HTC touts WP8 X smartphone as flagship Windows Phone 8 device

Firm aims to unseat Nokia's Lumia 920 as Windows Phone 8 flagship handset

HTC has unveiled its Windows Phone 8 X (WP8 X) smartphone, claiming it will be the flagship device in Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8 marketing campaign.

The WP8 X was unveiled on 19 September, alongside the cheaper WP8 S device, as part of a push by the firm to position itself as the number one Windows Phone hardware partner.

"We got a great reception from Microsoft, they really loved our designs. We've entered into a joint franchise with Microsoft with these phones," said HTC director Graham Wheeler.

"The franchise will be a marketing campaign where our devices will be signature devices, the face of Windows Phone 8."

The claims will prove to be a snub for competitor Nokia, whose Lumia 920 smartphone had previously been seen as the WP8 standard bearer.

Ovum device analyst Nick Dillon told V3 that while touting the device as the "flagship" Windows Phone 8 device alongside Microsoft could alienate major partner Nokia, there is method to Microsoft's supposed madness.

"Microsoft has been giving Nokia alot of love over the last year and was in danger of scaring other Windows Phone partners," he said.

"So it really needed to get another vendor in as the launch device for Windows Phone 8 to show them Nokia isn't the only vendor it cares about."

As for specifications the WP8 X is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor and will boast 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It also has a 4.3in HD display.

The WP8 X will also feature improved Beats audio technology, featuring two new upgraded amplifiers designed to improve the smartphone's audio quality.

The first amplifier reportedly works to improve the WP8 X's headphone voltage capacity. HTC claims the increased voltage will improve the audio quality when listening to music or recording on larger headphones. The second amplifier works to improve the external speakers' volume.

The WP8X features an 8MP rear-facing and 2.1MP front-facing camera and both cameras boast the same F2.0 lens and BSI sensor seen on HTC's Android One series of smartphones.

HTC confirmed that it will arrive in November but no pricing information was provided.

Check back with V3 later for a full review of the WP8 X.