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HTC One X
HTC One X
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HTC One X (International)
HTC One X
ManufacturerHTC Corporation
TypeSmartphone
SeriesHTC One
Availability by region
April 2, 2012 (2012-04-02)
April 5, 2012 (2012-04-05)
  • United Kingdom[3]
April 20, 2012 (2012-04-20)
April 26, 2012 (2012-04-26)
PredecessorHTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL
SuccessorHTC One (M7)
RelatedHTC One S, HTC One V, HTC Evo 4G LTE
Form factorSlate
Dimensions134.36 mm (5.290 in) H
69.9 mm (2.75 in) W
8.9 mm (0.35 in) D
Weight130 g (4.6 oz)
Operating systemAndroid 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense 4 (upgradable to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5)
System-on-chipNvidia Tegra 3 T30
CPU1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore
GPUNvidia ULP GeForce 520 MHz
Memory1 GB RAM
Storage32(26) GB; 16(10) GB available for user; 2 GB reserved for applications
Removable storageNone
Battery1,800 mAh Li-Polymer
Rear camera8-megapixel camera with auto focus, smart LED flash, BSI sensor, F2.0 aperture, 28mm lens, dedicated imaging chip, continuous shooting.
1080p HD video recording, video stabilization, slow motion video capture (768 × 432 pixels).
Front camera1.3-megapixel front camera (720p for recording and video chat)
Display4.7 in (120 mm) Super LCD 2[6] with RGB matrix
1280×720p pixels (16:9 Aspect ratio) (312 ppi)
Corning Gorilla Glass 2.0
Connectivity2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1,800/1,900 MHz
3G (UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+): 850/900/1,900/2,100 MHz
Wi-Fi: 2.4/5.0 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n
NFC with Android Beam
Bluetooth: 4.0 with aptX
DLNA
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Hotspot
microUSB 2.0 with support for USB OTG
CodenameEndeavor
EndeavorU
SAR0.68 W/Kg@10g (Head)[7] 0.70 W/Kg@10g (Body)[7]
Otheraccelerometer, gyrometer, digital compass, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor

The HTC One X is a touchscreen-based, slate-sized smartphone designed and manufactured by HTC. It was released running Android 4.0.3, (upgradeable to 4.2.2) with the HTC Sense 4.0 skin (later upgradeable to 5.0). The One X is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 3 for most international GSM carriers, making this the first HTC phone to be equipped with a quad-core processor, while a variant which is LTE capable is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. The One X was announced on February 26, 2012, at the Mobile World Congress and was HTC's sixth flagship product,[8] leading the HTC One series from the time of its release through April 2013,[9] when its successor the HTC One (M7) was announced.

Specifications

[edit]

Software

[edit]

The One X shipped with the Android 4.0.4 mobile operating system with the HTC Sense 4.0 graphical user interface.[10] The upgrade to Android 4.2.2 with Sense 5 is available for most regions like Asia, Europe, Middle East, the Americas, and Australia. 25 GB of Dropbox storage is offered free for two years.[11]

Some users have noticed that multitasking does not work on the HTC One X as it does in stock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich since the system more aggressively terminates apps in the background. HTC has explained that they customized Android on the One X so that HTC Sense has priority over background apps when memory is low.[12][13]

On July 20, 2012, HTC confirmed that the One X, along with the One S, would be receiving a firmware update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, however did not announce a release schedule for these improvements.[14][15] The refreshed One X+ comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. By mid-November and early December, the Android 4.1.1 update began rolling out worldwide, bringing many new features and improvements such as the Google Now implementation, Project Butter giving it an overall smoother UI and battery optimizations which help improve battery life and to quell overheating. On June 20, 2013, a functional Ubuntu Touch build was made available for download. The HTC One X, The 2013 HTC One plus also The HTC Butterfly and the refreshed version of the HTC One X, called the One X+ was promised an update by HTC to the latest version Android 4.2.2 and the new Sense version 5 in the near future and just a few days later on the 19th of August, the update officially began rolling out to the One X, bringing it up to date with the newest sense version, Sense 5 UI, Android version 4.2.2, Quick Toggles and many software improvements found in the 2013 HTC One.[citation needed]

Hardware

[edit]

The One X is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 3 system on a chip with a 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPU for most international GSM networks, or a 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Krait (MSM8960) SoC with an integrated on-die LTE (4G) primarily for North American LTE carriers. It features 1 GB of RAM; a 1,800 mAh battery, a dual-band 802.11n WiFi radio, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, GPS, and NFC. It comes with 16 or 32 GB of internal storage but does not feature external storage. The One X also features a standard array of sensors including a digital compass, proximity sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer and ambient light sensor.

The One X has three physical keys; a power button on the top and higher and lower volume buttons on the right side. On the front of the One X are three capacitive touch keys for the Back, Home, and Recent Application functions.

