HTC One M8 Review

HTC One M8 Review: Premium Design Meets Solid Performance

The HTC One M8, released in 2014, is one of HTC’s most iconic smartphones, known for its premium design, BoomSound speakers, and unique Duo Camera setup. Building on the success of its predecessor, the HTC One M7, the M8 offers several improvements in design, performance, and features, making it a standout device in the 2014 smartphone market.

Design & Build

  • Premium All-Metal Design: The HTC One M8 features an all-metal unibody design, giving it a sleek and luxurious feel that stands out from competitors using plastic builds. The curved back makes it comfortable to hold, and the brushed aluminum finish adds a sense of durability and quality.
  • Weight and Size: At 160g, the M8 feels substantial without being too heavy, and its 9.4mm thickness adds to its sturdy build. Despite its larger size (due to the 5-inch screen), the phone is ergonomic, though users with smaller hands may find it slightly harder to manage one-handed.

Display

  • 5-inch Super LCD3 Display: The HTC One M8 sports a 5-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080 (441 ppi). The screen offers sharp, vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. While it may not have the deep blacks of an AMOLED display, the M8’s screen excels in delivering true-to-life colors, making it great for media consumption and gaming.

Performance

  • Snapdragon 801 Processor: Powered by the 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM, the HTC One M8 provides smooth and reliable performance. Whether multitasking, gaming, or streaming, the M8 handles most tasks with ease and rarely lags. Apps load quickly, and navigating the user interface is seamless.
  • Storage: The HTC One M8 comes with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot up to 128GB, giving users plenty of room for apps, media, and files.

Camera

  • Duo Camera Setup: One of the HTC One M8’s most unique features is its Duo Camera system, consisting of a 4MP UltraPixel camera and a secondary depth sensor. The main camera uses UltraPixel technology, meaning larger pixels for better low-light performance. The secondary camera allows for depth perception, enabling features like refocusing photos after they’ve been taken (known as UFocus) and adding a bokeh effect to shots.
    • 4MP UltraPixel Camera: While the 4MP count might seem low, HTC’s UltraPixel technology compensates by capturing more light, making it great for low-light photography. However, it lacks detail compared to higher-resolution competitors, especially in well-lit conditions.
    • 5MP Front Camera: The front camera is one of the best in its class for 2014, offering 5MP for sharp selfies and clear video calls.

BoomSound Speakers

  • Best-in-Class Audio: The HTC One M8’s BoomSound speakers are a standout feature, providing stereo sound with front-facing speakers that deliver loud, rich, and immersive audio. It remains one of the best audio experiences you can find in a smartphone, making it ideal for watching videos or listening to music without headphones.

Battery Life

  • 2600mAh Non-Removable Battery: The HTC One M8 comes with a 2600mAh battery, which provides enough power to get through a full day of moderate use. With mixed usage—web browsing, social media, and occasional video—the M8 lasts about 10-12 hours. The phone also includes Extreme Power Saving Mode, which can significantly extend battery life by limiting functionality when the battery is low.

Software & Features

  • HTC Sense 6 UI: Running on Android 4.4 KitKat with HTC’s Sense 6 UI, the software is clean, fast, and packed with useful features. Sense 6 offers customization options for themes and fonts, a sleek BlinkFeed news aggregator, and an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The minimal bloatware and smooth navigation make Sense one of the more polished Android skins.
  • Motion Launch: Motion Launch is a feature that allows users to unlock the phone and access certain apps by simply swiping or tapping on the screen without pressing the power button. It’s a convenient way to quickly interact with the device.

Connectivity

  • The HTC One M8 supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, and NFC for contactless payments and data transfers. It also has an infrared blaster for controlling home electronics like TVs.

Conclusion

The HTC One M8 is a beautifully crafted smartphone that excels in design, audio quality, and performance. Its BoomSound speakers and premium metal body make it stand out from the crowd, while the Duo Camera adds a creative edge, though it may fall short in terms of raw image detail compared to competitors.

For those who prioritize design, build quality, and media consumption, the HTC One M8 is an excellent choice, delivering a smooth and enjoyable smartphone experience.

Pros:

  • Premium all-metal design with a comfortable feel
  • BoomSound speakers provide the best audio experience on a smartphone
  • UltraPixel camera performs well in low light, and the depth sensor adds creative photo features
  • Expandable storage via microSD
  • Smooth and clean Sense 6 UI

Cons:

  • UltraPixel camera lacks detail in well-lit conditions
  • Non-removable battery
  • May be too large for users who prefer compact phones

Overall, the HTC One M8 remains a great option for users looking for a stylish, well-built smartphone with top-tier audio and reliable performance.