HTC has announced the successor to last year's One Mini smartphone - the One Mini 2. The device, which doesn't make use of its big brother's 'M8' moniker, features mid-range specs including a 720p display and quad-core processor. Putting aside the device’s obvious naming fiasco, the One Mini 2 looks to be a solid, if somewhat conservative addition to the company’s 2014 line-up.
In terms of looks, the One Mini 2 is practically identical to the company’s flagship offering, exhibiting a shrunken down version of the One’s design – including its front-facing speakers and sleek metal curves. Like its big brother, the handset will be available in a choice of grey, silver or gold.
Like the original HTC One mini, the One mini 2's specs lean more towards the mid-range than the high-end. The handset is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU running at 1.3GHz and backed up by 1 GB RAM. There’s a 2,100 mAh battery to keep the device ticking over and 16 GB of internal memory, as well as a microSD card slot allowing for up to 128 GB expandability.
The company has opted for a display resolution of 1280 x 720 for the phone’s 4.5-inch display, giving it a pixel density of 326 per inch, significantly below that of the fully-fledged One, but exactly on par with the iPhone 5s’ offering. The handset weighs in at 137g (0.3 lbs) and measures 10.6mm (0.42 inches) thick.
Depending on your opinion of HTC’s UltraPixel sensor, the device’s rear camera offering might disappoint. The One Mini 2 features a single 13 MP shooter on the rear, with no second, depth-sensing lens in sight. That said, the front-facing camera here is the same 5 MP offering as on the larger device, complete with Touch Up effects for the selfie-obsessed.
A few other features have made the jump from the full-sized One, including the excellent front-facing stereo speakers and BoomSound technology. The handset will feature the now familiar Sense 6 overlay, meaning you’ll get the new glossy looks as well as the improved BlinkFeed homescreen.
It’s likely that the company’s choice to stay clear of a ‘One Mini (M8)’ branding is due to the noticeable step-down in specs over the company's larger smartphone. That said, the smaller device looks to be a solid handset and a good way to get hold of the new HTC One’s high-end stylings at what is certain to be a lower price point (which HTC hasn't spilled the beans on just yet). It’s also a great option if you’re not a fan of the larger footprint of the company’s flagship handset.
The HTC One Mini 2 will be available in EMEA and Asia starting in June. There’s no word yet on a North American release date.
Source: HTC