On the left side of the One X is a Micro USB 2.0 port. This port doubles as a MHL interface, allowing the One X to output 1080p content to an external display via HDMI through the use of an adapter. A 3.5 mm headphone jack is located on the top of the One X as well as one of the two stereo microphones. The second microphone is located on the bottom. The One X has two speakers, a loudspeaker on the rear of the phone and a speaker above the front display, serving as the earpiece. The front speaker grill also houses the notification LED, which flashes green for notifications, flashes red for low battery, and illuminates red when the phone is charging.

The rear of the One X has the raised camera dome, and the flash for the accompanying camera. In addition, another distinguishing feature of the rear of the One X are the five charging pins or "Pogo Pins". On the AT&T variant of the One X, and the One X+, AT&T has moved these pins to a different position, resulting in the AT&T models being incompatible with the vast majority of accessories that make use of these charging pins.[16]

Display

[edit]

The One X features a 4.7-inch (120 mm) 1,280x720 pixel (RGB matrix) Super LCD 2 display, with a pixel density of 312 pixels per inch, covered by a single pane of Corning Gorilla Glass 2.0. [16][17][18]

Battery

[edit]

The One X features a 1,800 mAh battery. For the One series, HTC spent thousands of man hours on a Battery Stamina Boost Project due to general consumer complaints about the notably poor battery life of previous HTC devices.[19][20] HTC researched "the SoC, networking, display, operating system and preloaded applications" in order to improve battery life.[16][21]

Audio

[edit]
Image of the rear of the HTC One X

The device comes with a Beats Audio equalizer. While the One X typically includes a set of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, the device only comes with a standard set of white headphones in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. In Canada on Rogers and the United States on AT&T, the standard retail packaging does not include any headset. In Australia, the device includes a set of color-matched HTC-branded headphones.[22]

Camera

[edit]

The rear-facing camera has an 8-megapixel back-illuminated sensor with a maximum aperture of f/2, autofocus, an LED flash dubbed HTC Smart Flash[23] with three levels of brightness (determined by distance from the subject), and a dedicated imaging chip. With a startup time of 0.7 seconds and 0.2 seconds per shot, it beats even the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in camera speed.[18] The camera can record 1080p video at 24 frames per second and 10 megabit/s[18] in h.264 with the baseline profile, with stereo audio. The flashlight can be toggled during recording.[24] It can take four photos per second while recording video.[10][22][25][26] It also has slow motion video capture and playback (768 × 432 pixels) at an unspecified sensor frame rate. The output video is measured at a third of real-time speed.[26] Shooting modes include High Dynamic Range (HDR) and panorama.[10] The One X does not feature a physical_camera_button.

The front-facing camera has a resolution of 1.3 megapixels.[22] It is capable of 720p, 30 frames per second recording at 5 megabits/s, also in h.264 baseline.[24][27]

The image processor is HTC's ImageChip, a part used in common with other devices in the HTC One series (2012 models like the HTC One S and One V).[10] According to HTC, ImageChip removes noise, balances color, and extends depth of field.[23] The software is HTC's ImageSense.[23]

Model variants

[edit]

One X (North America) / One XL

[edit]

The HTC One X LTE for North America has been carried by Rogers Wireless in Canada since April 20, 2012 (2012-04-20)[28] and AT&T Mobility in the United States since May 6, 2012 (2012-05-06).[29] It is 0.4 mm longer than the international model, and features a 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (MSM8960) SoC with an integrated on-die LTE (4G) modem instead of the Nvidia Tegra 3 which requires an external modem and is LTE-incompatible, and 16 GB of internal storage instead of 32 GB.[30] AT&T cites incompatibility between Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor and LTE radios currently available on the market as the reason for the difference in processors.[31] Benchmarks have shown the battery life of the Snapdragon S4 variant to be marginally better than the Tegra 3 version for various common tasks, except for web browsing where the North American model placed 15-30% better. This is primarily due to a smaller manufacturing process, 28 nm, of the Snapdragon S4 SoC compared to 40 nm for the Nvidia Tegra 3 inside the international HTC One X.[21][32]

The AT&T version omits many apps, including Voice Recorder, Polaris Office, FM Radio, Flashlight, and Dropbox. It adds many AT&T apps, including AT&T Code scanner, AT&T FamilyMap, AT&T Navigator, AT&T Ready2Go, Device Help, Live TV, and myAT&T.[33]

In markets outside of North America where the Snapdragon S4 (LTE) is sold alongside the Tegra 3 (most international GSM), the Snapdragon S4 variant is branded as the HTC One XL. The device is almost identical to the North American version, using a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 SoC with an LTE-capable modem in place of the Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core SoC, but is also available in both 16 GB and 32 GB versions.[34]

The CDMA variant which is known as the Evo 4G LTE, released exclusively for Sprint, features largely the same hardware as the HTC One X LTE, but adds a MicroSD slot and a kickstand which is popular with users of the HTC Evo 4G (WiMax).

