After Samsung and Nokia, it was turn of HTC of Taiwan to introduce its two first smartphones powered by Microsoft’s Windows 8 OS on Wednesday, to break into a market dominated by Apple and Google.
“We’ve been inspired by Windows Phone 8 to create new smartphones that give the platform the iconic design and personality it deserves,” said Peter Chou, HTC’s chief executive. “Windows Phone has clearly emerged as one of the top mobile ecosystems and is competitive against any other smartphone platform in the world.”
The Windows Phone 8X is powered by a dual-core 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and features a 4.3″ inch super LCD 2 touchscreen with HD 720p resolution. The Windows Phone 8S is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and sports a 4″ inch super LCD touchscreen with WVGA resolution. The Windows Phone 8X offers total storage of 16 GB and it has 1 GB RAM. The Windows Phone 8S has a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus LED flash. Both the phones are said to offer studio-quality sound with Beats Audio built in. The Windows Phone 8X sports an 8 megapixel camera with auto focus, LED flash, and BSI sensor. It also has a 2.1 megapixel front camera. The Windows Phone 8S also offers total storage of 16 GB, but its memory is expandable up to 32 GB using a microSD card.
The Windows Phone 8S has 512 MB RAM. It weighs 113 grams with battery. The Windows Phone 8S will be available in Domino, Fiesta Red, Atlantic Blue and High-Rise Gray. The Windows Phone 8X will come in California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow colour options. The Windows Phone 8X includes an 1800 mAh battery, whitle the Windows Phone 8S includes a 1700 mAh. The 8X and 8S screens have Gorilla Glass protection.
The new devices will be marketed as the “signature” Windows Phone 8 smartphones, said Jason Mackenzie, HTC’s global head of sales. The devices would be available in November through more than 150 service providers in over 50 countries globally.
“Pairing HTC’s beautiful new Windows Phone 8X and 8S with our brand is a big milestone for both companies,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive. “Together we are offering customers a clear choice and a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to take our longstanding partnership to the next level.”
Like Nokia, HTC is under a lot of pressure to generate strong sales from its next round of smartphones as it has lost significant ground to Samsung Electronics and Apple.The rise of Apple and Samsung Electronics has pushed HTC to rank number three in the US smartphone market with an approximately 14% market share. The firm plans to regain turf with the introduction of these two new Windows Phone 8.
The two brightly coloured phones – the Windows Phone 8X and the Windows Phone 8S – will pit HTC directly against key Microsoft partner Nokia, which earlier this month also launched two colorful Windows 920 & 820. Besides Nokia, road ahead for HTC is bumpy and they will also face tough competition from Apple’s iPhone 5, Samsung’s Galaxy series and Windows 8 Ativ, Motorola Mobility’s new Android handsets. It will not be easy for HTC to get maximum share of ensuing festival season pudding.
