HTC One goes head-to-head with Samsung S4

HTC's One X was regarded as one of the Samsung Galaxy S III's main Android rivals (at least by critics).

Certainly, I rated it. It shared many of the S III's featues (if not all of its custom smarts, such as the "bump" to share data) but had a brighter screen.

Now, without much fanfare (at least in NZ), the HTC One is landing to go head-to-head with Samsung's S4.

While Samsung's going all-guns blazing with its S4 promotion, HTC is being pretty low key.

Again, the two hero handsets have a number of common features, but the HTC One has a smaller screen (4.7-inches to the S4's 5-inches) and a metal body unibody where the S4 is let down by its cheap plastic pop-off backing.

And while the S4 will be avialable from all three carriers from April 27, HTC One will only be on Vodafone (off contract for $1149, same price as the S4), and Telecom (off-contract for $999).

I've requested a review unit, so hopefully that will materialise soon.

Meantime, checkout this review by The Verge (which rated the One X ahead of the S III) and this one by CNet (which moans about the unibody case; honestly - how many people actually pop in a replacement battery or SD Card?)

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RAW DATA: HTC press release

HTC Announces New Zealand Availability for the New HTC One
Pricing and plans released with Telecom NZ and Vodafone NZ

23 April, 2013 – HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced its new and highly anticipated flagship smartphone, the new HTC One, will be available for pre-order with leading mobile operators, Telecom NZ and Vodafone NZ. Pre-orders with Vodafone NZ started from Monday, 22 April and will be followed by in-store availability on both Telecom NZ and Vodafone NZ from Tuesday, 7 May.
Crafted with a distinct zero-gap aluminium unibody, the new HTC One introduces core features including the HTC BlinkFeed™, HTC Zoe™, and HTC BoomSound™ to deliver a new perspective on smartphones.

HTC BlinkFeed™: A personal live stream right on the home screen
HTC BlinkFeed is a bold new feature that transforms the home screen into a single live stream of personal information. Accessing your favourite updates has never been easier with BlinkFeed now compiling social updates, news, photos and even videos so you’re always in the know.

HTC UltraPixel Camera with HTC Zoe™
HTC’s breakthrough UltraPixel camera offers 360’ panorama, time sequencing, object removal and optical image stabilisation alongside the HTC Zoe that redefines how people capture and share their precious moments. The HTC Zoe enables high-res photos to come to life with designed cuts to transform still images into a motion gallery of memories. 

HTC BoomSound™
With BeatsAudio integration the HTC BoomSound offers the best audio experience of any mobile phone today. Introducing for the first time front-facing stereo speakers with a dedicated amplifier, the HTC BoomSound immerses people in their favourite music, videos and games.

Metal Unibody Design
Wrapped in a zero-gap aluminium unibody and sporting a brilliant 4.7”, Full HD (1080p) screen, the new HTC One features the latest Android Jelly Bean operating system and LTE network technology to offer blazingly-fast browsing in a package that combines premium design with breakthrough build quality.

Pricing & Availability

Telecom NZ

The HTC One will be available in-store from Tuesday 7 May - RRP of $999 or available for $0 on a 24-month $139 Smartphone plan.
For further information please visit: http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/personal/phone-details/htc-one/pay-monthly

Vodafone NZ

HTC One: RRP $1149 or $0 upfront with 3GB data per month, 700 minutes and 2,500 TXTs on Smart Data $140 plan on a 24-month term – including 4G, only with Vodafone.