United States import ban

[edit]

On 15 May 2012, shipments of both the One X and the Evo 4G LTE were delayed by U.S. Customs by order of the International Trade Commission, to ensure that its software complied with an import ban imposed on HTC involving a patent owned by Apple.[35][36] The patent covers software that converts phone numbers and email addresses in text into links and presents a menu of possible actions when these links are tapped. On May 21, 2012, the Taipei Times reported that the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE shipment had cleared US Customs and was entering the United States.[37] To comply with the ruling, the software on North American models will not follow Android's default behavior of offering a menu of apps in these circumstances, instead certain apps are assigned by default and the settings menu contains extra options for changing these associations.[36]

One XC

[edit]

The HTC One XC is a Chinese variant of the One X, which bears similar specifications to the dual core LTE version. Its body strongly resembles the Evo 4G LTE, but has a golden band instead of the red kickstand and a golden rim around the rear camera lens.

One XT

[edit]

The HTC One XT is another Chinese variant of the One X which is exclusive to China Mobile. It is identical to the international quad core version, but is designed to run on China Mobile's TD-SCDMA network instead of GSM.[38]

One X+

[edit]

The HTC One X+ was unveiled on October 2, 2012. It is a refreshed version of the One X with a new red and grey or white casing, 64 GB of storage, a larger 2100 mAh battery, an updated Nvidia Tegra 3 clocked at 1.7 GHz, support for GLONASS and an improved front camera (1.6 megapixels, f/2.2). It runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with an update to HTC Sense UI named "Sense 4+".[39] The North American version has a Qualcomm MDM9215 modem for LTE usage. Currently the North American version is exclusive to AT&T in the US and Telus in Canada. It is only available in black and has white Beats logo on the back and white accents on its buttons instead of red. Although the One X+ on AT&T received the update to Android 4.2, the Telus version never officially received the update. It has been announced that HTC One X+ would not get further updates, although it did receive a patch for the Heartbleed security vulnerability. The last Android version to run on is Android 4.2.2.[40]

Model comparison table

[edit]
Model One X (International)

S720e / G23

One XL

X325e / X325s

One X (North America)

X325a

One X+

S728e

One X+ (North America)
Codename HTC Endeavor HTC Evita HTC Endeavor C2 HTC Evitare UL
Countries International Hong Kong, Australia, Germany,[41] Singapore, United Kingdom Canada, United States International Canada, United States
Carriers International Telstra, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, O2 Germany, EE AT&T, Rogers Wireless, Telus International AT&T, Telus
2G GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
3G UMTS/HSPA+ 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz 850, 1900, 2100 MHz 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz
4G LTE No 800,[42] 1800, 2600 MHz 700, 1700, 2100 MHz No 700, 1700, 2100 MHz
Dimensions 134.36 mm (5.290 in)
69.9 mm (2.75 in)
8.9 mm (0.35 in)
134.8 mm (5.31 in)
69.9 mm (2.75 in)
8.9 mm (0.35 in)
134.4 mm (5.29 in)
69.9 mm (2.75 in)
8.9 mm (0.35 in)
Weight 130 g (4.6 oz) 135 g (4.8 oz)
Operating system Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 with HTC Sense 5 Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 with HTC Sense 5 Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 with HTC Sense 5 Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 with HTC Sense 5 Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 with HTC Sense 5
SoC Nvidia Tegra 3 AP33 Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 Nvidia Tegra 3 AP37
CPU 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Krait 1.7 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore
GPU Nvidia Geforce ULP (520 MHz) Qualcomm Adreno 225 Nvidia Geforce ULP (520 MHz)
RAM 1 GB
Storage 32(26) GB
16(10) GB available for user
2 GB reserved for applications
16 or 32 GB 16 GB
12 GB available for user
2 GB reserved for applications
64 or 32 GB,
55 or 26 GB available for user
64 GB
55 GB available for user
Battery 1,800 mAh 2,100 mAh

Reception

[edit]

The HTC One X which features ImageSense and Beats Audio won two awards at the Mobile World Congress held on February 25, 2012, in Barcelona, firstly, the "Best Smartphone of MWC" by Laptop Magazine[43] and secondly, the "Best in Show" award[44] by Tom's Hardware.

The HTC One X received positive reviews from technology review sites. Chris Ziegler of The Verge gave the phone an overall score of 8.4 out of 10, listing the design, display and camera UI as the best features of the phone, while Sense 4.0, image/video quality, and battery life could not be better.[16] He writes, "[the] One X isn’t just one of the best Android phones I’ve ever used — it’s one of the best mobile devices I’ve ever used, period."[16] Tech reviewing websites CNET and Engadget have described the HTC One X as "one of the greatest phones of all time."

