HTC One SV

Available now
12th December 2012

The HTC One SV is an LTE-capable Android smartphone, due to hit retailers in the next few weeks. Pitched at the midrange market, the One SV should bring 4G capabilities to more consumers than before.

HTC have continued their habit of slapping random letters on their phones, although the One SV does somewhat fill the gap between the existing One V and One S. The One SV features a 4.3" display (like the S) but it has a lower resolution of 480 x 800 pixels (like the V). Relatively big but low-res panels are quite popular as they are relatively inexpensive and to many consumers size matters more than resolution.

On the back is a 5 megapixel camera with a 1.6 megapixel one on the front for video calling. The camera is capable of 1080p HD video capture and comes with a dedicated image processing chip and a range of other video and stills photos enhancements.

Inside is a 1.2 GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal flash storage plus a microSD slot. The removable 1800 mAh battery is relatively large, although HTC haven't quoted talk or standby time. The handset is housed in an attractive unibody design that echoes several other good-looking HTC devices.

This is an Android smartphone, although we don't know if it runs version 4.0 or 4.1 out of the box. HTC have included the latest version of their HTC Sense interface, so it should be familiar to existing HTC users. All the usual features are here, so the One SV supports WiFi, 3.5G, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. GPS and GLONASS positioning systems are included and music playback has been enhanced with Beats Audio. The HTC One SV can also support NFC, likely to be one of the big growth areas during 2013.

There are three different LTE versions depending on region, and the UK carrier EE has announced support for the One SV on its 4G network. There's also a CDMA/LTE version for the US, and given the number of different network options it seems that HTC will be keen to promote the One SV worldwide.

The handset should be available some time in the next few weeks in Germany and the UK in Pyrenees Blue and Glacier White colour schemes, priced at around €400 SIM-free.