For those folks disinclined to strut the streets with man-sized phones bulging out of their pockets, HTC has introduced the One Mini 2, a scaled down version of their rather splendid – but hefty – HTC One (M8) smartphone.
With the smaller size comes compromise, with the Mini 2 eschewing the fancy pants Duo Cameras with UltraPixel of its big brother, plumping for a single 13-megapixel rear lens instead.
However, there is a new wide-angle 5MP front facing camera for scooping in extra background detail for those essential selfies, plus BoomSound stereo speakers on the front to keep the party banging.
“The latest member of the award-winning HTC One family distils the advanced features that have earned it global acclaim, into an elegant, compact handset”, purred 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,” he enthused.
Running a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, the Mini 2 comes with 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage and a a MicroSD slot, backed by a 2100 mAh battery.
Rather amusingly, the Mini 2 is actually bigger than the original HTC One, with its still-sizeable form offering a 4.5-inch screen supporting a 720 x 1280 resolution.
The handset runs the latest Android version of 4.4 KitKat, liberally infused with HTC’s very own Sense 6.0 interface, and it’ll be served up in gunmetal gray, glacial silver and amber gold finishes.
HTC say that the Mini 2 will be available in European stores from June 2014, with the States to follow sometime after. Pricing is yet to be announced, but we reckon it’ll be in the £250-£300 bracket.
Here’s HTC’s press release:
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, UK/Taipei, Taiwan, May 15, 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 eye-enhancement 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.
* Available in the summer of 2014. * Do not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use copyrighted materials in connection with the Zoe Highlights feature unless you have secured the copyright owner’s permission first. All content posted via the Zoe app is public and its use cannot be restricted.
Regional Availability
The HTC One mini 2 will be available in EMEA and Asia in Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver and Amber Gold from June 2014.