Brent Rose of Gizmodo writes that "The HTC One X is easily better than the iPhone 4S" and "The screen is most definitely better, there are many more features, and the design is far superior, and the larger screen size is a definite plus", conceding that to not like this device, "you must be insane."[17] Rose went on to say "By the beard of Zeus, the screen! The 4.7-inch Super LCD2 is simply the best screen on a mobile device. Ever."[17] In a review by The Verge, Chris Ziegler writes that the "One X's display is, without a hint of hyperbole, the best I've ever seen on a phone. Full stop. Seriously, I'm struggling to find fault with it in any way: it's got a near-perfect 180 degree viewing angle and perhaps the most accurate color reproduction and color temperature available".[16] Myriam Joire of Engadget writes, "On the non-PenTile One X, colors seemed more natural and the whites were whiter than on AMOLED devices like the Galaxy Nexus."[18]

As one of the newest and highly anticipated flagship phones running Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich", and with their LTE-capable versions sharing the same Snapdragon S4 SoC, the HTC One X is frequently compared to the Samsung Galaxy S III.[45] Critics generally regarded the One X's build quality and Super LCD2 screen to be better than the Galaxy SIII plasticky body and AMOLED PenTile display, with some noting that the One X's display may not have the same level of blacks or vibrancy as an AMOLED but having more accurate colour reproduction/temperature with less oversaturation, but the Galaxy SIII had a removable battery and a MicroSD slot that the One X lacked. TechRadar ranked HTC One X second to the Galaxy S III on their 20 best mobile phones in the world on September 13, 2012. Despite the positive reception, the One X was viewed as commercially unsuccessful and overshadowed by the Galaxy SIII in terms of sales and marketing, as well as the iPhone 4S.

The HTC One X is also frequently compared to the HTC One S, which sits just below the One X in HTC's 2012 lineup. The LTE-capable One X shares much of its hardware with the One S, including the dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 SoC. The One X's S-LCD 2 is considered superior to the One S's Super AMOLED Pentile display and the One X (Snapdragon S4 variant, not the Tegra 3) includes an LTE-capable modem that the One S lacks; however the One S has better battery life and a form factor that is easier to hold.[1]

The refreshed HTC One X+ has received a positive but mixed reception. Some reviewers noted that it was a stopgap solution, as that the use of a higher-clocked quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 SoC (with its 40 nm manufacturing process) was less power efficient than the 28 nm Snapdragon S4, and that HTC missed a chance to use the new quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro which debuted in the Nexus 4 and LG Optimus G and scored significantly higher in GPU tests. The One X+'s 20-30% speed advantage in benchmarks over the regular One X would be decreased once the latter received an update to Android 4.1 "Jellybean". The One X+ offers 64 GB of storage which offsets a major deficiency on the original LTE-capable One X, which had no MicroSD slot and which only came with 16 GB of storage in Canada and the USA.[46][47]

Reported problems

[edit]
  • HTC has confirmed that the Wi-Fi connectivity issues of the Tegra 3 version are a hardware problem, and the problem will be resolved in future versions.[48]
  • HTC has conceded that it is normal for the phone to reach temperatures of 55 °C (131 °F) when performing CPU- and GPU-intensive activities (such as playing games) for extended periods of time.[49]
  • Some users have reported that their devices are stuck in the "airplane mode turning off" state and that their IMEI has disappeared. Others have reported that they cannot power their devices off due to the same problem.[50]
  • Some users have also reported screen blanking off issue.[51]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The HTC One X is a flagship Android smartphone developed and manufactured by HTC Corporation, announced on February 26, 2012, and released globally starting in April 2012. It features a slim unibody polycarbonate chassis measuring 134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm and weighing 130 g, with a 4.7-inch Super IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen displaying at 720 x 1280 pixel resolution (312 ppi). Powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage (no microSD expansion), the device includes an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, BSI sensor, and 1080p video recording, alongside a 1.3 MP front camera, and is equipped with a 1800 mAh battery. The HTC One X launched running Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich overlaid with HTC Sense 4.0 user interface, with official updates available up to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Key software and multimedia enhancements include integrated Beats Audio for improved sound output, HTC ImageChip 2 technology for faster image processing and low-light performance in the camera, and connectivity options such as 4G LTE (in select variants), 802.11 a/b/g/n, 4.0, and NFC. Regional variants exist, such as the North American HTC One XL with a dual-core S4 processor instead of Tegra 3 to support LTE compatibility. Upon release, the HTC One X was praised by critics for its premium design, vibrant high-definition display with wide viewing angles, blazing-fast performance, and innovative camera features, earning scores of 8.5/10 from and 9/10 from Digital Trends as one of the premier Android smartphones of 2012. The device was positioned as HTC's flagship amid competition from and Apple, though some reviewers noted drawbacks like limited storage and average battery life under heavy use.

