HTC is well-known for creating takaw-tingin gadgets, and with their new Windows Phone 8S it looks like the Taiwanese tech titan has done it again! Here's a handset that has the looks to elicit second, even third, glances from envious peeps. But is it any good on the inside? To answer, we took it for a spin!

Lookin' good there, baby!

From the get-go, it's quite obvious that HTC again put into good use its design chops on the Windows Phone 8S. Thanks to a two-tone colored bod, the phone looks refreshing when compared to other smartphones, like a simple and cute gal walking into a bar filled with tall, statuesque models (although we'd like that scene, too).

Good news to our palms and pockets: The Windows Phone 8S's slim and curvy bod

At the same time, it doesn't look cheap; the polycarbonate finish endows it with durability and that premium feel. Although the Windows Phone 8S isn't the slimmest of handsets, it still won't make a huge bulge on your pocket, as the device measures only 10.3mm thick and tips the scales at just 113g.

Not enough eye-candy?

The Windows Phone 8S packs a 4-inch touchscreen that's strengthened by Gorilla Glass, making it strong as heck. However, for those expecting mind-blowingly high resolutions, look away as the device only packs an 800x480 display.

Not that impressive, yes, but still pretty decent. We tried checking out the photos of our beloved FHM Babes on the Windows Phone 8S's touchscreen and detail and brightness were both pretty good, although we did have a hard time viewing things under direct sunlight, as with the case with many other handsets.

The Makati skyline taken by the Windows Phone 8S 5-megapixel cam

The Windows Phone 8S sports a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. So, how did it fare? Like the display, it's pretty decent, but not really outstanding. For the most part, still shots taken with ample lighting came in good quality.

However, blur became a constant problem in terms of action shots which is, again, a bane of most smartphones. We also didn't like the fact that it doesn't have a dedicated night mode and a front-facing camera, which made it hard to take selfies in dim light. (Yes, we take selfies, too! Don't judge us!)


NEXT: Peformance, battery life, and, hey, it's a Windows Phone 8 handset!