HTC One M8 Review
April 14, 2014
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Review: HTC One M8 hits the mark, but will it be a hit with consumers?
The gold version of the HTC One M8 smartphone. (Provided by HTC)
This is Christmastime for Android fans with HTC and Samsung recently updating their flagship smartphones.
The HTC One M8 was first out of the gate, and the device has garnered generally positive reviews from leading technology blogs. And for good reason.
Aesthetically, the One M8 is second to none. The slim, all-metal unibody, with a slightly curved back, and 5-inch touchscreen combine to give the device a near perfect form factor for a smartphone. By that I mean its size works well whether you're using the phone as a phone or as a mini tablet to browse the Internet.
When closed, the One M8 displays time, weather and battery level through holes.
I personally own the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, released late last year. While it's a spectacular smartphone, the 5.7-inch screen can be a bit unwieldy for phone calls without a headset. On the other end, I've always felt that the 4-inch screen on the latest generation iPhones is too small and narrow for ideal Web surfing or video viewing.
Like last year's model, the One M8 also features two, front-facing speakers, another design win. You don't need to hook up the phone to external speakers to enjoy loud and crisp tunes.
A new addition to this year's model is a microSD card slot, which allows you to store more music, photos and videos.
The entry-level model comes with 16 gigabytes of internal storage, enough room for about 1,600 songs, based on an average file size of 10 megabytes and not including system files.
The One M8 includes 2 GB of RAM and a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor. Those elements help provide a smooth computer experience on the phone. There's minimal lag when switching from a Web browser to a Facebook app to the camera app.
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The phone sports a a dual-lens, rear-camera system that enables professional-like effects. One example is the ability to refocus on different areas of an image after taking the photo.
In the face of the selfie movement, HTC equipped the phone with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. That's more than twice the resolution of standard front-facing cameras.
A nifty new feature with this year's model is the ability to wake the phone by double-tapping the screen rather than having to push the physical power button. Swiping down while the phone is asleep activates the voice-recognition app. Swiping right brings up HTC's Blink Feed app, which displays news from various news outlets and social networks.
The One M8 is powered by KitKat, the latest version of the Android mobile operating system.
HTC has produced a winner with the One M8, but that doesn't mean consumers will flock to the device. Last year's HTC One, also a stand-out phone, attracted relatively meager sales.
The company's share of global smartphone sales in terms of volume dropped from 8 percent in 2011 to 3.9 percent in 2012 to 2.5 percent in 2013, according to research and consulting firm Informa Telecoms & Media.
"While it is undoubtedly important for HTC to pack its devices with innovative features, this won't be enough," Informa Telecoms & Media analyst Julian Jest wrote in a research note in March when HTC unveiled the One M8. "HTC needs to be proactive in engaging with mobile operators and handset retailers to ensure that sales assistants are adequately trained on how to demonstrate the technology."
Replace the HTC name with Apple and the One M8 would most likely be a top seller. In addition to the company's marketing muscle, Apple store geeks would be fully trained to show consumers how to use the new features.
I also tested HTC's Dot View flip case, an innovative accessory for the One M8. The cover is dotted with hundreds of tiny holes. When closed, the phone displays the time, weather and battery level through the holes.
The plastic case adds minimal bulk and weight to the phone, and thus, offers little protection. With the One M8's curved backing, the case's cover doesn't fold completely flush to the back when opened, making it slightly awkward to hold during phone calls. The case costs $50.
The One M8 comes in gray, gold and silver. The device is available from all the major wireless carriers as well as regional operators. The standard price is $200 with a two-year contract and $649 without a service commitment.