Development and release

Announcement and positioning

The HTC One X was announced on February 26, 2012, during a at the in , . This event marked the debut of HTC's refreshed One series, which included the One X as the top-tier model alongside the mid-range One S and entry-level One V. At the unveiling, HTC emphasized the device's cutting-edge hardware, highlighting its 3 quad-core processor for superior multitasking and graphics performance, a 4.7-inch 1280x720 Super LCD2 display protected by , and the proprietary ImageChip integrated into the 8-megapixel rear camera to enable low-light enhancements, noise reduction, and video recording. These features were presented as breakthroughs in mobile imaging and processing power, positioning the One X as a multimedia powerhouse. As HTC's flagship smartphone for 2012, the One X was strategically launched to reclaim market share in the premium Android segment, directly challenging incumbents like the and Apple while anticipating rivalry from the forthcoming . HTC executives underscored its premium unibody design for a sleek, durable aesthetic, combined with innovations in the newly introduced HTC Sense 4.0 user interface, which featured a lighter, more intuitive overlay on Android 4.0 , including ImageSense for seamless camera controls and Beats Audio for enhanced sound output. This focus on refined software and hardware integration aimed to differentiate the One X from competitors through superior user experience and content creation capabilities. The One X built upon the foundation of its predecessors, the HTC Sensation and Sensation XL from 2011, by upgrading to quad-core processing and higher-resolution display while maintaining a similar 4.7-inch screen size for continuity in the high-end lineup. As the inaugural flagship of the One series, it established the branding and emphasis on premium multimedia features that defined HTC's subsequent high-end devices.

Launch timeline and availability

The HTC One X began its global rollout in early April 2012, starting with markets in and . It became available on April 2, 2012, in countries including , , , , , and , through major carriers and retailers. In the , the device launched on April 5, 2012, exclusively through carriers such as , , Three, Orange, and (operating under the Everything Everywhere joint venture), with pre-orders available from third-party retailers like Mobile Fun. In , offered the device starting April 20, 2012. North American availability followed shortly after, with the AT&T-exclusive version launching on May 6, 2012, in the , where pre-orders began on April 22. Carrier partnerships emphasized exclusivity in key regions: held sole distribution rights in the , while unlocked versions were limited to international markets and select retailers, such as those offering the global quad-core model without LTE support. Pricing varied by region and contract status. In , the unlocked HTC One X retailed for approximately €599, while in the UK it was priced at £499.99 SIM-free. In the , it cost $199.99 with a two-year contract, and similar subsidized pricing applied through partners like Rogers in . Distribution primarily occurred via carrier stores and online portals, with limited unlocked stock through e-commerce sites like for international buyers. The device reached end-of-life around 2014, with HTC ceasing hardware support and confirming no further Android OS updates beyond version 4.2.2, which was released in mid-2013.

Design and build

Materials and ergonomics

The HTC One X employs a polycarbonate unibody construction, which provides a lightweight yet durable frame while allowing for a seamless, integrated design. This material choice results in a matte finish on the back panel with subtle texturing to enhance grip, reducing slippage during handling. The device was available in black and white color options, both of which contribute to a clean, modern aesthetic without the fingerprints common on glossy surfaces. Ergonomically, the One X features gently curved edges along its sides and back, promoting a natural fit in the hand for comfortable one-handed operation despite the relatively large 4.7-inch display. These contours, combined with minimal bezels around the screen—measuring approximately 1mm—create a premium, immersive feel that minimizes perceived bulk and improves thumb reach for navigation. The overall form factor balances with practicality, making extended use less fatiguing compared to boxier contemporaries. The button layout prioritizes simplicity, with the power positioned on the top edge for easy access when the phone is in a or on a table, and the volume rocker placed along the right side for intuitive adjustments during calls or media playback. Lacking a dedicated physical button, the device relies on on-screen elements, which integrate smoothly with the capacitive buttons below the display for back, , and recent apps functions. This arrangement streamlines the front panel while maintaining accessibility. Weighing 130 grams, the One X achieves balanced weight distribution that feels substantial without being cumbersome, aided by the non-removable battery's integration into the unibody structure, which reinforces the perception of a solid, cohesive build. This design choice, while limiting user serviceability, enhances the device's overall rigidity and premium tactile quality.

