 Hi, I'm Vlad with The Verge and this is the Windows Phone 8X by HTC. As the name will tell you, this new 4.3-inch smartphone runs Microsoft's latest mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8, and it does so proudly. Its squared-off corners echo the regular shape of Microsoft's lifetiles. With the 8X, HTC is finally giving Nokia some competition for the prize of best-looking Windows Phone device. The tapered, soft-touch back flows seamlessly into a curved Gorilla Glass screen, which is optically laminated, making images appear to float on the 8X's surface. Almost every external surface on the 8X is curved or rounded in some way. HTC claims this is the most comfortable phone you'll ever hold. However, the design is not without its faults. The 8X is unusually tall for a 4.3-inch phone and making it a major pain to reach its top-mounted power button. The 8X gets the benefit of two major upgrades over its predecessors. It comes with a Geocore Snapdragon S4 chip, which makes it more powerful and more power efficient, but more importantly, it has a 720p HD display. Windows Phone has been crying out for a resolution upgrade and seeing its newly updated home screen on a high-pixel density display is truly a joy to behold. The 8X can't quite render a perfect black color, which is a bit of a disappointment considering the black-terminated Windows Phone interface, and I experienced some issues with its automatic brightness, but those are mere quibbles. This handset has a great display with excellent color accuracy and viewing angles. You also enjoy the advantage of the high resolution when browsing the web, reviewing pictures you've taken or watching HD video on the device. The 8MP camera also takes good pictures, but isn't quite in the same category as the iPhone 5 or the Galaxy S3. HTC has seemed fit to include its Beats Audio branding and enhancements on the 8X, though I advise keeping them switched off. On the plus side, you get a really loud loudspeaker and higher voltage through the audio jack to help you drive more power-hungry headphones. The 8X feels like the first device of its kind that can truly stand up against Android in the specs race. It has LTE, an HD display, a modern dual-core processor and a truly cutting-edge design. Priced at $99 with AT&T in the United States, the Windows Phone 8X is a flagship phone at a mid-range price point, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking to give Windows Phone 8 a try.