After a series of leaks and teaser videos HTC finally took the wraps off its latest flagship smartphone, the all-new HTC One (M8), at a press event in New York, Monday.
HTC, one of the biggest smartphone making companies, unveiled the most-talked about HTC One (M8) at a press event in New York, Monday. The latest addition to the HTC family comes after a series of speculated features, leaked videos and teasers directly from the company. Putting all that to rest, HTC finally decided to show off its HTC One (M8) to the world on the date it had promised a month ago.
The Taiwanese smartphone maker is looking to reclaim its lost position in the smartphone market with the all-new HTC One. The HTC flagship packs powerful features, right from its processor to camera and battery to display. Above all, HTC is planning to take on its rival Samsung by making the device available right away to attract eager buyers away from the still awaited Samsung Galaxy S5.
Getting To Know The HTC One (M8)
The HTC One (M8) is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz quad core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB or 32GB built-in storage with option to expand up to 128GB. Based on Android 4.4 KitKat, HTC One (M8) uses the new Sense 6 UI. HTC did impressive work with the battery, which is 2,600 mAh and good for 20 hours of 3G talk time or up to 496 hours of standby on a 3G network. The HTC One also features a 5-inch 1080 x 1920 HD display
If the features packed under the hood aren't impressive enough, HTC has more in store for you. The One (M8) features impressive camera with new Duo Camera photo and video powers along with gesture control for the device with its Motion Launch. If you recall the striking smart cover featuring perforated light-emitting colorful notifications leaked by popular tipster @evleaks earlier this month and thought of it as too good to be true, then think again. HTC's Dot View case works with the Motion Launch gestures to show essential information to users.
Camera For The Enthusiasts
The smartphone packs HTC UltraPixel Duo 16MP camera with a dual flash and Full HD 1080p recording. What's different about the camera is the added special effects such as "UFocus" that allows users to focus on the subject while the rest is blurred, similar to what you see with Nokia's Refocus app. The camera also lets users change background and apply creative effects with Foregrounder. Other features include Seasons that bring animated seasonal filters, Dimension Plus to alter photo's angle by tilting the screen and soon-to-arrive Copy & Paste to swap family and friends into separate photos. The camera features also include Slow Motion mode for recording videos in HD slo-mo, already seen in iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4.
The camera will receive further improvements with new software arriving from third party developers, as HTC opened up its camera API to all, TechCrunch reports.
Looks And Feel Of The All-New HTC One
Like all its previous One models, the new HTC One features a unibody with all-metal design. This gives the handset a premium look, unlike its rival Samsung's plastic use in most of the Galaxy smartphones. The smartphone debuts a fine brushed metal texture in "Gunmetal Gray," "Glacial Silver," and "Amber Gold" finish. The company continues its signature look by placing the dual speakers on the front. The M8 features thin bezels giving enough room for the 5-inch, 1080p display screen with curved edges. The handset is 9.35mm thin.
The display is protected with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and its smart sensing enables automatic adjustment for viewing in different environments.
Gesture Controls, Dot View Smart Case Compatibility and Other Accessories
The M8 features Motion Launch to help users activate the screen, answer calls and other shortcuts. For instance, users can simply lift the phone toward the ear to answer a call without touching the screen.
As we reported earlier, HTC officially confirmed the Dot View case that pairs with the HTC One to support the Motion Launch gestures. Important information like tests, emails, calls and weather notification will be shown on the perforated light-emitting cover, and yes in colorful notifications. The Dot View case comes in five new colors, Warm Black, Imperial Blue, Orange Popsicle, Atlantis and Baton Rouge.
HTC also offers other accessories for the all-new HTC One, which includes HTC BoomBass wireless speaker, HTC Fetch that helps users track their phone and alerts in case left behind, HTC Mini+ that acts as an alternate for various HTC One functions like taking calls, shooting images, TV remote and more when users are busy with other functions on the M8, HTC Battery Bar (a portable power charger), and others.
Pricing And Availability
The device is available through major carriers in the U.S., U.K, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Denmark and Belgium, ahead of Samsung Galaxy S5's launch on April 11, and will soon be available in Australia.
In the U.S., the unlocked and unsubsidized version of the HTC One (M8) is selling for $799.99 and with contract through AT&T,Sprint and Verizon for $199.99.
