HTC Windows Phone 8X

The Windows Phone 8X by HTC, to give it its good title, is a poorly named phone but don't let this put you off what looks to be a talented Windows Phone 8 device.

HTC has chosen a new design lane for its Windows Phone 8 range of devices and the 8X leads the way with its smooth unibody framework creating an aesthetically enjoyable handset.

The handset is furthered enhanced by the blue/purple finish HTC has put on the Windows Phone 8X, and it's pleasant to see an injection of colour in a market which has been lately liberated by black and white slabs.

HTC will also be donation the 8X in a fetching neon yellow as well as the conventional black, with the US getting treated to a red version via Verizon – which may, or may not, make its way to the UK next year.

At 10.6mm you may be concerned that the Windows handset 8X is going to feel sweet chubby went put up against the likes of the 7.6mm iPhone 5, 8.6mm Samsung Galaxy S3 and 8.9mm HTC One X, but the pointed edges make sure a misleadingly slim look.

The slightly rounded back nestles contentedly in the hand, and the polycarbonate framework provides a polite level of grip, similar to the One X, which we favor over the cheaper emotion and more slick plastic back of Galaxy S3.

Up top you'll find a 3.5mm headset jack next to the power/lock key, which isn't hard to press, but we've come to prefer the top right location for this button, as it makes it that bit easier to hit when holding the handset in one hand.

The right side of the HTC 8X sports a microSIM tray, volume rocker control and lower down, a devoted camera shutter button – something we don't see all too often these days, but it is an option which commonly features on Windows Phone devices.

You'll require to pop that SIM tray out with the useful tool (read paperclip) which comes in the box, which is easy sufficient as long as you don't mislay the bloody thing – as it's pretty darn small.

On the left you're treated an continuous view of the smooth, rounded edge of the Windows Phone 8X, while on the base there's a centrally located microUSB port – far better than the location of the same port on the One X, which was on the left side and made using the handset while plugged in an uncomfortable experience.

The 4.3-inch Super LCD 2 display, which offers up 720p HD resolution, appear bright and clear, with strong colour imitation and crisp text all making for a agreeable viewing knowledge.

We were only able to esteem the lock and home screen of Windows Phone 8, as the 8X we got a hold on didn't have a final put up of the WP8 software, but in terms of screen quality it's so far, so fine.

While with the likes of the One X and One S, the HTC Windows Phone 8X doesn't offer you access to the sealed 1,800mAh battery – but it's a honest size which should mean it'll see you through a day of comparatively high usage without you having to dash for the charger.

A few will be let down to study that while the 8X comes with 16GB of internal storage, there's no microSD slot present on the handset, meaning you won't be able to enlarge your storage options.

This could verify difficult for those with large music collections or a passion for HD movies on the go, with the provide space filling up fast.

Round the back there's an 8MP camera with single LED flash and full HD video recording, and HTC says its tinkered with the snapper to give improved quality snaps – something we'll put to the check in our full, in-depth Windows Phone 8X review.

There's also a front facing camera situated next to the colourful earpiece, and while at 2.1MP it's not the worst front camera on the market, we'd still recommend the rear option for serious snaps.

Connectivity wise HTC has spoilt use with NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS and DLNA all available on the 8X, plus there's an FM radio stuffed inside the body too.

As we mentioned at the start, we'll update this review later today with our findings from the completely working edition of the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, after we've spent some time with it at the New York event.

Early Verdict:

It's visibly difficult to give a appropriate early verdict at this point, but once we've had a play with the final device today, we'll update this with a extra clued-up outlook.

However what we can speak ,we're fans of the new design HTC has brought to the table, and providing the on-screen performance matches the quality of the body, the HTC Windows Phone 8X is shaping up to be pretty a device.