HTC One Mini 2 specs, features, and availability announced
Here comes the One Mini 2! Following the successful launch of the One (M8), HTC has now made official the second device in the M8 line, the compact successor to the 2013 One Mini.
The original One Mini had a lukewarm reception, due to its relatively high price and middling spec sheet. For the One Mini 2, HTC made a couple of key upgrades, including the addition of a microSD card slot, and arguably improved the design with even more aluminum. Pricing info is not yet available, but our first impression is that the new Mini is an attractive mid-ranger with a gorgeous design and a couple of interesting features that could well justify paying a premium.
Let’s take a closer look at what the new HTC One Mini 2 brings to the table.
HTC One Mini 2 specifications
| Display | 4.5-inch Super LCD 3, HD (1280 x 720), 326 ppi |
|---|---|
Processor | quad-core Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz, Adreno 305 GPU |
RAM | 1GB |
Storage | 16GB, microSD card slot, up to 128GB |
Camera | 13MP rear, BSI sensor, f/2.2 |
Battery | 2,100 mAh |
Connectivity | GPS/GLONASS, microUSB 2.0, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n 2.4/5GHz, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC |
Networks | 3G/WCDMA: 850/900/1900/2100MHzHSPA+ up to 42 Mbps LTE EMEA Band 3, 7, 8, 20 |
Software | Android 4.4 KitKat, HTC Sense 6, BlinkFeed |
Dimensions | 137.43 x 65.04 x 10.6 mm |
Colors | Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver, Amber Gold |
HTC One Mini 2 features
If you love the design of the M8, you won’t find much to dislike about its little brother. For the One Mini 2, HTC used the same the design language throughout, with the biggest difference being the strip of plastic on the sides. The good news is this strip is much thinner and less prominent than on the 2013 One Mini and is invisible when looking straight at the front of the device. The aluminum back of the device is not fully wrapping around the sides, like on the M8, but the plastic-metal combo looks quite nice anyway.
The One Mini 2 is about a millimeter thicker than its predecessor, but you’ll hardly notice that, as the sides of the phone seem actually thinner.
HTC increased the display’s size to 4.5-inch, and the 720p resolution produces a good 326-ppi pixel density. The screen is noticeably larger, but the overall height of the device is just five millimeters bigger than on the 4.3-inch One Mini.
The BoomSound stereo speakers appear unchanged, so expect the deep bass and high volume the One series has come to be known for.
Under the hood, HTC opted for the standard mid-range setup these days, which is a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. This is a proven setup for devices in this class, but of course, you shouldn’t expect the kind of performance you get from the M8 and other high-enders out there. For most day-to-day tasks though, this processing combo will suffice.
The battery received a nice bump to 2,100 mAh, which should be good for a full day of light to medium usage. HTC listened to user feedback and added a microSD card slot on the One Mini 2, that lets you supplement the 16GB of internal storage with up to 128GB. It’s a nice touch that we’re sure many will appreciate.
Just like rumors suggested, HTC decided to swap the four Ultrapixels camera found on the M8 with a 13MP unit with a BSI sensor and a good f/2.2 aperture lens. On the front, we see the increasingly popular 5MP camera, though there’s no mention in the press materials about its angle width. Together with the software beautification modes, this should be a nice package for frequent selfie takers.
Another addition is the presence of NFC, which joins the usual assortment of connectivity options. Just like last year, you get HSPA+ and LTE; the device features a nano-SIM slot, compared to micro-SIM on the 2013 One Mini.
At launch, the One Mini 2 will be available in the same color options as the M8: Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver, and Amber Gold. HTC wanted us to note that the initial batch of Gunmetal Gray units ships with silver volume buttons, but the following batches will have gray buttons, matching the power button.
HTC One Mini 2 runs Android 4.4 KitKat with Sense 6 on top, complete with HTC’s marquee features like the BlinkFeed feed aggregator and Zoe.
HTC One Mini 2 availability
HTC has only provided info on the One Mini 2’s availability in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Asia) and Asia. In these regions, the HTC One Mini 2 will be available from June for an unspecified price.
No details yet on the eventual availability of the device in North America and other regions.
HTC One Mini 2 images
Press release
[press]
HTC launches the beautifully compact HTC One mini 2
5MP front-facing camera, HTC BoomSound™ and HTC Sense™ 6 offer a best-in-class
experience, wrapped in an iconic design
LONDON, 15th May 2014 – HTC, a global leader in innovation and design, today
unveiled the HTC One mini 2, the latest addition to its renowned HTC One family.
Featuring a compact, yet generous 4.5” HD display, HTC Sense™ 6 with HTC
BlinkFeed™ and an impressive 5MP front-facing camera, the HTC One mini 2 brings
the iconic metal craftsmanship and best-in-class experience of the HTC One (M8) to
those in search of a more compact model.
“The latest member of the award-winning HTC One family distills the advanced
features that have earned it global acclaim, into an elegant, compact handset”, said
Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “Its size and tapered edges fit perfectly in a
hand, pocket or purse, making it look great and feel even better to use. It’s the
perfect choice for those who love the iconic design of the HTC One (M8) yet want
something more compact.”
Beauty runs in the family
Sporting the same breakthrough design that led HTC to receive an iF gold product
design award in 2014 for the HTC One (M7), the sleek HTC One mini 2 features the
smoothly curved back and brushed Gunmetal Gray finish of the HTC One (M8). Also
available in Glacial Silver and Amber Gold, its compact size and stylish design make
it an obvious choice for those who want a phone that both looks and feels incredible.
High quality camera for naturally stunning selfies
With a 5MP front-facing camera, high-quality selfies are guaranteed. Re-takes won’t
be required, as the front camera’s self-timer gives you ample time to prepare your
pose before the image is captured.
To give those self-portraits an element of professionalism, the HTC One mini 2 also
features Touch Up for subtle beauty enhancements to smoothen the skin, eliminate
red eye and adjust the contours of the face, while still looking natural. If you’re feeling
playful, you can also give your selfies a manga-like effect using Touch Up’s eyeenhancement feature.
HTC BoomSound™ – A small device that makes a big sound
It may be compact, but the HTC One mini 2 packs HTC BoomSound technology to
deliver powerful, crisp and clear audio that has never been more brilliant. Equipped
with the same amplifier as the HTC One (M8), the One mini 2 delivers rich tones
from bass through to treble, producing high-quality, immersive sound through the
dual-frontal speakers that have become synonymous with the award-winning HTC
One family.
HTC BlinkFeed™ – The news that matters, live on your home screen
Turning your home screen into a live stream of the latest news and social updates,
HTC BlinkFeed™ makes the content that matters to you more accessible and easier
to read than ever before. Aggregating feeds from a growing list of over 1,000
partners, adaptable tiles display your social media updates and favorite news topics,
giving you the latest information direct to your home screen. Continuous scrolling
also makes it quick and simple to view different stories, keeping you up to date with
the latest developments at all times.
Share and collaborate with Zoe™
Create Zoe Highlight videos of your most memorable experiences with the 13MP
camera and share them with friends and family via the HTC Zoe app* and other
social media channels. For those unforgettable moments, the Remix function allows
your followers to add their own photos, videos and soundtracks to create new Zoe
Highlight videos that help you re-live the experience from every perspective.
Regional Availability
The HTC One mini 2 will be available in Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver and Amber
Gold in EMEA from the end of May 2014 and in North Asia from June 2014.
[/press]
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