Dimensions and durability features

The HTC One X measures 134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm, providing a slim profile suitable for one-handed use. Its weight is 130 g for the international model, contributing to its and portable design. These dimensions position it as a compact from , balancing screen size with overall portability. For durability, the device features a unibody construction made from , which enhances resistance to minor drops and everyday wear compared to more fragile materials. The 4.7-inch Super IPS LCD display is protected by Corning 2.0, offering improved scratch resistance over previous generations while maintaining clarity and touch sensitivity. Unlike later models, the HTC One X lacks any official IP rating for water resistance, making it vulnerable to liquid exposure. Port placements are designed for practical accessibility: the Micro-USB 2.0 port is located on the left edge for charging and data transfer, while the 3.5 mm headphone jack sits at the top to minimize cable interference during use. A speaker grille is positioned on the back of the device to house the rear , with audio provided by the front earpiece speaker, delivering balanced output without obstructing the user's grip. This layout supports the phone's ergonomic benefits by keeping essential interfaces unobtrusive.

Technical specifications

Software and user interface

The HTC One X launched with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich overlaid by HTC Sense 4.0, HTC's custom that emphasized intuitive navigation through a customizable , gallery enhancements, and integrated social features. Sense 4.0 introduced a refined with resizable widgets and scene modes for quick access to personalized setups, such as work or social profiles, while maintaining core Android functionality with additions like weather animations and integration. Over its lifecycle, the device received incremental updates to enhance stability and features. In late 2012, it progressed to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+, which added cards and smoother animations for improved responsiveness. By mid-2013, HTC rolled out Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean paired with Sense 5, introducing a more modern aesthetic with rounded icons and a dedicated quick settings panel accessible from notifications. No further official Android OS updates were provided beyond this point, in line with HTC's support policy limiting major upgrades to two years post-launch. Sense 4.0 and its successors highlighted key interface innovations, including BlinkFeed, a homescreen aggregator added in the Sense 5 update that streams real-time updates, feeds, and photos in a Flipboard-inspired layout for at-a-glance consumption. Customizable widgets allowed users to resize and theme elements like clocks and calendars, while Beats Audio integration enhanced media playback across the music player and gallery apps by applying audio tuning for deeper bass and clearer highs, optimized for the device's hardware. Official support ended in 2013, leaving the HTC One X on Android 4.2.2 as its final stock version, though the community extended its usability through custom ROMs post-support. Unofficial builds, such as those based on , enabled upgrades up to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, providing modern features like runtime permissions and Doze battery optimization while preserving core functionality.

Hardware components

The HTC One X is powered by an 3 quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz in its international variant, delivering enhanced multitasking and through its integrated GPU. In LTE-equipped models, primarily for the North American market, it employs a S4 dual-core processor at the same 1.5 GHz speed to support connectivity while maintaining comparable processing capabilities. It includes 1 GB of RAM to handle applications and system operations efficiently. Storage options consist of 16 GB or 32 GB of internal , with no support for microSD expansion, providing ample space for apps and media but limiting user upgrades. The device features a 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display with a 1280x720 resolution, achieving a of 312 ppi for sharp visuals and wide viewing angles. The screen is protected by Corning 2, offering improved scratch resistance and a slim 2.5D curved edge for better durability and aesthetics. A non-removable 1,800 mAh powers the phone, supporting up to 8.5 hours of talk time under optimal conditions. The rear camera system utilizes an 8-megapixel BSI sensor with an f/2.0 lens, LED flash, and , capable of recording video at 24 fps; it incorporates HTC's dedicated ImageChip for advanced low-light image processing and . A 1.3-megapixel handles video calls and self-portraits, supporting video capture. Audio is enhanced by dual front-facing stereo speakers tuned with Beats Audio technology, which applies HTC's proprietary audio processing to deliver richer sound and deeper bass without additional headphones. Connectivity options include 802.11 a/b/g/n with hotspot support, 4.0 for wireless peripherals, NFC for contactless payments and data sharing, and GPS for navigation; it supports HSPA+ data speeds up to 21 Mbps on compatible networks.

Model variants

International and regional models

The HTC One X (model PJ831) served as the base international variant, featuring an 3 quad-core processor, 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage depending on the region, and support for HSDPA+ connectivity up to 21.1 Mbps without LTE capabilities. This model was released in April 2012 across , , and other non-North American markets, emphasizing global /HSPA compatibility. It maintained a uniform hardware baseline, including a 4.7-inch Super LCD2 display and 8 MP rear camera, with minor firmware adjustments for local carriers to optimize network performance and include region-specific apps. In , particularly for the Chinese market, HTC introduced adaptations to accommodate local network standards. The HTC One XT variant supported TD-SCDMA for , retaining the 3 processor and core design but adding compatibility with TD-HSDPA for enhanced speeds on that carrier's infrastructure. Similarly, the HTC One XC (model 802d), targeted at , incorporated TD-SCDMA 2000/1880 bands alongside HSPA, though it featured reduced 16 GB storage and a 2000 mAh battery to fit regional manufacturing and regulatory requirements; it launched in 2012. These changes ensured seamless integration with China's dominant TD-SCDMA networks while preserving the international model's imaging and display features. Other regional markets like , , and primarily received the standard PJ831 model with HSDPA+ for high-speed data, often bundled with carrier-specific tweaks such as preloaded local services or optimized APN settings for providers like in or in . Color options remained consistent—primarily black and white—with no significant hardware deviations beyond these software adaptations to comply with local standards.

