8 Expectations for HTC’s “Hero” Devices in 2012

“We had a fantastic year, with 65% growth year on year in the UK. But in Q4 we delivered a lot more products than in the past. Now we want to create more of a ‘hero’ approach. We make great phones, but it is hard to do that when the portfolio is spread too much.”

Phil Robertson, HTC

HTC’s promised to release fewer devices in 2012, focusing on a “Hero” strategy. Peter Chou and the Taiwanese manufacturing giant are hoping to win over consumers with the best specifications, highest quality, and longest staying power. So, what can we expect from HTC’s Hero device strategy? Will HTC kill the competition or just keep up? Check out my list below for some thoughts and expectations heading into an exciting 2012 from the folks who’re “quietly brilliant.”

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You had to see this one coming. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was released late last year alongside Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus device— and it’s been a smashing success. Android folks are loving the unified user experience, subtle animations, and hardware accelerated interface.

Now, we know HTC will continue Sense-ifying their devices. So, we can’t say for sure that 2012′s HTC devices will maintain that Holo UX polish from the Nexus. But, it’s not too far-fetched to expect Android 4.0.X on the first HTC “Hero” devices in 2012. If HTC wants to stay competitive, we’ll see ICS pre-loaded on this “heroic” bad boy.

That’s not to say that HTC won’t offer a similar Windows Phone counterpart. But, we know based on last year’s results that Android will most likely be HTC’s bread and butter.

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Dual-core processors are so last year, right? Now that the first NVIDIA Tegra 3 tablet‘s on the market, quad-core phones can’t be too far off. HTC’s next generation of phones will feature higher quality dual-core processors or quad-core processors. We can’t say for sure if we’ll be looking towards NVIDIA, Texas Instruments, or Qualcomm. But, it’s safe to assume that HTC’s long-term relationship with Qualcomm and the Snapdragon platform isn’t close to an end.

The Snapdragon S4 SoC platform has quad-, dual-, and mono-core options that pack impressive speeds and upgraded graphical units. It’s safe to say we’ll see at least a few HTC devices packing the S4 inside over the course of 2012. The real question now is whether or not HTC will continue to push the innovative lines and get those early versions of the Quad-core Krait processors with the Adreno 320 on-board. If HTC can beat their competitors to a quality chip like that, we’ll be seeing more receptive smartphone buyers. We’re expecting the APQ8064 quad-core Krait processor (another Snapdragon S4) to be available in mid-2012.

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In the late 2000′s, HTC was one of few Android-Windows Mobile manufacturers creating handsets with truly inspired designs. But lately, with overly-thick devices such as the HTC Rezound and HTC Vivid, the Taiwanese manufacturer has come under scrutiny for their uninspired designs.

2012 is HTC’s year to come back from their design deficit of ’11. I fully expect more than a few HTC superphones with chassis far under the ten-millimeter thickness barrier. With competition from Sony, Huawei, Motorola, Samsung, and Apple for the “thinnest” device on the market, it’s safe to expect a reinvigorated HTC that fully understands the importance of a phone’s slim profile.

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With the three largest American carriers fully packed into the 4G LTE bandwagon, I’m expecting a plethora of 4G LTE devices from HTC. In fact, it’s safe to say that nearly all of HTC’s American releases will include an LTE modem, except for those on T-Mobile with the HSPA+. Verizon’s LTE network covers over 200 million Americans, while AT&T’s up to 70 million. Sprint hasn’t launched a city yet, but they’re closing in on their first Texas LTE switch-ons. That means we’ll see more HTC LTE devices on Verizon and AT&T, and maybe even a 4G LTE-packing EVO device on Sprint from HTC.

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HTC beat everyone to the market with the first ever high-definition smartphone display on the HTC Rezound. While other competitors used the aged PenTile matrix to accomplish their 720p goals, HTC opted for a true 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD display. It’s safe to assume that HTC’s device line in 2012 will be fully decked out with high-definition displays of the 720p variety. 2012 might be a bit too early to talk about 1080p smartphone screens, but there’s no chance that HTC will stick to their WVGA past.

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The folks over at PocketNow got a hold of a device running an unfinished build with HTC’s Sense 4.0. And, from what we can gather, this brand new version of Sense on top of Android 4.0 is just as thorough as the last version. With the Sense interface “touching” each and ever application, we’re not looking at a toned-down user interface like Motorola’s ICS Blur.

We’ve heard that HTC’s new Smart Sync feature may allow users to pull in battery savings. But, we’re also expecting HTC to cut down on some of the battery-hogging resources seen in the old 3.X versions of Sense.

Thanks to the PocketNow leak, we can safely assume that HTC will be: reducing visual clutter, adding a card-flicking task switcher, integrating Beats Audio further, and improving the browser and camera applications.

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Google’s recent Nexus device from Samsung was the first Android smartphone to shed its physically present buttons for three (sometimes four) on-screen icons. Now, we can expect some manufacturers to follow suit and opt for more screen, less buttons.

But, signs indicate that HTC’s next generation devices in 2012 may utilize a three physical (capacitive) button set. While HTC might release some four-button devices in the first two quarters of 2012, the newer devices as we move later into they year will offer only three buttons.

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In 2011, smartphone manufacturers finally got serious about their cameras. Samsung’s Galaxy S II garnered some of the first “Wow, that’s actually an acceptable photo… from a phone” comments. Apple’s iPhone 4S brought 720p recording to the iOS-toting masses. And, Nokia’s Lumia series brought Carl Zeiss lenses to the Windows Phone world.

HTC even started to get serious about their cameras with the release of the Amaze 4G and Rezound. Unfortunately, their performance couldn’t outperform the best camera phones in the real world. Photos from HTC’s latest set of superphones were underwhelming.

This year, HTC will undoubtedly release some devices with upgraded camera lenses— possibly some of the 10- and 12-megapixel variety. It’s safe to say that HTC will release a Sense-ified, quicker, feature-esque camera application on their 2012 devices. Hopefully we can look forward to sharper, better saturated photos.

In 2012, smartphone manufacturers are listening to consumers’ demands and paring down their expansive lines. First, Motorola and Sanjay Jha promised fewer devices, now HTC’s doing the same. The “hero strategy” is a step in the right direction for HTC. By focusing on a few “hero” devices, the Taiwanese manufacturer can assure the competitiveness of each of their individual releases.

If HTC does it right, we can expect a 2012 full of Ice Cream Sandwich, quad-core processors, thin inspired designs, 4G LTE speeds, HD displays, and more. With Sense 4.0, HTC needs to re-capture their fans with a functional, sexy design that doesn’t detract from the user experience.

Expect to learn more about HTC’s hero strategy this next month at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.