The new HTC One is a full-spec quad-core Android phone with a heavily customised version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 4.7in HD screen and a camera that HTC describes as the best on the market. And it flies, oh how it flies. Updated on 28/03/13.
The new HTC One also enjoys top of the range build quality - throwing down a svelte aluminium guantlet to other high-end phones such as the iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Lumia 920 and Sony Xperia Z. It throws another expensive, large-screen handset into the mix, taking on the phones mentioned above as well as the BlackBerry Z10, other top Android phones and the best Windows Phone 8 devices. And it in no way suffers by comparison. Here's our HTC One review, with new HTC One benchmarks.
Stay on this page for our take on the HTC One's performance and build quality. On page two we look at HTC One display, audio and media. Click through to page three to find out about the HTC One camera and page four is where you find our review of the HTC One software and setup. Or just keep reading!
New HTC One: specs, performance, benchmarks
We normally start with a smartphone's design and build, and trust me that section is worth hanging around for. But we have to talk about the new HTC One's performance, because it is the fastest phone we have tested.
Straight out of the box it feels zippy. And there is good reason for that. The HTC One combines a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, quad-core, 1.7GHz processor with 2GB DDR2 RAM. It aced our GeekBench 2 synthetic performance benchmark, turning in a record average score of 2721 points. To put that into perspective the previous record holder was the Nexus 4 with a speedy 2009 points. The Sony Xperia Z - no slouch itself - scores 1986, and the iPhone 5 1650. Neither of those phones is slow, so you can see just how fast is the HTC One.
See also: iPhone 5 vs HTC One comparison review.
The good times continue when we tested graphics performance in our GLBenchmark HD framerate benchmark. The new HTC One smashed that test, too, turning in a top quality score of 34fps. That's not quite top of the shop - the iPhone 5 achieved a massive 38fps, and the Nexus 4 a so-far unmatched 39fps. The Sony Xperia Z managed 30fps. What that bewildering array of stats actually means is this: the HTC One is one of a few phones that offer stunning graphics performance.
In the SunSpider 2 test that measures JavaScript performance the HTC One is again close to the best. Our current gold standard is the iPhone 5 with a blink and you'll miss it time of 903ms. The HTC One almost matches this with an average score of 1213ms. By contrast the Xperia Z was much slower at 1791ms. Web browsing on the new HTC One is swift and snappy.
In terms of storage you will have a choice of 32GB or 64GB. Sadly there is no expandable storage. There's an internal GPS antenna, GLONASS and a digital compass, as well as a gyro sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor. In terms of connectivity you get a 3.5mm stereo audio jack, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and a micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link.
The HTC One is a smartphone boasting performance that beats or matches the best of the rest in all key areas. See also: Group test: what's the best Android phone?
HTC One video review - One of the best smartphones there is
New HTC One: build quality and design
The new HTC One is also a beautiful object. HTC says it has the best build quality of any phone on the market. It would.
That is of course a subjective claim that cannot be proved or disproved. Let's say only this: in terms of the feel of the materials, and the way they fit together, we can name no smartphone that obviously bests the HTC One. It's like a bigger iPhone 5 with rounded edges, or a non-metallic Sony Xperia Z (without the flappy ports).
It is virtually all metal, aluminium in fact. Indeed the only part of the HTC One's shell that isn't obviously made of lightweight metal is the Gorilla Glass screen and a slim plasticky band that runs around the edge.
Like the iPhone 5 and Xperia Z the HTC One is also light for such a well-put-together device, yet it feels solid. HTC claims the new HTC One weighs 143g. According to the PC Advisor scales it is a much more significant 144g. But what's a gramme between colleagues? The key point is that it is big and solid, but surprisingly light. The iPhone 5 is a much lighter 112g, but the case in which I keep mine adds another 17g - this is a personal opinion, but I want to protect the iPhone, whereas the HTC feels like it could withstand the slings and arrows of life in my pocket unscathed. See also: Group test: what's the best smartphone?
It's like the BlackBerry Z10 in that respect, only it feels like a much more desirable object. The Sony Xperia Z is probably the closest matched device in terms of size, shape and want-me coolness - that phone is marginally thinner at its widest point: 7.9mm as opposed to the HTC One's 9.45mm. But both weigh almost exactly the same.
Like the Xperia Z, the HTC One is perfectly balanced. That weight and size isn't a problem - it fits neatly into my trouser pocket. One minor down side is that the display isn't quite edge to edge, although the bezel is far from huge.
We have to point out the all-aluminium back. We wanted to be sceptical after HTC made such claims for the design and build of the new HTC One, but this sheet of brushed metal is the finishing touch on a beautifully put together device. This is a shiny precious thing you will want to have and hold.
There is one caveat, however. As I was testing the HTC One the back got hot to the touch. Not too hot to hold, but enough to make me worry about its long-term health. I was running benchmarks at the time which put enormous strain on the components, but it's not something you like to feel. (We've read reports elsewhere of this phenomenon, so it is an important consideration.)
