news Independent mobile retailer Mobicity has started selling a version of HTC’s flagship HTC One XL smartphone which will fully function on Telstra’s 4G mobile network, ahead of an expected launch by the telco of the device in the next month or so.
In early March Telstra confirmed it would shortly be launching two handsets in HTC’s new flagship One line-up in Australia, firming suspicions that HTC’s new top-end LTE model, the One XL, could be headed to the big T’s flagship Next G 4G mobile network. All of the HTC One handsets run the new Ice Cream Sandwich (version 4.0) edition of Google’s Android operating system, and offer advanced features over the company’s line of HTC Sensation and Desire handsets previously launched in Australia.
However, the telco has not yet launched any HTC One handsets locally and is still believed to be testing the handsets with its Next G network. Unlike Optus and Vodafone, which have already launched 3G versions of the One X, Telstra also offers an extensive national 4G network with dramatically enhanced speeds over its rivals. Consequently, it is likely the telco is testing at least one of the HTC One series phones against this network.
The likely delay of the One XL handset launch in Australia has left the nation without a really high-end handset supporting Telstra’s new 4G network for some time. The current 4G handsets available through Telstra — notably the HTC Velocity 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G — are largely seen as re-workings of existing handset offerings in Australia rather than examples of the next-generation of handsets available internationally.
However, as of yesterday, independent retailer Mobicity is offering Australian customers a way out of the delay. The company has started selling a version of the HTC One XL which it guarantees works on Telstra’s 4G network. This news was first reported by Ausdroid.
“The HTC One XL X325s has been exclusively tested by MobiCity on Telstra’s new high speed, Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network and has hit astonishing speeds of over 54mbps download and 35mbps upload,” the company’s website states. “It’s also Telstra Next G compatible, meaning you can take advantage of Telstra’s extensive network coverage and high data speeds in more places.”
The screen of the One XL handset being sold by Mobicity is a 4.7″ touchscreen running at a high definition resolution of 720p (1280×720) and using Corning’s Gorilla Glass material. As previously reported, it runs a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU running at 1.5GHz, instead of the NVIDIA Tegra 3 chipset used by the non-4G versions of the HTC One X.
Mobicity’s version comes with an eight megapixel camera, it weighs 129g and is 8.9mm thick. It is unlocked, and can also work on the networks of Optus and Vodafone. It comes with an 1800 mAh battery. Delimiter’s review of the similar HTC One X states:
“HTC’s One X sports a very generous 4.7-inch display, yet manages to retain an elegant look and feel. It’s only 8.9mm thick and weighs in at an impressive 130gm thanks to the polycarbonate unibody design with the slightest of curves which should still fit most pockets.
… It’s still early days for Ice Cream Sandwich and quad-core processors and we can expect more great handsets this year, but for now we’d say HTC’s One X is the new gold standard in Android superphones.”
opinion/analysis
In my opinion, this HTC One XL handset is likely to be one of the handsets of the year in Australia, if not the handset of the year. The only handsets which I would expect to beat it would be the next version of the iPhone, if it launches with 4G support in Australia (and bear in mind we know next to nothing about Apple’s next iPhone plans), or a 4G version of the Samsung Galaxy S III, which is not even on the horizon at this point. If you have the cash up-front and you are in the market for a new phone, this HTC One XL is looking like a very safe option on Telstra’s network. It should be future-proof for at least 18 months or so.
Image credit: HTC
Obviously mobicity are bringing in an imported model – as is their norm. But I note that on the HTC website the One XL is now being quoted with 32Gb of storage, up from the 16Gb previously quoted and being sold by mobicity. Leaving the only question: 4G network or quad-core processor. Oh the dilemma.
4G network is a much more tangible benefit than quad-core CPU, IMNSHO.
Agreed Renai. Quad-core for phones is all about gaming and video processing- neither of which I do.
I actually sent an email to HTC Australia about their specifications statement of the AU HTC XL getting 32GB because it used to say 16GB. Still waiting a reply. If it’s false, and it will be 16GB…..Mobicity, here I come!! :D
Huh. No email back from HTC. But I’ve noticed their spec sheet on HTC.com\au now states the XL only has 16GB storage…..Mobicity is looking awfully good…
4G is of absolutely no benefit if you’re not in a 4G coverage area.
Ah, true Clinton….except 4G has ‘Only just begun’ as the lovely Karen Carpenter once said. What about in 6 months? A year? 18 months? I’ve had my phone for just over 2 years, about standard before replacement and I don’t wanna get a year down the line and find I CAN use 4G but not with my phone….
seven_tech, I can tell you insider infomation that Telstra is going to switch thier LTE service from 1800Mhz to 700Mhz once the analogue TV service is switched off, and the aus gov gives them permission to use 700Mhz. That been said, the HTC One XL does not support 700Mhz…
I’m going with the quad-core.
Thanks Brian, but I’d figured that :) 700Mhz auction isn’t until end of 2013….that’s almost 2 years away….just in time for a new one that DOES support 700Mhz :) It would be silly to use 1700 continually, it’s too high a frequency to get enough range for what will, one day, replace the NextG network. That’s how Telstra got the jump on the rest, by using 850 while others were still stuck on 2100.
It’s not just that it’s 4G though, although that’s a big part. It’s also cause I don’t want a white one, so that only leaves the XL and also the Snapdragon CPU is actually faster and lower power.
Also the HTC One XL has the Snapdragon S4 chip, which will be able to run Windows 8. Awesomeness.
http://www.mobiletechworld.com/tag/krait/
Actually @ Clinton – my wife just upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S2 4G, and we live in Mount Evelyn, about 50kms from Melbourne CBD, surrounded by gumtrees.
Using my HTC Desire, and speed test looks like 5.46MB/s down, and 1.05MB/s up.
Using the Samsung 4G, the speed tests look like 18.59MB/s down and 3.89MB/s up.
So I disagree with you.
While it may not be full 4G speeds, it is certainly much faster than typical 3G. And yes, I do see a benefit to getting the 4G variant.
mmm, sorry Beau. I think you’ll find this is HSPA-DC (dual-channel) 3G also know colloquially as 3.5G. The Samsung SGS2 4G and for that matter, the normal SGS2 is capable of HSPA-DC, the Desire….I’ve got one, it’s not :(
Many phones, including the normal One X will work on Telstra’s HSPA-DC 3.5G NextG network. You’ll most likely see speeds very close to what you’ve got from any HSPA-DC phone.
4G is ONLY available in selected CBD, airport and regional centre areas as far as we’ve been told. I don’t mean in any way to insult your area, I’m certain it’s beautiful, but I don’t think it’d be considered either “important” or “regional” :D
Although I have to say 18Mbps is BLINDINGLY fast for HSPA-DC, so maybe you could look at their coverage for your area on 4G and get back to me? If you do have 4G, they’re expanding faster than they publicised, which would be excellent :)
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