HTC today announced their flagship smartphone called the HTC 10, which combines a 12-megapixel camera, hi-res audio, a bold new metal unibody design and unparalleled performance. Inspired by light and sculpted to perfection, the HTC 10 employs a new approach to design where bold contours are carved out of solid metal. Capturing the light beautifully, the chamfered edges boast a slimmer, more slender look with its full–glass front merging seamlessly into the metal body.
Mercilessly engineered to handle everyday knocks, bumps and scratches, the HTC 10 was subjected to over 168 hours of extreme temperature tests, ranging from a freezing –20°C to a scorching 60°C; and over 10,000 drop, bend, scratch and corrosion tests. The power button has been beautifully crafted. Speakers deliver a sleeker look and better sound quality. Meanwhile the fingerprint sensor recognizes your finger from almost any angle.
Camera
The HTC 10 offers the world’s first optically stabilized, larger aperture ƒ/1.8 lenses on both the front and rear cameras, and new larger sensors. The 12 million UltraPixels (1.55µm per pixel) main camera offers faster laser autofocus, while the 5-megapixel front (UltraSelfie) camera can use the screen as a flash.
With the camera designed to launch in as little as 0.6 seconds, and a 2nd generation laser autofocus that gives you focused shots faster, it’s quick enough to even work in burst mode. All the settings are also conveniently located at your fingertips with Pro Mode still offering advanced options for more experienced photographers, including RAW format functionality. The camera has earned a DxOMark score of 88, which is one of the highest camera quality scores of any smartphone to date.
Sound Quality
The HTC 10 combines vivid 4K video with the world’s first stereo, 24–bit, Hi–Res audio recording — capturing 256 times more detail than standard recordings, across twice the frequency range and enabling you to bring to life your recorded content as if you were actually there in person.
Built for audiophiles, the HTC 10 is certified for Hi–Res audio and has been designed to make music sound the way that the artist intended. A headphone amp that delivers two times the power of a conventional headphone amp, the ability to upscale from 16–bit to 24–bit audio and high performance digital to analogue conversion combine beautifully to produce ten times lower distortion than other devices on the market, delivering an all round audio performance that cannot be beaten.
Everyone hears things differently, which is why the HTC 10’s all–new Personal Audio Profile system enhances your audio experience even further. By creating a unique profile that is tuned to your individual hearing, it dynamically adjusts specific sound frequencies to each ear, allowing you to hear music the way that the artist intended. Re–engineered HTC BoomSound Hi–Fi edition speakers feature the same separated tweeter and woofer design as leading acoustic systems and combine with a dedicated amplifier on each speaker, adding to the experience and delivering sound clarity unprecedented on a smartphone.
Performance
The HTC 10 offers a next generation quad HD display that is 30% more colourful, and that is 50% more responsive to touch than its predecessor. An improved fingerprint scanner unlocks the phone in 0.2 seconds and has been algorithmically designed to recognise you faster and more accurately over time.
The HTC 10 boasts the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with enhanced 4G LTE. Each device also comes with Boost+ which is designed to make your phone faster, to consume less power and to provide effective security and applications management features. This includes smart boost, which automatically optimizes your memory; a game battery booster, which uses less battery during gameplay; and a new PowerBotics system, which auto detects and shuts down apps that use excessive power – improving battery life by 30% and delivering up to two days charge.
Not only does Boost+ optimize performance, making it easier to launch apps, but its App Lock function also adds a new layer of security by enabling you to lock any app you choose, whilst App Manager provides an instant fix for when an app isn’t behaving.
The HTC 10 also includes the latest in–box quick charge 3.0 Rapid Charger with improved thermal management that can charge the battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes – ideal for people who find their phone running low on juice before the end of the working day.
Convenience
By reducing the number of duplicative and pre–loaded apps and bloatware and integrating the best of both HTC and Google, we have created a more streamlined phone that enables you to decide what you want on your handset.
With HTC’s specially created new Freestyle Layout, you no longer have an on–screen grid that dictates the layout. Instead you can get creative by dragging icons, stickers and widgets anywhere you like. Layer them, group them, link stickers to apps or get rid of screen icons altogether, the choice is yours.
The latest version of HTC Themes also provides you with access to thousands of professional looking themes that each come with their own icons, backgrounds and sounds so you can customize your phone based on your own personal style.
Accessories
The HTC 10 offers an all–new Ice View case with a semi–transparent and highly versatile single front–cover case. So when that next call or message comes in, when you need to skip a track or snap that perfect shot, you can do it without opening your smartphone’s case.
Price and Availability
In the U.S., HTC 10 will be available across multiple wireless providers including Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T–Mobile, which will announce colors, availability and pricing. In addition, HTC will be offering an Unlocked edition on www.HTC.com, which will be compatible with AT&T and T–Mobile networks and will be available for pre–orders beginning today, April 12, with shipping in early May 2016. The Unlocked edition from HTC.com comes in Glacier Silver and Carbon Gray, and cost $699. It also comes with UH OH Protection, which includes one replacement at no charge within the first 12 months of ownership for a cracked screen or water damage.
The HTC 10 will come in two variants with different Qualcomm Snapdragon processors to cater for different market needs. They will both offer the same design, audio, camera and display, with a similar software experience and battery life. In the U.S., the HTC 10 will come with the Snapdragon 820 processor.