LTE adaptations and special editions

The HTC One X AT&T (model PJ83110) served as the LTE adaptation for AT&T in the North American market, featuring a S4 dual-core processor at 1.5 GHz, 16 GB of internal storage, and a 1,800 mAh battery. It supported AT&T's LTE bands (700/1700/2100 MHz), distinguishing it from the international non-LTE One X by prioritizing connectivity over quad-core performance. Released in May 2012, this variant maintained the core design and display of the original but optimized hardware for faster data speeds on AT&T's infrastructure. The HTC One XL (model EV0RE) was an international LTE variant, also using a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core 1.5 GHz processor but with 32 GB storage, supporting LTE bands such as 1800/2600 MHz for European and other markets. A notable special edition, the HTC One X+ (model PT928), launched as an upgraded LTE-capable variant in October 2012 and released in November, enhancing the original with a 1.7 GHz quad-core 3 processor, 64 GB of storage, and a larger 2,100 mAh battery for improved endurance. It shipped initially with Android 4.1 and 4+, offering broader LTE band support for international carriers while addressing user feedback on storage and battery life from the base model. This edition positioned itself as a premium refresh, available through select operators like in the . In 2013, a International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling found that HTC infringed two patents related to wireless transmission , resulting in a temporary import ban on affected devices including LTE variants of the One X series; the matter was resolved through a settlement between HTC and later that year.
ModelProcessorStorageBatteryConnectivityRelease Date
One X Tegra 3 1.5 GHz quad-core16/32 GB1,800 mAhHSPA+April 2012
One XL S4 1.5 GHz dual-core32 GB1,800 mAhLTE (international bands)May 2012
One X+ Tegra 3 1.7 GHz quad-core64 GB2,100 mAhLTE/HSPA+November 2012
One XT Tegra 3 1.5 GHz quad-core32 GB1,800 mAhTD-SCDMAJuly 2012
One XC S4 1.5 GHz dual-core16 GB2,000 mAhTD-SCDMA/July 2012
One X AT&T S4 1.5 GHz dual-core16 GB1,800 mAhLTE ( bands)May 2012

Reception and legacy

Critical reviews and awards

The HTC One X garnered positive critical reception upon its 2012 launch, with reviewers highlighting its premium design, display quality, and camera innovations as standout features that positioned it as a flagship contender against rivals like the . The Verge rated the device 8.4 out of 10, praising its exquisite unibody construction made from matte for a lightweight yet durable feel, the 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display as the "best phone display ever" due to its accurate colors and wide viewing angles, and the ImageSense camera software for enabling rapid burst shots and still captures during video recording. awarded it 8.5 out of 10, commending the vibrant screen with 312 pixels per inch and superb color reproduction, alongside the sleek, curved design and user-friendly features like Beats Audio integration. called it a "masterpiece of an Android device," emphasizing the innovative camera capabilities—such as real-time HDR and slow-motion video—and the overall premium build that felt 30 grams lighter than predecessors while maintaining balance. Critics noted several drawbacks, including the absence of expandable storage, which confined users to 32GB internal (approximately 26GB usable), and middling battery from its 1,800mAh cell. Battery endurance averaged 6-8 hours under heavy use, such as continuous video playback or intensive browsing, falling short of expectations for all-day reliability without optimization. In benchmarks, the 3 quad-core processor (with a companion core for efficiency) excelled in graphics , outperforming dual-core competitors like the Snapdragon S4 in tests such as Nenamark2, where it achieved scores around 50-60 fps, enabling smooth console-like gaming and HD video handling. The device earned recognition for its advancements, including the CTIA 2012 Spotlight Award for enabling simultaneous 1080p video recording and 8-megapixel still photography, a feature powered by HTC's dedicated ImageChip. GSMArena praised its audio output for delivering clean, low-noise performance with -82.1dB noise floor and strong stereo crosstalk cancellation, alongside the fluid 4.0 enhanced by the 3's capabilities. It also topped Wirefly's Official Rankings in May 2012, securing the highest scores in both the People's Choice (307 votes) and Mobile Tech Experts' charts for its balanced feature set.

