HTC One 2014 (M8)

[blairharrington]

Seeing the S5 and M8 get larger than their previous models is a shame IMO. Others will welcome the better battery life and deal with the size. An argument can be made either way.

Overall the professional reviews have been much harsher this year regarding the M8 camera. I think most people expected a much better camera versus features provided by a second one. We all expect Apple and Samsung to provide superior cameras in their flagship followups.

I find it really strange that Anand didn't discuss the speakers in his M8 review.

 

[Rdmkr]

This phone is basically a re-do of the Butteryfly S on HTC's part. seems screen size, same bezels, same weight, only marginally different processor... Its battery (very important) was actually considerably better too (3200 vs 2600 mAh).

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_butterfly_s-5537.php

 

[Owls]

I own both the M7 and M8. I still prefer the M8 because the battery life is just leaps and bounds better. Removal of OIS was really not that big of a deal because I just use burst mode and the phone picks out the sharpest picture. I still prefer the form factor of the M7 but since this is only just a bit larger I can deal.

I don't think HTC missed the mark by all that much as it stands it's the only premium android phone in the market place. Let's face it we all like the way the iPhone feels and the HTC One captures that feeling.

 

[blairharrington]

I own both the M7 and M8. I still prefer the M8 because the battery life is just leaps and bounds better. Removal of OIS was really not that big of a deal because I just use burst mode and the phone picks out the sharpest picture. I still prefer the form factor of the M7 but since this is only just a bit larger I can deal.

I don't think HTC missed the mark by all that much as it stands it's the only premium android phone in the market place. Let's face it we all like the way the iPhone feels and the HTC One captures that feeling.

The iPhone? A flat back? It's terrible in hand without a case. M8 feels a million times better in the hand. As long as you are cool with the height, weight, and meh camera, the M8 is a great choice. No question.

 

[Red Storm]

Let's face it we all like the way the iPhone feels and the HTC One captures that feeling.

And how did you reach that conclusion?

I think the Nexus 5 has the "best feel", followed by the Note 3.

 

[openwheel]

I am over the metallic feel. Although it has a certain "premium" feel to it, but still doesn't compare to something that is "real premium" like a Rolex.

I do enjoy the faux leather texture very much on the Note 3.

 

[Owls]

And how did you reach that conclusion?

I think the Nexus 5 has the "best feel", followed by the Note 3.

Nexus 5 and other plastic phones feel cheap and after owning the Note 2 I'll pretty much never own a Samsung again. I know it's subjective but a plastic phone will never have a premium feel of something like the iPhone or HTC One.

 

[Red Storm]

Nexus 5 and other plastic phones feel cheap and after owning the Note 2 I'll pretty much never own a Samsung again. I know it's subjective but a plastic phone will never have a premium feel of something like the iPhone or HTC One.

Except there isn't one type of plastic. The Note 2, S4, LG G2 are all examples of bad plastic. The Nexus 5 is a very good plastic, it feels more rubberized and soft to the touch. The Note 3's faux leather feels great too.

 

[blairharrington]

Nexus 5 and other plastic phones feel cheap and after owning the Note 2 I'll pretty much never own a Samsung again. I know it's subjective but a plastic phone will never have a premium feel of something like the iPhone or HTC One.

IMO the Nexus 5 is the second nicest in-hand feel I have ever experienced on a phone. It provides a better and more pleasurable grip compared to any metal. The Nexus 5 plastic is night and day compared to the S3/S4/Note I/II.

The best in-hand feel in my experience is kevlar, like the Droid Maxx.

 

[Commodus]

Nexus 5 and other plastic phones feel cheap and after owning the Note 2 I'll pretty much never own a Samsung again. I know it's subjective but a plastic phone will never have a premium feel of something like the iPhone or HTC One.

I have to disagree, and this is from someone who uses an iPhone as a daily driver!

I really like metal phones, and I'm going to try the One shortly. However, I'd say that Nokia's higher-end Lumias have felt premium despite the abundance of plastic. It's all in the finish and rigidity of the design; the Lumia 1020 (for example) has a soft-touch finish, but you can tell it's rock-solid underneath. You may be right in that plastic doesn't have the vibe of an upscale watch, but it doesn't have to.