Comments
Lili said: Great phone but I think the design was inspired or copied from Sony Xperia P Like what I thought about their Windows phone also inspired by Nokia Lumia IMO
edgard said: good news Madif the working temperature of the device is 29c is nece completly diferent form the previous modelby the way I am sure you will never put the ears on the hot engine of the porche
The Mad Duke said: I do already have a program that does give me the temperature I had taken the device off charge 5 minutes ago and the device was actually cold Its now currently running at 29 degrees which is good I really dont know what the fuss is about I had a galaxy S2 which ran much hotter that this Also key point I would of expected the HTC One it to feel hotter because it is heyho made of metal Ironically it doesnt for me at leastIm afraid its cased closed in my personal experience besides I wouldnt buy a porche and do 187mph on the autobahn and then complain the engine is hot just baffles me this issue
edgard said: hi Mad Duke I had the previos model HTC ONE X it got realy hot I had to return to the store the phone easily reach more than 50c after 5 minutes of taking photos or watching an excelwell I am planning to buy the HTC ONE bu I am afraid to find this problem again could you instal the app to control the procesor and batery temperature and let us the temperature reachedplease do that
edgard said: hi MATT I had the previos model HTC ONE X it got realy hot I had to return to the store the phone easily reach more than 50c after 5 minutes of taking photos or watching an excelwell I am planning to buy the HTC ONE bu I am afraid to find this problem again could you instal the app to control the procesor and batery temperature and let us the temperature reachedplease do that
edgard said: hi Jay I had the previos model HTC ONE X it got realy hot I had to return to the store the phone easily reach more than 50c after 5 minutes of taking photos or watching an excelwell I am planning to buy the HTC ONE bu I am afraid to find this problem again could you instal the app to control the procesor and batery temperature and let us know how or until what increaseplease do that
matt said: not always the case For example go feel a radiator that has been turned off for quite some time in your house somewhere now feel something else nearby notice how the radiator feels colder well its not its at room temperature that material just loses heat much more quickly to your hand hence why its a good radiator
foodess said: Ive had my HTC One for 2 weeks to review and I love it - it takes gorgeous photos that blow my iphone out of the water I especially love the macro effect Im giving one away right now on my blog httpbitly12jDxiP You can see the pictures it takes there too
Jay said: You are chatting rubbish I have an htc one since launch Never gets hot in use You probably tested a faulty one or you just want to find a flaw
ian said: I have actually never commented on one of these forums in my life until I seen your stupid comment trying to belittle someone else when you obviously have no clue Aluminium and aluminum are moat definitely the same material they are different spellings of British and American origin coming from the mineral Alumina Read a book idiot
Michael Noel said: I ordered mine last week but yesterday the ATampT store had one and they let me play around with it for nearly 2 hours Its staggering how much more beautiful this phone is than anything you see in picturesvideos In your hand it feels like its about 5mm thick and not the 9mm that it is in the center You hold this thing with your fingers and dont even notice that its larger in the back curves But from a pure design point of view Ive been in the design field for over 30 years this is easily the most beautiful product design of its type since the iPhone 5 As for blinkfeed its easily made into a secondary home screen but it is a very nice little feature as well The screen was stunning and I was watching some of the Masters yesterday which looked better than my 47 inch HDTV
Michael Noel said: So what makes that un perfect Maybe they designed it that way My car has a few sharp edges as well as does my computer and just about everything else I played with this phone at ATampT yesterday for 2 hours and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the build of this beauty Its easily the best designed phone out there since the iPhone 5 And its aluminum not aluminium Those are two completely different materials
Mr Mistoffelees said: Sign another reviewer with no knowledge on even basic material science FYI Aluminium is one of the softer and weaker and cheapest metal aroundDo you seriously think they would use pure aluminium and not a stronger and harder alloy
hohopig said: mmm from what I saw of other review less than standard unless you only view it over the dinky screen of the phone or a small screen laptop Once you expand the photo to even just a 17 inch HD display the lack of details is very evident
hohopig said: hope you had a casing over it by then
hohopig said: or refund if they cant change for you
hohopig said: Sign another reviewer with no knowledge on even basic material science FYI Aluminium is one of the softer and weaker and cheapest metal around So it is a stretch to call it premiumAnd plastic composites has come a long way with properties that rival metals While I doubt that Samsung would actually use the top range expensive composites experiences and reviews does seems to shows that the composites used are more scratch proof and tough than Aluminium which are prone to dents and scuffing So until they come up with a phone that actually used stainlesshigh speed tool steel for the casing save it with the so called premium build
The Mad Duke said: Ive been using my HTC ONE continually since I bought it a few weeks ago Not only does it not overheat it is actually cool to touch Temperature does raise slightly when charging sometimes but nothing worth mentioning Great phone although I have dropped it onto concrete slab already
amont said: Actually when something feels hot it means that the something you are touching is at a higher temperature than your hand it will of course loose heat to the cooler surface as both surfaces attempt to come to an ambient temperature
tannercarter said: HTC is one of the best brand one can have and the HTC one has proved it againseo new jersey