Once again, the leaks have been proven accurate. HTC does have new mobile hardware in the pipeline. In fact, it’s not just one handset that HTC demoed during a quiet media event on Sunday morning, but four of them. We’re looking at three new Desire handsets – the Desire 530, 630 and 825 – and the higher-end HTC One X9 model (top image).
DON’T MISS: The 5 most exciting things about the revolutionary new LG G5
As you might have suspected, the higher you go with that number system, the better specs you’ll get. Although make no mistake, these aren’t flagship devices. There were no HTC One M10 “Perfume” announcements during the show.
So what is HTC doing differently with this year’s Desire? Well, for starters, each model should have a unique design. No, seriously. The company is applying a unique coat of splashes on the cases of the new Desires, called a micro splash effect. There’s also a way to tether each new Desire with a lanyard if your heart desires.
Regarding specs and features, the Desire 825 is the phone you should consider first, even if you’re on a tight budget. The device packs a 5.5-inch HD screen, 13-megapixel camera, Hi-Res audio headset, HTC BoomSound with Dolby Audio, and HTC’s full SensorHub suite.
The Desire 630 and 530 are identical in almost every way and are both 5-inch budget phones. However, the 630 keeps the 13-megapixel camera, Hi-Res audio headset and sound capabilities of the 825, while the 530 has an 8-megapixel main shooter, and comes without the same amazing sound capabilities.
The new Desires launch in March, though pricing details have not been revealed.
The HTC One X9 was the star of the show. The device is made of metal and resembles the iPhone more than you’d like to admit though the antenna on the back is definitely an improvement over Apple’s.
The phone is a better version of the Desire 825, featuring a 5.5-inch HD screen, a 13-megapixel camera with second-generation optical image stabilization and real-time anti-shake functionality, 5-megapixel camera with enhanced selfie features and Android 6.0 Marshmallow under the hood.
The HTC One X9 will launch in North Asia and EMEA in late February 2016, though we don’t have pricing details for it either.
The full press releases follow below.
STREETWEAR FASHION SPARKS DESIGN FOR LATEST HTC SMARTPHONES
Unique micro splash effect launches a new look for the Desire range
Barcelona, Mobile World Congress, February 21, 2016 – With the ambition of creating one-of-a-kind devices, HTC today lifted the lid on its latest smartphones. Inspired by urban street wear, the design of the three newest editions to the Desire range – the HTC DesireTM 530, 630 and 825 – bridge the gap between fashion and consumer electronics. Using a specially created micro splash effect on the polycarbonate shell, every single phone is both personal and unique.
Standing out – From Fashion to Phones
Playing to people’s personal tastes, their desire to be different and the fact that smartphones are now as much of a fashion accessory as they are a personal hub, HTC’s design team employed a paint process that treats each phone as a canvas. Utilizing specially designed spray nozzles and different settings of pressure and paint viscosity, they were able create an object that not only looks different, but that looks like nothing else on the market.Coming in a choice of colors – Stratus White Remix with duo color micro splash and Graphite Gray Remix with gold micro splash for the Desire 630 and 825, and Graphite Grey and Solid Stratus White block colors for the Desire 530, these phones deliver something personal for everyone.
Knowing that people like to customize their style and stay ahead of the trends, our design experts also created two-tone snap on cases that split into parts, a lanyard inspired by hand straps on bags and over 25,000 themes that enable you to change your device’s color scheme and background based on your favorite photos.
“HTC has built its reputation on pairing industry-leading design with smart features”, said Chialin Chang, President of Sales, HTC. “But with customers also seeking personalization, and individuality in addition to treating their phones as fashion accessories, we have needed to create something different. So today we’re launching the most unique Desire devices yet.”
Sound as it should be heard
But it’s not just about design. Sound is also incredibly important and, whilst music choice is incredibly personal, the demand for high quality audio is shared. Both the Desire 630 and 825 are Hi-Res Audio certified and feature HTC’s revolutionary BoomSound with Dolby Audio™ technology. Combined with audio playback, that is four times more detailed than CD quality, you are guaranteed a richer and more dynamic music experience. In select regions, the Desire 630 and Desire 825 will also come bundled with a Hi-Res headset that delivers higher fidelity music straight out of the box.Getting the perfect shot
With young people predicted to take up to 25,000 selfies in their lifetime , imaging quality also needs to hit the mark and so these phones have been specifically designed with a 5MP front facing camera and Auto Selfie and Voice Selfie Modes, that allow you to snap away without pressing a button. The integration of Live Make-Up on the Desire 630 and 825 ensures that your can touch up your face so that it always looks as good as your phone.Precision engineering continues with an 8MP rear camera on the HTC Desire 530, a 13MP on the Desire 630 and Desire 825 and built-in BSI sensors that increase the amount of light captured, giving you great images whatever time of day. Additional features like burst shot and sweep panorama allow you to freeze movement and create professional looking landscape photos, with Google Photos providing an ideal storage facility for your pictures and videos.
