HTC One Mini 2 is not really what users would call a miniature device, but it packs most of the best features of the HTC One M8 into a smaller and less bulky body.
The phone is considered the "mini" version of the company's hugely successful and aforementioned One M8, which won as the best smartphone at the 2014 GSMA Global Mobile Awards.
The One Mini 2 measures 137.43 mm by 65.04 mm by 10.6 mm and has a 4.5-inch display, making it still bigger than an iPhone and most midrange and low-range Android phones. However, it is much easier to hold than the One M8, which has a 5-inch display similar to the large screens of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2. Also, while the body of the One M8 is made entirely of aluminum metal, the body of the One Mini 2 uses plastics at its edges.
The One Mini 2 only has one storage size at 16 GB, but memory cards can increase the phone's capacity all the way up to 128 GB. The 720-p screen of the phone is bright and sharp, but it is also a downgrade to the 1,080-p screen of the One M8. It has a 5 MP front camera, but a 13 MP rear camera that is a downgrade form the One M8's UltraPixel DuoCamera. However, the smartphone still features HTC's patented BoomSound speakers.
The One Mini 2 might be smaller and cheaper than its bigger counterpart, but what it gives up for a smaller size and lower price can't be noticed while you use it, as the phone is still very fast and responsive. It uses the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system and has a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1 GB of RAM, a downgrade compared with the power behind the One M8. However, the difference is barely noticeable.
HTC is proud of producing smartphones with solid battery life, and this trend continues with the One Mini 2. Most users should be able to squeeze out about two days of usage from the One Mini 2 before having to charge it. The length of time between charges can be made even longer through the phone's power-saving features.
The One Mini 2 is a worthy partner to the One M8. The missing features and specifications from the One M8 are not that huge compared with the benefits of a lower price, which is not yet available, and a more manageable body.
"It's the perfect choice for those who love the iconic design of the HTC One M8 yet want something more compact," HTC CEO Peter Chou said in a statement.
