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HTC's new One X+ boasts quad-core chip, Jelly Bean

The device is an improvement over the company's current One X, and will ship internationally later this month.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
5 min read
The HTC One X+
The HTC One X+ HTC

HTC has announced a new and improved One X.

Dubbed the One X+, the device is basically a refreshed version of the same One X HTC is already selling. The handset comes with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and nixes the One X's 1.5GHz quad-core processor available in the global version for a 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 chip. The One X+ has doubled its storage to 64GB, and according to HTC, its LTE version is "up to 67 percent faster" than its predecessor, through it's not clear how it arrived at that figure.

On the software side, the device is running HTC's Sense 4+, a spruced up version of the Sense 4 running on the One X. With it, users will find a Self Portrait mode that offers facial detection through the front-facing camera. A sightseeing mode lets users take a snapshot with one click, eliminating the need to jump through the lock screen. Sense 4+ also supports a new Tap and Go feature, allowing users to connect their phones to a Beats audio speaker when they are tapped together.

Other than that, users won't find much difference between the One X and the One X+. Both devices come with the same design and many of the components aren't updated. However, that might not be such a bad thing: the One X scored an "Excellent" rating from CNET Reviews editors for its "style, speed, blazing 4G, and power galore."

HTC will launch the One X+ in Europe and North Asia later this month. North American availability will be announced at a later time. No pricing was announced.

One other note from the HTC announcement: it plans to roll out Jelly Bean to its current HTC One S and One X models later this month.

Here's the press release:

HTC introduces the HTC One X+. more speed, more storage and more battery life make HTC's best rated android phone, even better

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled the HTC One X+, a refreshed version of its award winning HTC One X smartphone, running the HTC Sense 4+ experience on Android Jelly Bean. The HTC One X+ combines the iconic design, amazing camera and authentic audio experience of the HTC One series, with increased performance, longer battery life and expanded internal storage.

"We are taking the HTC One X to a new level with the introduction of the new HTC One X+," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "Our customers will have super-fast browsing, an even better camera and more immersive entertainment with Beats Audio."

Performance, Endurance and Storage
Featuring a 1.7 GHz quad-core NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 AP37 processor and 64GB of internal storage, the HTC One X+ LTE version is up to 67% faster than the HTC One X LTE, making the HTC One X+ the best rated Android phone on the market. Developed to be lightning fast, the HTC One X+ enables quicker web browsing, fluid gaming and graphic rendering, and speedy downloads, providing effortless usage on the go.

In addition to its increased performance speeds, the HTC One X+ introduces extended performance with the inclusion of a 2100 mAh battery, giving you up to 50% (6 hours) more talk time, and longer to browse the web and enjoy your favorite music and videos.

Imaging, Music and Movies
Combining the amazing camera capabilities of its predecessor with a series of intelligent features, powered by Sense 4+, the HTC One X+ has been designed to deliver the most premium mobile experience. The newly launched Self Portrait mode on the front camera helps you capture high quality photos by intuitively detecting the human face at various angles and applying subtle enhancements to skin and eyes. Sightseeing mode makes sure you'll always be ready to capture the moment - one touch of the power button bypasses the lock screen and launches directly into the camera. Two new views in Gallery display images and videos and group them according to where and when they were taken.

Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the most immersive sound experience with an enhanced audio profile, crisper vocals and detailed high notes for your music, games, movies and videos. Making it easier to listen to music out loud, and through Sense 4+, the HTC One X+ introduces a new Tap and Go function, which allows you to connect the phone and your music to Beats speakers' when you tap them. To disconnect, it is just another quick tap.

Spectacular Sound with Beats Audio
Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the spirit of the original recording. The Windows Phone 8X by HTC featuring Beats Audio also offers a unique audio amplifier powering the 3.5mm audio jack and the speaker, boosting the audio signal for even better sound no matter if you're listening to music, playing a game or watching a video. Providing exclusive access to thousands of movies through HTC Watch 2.0, the HTC One X+ will appeal to both the avid film fan and the casual movie-goer. Combined with the introduction of video hub, another benefit of Sense 4+, for the first time you will be able to put all your video entertainment in a single place.

Easy Set Up
A new feature in the HTC One X+ is HTC Get Started, a new web service that guides the user painlessly through the set-up and personalization process from a desktop web browser. Designed to enhance the experience of setting up a phone for the first time, this feature ensures that users will get the most out of their new phone from the beginning. With the touch of a button, users' phone will reflect the settings and apps that were chosen on the Web. Visit start.htc.com for more details.

Availability
The HTC One X+ will be available in Europe and North Asia from October and in South Asia from November 2012. North America will make a separate announcement regarding availability of the HTC One X+. The Android Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 4+ update is scheduled to begin rolling out for the HTC One S and HTC One X from October.