HTC One S smartphone

Photo: AnVuong1222004 (2) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

HTC

HTC One S

April 2012 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC One S was a premium Android smartphone released in 2012, known for its remarkably thin and stylish ceramic-metal unibody design. It featured a vibrant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display and was powered by a capable dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense.
Display4.3-inch Super AMOLED (540x960 pixels)
ChipsetSnapdragon S4 Plus (dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait)
Main Camera8 MP with LED flash and 1080p video
Battery1650 mAh Li-Po (non-removable)
Starting from $16

💰 HTC One S Price

The HTC One S lowest price is $16, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeSuper AMOLED
Size4.3 inches
Resolution540 x 960 pixels (qHD), 256 ppi density
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean)
UIHTC Sense UI 4.0
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus (for most markets) or Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3 (for some variants)
CPUDual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (S4 Plus) or Dual-core 1.7 GHz Scorpion (S3)
GPUAdreno 225 (S4 Plus) or Adreno 220 (S3)

Memory

Internal16GB
RAM1GB
Card slotNo

Main Camera

Modules8 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, BSI sensor, ImageSense chip
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

ModulesVGA (0.3 MP)
VideoNo official video spec, likely 480p

Battery

TypeLi-Po 1650 mAh, non-removable
Talk timeUp to 10 hours 30 minutes (3G)
Stand-byUp to 440 hours (3G)

Body

Dimensions130.9 x 65 x 7.8 mm (5.15 x 2.56 x 0.31 in)
Weight119.5 g (4.23 oz)
BuildCeramic-metal unibody design
SIMMicro-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, aptX
GPSGPS, GLONASS
NFCNo
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out)

Launch

AnnouncedFebruary 2012
StatusReleased April 2012

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Sleek and premium ceramic-metal design
  • Thin and lightweight form factor
  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display with good contrast
  • Smooth performance for its era (especially S4 variant)
  • Good 8MP camera with fast shot-to-shot time
  • Beats Audio enhancement for sound

Cons

  • No expandable storage via microSD card
  • Non-removable battery
  • PenTile subpixel arrangement on display (noticeable to some)
  • Limited software updates beyond Android 4.1.1
  • VGA front camera is low resolution
  • Outdated hardware for modern applications
★ Our Verdict

The HTC One S was a strong contender in its class at launch, offering a premium design, good display, and solid performance, though it was held back slightly by the lack of expandable storage and a non-removable battery.

The HTC One S is now a vintage smartphone, primarily suitable for collectors, enthusiasts, or those needing a very basic secondary device. Its operating system (Android 4.1.1) is severely outdated, meaning most modern apps will not run, and security vulnerabilities are prevalent. Do not consider it for daily use requiring internet access, modern apps, or robust security. If purchased, ensure the battery is in good condition, as replacements are difficult due to its non-removable design. Its value is minimal, so avoid paying more than a nominal amount for a functional unit. It could serve as a nostalgic piece or a very simple phone for calls and texts only.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC One S smartphone
  • USB wall charger
  • Micro-USB cable
  • Basic wired headphones
  • Quick start guide
  • Warranty information

Typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the HTC One S released?

The HTC One S was announced in February 2012 and officially released in April 2012.

Does the HTC One S have expandable storage?

No, the HTC One S does not have a microSD card slot, so its internal 16GB storage cannot be expanded.

What operating system does the HTC One S run?

The HTC One S originally launched with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and was upgradable to Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), overlaid with HTC Sense UI.

Is the HTC One S still usable today?

For modern daily use, the HTC One S is largely obsolete due to its outdated operating system, lack of security updates, and inability to run most current applications. It is primarily suitable for collectors or very basic functions like calls and texts.

What kind of camera does the HTC One S have?

It features an 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus, an f/2.0 aperture, BSI sensor, LED flash, and is capable of recording 1080p video. The front-facing camera is VGA (0.3 MP).

What are the main advantages of the HTC One S?

At its release, its main advantages included a very thin and premium ceramic-metal design, a vibrant Super AMOLED display, and solid performance from its Snapdragon S4 processor.