Commercial performance and long-term impact

The HTC One X sold approximately 7-8 million units in 2012, marking a moderate commercial success for HTC's device during its launch year. However, this figure paled in comparison to competitors, with the achieving over 40 million units sold in the same period, highlighting the One X's underperformance in a rapidly growing market. The device's release contributed to a brief resurgence in HTC's premium brand perception amid intensifying competition, yet it coincided with the company's broader erosion. HTC's global market share fell from 10.7% in 2011 to 4.7% in 2012, dropping further to around 5% by as sales momentum waned. This decline reflected HTC's pre- peak, after which the firm faced escalating financial struggles, including its first quarterly net loss of $101.2 million in Q3 . In the long term, the HTC One X pioneered HTC's premium unibody construction approach, influencing the design ethos of successors like the 2013 HTC One (M7), which adopted aluminum instead, and shaped the premium aesthetic of the One series. By 2025, official software support had ended in 2013, but the device retains niche appeal among retro Android enthusiasts, with units trading on secondary markets for $50-90 and ongoing activity in custom ROM communities via platforms like XDA Developers.

Known issues

Hardware and connectivity problems

The HTC One X, particularly its international variant powered by the Tegra 3 processor, experienced hardware-related connectivity problems stemming from a weak antenna design that resulted in poor signal reception, even in close proximity to routers. Users reported unreliable connections that could sometimes be temporarily improved by applying pressure to specific areas of the phone's , indicating a loose or insufficiently reinforced antenna connection. This issue affected a small subset of units, limited exclusively to the Tegra 3 model, while the LTE variant (One XL) with hardware remained unaffected. HTC confirmed the problem as hardware-based and unresolvable through software updates, stating that it had identified a manufacturing fix to strengthen the antenna area for subsequent production runs; affected owners were advised to contact support for inspection and potential replacement. Overheating was another notable hardware concern in the Tegra 3-equipped HTC One X, attributed to inefficiencies in the processor's , particularly its underutilized fifth "companion" core designed for low-power tasks. During intensive activities such as gaming or prolonged charging, the device would generate excessive heat, leading to throttling that reduced performance and caused user discomfort from the warm . HTC addressed this through an over-the-air software update that optimized power usage in the Tegra 3 chip, though the underlying hardware limitations persisted in early units. Some software updates also attempted to mitigate related battery and behaviors, but core issues remained tied to the . In the LTE-enabled HTC One XL variant, battery drain was exacerbated under 4G network conditions due to the power demands of the S4 processor and LTE radio, resulting in significantly faster depletion compared to or usage. This hardware-induced shortfall limited the phone's viability for heavy data users, though everyday moderate tasks could extend runtime to the evening. The HTC One X experienced several software glitches that affected , particularly in the early Sense 4 UI implementation. Users encountered issues such as failures, where the device failed to fully disable signals, leading to continued connectivity despite activation. Random reboots were also reported, often occurring unexpectedly during idle states or light usage on Sense 4, disrupting normal operation. Additionally, video playback incompatibilities arose with certain formats like high-bitrate H.264, causing stuttering or failure to render content smoothly on the device's hardware decoder. These glitches were attributed to optimizations in the initial Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich build and Sense overlay, though some were mitigated by subsequent over-the-air updates. Update shortcomings further compounded reliability concerns for the device. HTC promised an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean upgrade with 5 for all variants, including LTE models like the One XL, but the rollout faced significant delays for carrier-locked versions. While international models began receiving the update in August 2013, the One XL variant was postponed until January 2014 due to carrier certification processes. This final major update to Android 4.2.2 with 5, delivered in 2013 for most regions and early 2014 for U.S. LTE devices, marked the end of official support, leaving the phone without further security patches or OS upgrades. As a result, devices became vulnerable to post-2013 Android exploits, including remote wipe flaws and other unpatched threats affecting older builds, exacerbating risks for users beyond the support window. Legal matters involving the HTC One X centered on patent disputes that threatened its U.S. market presence. In 2013, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a preliminary ruling finding that HTC infringed two Nokia patents related to wireless technology—specifically, attenuating spurious signals in radio receivers (U.S. Patent No. 6,393,260) and methods for transmitting and receiving RF signals (U.S. Patent No. 7,415,247). The affected products included Android smartphones in the One series, such as the LTE-equipped One XL, potentially leading to an import ban that could have halted U.S. sales and availability. No class-action lawsuits emerged from these issues, but the ruling prompted HTC to explore redesigns for compliance. The dispute was resolved in February 2014 through a patent and technology collaboration agreement, under which HTC made undisclosed payments to Nokia and both parties ended all litigation, effectively lifting the ban threat and restoring normal U.S. distribution without further interruptions. The developer community played a key role in addressing these software limitations through unofficial fixes. On platforms like XDA Developers, enthusiasts released custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod 12.1 based on Android 5.1, which patched glitches like power management errors and extended usability with newer features and security enhancements beyond HTC's official support. These community-driven solutions, including kernel tweaks for stability, allowed users to mitigate update shortcomings and maintain the device's relevance for years after 2014.

References

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