $199 the HTC One S may not be the most affordable handset in T-Mobile's roster. Still, as the freshest phone to hit the carrier's lineup in recent memory, it makes a very compelling choice indeed as the best it offers at the moment.

8.6 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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MobileBurn‘s review Edit Like Unlike

T-Mobile plans to offer the HTC One S for $199.99 on April 25. We can safely say that the One S will be the best smartphone available from the carrier when it becomes available, and it will likely hold that title for some time. For more on the HTC One S, be sure to check out our full review of the international version.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S is the more sophisticated handset out of the comparison with the Galaxy S II. It has the better design, faster camera and processor, and Sense 4.0 is much better woven into Android ICS than TouchWiz. The Samsung Galaxy S II compensates very well with its removable battery and regular SIM slot, as well as the expandable storage it offers. For a lot of people this added flexibility will make it the better handset, despite that the HTC One S excelling in almost every other department. As far as pricing goes, both handsets cost roughly the same now. Granted, we are on the verge of the next Samsung Galaxy S version launch, which might see discounts in the S II price, but the HTC One S tag will only be heading downwards from here as well.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Remembering all of the recent fond memories we’ve made with the European version of the HTC One S, T-Mobile’s version also delights us in many ways. Finally, T-Mobile customers will have an updated HTC offering that’s delivers that great balance of performance and features – even better when it flaunts one eye-catching design that rivals some of the best smartphones out there. Certainly, it’s rather difficult to classify it as a mid-range device, especially when it’s positioned in between the HTC One X and One V, but as we’ve blatantly mentioned before, it’s more in line as being an upper mid-range device. For all of its worth, the one thing that irks us more than others, is the $199.99 on-contract price it’ll be flaunting come launch day. As we’ve come to realize, the $200 price point is no longer associated with top of the line devices, but rather, it has been pushed up and over the $250 mark. Knowing that Sprint’s version of the HTC One X, the EVO 4G LTE, will be sporting the same price, it’s undeniably hard to justify T-Mobile’s reasoning. Don’t get us wrong, the $200 price point still seems fitting based on its killer industrial design and impeccable performance, but there’s simply an obvious disparity between the two – even more when the HTC One X is classified as a higher-end model.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

This is probably the best HTC phone we’ve used to date. While it still has too many apps pre-loaded and HTC’s interface is a bit quirky, the manufacturer has clearly learned from its mistakes. Thanks to a new AMOLED screen, great specs, the inclusion of Android 4.0, better music and Beats Audio support, a kickass new camera that rivals the iPhone, and an overall design that feels and looks like a next-generation Android phone, the One S is a definite return to form for HTC. This is a phone you can get excited about owning.

8.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 18, 2012

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Long story short you can't go wrong with these two handsets – they perform very well and look good in the process. The iPhone 4S has this halo of an Apple product that is hard to beat for the guy on the street, but about the only area that the HTC One S is inferior to it is screen resolution and pixel density. If you plan on watching plenty of videos, the One S is the better choice, though – it plays DivX/Xvid files up to 1080p out of the box and the larger screen, higher contrast and more vivid colors also make for a better video playback experience. Thanks to its smaller screen and size, the iPhone 4S is more comfortable to operate with one hand. The HTC One S is one of the most compact 4.3-inchers out there, but you can reach everywhere on the screen with your thumb only if you have larger hands. Both handsets have non-removable batteries and no memory card slots now, but the iPhone 4S has versions with different amounts of internal storage, and in mixed usage its battery life is better. You pay top dollar for extra storage in it, though.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 12, 2012

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In line with the intent to simplify its phone portfolio, HTC has made the One series trio pretty distinct from each other, and the final verdict in our One X vs One S comparison is very easy. If you are a sucker for large and brilliant HD screens, you won't be bothered by the HTC One X's dimensions or the about 100 bucks (or euros) price premium, and grab it without second thoughts. It's light and comes with 32GB of memory to soothe your non-expandable storage pains, not to mention the better picture-taking. If you are any other type of smartphone shopper, though, and that's the vast majority of people, we'd recommend you stick with the HTC One S – it is stunningly compact for a 4.3-incher, making one-handed operation easier, and also has a premium feel in the hand thanks to its thin ceramic metal or anodized aluminum chassis. You'll have to make do with 16GB of internal memory, but if you are eying any of those two, you are likely not bothered by their lack of memory card slots and non-removable batteries anyway.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 09, 2012

