HTC One mini
Key specs
Critic consensus
“If you're sick of all-plastic phones and you are a sucker for premium feeling handsets with great screens (there's a great shortage of those in the mid-range), that probably won't stop you from getting the HTC One mini, though.”
“For the regular consumer, perhaps the One mini is perfectly OK. It's not like it's bad, and it's not like going back in the Android time machine to the slow, clunky phones of yore. But for a smartphone enthusiast looking for a good, long term buy? It just didn't hit the right buttons for me. Unless you're willing to go the ROM route and hope stock Android makes better use of that single gig, the One mini ends up feeling cramped and stifling, all thanks to a single specification. That's disappointing.”
“The HTC One mini is the most appealing non-flagship smartphone we've seen in a while. And that's saying a lot: there are more choices than ever, with recent screen and processor improvements now adding incremental improvements across the board. Ultimately, it all comes down to the pricing here. The One mini is a beautiful phone that feels and often handles like a top-tier model, even if it isn't quite as classy as the One flagship.”
“The HTC One mini sets a great example for how a more compact, cheaper version of an annual flagship should be done. HTC kept the same stellar and recognizable design the One has, and didn't leave out any of the unique features like the best phone speakers or the UltraPixel camera. To achieve a lower price, it only skimped on aspects that are likely to matter less for the average user, like taking away a bit of processing power and memory. We can't even say it skimped on screen resolution, as HD is plenty for the 4.3” diagonal. The lack of the OIS camera tech is also of dubious significance.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
HTC has released a mini version of their flagship phone, appropriately named the HTC One Mini. The One Mini has the same aluminum and plastic frame, 4MP camera and Sense 5 user interface as the HTC One. The screen size of the phone measures in at 4.3 inches and the total weight is 122 grams (4.3 ounces). Most reviewers appreciate the smaller size of the Mini over the full sized sibling. Mat Smith of Engadget notes that “it’s arguably a better size…” as he was able to “grasp the device, slip it into pockets, bag side pouches and use it one-handed without any issue.”
Due to its small size, the One Mini does have lower specs than the HTC One. It has a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. Despite the downgrade in hardware, reviewers agree that it still offers decent performance. Engadget notes that “…the phone’s responsiveness was mostly on par with the original One. It didn’t take any more time to process video highlight clips or capture photos, despite the differences in hardware…the One mini gave…swift page loads and responsive scrolling even on media-heavy sites.”
Aside from the internal hardware, the screen itself is also a downgrade from the HTC One, running at 720p rather than 1080p. Despite this, most reviewers are happy with the quality. Gareth Beavis of TechRadar mentions that the “Super LCD2 screen is a great option that works very well in direct sunlight…”
All reviewers agree that despite some minor drawbacks, the HTC One Mini is an excellent smartphone option. Engadget states that “The HTC One mini is the most appealing non-flagship smartphone we’ve seen in a while.” TechRadar, while a little more reserved with their assessment due to poor storage and mediocre battery life, states that “the mid-range market renaissance…is an area that HTC is intent on winning – and we think it’s managed that with the One Mini.”
The Good: LCD2 screen works well in direct sunlight, easy to handle, fast processing and loading speeds.
The Bad: No expandable storage, mediocre battery life.
What people actually want to know
When was the HTC One mini released?
The HTC One mini was released on August 31, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the HTC One mini?
The HTC One mini has a 1,800 mAh battery.
Does the HTC One mini support wireless charging?
No, the HTC One mini does not support wireless charging.
Does the HTC One mini have a headphone jack?
Yes, the HTC One mini has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the HTC One mini have NFC?
No, the HTC One mini does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I get support for the HTC One mini?
Visit HTC's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the HTC One mini manual?
You can view and download the HTC One mini manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
Have a question about the HTC One mini? Ask it here and we'll email you as soon as someone answers. Readers have answered 5,000 questions across PhoneCompass.
Finish the security check above to post your question.
Your name shows with your question.
✓ Question submitted. We'll notify you when someone answers.
We sent a verification link to . Click it to publish your question.
Can't find it? Check your spam folder.
New phones, honest scores.
One email when something worth knowing changes. No deal spam, no filler.