Feeling and looking good
With a phone that makes you stand out from the crowd, you want to feel as good as you look. Integrated into the Desire 825, is HTC Sensor Hub – a feature that lets you keep tabs on your wellbeing. Always on, HTC Sensor Hub records your activity, gestures and dynamic movement, providing real-time stats that can be automatically linked to some of the most popular fitness tracking applications, including Runtastic Running & Fitness, Runkeeper, Endomondo Running and Walking, and Google Fit.Availability
The HTC Desire 530, 630 and 825 will begin rolling out both at retailers and at htc.com, from March 2016. Check with your individual market for exact dates.
NEW METAL DESIGN TECHNIQUES INSPIRE HTC’S LATEST CREATION
Silky soft finishes and professionally tuned camera deliver the perfect recipe for the newly launched HTC One X9Barcelona, Mobile World Congress, February 21, 2016 – Following the trend that HTC set for all-metal smartphones when it launched the HTC OneTM M7, its design team has, once again, raised the bar when it comes to creating beautifully crafted devices.
Driven by the belief that design should be inspired by both your surroundings and personal and cultural influences, such as fashion and art, the newest member of the award-winning HTC One family – the HTC One X9 – pulls through the look and feel of high end silk, creating a softer, warmer and more luxurious finish to the phone.
Taking cues from the company’s metalmorphics philosophy, which draws on the natural beauty around us, by using rich, striking colors and unique finishes, the HTC One X9 uses a new technique to give it its fine texture. Tapping into the fashion world’s obsession with silver and gold, it comes in four colors – Carbon Grey, Opal Silver, Topaz Gold and Copper Rose – making it the perfect accessory.
At just 75.9mm, its glass curved front and finely honed corners make it one of the most slender handsets in its class. A 5.5-inch full HD screen with personalized color mode and rich display not only delivers the optimal multimedia experience, but also means that it is a phone you are proud to show off and carry around.
The hugely popular HTC Dot View™ II case adds the final design touch to the HTC One X9, fully enabling the beauty of this phone to shine through.
“Elegant, stylish and ergonomic smartphone design is an essential element for consumers today”, said Chialin Chang, President of Sales, HTC. “At the same time, they don’t want to sacrifice performance or screen size, so striking the right balance between style and size was key for this new addition to the HTC One family. The HTC One X9 draws on rich colors and unique finishes, combining them with a lightweight, slender metal design and larger screen for those who want a premium smartphone experience.”
Capturing beauty from both behind and in front of the lens
Working tirelessly to deliver an unparalleled experience, the camera quality on the HTC One X9 is one of the best in its class. By precision engineering two cameras, one front and one back, and a selection of image-enhancing features, the HTC One X9 enables you to capture breathtaking shots every time and from every angle. Combining the 13MP rear camera with its second-generation Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Real-time anti-shake functionality, and the front facing 5MP camera, with integrated Auto Selfie, Voice Selfie and Live Make Up, you can shoot clear, sharp, smooth images of the highest quality regardless of who is behind the lens.RAW format’s one button enhancement feature automatically brightens colors and sharpens edges with one push, and other imaging tools commonly used by professional photographers such as Pro Mode and an advance manual control, add the finishing touches what is already one of the best cameras in its class.
And if photography is not your thing, video buffs will have their inner film director inspired by 4K video resolution and Hyperlapse mode which allows you to create dramatic time-lapse effects.
Sound good to you?
Never compromising on audio, and with the knowledge that most people listen to music on their smartphone, the HTC One X9 creates larger than life audio, delivered by HTC BoomSoundTM with Dolby™ Surround. Integrated amplifiers bring out the best of your music and provide an even more dynamic range of sound.Software to stand out: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Premium smartphone hardware demands the best software to support performance and the HTC One X9 uses the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow features for the best user experience. Google Now on Tap intuitively provides information about whatever is on your screen by holding the home button. Google Backup for Apps automatically backs up app data it to all capable Android-powered devices.Accessories and availability
The HTC One X9 will begin rolling out in North Asia and EMEA at retailers and on htc.com, from the end of February 2016.
