HTC One 2014 (M8)

[s44]

Yeah, that picture is why I consider the M8 an automatic DQ. Look at that ridiculous amount of wasted space.

 

[zerogear]

Yeah, that picture is why I consider the M8 an automatic DQ. Look at that ridiculous amount of wasted space.

Yes, because behind the logo is completely "empty"

 

[fstime]

Yes, because behind the logo is completely "empty"

No, but its a poor engineering choice to design it that way in the first place.

 

[Qbah]

You do know that the bottom part is like 5mm longer to screen edge than upper part, right? And that you can still hold the phone in one hand and use your thumb to write things and reach all of the bottom area?

 

[WelshBloke]

Yes, because behind the logo is completely "empty"

Who cares what's behind it? It's what's on the front that counts.

 

[Fritzo]

Yeah, that picture is why I consider the M8 an automatic DQ. Look at that ridiculous amount of wasted space.

You do know that "wasted space' has all of the antennas behind it right? You're limited where you can put antennas in an all metal body.

 

[dawheat]

You do know that "wasted space' has all of the antennas behind it right? You're limited where you can put antennas in an all metal body.

Seriously everyone knows this - wasted space is clearly not empty space. It's still an eyesore and disappointing from a overall size perspective. If your first reaction on seeing that is not ugh, you're lying to yourself. The tradeoff of great front facing speakers is worth it for some, forcing some internals above the bottom speaker.

 

[Fritzo]

Seriously everyone knows this - wasted space is clearly not empty space. It's still an eyesore and disappointing from a overall size perspective. If your first reaction on seeing that is not ugh, you're lying to yourself. The tradeoff of great front facing speakers is worth it for some, forcing some internals above the bottom speaker.

It seriously doesn't bother me. I focus on more important things than if my phone has a 2mm black bar on it.

For instance, the fact I'm holding a device in my hand that can run for nearly two days on it's own power and can instantly answer any question, play any song, so me any video, and let me contact any person in the world. All smartphones are amazing. I'm not going to get hung up on some tiny cosmetic issue.

 

[KentState]

So far this is what I see:

S5
1. Screen seems brighter but more washed out.
2. The back of the case actually helps with holding the phone.
3. Sluggish at times.
4. Feels light and the chrome ring feels cheap.

M8
1. Screen is not as bright, but colors are bolder.
2. Metal case is slippery as a bar of soap.
3. All side-by-side tests appear that it's faster and doesn't suffer from lag.
4. I have to have a case or I feel like I'm going to drop it. However, the phone feel a little heavier and not cheap.

Overall, they are so similar so it really comes down to plastic vs metal case and preference of launchers. Battery drains seems very close, wifi and LTE are on par and pocketability isn't much different. For the S5 to be perfect, they need to change the plastic ring to metal and get rid of the Touchwiz sluggishness. The M8 needs to somehow move the buttons down to the black space below the screen and figure out a way to get the back a little grippier.

 

[singhh]

I have the M7, and the design is gorgeous...wondering what it'll be like to hold the M7 and M8 in each hand. I've used the 5C, 5, 4S, and the Galaxy S4 (which was awful).

If the M8 simply builds on the M7, I'll pull the trigger. Or I'll wait for the iPhone 6, like the other half of the world.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

As an avid iPhone user since day 1 up until the iPhone 5, the OS has just begun to bore me. Apple is behind, sure, but that's not news. I just think they're falling even further behind than before in software and technology (despite very quick and powerful phones).

 

[Bateluer]

I have the M7, and the design is gorgeous...wondering what it'll be like to hold the M7 and M8 in each hand. I've used the 5C, 5, 4S, and the Galaxy S4 (which was awful).

If the M8 simply builds on the M7, I'll pull the trigger. Or I'll wait for the iPhone 6, like the other half of the world.

The m8 should be in stock at every carrier store and many retailers by now. You should be able to walk in to any number of stores and handle one.

 

[sze5003]

As an avid iPhone user since day 1 up until the iPhone 5, the OS has just begun to bore me. Apple is behind, sure, but that's not news. I just think they're falling even further behind than before in software and technology (despite very quick and powerful phones).

Not sure if you just got the iPhone 5 or have had iPhones since they came out but after iPhone 3 I had to get rid of it. Being able to load any Rom os I want is nice.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

Not sure if you just got the iPhone 5 or have had iPhones since they came out but after iPhone 3 I had to get rid of it. Being able to load any Rom os I want is nice.

Oh ive had all of the iPhones essentially.. the first one, the 3S, 4S, and 5.

 

[Red Storm]

I have the M7, and the design is gorgeous...wondering what it'll be like to hold the M7 and M8 in each hand. I've used the 5C, 5, 4S, and the Galaxy S4 (which was awful).

If the M8 simply builds on the M7, I'll pull the trigger. Or I'll wait for the iPhone 6, like the other half of the world.

Honestly I think the M7 looks and feels better. The M8 feels more plastic-y than the M7, must be the brushed metal design. But there's really point in getting an M7 anymore.

 

[Bateluer]

Honestly I think the M7 looks and feels better. The M8 feels more plastic-y than the M7, must be the brushed metal design. But there's really point in getting an M7 anymore.

Its still getting OTAs. Sense 6 update is coming this month. m7 is still a damn good phone, if you're shopping on a budget or used.

 

[Red Storm]

Its still getting OTAs. Sense 6 update is coming this month. m7 is still a damn good phone, if you're shopping on a budget or used.

It's not that it's a bad phone, but the battery life is SO much better on the newer generation, or for the same amount of money you could get other good/better phones (Nexus or the G2).

 

[Fritzo]

It's not that it's a bad phone, but the battery life is SO much better on the newer generation, or for the same amount of money you could get other good/better phones (Nexus or the G2).

Not sure about the G2 being "better" per se. It have really goofy button placement, the plastic creeks, and the build quality is lacking. It does have a nice screen and a decent camera though.

 

[lopri]

I am late to the party and only just read the first review, but it's a letdown for sure. Albeit a predictable one. With the SOC developement slowed down, there is only so much OEMs can do. But the M8 seems to have gone backward in many areas other than where the new S801 basically provides. (Such as faster GPU)

I th7nk the S5 will not fare much better. (Is it out yet?)

 

[Bateluer]

I th7nk the S5 will not fare much better. (Is it out yet?)

Its been out for a while now. Reviewed at a number of sites.

 

[toughtrasher]

Hasn't the S5 been out for months now??

 

[Fritzo]

Hasn't the S5 been out for months now??

Yes, the S5 and the M8 have been out for a couple of months now, and they're both doing well.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Hmm, I'm thinking of switching to to Edge (or just outright buying off-contract) so I can upgrade early from my S4 which I loath. Eying the One since I actually liked my thunderbolt (once I put extended battery in it). Worth it?

 

[zerogear]

I hated the S4. Love HTC One and One M8, love Sense 6. I would give it a try in the store and see if you enjoy the interface. I think it is definitely worth it.

 

[toughtrasher]

I hated the S4. Love HTC One and One M8, love Sense 6. I would give it a try in the store and see if you enjoy the interface. I think it is definitely worth it.

Sense was one of the main reasons I liked HTC's flagship phones, stemming from HTC One X. Def. one of my favorite interfaces of them all.