Before we get carried away with the Desire C and Desire V, let’s not forget that the star of today’s HTC launch was the middle child of the HTC One family, the One S. The HTC One S is armed with a 4.3-inch, Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen and is equipped with a Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon, dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor with an Adreno 225 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 processor, which means the Philippines is one of the countries which got the S3 version of the HTC One S, the HTC One S C2.
The device has an internal storage of 16GB, and is blessed with 1GB of RAM. The device is running Android 4.0 ICS, with HTC’s Sense 4 UI layered on top. There’s an 8-megapixel camera on the back with an LED flash.
The outside finish of the One S is pretty good, and has been treated with a new manufacturing finish called microarc oxidaton that gives the metal unibody design a tough, ceramic like finish that’s pretty close to the one on the One X. The One S is also possibly one of the thinnest smartphones currently out in the market, and measures at a absolutely skinny 7.8mm thin. The One S will be priced at Php 26,990, and should be heading to stores either today or tomorrow.
UPDATE: Reader Robin Lim wanted a clarification if the device that’s shipping to the Philippines will be running Qualcomm’s newest S4 Krait processor or the older S3 Scorpion chip that’s on the HTC One S C2 version that’s been showing up on the European markets lately. HTC’s PR rep has assured us that the One S hitting our shores will be powered by Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon S4 chip.
UPDATE 2: After checking out stores ourselves, we found out that all signs point to a 1.7GHz version of the One S is in circulation in the country. We’ve updated the story and have officially sent out messages to HTC, we’ll update it again once we get their official word. We’ve also asked HTC to comment on the comment thread below.
UPDATE 3: It’s official folks. We’re getting the S3 version of the One S, which is a shame, as we had high hopes for the S4 equipped S4 version. HTC has officially issued this statement through their PR firm (emphasis theirs):
“The HTC One S available in the Philippines has the Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 1.7 GHz processor, NOT a Snapdragon S4 1.5 GHz as stated in the official press release issued last June 28 and 29. We apologize for the error. HTC strives to give only the most accurate information and will provide immediate updates concerning changes that may affect its valued customers.”