Today HTC released the oft-leaked but still highly anticipated successor to its award winning flagship device the HTC One. The new device, dubbed the HTC One M8, will be the newest challenger for the mobile crown this year against the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 as well as the yet to be released LG G3 and iPhone 6. So if you are trying to decide which device you should pick up, here are eight things to know about the new M8.
Design & Specs
The M8 picks up where the HTC One left off with a high-quality metal unibody design keeping up with its premium feel. The newer version’s back and corners are a bit more curved so it fits more comfortably in the palm of your hand and allows for a more natural grip.
The M8 is a little larger than the HTC One coming in at 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.35 mm (roughly 5 ¾ in x 2 ¾ in x 3/8 in ) but weighs a little less at 160 g. It has a 5-inch, full HD display with a 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution. It will come with a choice of 16GB or 32 GB internal memory, upgradeable to 128 GB by means of a micro SDXC card. LTE, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi and an IR Blaster are all included. Also, a wealth of sensors including a barometer, accelerometer, etc… which make using it with items like Fitbit child’s play.
Performance
A quick look under the hood would make Dominick Toretto jealous. The M8 boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and 2GB of RAM which will help it speed through tasks and make multi-tasking a breeze. It also packs the Adreno 330 GPU to beef up graphics for gaming and other graphic heavy activities.
Camera
One of the areas where the most bells and whistles have been added is in the cameras that the M8 are packing. First is the new Duo Camera that feature’s HTC’s UltraPixel module. The rear facing Duo Camera allows users to take pictures and videos with a 2 UltraPixel main camera and a secondary camera acting as a sensor collecting other info such as depth working in tandem. The pairing allows for better focal points, and more control of the image including a wealth of editing options previously only seen on high-end cameras. In the front is a 5MP wide-angle camera and upgrade from the 2.1 MP of its predecessor.
OS/ HTC Sense 6.0
The M8 will be running the latest Android OS, Android 4.4 Kit Kat, paired with the upgrade of its user interface Sense 6.0. The upgraded Sense 6.0 is a big part of the new M8 experience as it has a cleaner appearance, customizable color themes and more refined gesture controls that make navigating through the phone a breeze. Also included is a streamlined BlinkFeed, making it easier to customize the layout so you can get to the information that you want. HTC will also be able to deliver updates for some of the Sense 6 applications through Goggle Play rather than making owners have to wait for an OS update to get access to new features.
Dot View Case
One of the most intriguing additions to the new device is its case. The new Dot View Case not only serves as a protective case for the M8 but working in tandem with Sense 6 the case can display a variety of notifications including weather, texts, emails and calls without ever needing to remove the case to reveal the screen.
Boom Sound
The M8 comes packed with an upgrade to its BoomSound technology allowing for a cleaner and crisper sound. HTC also kept its dual front facing stereo speakers in the M8 but included a new amplifier and redesigned the speaker chambers. The new tweaks provide a sound that is 25 percent louder than the previous version.
Battery Life
HTC wanted to make sure that the M8 was your go to device so they addressed the one area all smartphone users complain about, battery life. The new M8 battery lasts 40 percent longer than the HTC One. There is also a new Extreme Power Saving Mode coming soon that will allow the user to practice phone triage, picking and choosing which services stay functional in order to save energy.
Availability
The M8 in Gunmetal Grey and Glacial Silver will be available on major characters online March 25th and should hit shelves April 10th. Most major U.S. carriers have the phone for $199 with a 2 year agreement and for $649 without. You can also order an unlocked or developer unit directly from HTC for MSRP of $649.99
There is also an Amber Gold version which will initially be sold exclusively through Best Buy before being released nationally.
Follow @giant_life For The Latest In Music, Men's Culture, Sneakers, Sports And Lifestyle—
GIANT Life (@giant_life) July 09, 2013
