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HTC Incredible S

16 Feb 2011

With a stunning, contoured body, the HTC Incredible S captures and displays videos in crystal clear HD, while its 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display and stereo surround sound provides a vibrant cinematic experience. It also features a 8-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel front facing camera.

Tags: htc, smartphone, htc sense

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HWZ's Overall Rating: 8.0

Design:

8.5

Features:

8.5

User-Friendliness:

8.5

Performance:

7.5

Value:

Unique build with firm grip

SRS WOW HD audio enhancement

Smooth user experience

Lackluster imaging performance

Weak battery life

No groundbreaking improvements

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		<h2>More articles (2)</h2>
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			<a href="/review-htc-incredible-s-amazing-android" alt="/product-htc-incredible-s/review?review=157485">HTC Incredible S - The Amazing Android</a>			</li>
					<li >
			<a href="/feature-mwc-2011-making-sense-htcs-new-android-tablet-and-smartphones" alt="/product-htc-incredible-s/review?review=144029">MWC 2011 - Making Sense of HTC's New Android Tablet and Smartphones</a>			</li>
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			<h2 class="header-green">HTC Incredible S - The Amazing Android</h2>
		<span class="byline">Reviewed by Seow Tein Hee on Monday, 11 Apr 2011</span>
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		 		<h2 class="page-title">Overview &amp; Design</h2>
		 		<h3 class="page_title">The Incredible Android</h3>
<p>It's not easy to find something you love. Some people loved the <a target="_blank" href="/product-guide/view/4540">HTC&nbsp;Desire</a> for the balance it brings to portability and performance. Others wanted more out of its screen real estate, and chose to side with the <a target="_blank" href="/product-guide/view/87847">HTC&nbsp;Desire HD</a> and its 4.3-inch screen. But there are those sourcing for an option in-between both sizes. Fortunately, HTC&nbsp;managed to fulfill such a wish with the HTC&nbsp;Incredible S. In a way, the Incredible S&nbsp;is an amalgamation of the Desire and Desire HD, sporting a 4-inch S-LCD&nbsp;display and the power of a 1GHz Snapdragon processor to keep things in order.</p>
<p>As we explored the exterior of the Incredible S, we found it to have a solid and non-slippery grip. This is attributed to the matte material used to encase the Incredible S, providing not just a firm grip, but a more pleasing look to the body. More importantly, you can set your mind at ease without constantly wiping the device to rid it of fingerprint smudges. There's however no escaping smudges on the 4-inch display, but that is easily rectified with a non-glossy protective screen cover that's easily found at any mobile retail shop.</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="An all-round matte finishing helps to prevent smudges, but scratches might be something to worry about." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_01_0.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="Being a touch screen, the 4-inch display suffers the same fate as any other smartphones - fingerprint smudges." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_02_0.jpg" /></p>
<p>Putting the fact that the 4-inch S-LCD&nbsp;screen will be a fingerprint magnet, we were initially baffled by the absence of the usual shortcut buttons below the screen. As it turns out, they do exist, but hidden when the Incredible S is powered down. The moment we kick started the Incredible S (by pressing the power button on the top right), the four touch sensitive shortcuts lit up by small LED lights beneath it. Interestingly, once we changed the screen orientation, the four shortcuts followed suit to light up by adapting the appropriate portrait or landscape orientation - a nifty touch indeed!</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="Once we traced where the power button is along the top edge..." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_03_0.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="...we powered up the Incredible S, and with it, the four shortcut buttons lighted up like a Christmas tree." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_04.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" title="The LED lights for the four shortcut keys are programmed to light up according to your device's portrait or landscape orientation." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_05.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>By far, the Incredible S&nbsp;looks pretty much like any other smartphones of the same form factor - at least on the front face. Once we flipped it over, we noted that the rounded corners of the Incredible S converged in a raised ridge towards the middle. As we spent more time with the Incredible S, we realized the uneven design isn't just for show. Due to the raised ridge, the borders are slightly sunken in, creating a groove for one to get a firmer grip on the Incredible S. On the same track, with this raised design, we noticed how the microUSB&nbsp;port (which is oddly placed at the lower left side) was also slightly raised, making it easier for us to plug in our micro-USB&nbsp;cables</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="The uneven design of the Incredible S is not without cause - the created groove helps you to keep a firmer grip on the phone." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_06.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" title="Furthermore, the micro-USB port is slightly raised, making it easier to plug the micro-USB cable." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_07.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Across the casing, we also noticed tiny holes on specific areas. Removing the battery casing, we found metallic components corresponding to the holes' location. A&nbsp;quick check with HTC&nbsp;revealed these components are the device's radio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. These holes aren't for cosmetic purposes. In fact, they improve the signal strength of the three modules underneath as there's no obstruction to block the emitting waves.</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="These small little holes are part of the functional, not cosmetic design. That's because, underneath these holes..." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_08.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="400" width="500" alt="" title="...are the radio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. Without any obstruction, the three modules will enjoy stronger signal emissions." src="/files/images/HTC_Incredible_S_09.jpg" /></p>			</div>
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