HTC One (M8) (GSM)
Phone Scoop Review
Mar 25, 2014 by Eric M. Zeman
HTC's new flagship Android smartphone ramps up the drool factor with its all-aluminum design and updated software. Here is Phone Scoop's full review of HTC's mobile marvel. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
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best Android to date
Carrier: T-Mobile
Pros. Everything
Con. Camera could be better
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Worthwhile Update
Carrier: T-Mobile
Pros: Fast, fun camera features, beautiful display, killer sound, beautiful design and body
Cons: Large compared to the screen size.
I got the HTC One M7 about a year ago and was hesitant to upgrade to the M8. Luckily HTC gave me a demo unit to review., I got the chance to get a unit from HTC to review. It IS worth the upgrade.
HTC switched from Beats Audio to their own Boomsound software to enhance sound. It's hard to say if one is better than the other as they both have advantages in certain scenarios, but one thing is clear: this phone is MUCH louder than the M7 and still sounds great! I cannot impress upon you how much everyone is impressed when I share a video with friends around the table.
The display is beautiful. Compared to the M7: 1. It's bigger. 2. the auto-brightness works better.
I have to say that pictures do not do it justice. It looks better than the previous one. The tolerances and seams are so much tighter than last year's. Contrary to many comments, is not slippery at all. The glass layer over the speakers grills is a really nice touch.
The camera gets better white balance than the previous version and is super fast. I can get great pictures of food in a dim bar and it gets the colors right on top of that without noise or grain! I'm very fond of the UFocus feature which lends a really nice bokeh effect thanks to the second "depth of field" camera on the back. Amazingly, the selfie-cam is 5MP which really takes awesome shots worth keeping! Seriously...have you ever seen a front facing shot that was worthing keeping?
I've used this phone side by side with a competitor's phone and this one is noticeably faster. With either the Dot View case or the standard flip cover case (I've used both extensively), the phone sleeps or unlocks with an open or close of the case without having to swipe to unlock. Nice!
Finally...Blinkfeed: I love this! If you've ever used Flipboard, Google Currents, this is better.
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best ever
Carrier: T-Mobile
I would right a pro's and con's review but there aren't any con's. I have used the the s5 and the Note 4 and the iPhone 6 and 6+ the LG g3 and I would say up to this point the iPhone 6+ was the best phone all around and the LG g3 was the best android phone. Then I got the HTC M8. This is the best phone that I have ever used hands down. The interface is amazing the stock keyboard is the best I have ever used. I usually down load swift key bit I don't need that now. The call reception is amazing and the sound is awesome. The stereo speakers are the best I have ever heard. Battery life is great. Screen quality is perfect I think that HTC made the right call not driving to Qhd when there is no need for it. This phone runs so smoothly. The only other phone I have ever used that runs this smoothly is an Apple iPhone. What you get with this phone is a perfect blend of the best hard ware and software ever built with the perfect blend of Google now experience. That us what Apple can't give you. Hands down the most amazing phone ever. I recommend it to everyone. I have heard people talk about the camera and have to say that I have truely been amazed that this is a 4 megapixel. Pictures are unbelievably incredible. Overall HTC got it perfectly right.
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Best Phone
Carrier: AT&T
I've always been a fan of HTC phones. Prior to the M8, I've had the M7, HTC ONE and ONE+. They were all great. I also had the Samsung galaxy S4, besides the camara the phone is garbage. Bad reception, voice, sound quality and the samsung skins looks like its designed for a child. It just isn't as fast as the HTC and tends to crash more. I had the Iphone for one day and returned it, just not my cup of tea. HTC definitely stepped it up with the battery. I am able to use my phone with moderate to heavy usage for a day and a half without it dying. The HTC skin is sleek and sophisticated just like the body of the phone. Slippery body but nothing a clear slim case cant fix. Sound quality is amazing and call reception is as well. The downside to the phone is the camara. The phone takes good pictures but it could be much better. If HTC would have invested in a higher quality camara this phone would trump any phone period. The HTC One+ photos were better. The dual flash seems to improve the quality coming from the M7.
Bottom line its the best phone on the current market.
Pros
Great design
sound quality
Excellent Battery life
Fast processor
sophisticated skin software
Not full of useless apps
Completely customizable
Con
Camara quality
Slipper body but a clear case can fix that
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Hands down the BEST
Carrier: T-Mobile
This is one of the best built devices again, just like the first version. Let's get right to it. Buy this instead of the S5. Here's why.
Pros:
Screen
Build quality
Cameras
Size
Speakers
Reception (Call quality)
Battery
SD card slot
32gb internal memory (25gb for user)
Cons:
None!
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Disappointed
Carrier: AT&T
I had an LG G2. Had a problem with it dropping a bluetooth connection with my cars. AT&T sent me a refurb. A month later I had problems with the number keypad. Said, enough. I bought a new Samsung S5. Within a week, I had a problem pressing keys on it's keypad. Took it back and bought an HTC M8. I had heard people were not fond of the HTC skin. I have to agree that after using the LG and Samsung, that HTC's skin is not what I would choose. The battery is pretty good, and the phone is solid. But I am disappointed with the screen visibility in bright light. The S5 was decent and I have to say, the LG G2 was outstanding in bright light or any light. The HTC is hard to see unless the the phone is set on maximum brightness and even then it is underwhelming to say the least. I wish I had let AT&T send me another replacement and waited it out until the new iPhone comes out. While there are many things about the HTC that are nice, as a Flagship phone, it is not what I would expect. So Apple show me what you have coming and soon. And LG, sorry I did not give you a 3rd try. You blow away both the S5 and the M8 in my opinion. The M8 does have nice personalization for individual volume settings and sound quality while talking is excellent and the front speakers are also pretty good. But with a different skin like LG or Samsung and a much better display, this phone would be near the top. Also the camera which I value is not that great compared to the S5. So once again i say, Apple get your new phone out sooner rather than later. I am the first customer in line for your next one.
