Recently, we reviewed Dead Trigger, the latest offering from Smartphone developers extraordinaire Madfinger Games. In our review, we detailed the game’s many selling points, and the flaws that offset them, but our special focus was on Dead Trigger’s graphics. After all, that’s the game’s chief selling point, and the reason many are heralding it as the first example of a truly competitive Smartphone game; one that’s capable of going toe-to-toe with benchmark offerings from the PS3 and Xbox 360 and come out victorious. But what are the graphics like on different devices? Is a Tegra 3 chipset truly necessary to experience all of Dead Trigger’s frills? In our latest exposé, we aim to highlight the differences between disparate versions of Dead Trigger, and how the game is handled on different devices.
First up, the HTC One X. This device is the perfect high water-mark for testing the game; not only is it one of the strongest Smartphones currently on the market, it also contains the much-touted Tegra 3 chipset. For those who didn’t peruse our review of the game, Dead Trigger was designed with the Tegra 3 in mind: those fortunate enough to own a Tegra 3 device are privy to a special “ultra-high” graphical option which substantially improves the game’s graphics. Predictably, of the three devices we tested, the HTC One X came out on top.
The game ran extremely smoothly, but that was no surprise. What really amazed us was the quality of the effects. The colours were vibrant, the bloom effects were polished and miscellaneous effects such as water droplets, steam coming from pipes, and of course the muzzle flashes from your weapon were incredibly realistic. Loading times between missions were minimal, and movement was predictably smooth. In fact, the only issue we found was unrelated to the game itself: as a by-product of running the game on the coveted “ultra-high” graphical setting, we found that the HTC One X became very warm, and ran out of battery power much more swiftly than otherwise. However, battery power is a notorious issue with the One X, and the warmth of the device appeared to have no adverse effects, and swiftly faded.
Next, we tested Dead Trigger on the Samsung Galaxy S3. Despite being arguably the strongest Smartphone currently on the market (at least in terms of raw specs), the S3 is only comparable to the One X in terms of graphical capacity. Samsung do not outsource chip production to Nvidia, as HTC do; they produce their own graphical chips in-house. The Galaxy S3 runs a quad-core ARM chipset dubbed Exynos 4, which is a competitive SOC but doesn’t yet have the same range of support as the Tegra 3. Consequently, there is no option to opt into the “ultra-high” mode for the Galaxy S3. But as we saw with the overheating and battery consumption of the One X, “ultra-high” essentially constitutes overclocking: ramping up the game’s graphics at the expense of much more power. So is that necessarily a bad thing?
Well… yes, frankly. The highest normal graphical setting is certainly impressive by the standards of a Smartphone, but it fails to match up to the HD next-gen graphics set by ultra-high. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination: the water effects in particular retain their sheen, right down to the droplets which spatter the camera when you walk under a leaking pipe. But when compared side-by-side to the One X version, the lighting is somewhat more muted, movement is slightly more jerky and loading times are noticeably longer. However, this is solely because it lacks the ultra-high setting; Samsung’s chipsets are generally on-par with Nvidia’s in other respects, so it seems obvious that the S3 has the capacity to run as well as its competitor, it just isn’t being allowed to. We’re sure that once Madfinger Games gets around to it, the S3 can expect similar integration to that enjoyed by the One X.
Finally, we tested Dead Trigger on a Motorola Xoom tablet. To be honest, we weren’t expecting much from the tablet, as the game was designed with Smartphones in mind, but we were pleasantly surprised. It suffers a definite loss in quality; the colours are significantly grainier, loading times were longer, and – crucially – there’s a time lag between touching the screen and seeing it transfer to an on-screen result, which means you’ll often find yourself missing targets through shooting too late. On the other hand, the larger screen made things a lot easier to see, and the controls were easier to use, courtesy of the broader buttons. And in some respects, the muted colour palette actually added to the attraction – Dead Trigger, after all, has faced a lot of criticism for its overly-colourful design, with many One X users reporting headaches after prolonged use. Overall, though, the tablet experience was significantly different enough from the One X and S3 to almost qualify as a new game entirely! We definitely had a few Resident Evil 4 flashbacks while playing it.
In summary, we’d recommend that you stick with a Smartphone, though – the majority of users aren’t going to be impressed by easier controls, if the trade-off is noticeable lag. Both the One X and the S3 versions are fun to play, and if the coveted ultra-high setting makes its debut on the S3 before too much longer, they’d be virtually identical anyway!
First up, the HTC One X. This device is the perfect high water-mark for testing the game; not only is it one of the strongest Smartphones currently on the market, it also contains the much-touted Tegra 3 chipset. For those who didn’t peruse our review of the game, Dead Trigger was designed with the Tegra 3 in mind: those fortunate enough to own a Tegra 3 device are privy to a special “ultra-high” graphical option which substantially improves the game’s graphics. Predictably, of the three devices we tested, the HTC One X came out on top.
