Microsoft is busy with the launch of their Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 platforms sheduled in for late  October, smartphone manufacturers on their end  have been busy showing off their new handsets running the latest incarnation of the smartphone OS. Today the turn goes to HTC with their Windows Phone 8 family: The HTC 8X and 8S. HTC has decided to share the 8X and 8S with the world. Both devices utilise the same naming mechanism as the HTC One series of Android phones, with the X and the S denoting the class of the device.

Similar to the One X, the 8X is HTC’s flagship Windows Phone 8 handset and like the One S the 8S is aimed at the mid-range level, bringing impressive specifications in a smaller package and at a lower price.

HTC 8X

The 8S is smaller in comparison the the 8X but still packs a 4-inch 800 x 400 Super LCD display, it’s similar to its bigger and more powerful cousin, including a 1GHz dual-core S4 processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory. Behind all of that is a 1700 mAh battery.

HTC’s 8S has a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, supporting 720p HD video recording and a dedicated camera button for those that like something tangible to use when snapping photos of their friends and family.

The 8S is distinctive in the fact it has a small colored band at the bottom of the device which is matched on the earpiece and around the rear-facing camera. The device will be available in Atlantic Blue, Domino and High-rise Grey color variations.

Take a look at the video below to see how much work went into selecting the color variations and shape of both the 8S and 8X:

8X:

Competition
HTC’s 8 Series smartphones certainly have the features capable of competing with Nokia and Samsung’s Windows Phone devices. With Microsoft incorporating hundreds of new features in its new mobile OS, including a digital wallet, screenshot taking abilities (finally), lots of cloud integrate, configurable app tiles and a redesigned camera app — to name a few.

HTC says that the 8X and 8S will be available in early November, shortly after when we believe Microsoft will officially launch Windows Phone 8. 

HTC launches new 8X and 8S Windows Phone 8 handsets