In the battle for supremacy, Android smartphones are challenging Apple by introducing the first quad-core devices that outperform iPhones.
At the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, HTC, LG, and Huawei highlighted this new technology, which is set to hit the market later this year.
These phones, running on Android 4.0 operating systems, are expected to operate at double the speed of the iPhone 4S, which is based on the dual-core A5 processor.
However, with Apple poised to unveil the next iPhone model this year, any current speed advantage of the Android models may be short-lived.
The HTC One stands out as the most praised of the three quad-core phones and features a large 4.7-inch screen along with an 8-megapixel camera that has its own image processing unit.
The Taiwanese company is optimistic that this smartphone, available in three variations, will help recover its stock prices, which fell in the previous year due to concerns about its competitiveness.
According to analysts, the new devices, operating at a speed of 1.5GHz, represent a sensible strategy for a company with fewer resources compared to its wealthier competitors.
‘The company is now focusing on its strengths, which have built its brand: driving innovation through premium device design, rather than trying to cover every market segment.’
One reviewer from Gizmodo described the HTC One as: ‘It’s the most excited I’ve been about a phone in a long time.’
The Huawei Ascend D quad is another highlight emerging from the congress, boasting the title of the fastest in the world.
Utilizing the K3V2 quad-core 1.5GHz processor while offering a compact design among 4.5-inch smartphones, it consumes 30% less energy than its predecessors.
‘We have incorporated consumer feedback on key smartphone features: speed, extended battery life, superior audio and visual quality, and a lightweight, compact design. The Huawei Ascend D quad surpasses these demands,’ remarked Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Device, a company based in China.
Among its standout attributes is Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and Audience earSmart voice technology, designed to ‘excel across the senses.’
Korean company LG also debuted its new quad-core Optimus 4X HD smartphone.
With a sleek design measuring 8.9mm in thickness, it sports a ‘prism-edged design.’
It is powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 3 quad-core chipset running at 1.5GHz and features a ’12-core’ graphics processing unit (GPU), along with 16GB of onboard storage, which is half that of the HTC One.
‘The Tegra 3 processor is the only mobile processor in the world designed for high-performance multimedia that incorporates a fifth battery-saving core for less intensive tasks,’ stated a company spokesperson.
‘Additionally, the upgraded 2000mAh battery enables users to work, browse, and enjoy gaming for extended periods.’
On the rear, it features an 8-megapixel camera with an LED flash and a ‘Backside Illumination’ (BSI) sensor, while the front showcases a 4.7-inch ‘True HD IPS display’ with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels.
A 1.3-megapixel secondary camera is also located on the front.
SPECS: COMPARING QUAD-CORE ANDOIDS TO IPHONE 4S
HTC ONE | HUAWEI ASCEND D | LG OPTIMUS 4X HD | IPHONE 4S | |
SPEED | 1.5 GHz | 1.5 GHz | 1.5 GHz | 800 MHz |
SIZE | 134.4 x 69.9 x 9.3mm | 129 x 64 x 10.9mm | 8.9mm thick | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm |
WEIGHT | 130g | 150g | Unknown | 140g |
CAMERA | 8 megapixel | 8 megapixel | 8 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
MEMORY | 32GB | 8GB | 16GB | 64GB |
OPERATING SYSTEM | Android 4.0 | Android 4.0 | Android 4.0 | IOS 5 |
by David Livingstone