The game ran extremely smoothly, but that was no surprise. What really amazed us was the quality of the effects. The colours were vibrant, the bloom effects were polished and miscellaneous effects such as water droplets, steam coming from pipes, and of course the muzzle flashes from your weapon were incredibly realistic. Loading times between missions were minimal, and movement was predictably smooth. In fact, the only issue we found was unrelated to the game itself: as a by-product of running the game on the coveted “ultra-high” graphical setting, we found that the HTC One X became very warm, and ran out of battery power much more swiftly than otherwise. However, battery power is a notorious issue with the One X, and the warmth of the device appeared to have no adverse effects, and swiftly faded.
Next, we tested Dead Trigger on the Samsung Galaxy S3. Despite being arguably the strongest Smartphone currently on the market (at least in terms of raw specs), the S3 is only comparable to the One X in terms of graphical capacity. Samsung do not outsource chip production to Nvidia, as HTC do; they produce their own graphical chips in-house. The Galaxy S3 runs a quad-core ARM chipset dubbed Exynos 4, which is a competitive SOC but doesn’t yet have the same range of support as the Tegra 3. Consequently, there is no option to opt into the “ultra-high” mode for the Galaxy S3. But as we saw with the overheating and battery consumption of the One X, “ultra-high” essentially constitutes overclocking: ramping up the game’s graphics at the expense of much more power. So is that necessarily a bad thing?
Well… yes, frankly. The highest normal graphical setting is certainly impressive by the standards of a Smartphone, but it fails to match up to the HD next-gen graphics set by ultra-high. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination: the water effects in particular retain their sheen, right down to the droplets which spatter the camera when you walk under a leaking pipe. But when compared side-by-side to the One X version, the lighting is somewhat more muted, movement is slightly more jerky and loading times are noticeably longer. However, this is solely because it lacks the ultra-high setting; Samsung’s chipsets are generally on-par with Nvidia’s in other respects, so it seems obvious that the S3 has the capacity to run as well as its competitor, it just isn’t being allowed to. We’re sure that once Madfinger Games gets around to it, the S3 can expect similar integration to that enjoyed by the One X.
Finally, we tested Dead Trigger on a Motorola Xoom tablet. To be honest, we weren’t expecting much from the tablet, as the game was designed with Smartphones in mind, but we were pleasantly surprised. It suffers a definite loss in quality; the colours are significantly grainier, loading times were longer, and – crucially – there’s a time lag between touching the screen and seeing it transfer to an on-screen result, which means you’ll often find yourself missing targets through shooting too late. On the other hand, the larger screen made things a lot easier to see, and the controls were easier to use, courtesy of the broader buttons. And in some respects, the muted colour palette actually added to the attraction – Dead Trigger, after all, has faced a lot of criticism for its overly-colourful design, with many One X users reporting headaches after prolonged use. Overall, though, the tablet experience was significantly different enough from the One X and S3 to almost qualify as a new game entirely! We definitely had a few Resident Evil 4 flashbacks while playing it.
In summary, we’d recommend that you stick with a Smartphone, though – the majority of users aren’t going to be impressed by easier controls, if the trade-off is noticeable lag. Both the One X and the S3 versions are fun to play, and if the coveted ultra-high setting makes its debut on the S3 before too much longer, they’d be virtually identical anyway!
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Of course, there are disadvantages to this method of manufacturing. The glass cannot be altered once toughened, necessitating complex shaping (such as drilling) before the glass is dipped into the chemical bath. Additionally, the edge of the glass is weaker than the centre; and any part of the glass can be damaged by concentrated impact (such as hammering it against a nail, ironically enough). Above all, it can pose a security risk if used in, say, an office building, because of the tendency of toughened glass to shatter neatly and completely at a certain level of damage, rather than shatter into fragments, like ordinary glass.
With all that said, these disadvantages have almost no bearing on the Gorilla Glass utilized in today’s top-end Smartphones. The glass does not require complex shaping; the edge of the glass is reinforced by the phone’s casing; and, of course, there’s no security risk to be had when the glass is neatly shattered (unless you take to hiding minute valuables behind your SIM card). It’s a risk-free proposition with a plethora of advantages, and at a price that’s becoming increasingly affordable.
Making its debut in early April, the HTC One X carved out a place in a Smartphone marketplace dominated by Apple’s iPhone, by emphasizing raw power over Apple’s trademark usability. That doesn’t mean it lacks utility, though; as one of the premier slate phones on the market, the One X is incredibly intuitive to use. Utilizing Android 4.0.3 (the Ice Cream Sandwich OS) as a baseline, it overlays HTC’s proprietary HTC Sense GUI for increased attractiveness (and better market branding in relation to similar HTC devices), guaranteeing a unique browsing experience for the user. In addition, it boasts a range of fringe features for the enthusiast, including geo-tagging, simultaneous HD picture-taking and video recording, and both face and smile detection, allowing you to perform feats like locking your phone unless you are present in person.