 

[MrSquished]

Google Play edition announced - $699 for 32GB

the original G Play editiion HTC One is on sale for $499

 

[dlock13]

Google Play edition announced - $699 for 32GB

the original G Play editiion HTC One is on sale for $499

In other news, the HTC One M8 Developer Edition is $649.

 

[Owls]

I have to disagree, and this is from someone who uses an iPhone as a daily driver!

I really like metal phones, and I'm going to try the One shortly. However, I'd say that Nokia's higher-end Lumias have felt premium despite the abundance of plastic. It's all in the finish and rigidity of the design; the Lumia 1020 (for example) has a soft-touch finish, but you can tell it's rock-solid underneath. You may be right in that plastic doesn't have the vibe of an upscale watch, but it doesn't have to.

I feel that you are right about the Lumia as far as plastic phones go they have certainly felt the best and even better than the Nexus 5. Secretly, I wish there was a Lumia 1020 with Android and Sense 6.0. One can dream.

 

[Bateluer]

Nexus 5 and other plastic phones feel cheap and after owning the Note 2 I'll pretty much never own a Samsung again. I know it's subjective but a plastic phone will never have a premium feel of something like the iPhone or HTC One.

The Note 2 has the slick plastic back, same as my Note 8. That slick plastic attracts finger grease and crud. On the tablet, the rear actually got crusty feeling until I put a tpu case on it. The Nexus 5 and One don't have that problem, neither does my Lumia 521.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Except there isn't one type of plastic. The Note 2, S4, LG G2 are all examples of bad plastic. The Nexus 5 is a very good plastic, it feels more rubberized and soft to the touch. The Note 3's faux leather feels great too.

Going off that comment about the N5, is it similar to TPU matte?

Furthermore how are your guys' TPU cases holding up? I find that the matte case gets scratched up and a bit ugly. My N5 has been in a case since forever, but I'm wondering if that soft back gets scratched up similarly.

 

[Red Storm]

Going off that comment about the N5, is it similar to TPU matte?

Furthermore how are your guys' TPU cases holding up? I find that the matte case gets scratched up and a bit ugly. My N5 has been in a case since forever, but I'm wondering if that soft back gets scratched up similarly.

I have no idea about the case. Never used a case on my N5 and it never got scratched up.

 

[Sid59]

anyone with a Nexus5 thinking about getting HTC One M8?

 

[Ravynmagi]

anyone with a Nexus5 thinking about getting HTC One M8?

I thought about it... But going from a 5 inch phone with 1080p display and Snapdragon 800 processor to a 5 inch phone with 1080p display and Snapdragon 801 processor...

Having those front facing speakers are great, but it is a double edged sword too, because of the longer awkward looking (have not yet put my hands on it) size. Just haven't been able to convince myself it's enough of a change to replace my Nexus 5 yet.

And while the One M8 is praised for feeling great in the hand. I also feel like the Nexus 5 was the best feeling phone I've ever owned too. Google/LG did a great job with the material on the back of the Nexus 5.

 

[sze5003]

An android team I do work with will be working on rooting this. So far they were able to get unlocked boot loader I think according to one of the guys. My buddy ported the m8 system to the Verizon HTC one and it runs beautifully.

 

[Ravynmagi]

PS. Though I suppose one could make a case that the much better battery life could be a good excuse to upgrade from a Nexus 5 to One 2014.

 

[Seven]

Great anandtech review. It sums up pretty well. Great device, but too big, and I agree... We don't need tablets in our pockets..

 

[blairharrington]

anyone with a Nexus5 thinking about getting HTC One M8?

I was thinking about the M8, handled it, and then purchased a N5.

 

[VashHT]

I'm pretty tempted to pick one up but since they're all out of stock at ATT stores around here I haven't jumped on it yet. My nexus 4 is getting pretty beat up but it still works fine for the most part, but the battery life and just having LTE are making the M8 pretty tempting. My gf has the M7 and it's a really nice phone, I would have never considered listening to music on phone speakers but the M7 does a decent job of it and the headphone output much better than the N4 as well.

 

[blairharrington]

Wait, you can't double tap to sleep? Only wake? Anybody have this phone can confirm?

 

[vshah]

Wait, you can't double tap to sleep? Only wake? Anybody have this phone can confirm?

nova launcher has a double tap to sleep option (empty space on the home screen)

don't really see how it would work inside an app or something