Microsoft, HTC partner on Windows Phone 8 devices

·19 Sep 2012

HTC announced today (19 September 2012) that it will be partnering with Microsoft to launch the signature Windows Phone 8 devices in November.

The Taiwanese smartphone maker unveiled two Windows Phone 8 devices, finally putting to bed rumours around the HTC 8X (or HTC Accord) that were previously leaked to media.

Both devices will sell under a joint name from Microsoft and HTC, with the HTC 8X becoming the Windows Phone 8X by HTC. It will also get a lower cost sibling called the Windows Phone 8S by HTC.

In the spec sheets accompanying the reveal of the two devices, HTC said that both devices would include Beats audio.

However, the specifications of the 8X are significantly higher, starting with its 720p, 4.3-inch super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass.

HTC also announced an 8 megapixel camera for the Windows Phone 8X, boasting a 28mm F/2.0, 88-degree wide-angle lens, with a back-illuminated sensor. The front camera will be HD-capable, HTC said, boasting a resolution of 2.1 megapixels.

The Windows Phone 8S is intended to be HTC’s “more affordable” device, the company said, and features a 4-inch WVGA (480×800) super LCD display with Gorilla Glass.

The camera of the 8S also has a reduced spec, featuring a 5MP sensor, f/2.8 aperture and 35mm lens.

The rest of the specifications provided by HTC are summarised in the table below:

Specifications	Windows Phone 8X by HTC	Windows Phone 8S by HTC
Maker	HTC	HTC
Display	4.3″ 720p (720×1280) S-LCD2	4.0″ WVGA (480×800) S-LCD
Camera, primary	8MP	5MP
Camera, secondary	2.1MP	None
Storage, internal	16GB	4GB
Storage, expandable	No	No
RAM	1GB	512MB
Processor	1.5GHz Qualcomm S4 dual-core	1GHz Qualcomm S4 dual-core
Battery	1,800mAh	1,700mAh
Cellular data	HSPA 850/900/1900/2100	HSPA 900/2100
SIM type	Micro SIM	Micro SIM
NFC	Operator dependent	No