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Pocket-lint‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Like the HTC One X, the One S exhibits sensational design. It's a great handset both in terms of how it looks and how it performs. It might technically not be the company's flagship device, but aside from the screen, you'd never know that. As such, if you're pondering whether to buy the One X or the One S, then the choice seems clear: get the one you feel most comfortable holding. The One S will be better suited to smaller hands, but the trade-off is that you don't get the stunning screen of the One X. Put up against rival devices, the HTC One S will acquit itself well. With HTC Sense offering a huge amount right out of the box, the tweaks that HTC has made to its software UI both improve the experience from previous devices, while maintaining most of that Android feel, if not the native looks. Purists, of course, will argue that HTC Sense doesn't bring much that the right apps won't give you, but it's the small additions that make the difference. Naturally, the keyboard can be bettered and we found that the network streaming didn't work as it should, but neither are insurmountable: SwiftKey and Skifta solve these problems. In short, about the only thing that stands in the way of the One S is the choice of display. You can get a better, higher-definition, display at this size, but accepting that limitation, the HTC One S is an excellent handset.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 06, 2012

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Fudzilla‘s review Edit Like Unlike

HTC’s One S is the thinnest, fastest high-end phone we’ve seen to date and the new aluminum-turned-ceramic material feels great. One can argue that the phone looks a bit bland, it sticks with HTC’s traditional design and it will not turn heads, but this is a matter of taste. The camera is the best we’ve seen in this screen size and the phone performed admirable in all tasks and benchmarks, sometimes even outpacing the quad core Tegra 3. Some people will find HTC’s One X a bit too large and this is exactly the target group for the HTC One S. It’s a great phone, and although it does not have the best screen out there, it makes up with a very good processor, excellent camera and unparalleled build quality. It feels great in your hand, it’s comfortable to use, and generally it is a great phone, one of the best we’ve seen. Downsides include limited storage, but HTC aims to make up for it with 25GB of Dropbox storage. It would be nice if HTC worked out a way to use volume buttons as a camera shutter button.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 06, 2012

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One S might be the middle child in the new One lineup, but it can’t realistically be called mid-range just because the screen is qHD instead of HD. Upper mid-range would be a good fit, if you are a categorization nazi. We loved the compact and sturdy design with a very light and premium feel. In fact, the One S feels higher-end in the hand with its sexy slim metal body, toned by the anodized coating, than the flagship One X, made of fancy plastic. We also liked the very good call quality and the camera speeds (although the images themselves left a lot to be desired). All in all, we love the new trend in higher-end phones to pay attention to shooting speeds, as the phone often becomes your main camera when out and about, and, while nobody expects stellar results from a phone image sensor, we can at least get some speed now, and sometimes that's all you need for an impromptu shot. The new HTC Sense 4.0 is slimmed down, and runs peppy under the boost from the latest Snapdragon S4, which has a surprisingly good for Qualcomm new graphics processor. The OLED screen is a bit tacky to look at in the interface with its oversaturated colors, but when watching video these vivid colors, the pitch blacks and the deep contrast will make you want to throw your average cheap laptop with their terrible washed out displays out of the window.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 05, 2012

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It’s tough not to like the HTC One S’ physical feel. The design is subtle and discrete; it’s more how the smartphone feels in your hand that proves alluring. HTC’s metal-bodied phones have always felt sturdy, but the combination of sub-8mm thinness in a flex-free chassis add up to a device that feels more of a premium product than the true One X flagship manages. That’s not to say there aren’t compromises to be made. The AMOLED screen is clear and highly usable, but HTC had the chance to push the One S well ahead of the pack by opting for 720p resolution, and in comparison the qHD that was settled upon feels just average. It’s a perfectly fine display, but nothing more than that. No NFC seems short-sighted, too, and what we find subtle about the design, others might consider simply dull.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 02, 2012

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