Following in the footsteps of last years One Mini, the One Mini 2 continues HTC’s new design language found on the M8.

Shrinking the screen to a 4.5″ 720p display, the OM2 features a number of our favorite features from the M8 like Boomsound speakers, Blinkfeed, and Zoe. What’s different is an odd collection of specs.

First, we expected the camera would not be HTC’s new dual camera sensor setup which provides depth info to the M8, but it’s also not the same 4 Ultrapixel shooter we’ve seen since the M7. It’s a 13MP BSI sensor. Something of an odd move considering the lengths HTC has gone to in promoting Ultrapixels. There’s also no mention of OIS on board.

A Qualcomm 400 quad-core should be plenty powerful for most folks, and thankfully HTC has seen fit to add in NFC and a larger battery. That combo of efficient processor, Android 4.4, and a 2100 mAh battery should provide for noticeably better screen on time over the last Mini.

A MicroSD card slot will be appreciated by many, but OM2 owners will lose out on the M8’s IR blaster to use the phone as a universal remote, and it doesn’t appear to have 802.11AC WiFi either.

All wrapped up in an extremely attractive package. On its own, the OM2 looks like a decent offering for folks shopping a more affordable handset. Where mid-range devices are difficult to recommend however, is in the insane amount of competition found in the smartphone market. Ignoring all of the other “mini” mid-range devices set to drop from Samsung, Nokia, LG, and Moto, the OM2 faces stiff competition from other phones in HTC’s stables.

Take last year’s M7 flagship. Currently on Amazon you can find them unlocked for around $450, which I would imagine would be close to the price of an unlocked Mini. Comparing the differences, the M7 wont have an SD card slot, but it’ll have 32GB built in instead of the OM2’s 16GB. The M7 will have a 4.7″ 1080p screen instead of the Mini’s 4.5″ 720p screen. It’ll have a Qualcomm 600 quad core instead of the 400. The M7 camera will be lower resolution, but will have optical image stabilization, the lack of which I’ve definitely missed on the M8. The M7 will also have the IR blaster and 802.11AC all in form factor about the same size roughly as the OM2.

There’s certainly a market for the One Mini 2, despite its cumbersome name, but it’s becoming clear that the mid range market is being squeezed by a maturing high end market, where devices devalue faster than new cars, and an entry level market heating up with phones like the Moto E/G and Lumia 520/630.

No pricing information is available yet, but the One Mini 2 should be available in select markets starting in June. You can catch the full HTC press release below for more info.

Introducing the HTC One mini 2 – Compact Elegance

The HTC One (M8) has taken the world by storm, and today, we introduce the newest member of the HTC One family – the HTC One mini 2.

The HTC One mini 2 is the most grippable Android ever. Featuring a tightened 4.5” HD display, HTC Sense™ 6 with HTC BlinkFeed™ and an impressive 5MP front-facing camera, the HTC One mini 2 brings the iconic craftsmanship and best-in-class experience of the HTC One (M8) to those in search of a more compact model.

“The latest member of the award-winning HTC One family distills the advanced features that have earned it global acclaim, into an elegant, compact handset,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. “Its size and tapered edges fit perfectly in a hand, pocket or purse, making it look great and feel even better to use. It’s the perfect choice for those who love the iconic design of the HTC One (M8) yet want something more compact.”

Like true siblings, the HTC One mini 2 takes cues from the One (M8) with its own twist:

• High quality camera for naturally stunning selfies. – A 5MP front-facing camera with countdown timer that guarantees high-quality selfies. To give those self-portraits an element of professionalism, the HTC One mini 2 also features Touch Up software for subtle beauty enhancements that smoothens  skin, eliminates red eye and adjusts facial contours, while preserving natural looks.
• HTC BoomSound™ – A small device that makes a big sound. Equipped with the same amplifiers as the HTC One (M8), the One mini 2 delivers rich tones from bass through treble, producing high-quality, immersive sound through the dual frontal speakers that have become synonymous with the award-winning HTC One family.
• HTC Sense 6 with BlinkFeed™ – Turning your home screen into a live stream of the latest news and social updates, HTC BlinkFeed™ makes the content that matters to you more accessible and easier to read than ever. Aggregating feeds from a growing list of over 1,000 partners, adaptable tiles display your social media updates and favourite news topics, giving you the latest online content directly to your home screen.
• HTC Zoe Highlights and Zoe™ sharing app (coming in summer 2014) that allows you to create, share, and remix professional-quality video compilations of selfies, video clips and photos from the 13MP camera. For those unforgettable moments, the Remix function allows your followers to add their own photos, videos and soundtracks to create new Zoe Highlight videos that help you re-live the experience from every perspective.

The HTC One mini 2 is the perfect solution if you want a smaller Android phone that combines stunning design, build quality, and our powerful flagship features in a sleek and compact body.

The One mini 2 will be available in the same Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver, and Amber Gold as the One mini 2’s bigger sibling, the HTC One (M8). The One mini 2 will arrive in EMEA and Asia starting in June 2014 with availability varying by country and region. Stay tuned for more information.