But how does it stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S3 in terms of specifications? Let’s find out:
With that said, it comes down to a matter of choice. The two devices are so similar in most other respects that it’s difficult to make a definitive choice between them. Brand loyalists on either side will have an easy time of it – but for the rest of us, there’s precious little to differentiate the S3 and the HTC One X. And as more software updates are released for the two devices, the gap between the two is likely to shorten even more, in addition to greater equalization in pricing.
So, ultimately, it comes down to your own personal allegiance – are you a Samsung or a HTC kind of person?
First up are our S-Line silicone gel cases. Made from the highest-quality silicon, they are designed to mould to the contours of the HTC One X, providing a durable and skin-tight layer of protection. In addition, the curved S design provides a sturdy grip, ensuring that you don’t drop your device while texting. And as if that were not enough, our laser-cut, precision-engineered method of engineering means that you have access to the One X’s smart-button interaction at all times – you never have to compromise on the protection of your device, just for the sake of increased usability!
Next up, our superb faux-leather wallet cases! Though designed specifically for the stylish protection and transportation of your One X, the additional two slots on the left-hand side of the wallet allow you to transport other miscellaneous items, too. Whether it’s your credit card, your driver’s license, or simply a ten pound note or two, for a shopping trip or a night on the town, you can now ensure you don’t lose your phone OR your money when push comes to shove!
Finally, our utilitarian faux-leather flip case selection. These austere cases snap open and closed over the screen of your One X, ensuring unparalleled protection when shut, and easy access to the touchscreen and button inputs when opened. The surface of our flip cases combines rugged durability with an attractive range of colouring options, leaving both fashion and function at your fingertips!
Though that’s the extent of our case selection at the moment, don’t despair if you can’t find a case that appeals to your unique taste – we’re constantly on the look-out for high quality peripherals for the HTC One X, and our market periodically expands accordingly! Check back in at Mobile Madhouse in a few weeks time, and the transcendental case of your dreams might just be our flagship product!
If you’re not fortunate enough to own this sublime piece of hardware, you’ll be forgiven for not knowing why it’s such an excellent mobile. Undoubtedly, part of the reason is psychosomatic: HTC recorded a degree of profit loss prior to the release of the One X, and it’s clear they threw their heart and soul into its production as a way of proving their worth to their detractors. The subsequent success of the device has made it something of a golden boy in the eyes of Smartphone enthusiasts, and definitely revived HTC’s flagging fortunes, fanning the fire of their financial success.
But, of course, that’s not the only reason why this phone is so popular. The HTC One X is powerful. Secreted in its lightweight, slimline 8.9mm frame lays a quad-core processor, Nvidia’s Tegra 3, which provides some genuine oomph in terms of CPU speed. Its screen is 4.7 inches, which would be a formidable enough size on a phone with less features (HTC have, in fact, marketed entire advertising campaigns around screen size before – just look at the HTC Titan), but seems to be just business as usual with the powerhouse One X. This gargantuan display is capable of 720p HD, utilizing LCD technology (in lieu of the AMOLED display favoured by rival Samsung) to offer an incredible visual experience, with less blurring and more exacting colour accuracy than nearly all competitors. This is carried through by the sleek and minimalistic design of the One X, eschewing excessive button input in favour of a slate-inspired modus that is far more elegant and intuitive.
In terms of its software, the One X ships with Android 4.0, the Ice Cream Sandwich OS that most Smartphone enthusiasts have come to know and respect. As per usual for HTC devices, it’s overlaid with the HTC Sense GUI, transforming the OS into one of the sleekest, most professional and eye-catching browsing experiences around. It comes prepackaged with Beats Audio, ensuring lossless, studio-quality performance, irrespective of the music you prefer. There’s 32GB of onboard storage; which is fairly good, but possibly a little lacklustre when you consider the dearth of superb HD movies that would look sublime on the screen of the One X, but would never fit simultaneously in its memory. Additionally, without a card slot to subsidize this (comparative) deficit, hardcore Smartphone enthusiasts may find their available space diminishing rapidly. This shouldn’t be a problem for the average user, however - and the HTC One X does possess a lot of average users, compared to its competitors.
And, in a roundabout way, that’s what makes the HTC One X such a special phone – the fact it crosses the normally clear-cut boundary that separates usability (exemplified by the iPhone 4S) and raw power (exemplified by devices like the newly-unveiled Samsung S3), to create a user experience that can appeal to both sides of the Smartphone market. Yes, there’s the traditional plethora of fringe features for hardcore enthusiasts, like simultaneous HD video recording and picture taking, face detection lock (ensuring other people cannot utilize your unique device), and an autofocus 8 Megapixel camera (with response times which average about a third of a second)… but it’s all so easy to use that you never feel intimidated by its potentialities. Rather, the HTC One X feels like an adventure of discovery; you feel compelled to utilize all of its disparate features, rather than put off by them. I’ve no doubt that, in the future, many once-inexperienced phone-users will cite the HTC One X as the mobile phone that got them truly interested in the industry. That’s what makes it such a special device, and the current high water mark of the Smartphone industry.
