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HTC Butterfly S
HTC Butterfly S
HTC Butterfly S
HTC Butterfly S
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8/10
Informr score
The HTC Butterfly S currently has an Informr score of 8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 4 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The HTC Butterfly S is the latest in HTC’s line of smartphones and improves upon its predecessor, the Butterfly and offers better specs than the HTC One. Key features include a quad-core 1.9GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built in storage, expandable micro-SD slot and a non-removable 3,200 mAh battery. In performance tests, CNET reviewers found that the Butterfly S slightly outperformed the Samsung Galaxy 4 despite both using the same processors. The Butterfly S’ battery life is also comparable to the Galaxy 4, lasting around two days with normal usage.

Like the Butterfly, the design of the Butterfly S maintains the glossy plastic body which GSMArena describes as “very soft and actually good to touch.” Unfortunately, Alvin Wong of Unleash The Phones observes that the glossy plastic attracts fingerprints and will accumulate small scratches and scuffs over time. In addition, the phone itself is slighter thicker than most smartphones today, measuring in at 10.6mm and weighing around 160 grams (around 5.6 oz) which, according to Phone Arena, makes the phone slightly unwieldy.

The main draw of the phone is its 5” LCD3 display. The vast majority of reviewers found the screen to be extremely sharp and detailed due to its 1080 x 1920 resolution. Mobarena notes that the display offers excellent contrast and saturated colors as well as excellent viewing angles which “make[s] everything appear as if painted on the screen…” The only issue that reviewers had with the display was sunlight legibility. Even at the brightest setting, reviewers at Hardware Zone had issues viewing content under direct sunlight.

On of the few drawbacks is its camera. While it uses the same Ultrapixel 4MP camera as the HTC One, it unfortunately does not have utilize the optical image stabilization. Instead the Butterfly S uses a software image stabilization, which many reviewers have found unacceptable for a phone of its price range. In addition, CNET notes that the camera suffers from some smearing of pixels in low-light situations and some loss of detail in good light situations.

Most reviewers have had no problems recommending this phone for people more interested in a utilitarian device. Consumers interested more in design and aesthetics, however are urged to look elsewhere. CNET notes that in order for the phone to compete among the market “its design needs to stand out more” while Hardware Zone states that “mainstream consumers ...may not be looking purely at performance; Aesthetics, build quality and usability are also factors...If the latter set of pointers are more important for you, the HTC One might a slightly better choice.”

The Good: Excellent display with superb viewing angles, incredibly fast processor, excellent battery life.

The Bad: Unwieldy phone design, plastic body prone to smudges and scratches, display.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.9 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.9 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
-
Camera
Camera
-
3200 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


PhoneArena
PhoneArena

The Butterfly S has taken some great features from the HTC One and mixed them up with an amazing long-lasting battery. We love its display, we love its front stereo speakers, we love its longevity. Then again, it’s not a perfect device. The large battery has taken its toll and the phone i...

- Victor H., PhoneArena
UnleashThePhones
UnleashThePhones

Ultimately, the Butterfly S is a very competent high-end Android smartphone which resolves some of the One’s downsides such as battery capacity and storage expandability even if it does not really bring anything new in either the hardware or software departments. Personally, I would still choo...

- Alvin Wong, UnleashThePhones
GSMArena
GSMArena

With HTC it seems like the problem is never with making quality devices, but with when (and how, and where) to release them. The Butterfly S is a puzzling flagship offering hard on the heels of the previous one, and not unlike some other HTC handsets, hard to find in many markets. But it's impossibl...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena
Cnet
Cnet

If a faster processor and bigger battery trump a sexy metal design, then choose the HTC Butterfly S, otherwise skip it for the HTC One.There's no doubt that the HTC Butterfly S is a great phone. While the design isn't new or interesting, it does sport better hardware specs compared with the flagship...

- Aloysius Low, Cnet


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the HTC Butterfly S user manual here.


HTC backs up the Butterfly S with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Butterfly S has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact HTC support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find HTC's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The HTC Butterfly S's screen size is 5 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.9 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad core 1.9 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense operating system (OS).

Camera

You can take photos with the phone's onboard camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3200mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 3200 mAh battery. HTC's performance ratings are 1740 minutes, 667 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Butterfly S Specs

Overview
Release Date July 8, 2013
Regions Available USA
Operating System Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad core 1.9 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.37 W/kg
Body: 0.43 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, UltraPixel, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, MPEG-4, WMV, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Self-portrait
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 440 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 3200 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 543 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 667 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1740 minutes
Standby Time Up to 27.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White, Red, Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.4 x 7 x 1.1 cm (5.7 x 2.8 x 0.4 in)
Weight 160 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
DLNA Support: Yes
ECML / Digital Wallet: Yes
Audio Formats: AAC, AMR, MIDI, MP3, MP4, M4A, OGG, WMA, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, AVI, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM)
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Weather, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
HTC Butterfly S Reviews
Where to buy HTC Butterfly S
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