Google introduces on-screen buttons to Android in late 2011 with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Since that time, smartphone makers have slowly given up on physical and capacitive buttons below the display in favor or Android’s stock approach and the upcoming HTC M8 may be the first device from HTC to embrace the trend.
@evleaks seems to think that the HTC M8 will not have a row of capacitive buttons below the screen. While many may argue that physical or capacitive buttons offer a better user experience, the use of on-screen buttons would allow HTC to maximize the surface real estate of the HTC M8 which would allow the device to be physically smaller than the HTC One despite the fact that the M8 is rumored to have a 5-inch display.
Which camp do you sit in? Would you be in favor of on-screen buttons for the HTC M8 our would you rather save screen space by having capacitive buttons below the display?
M8 will be the first HTC device with on-screen buttons.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) January 27, 2014
I really DO love capacitive buttons, and really hate on-screen ones. They at least could put a better resolution. 1920×1080 with on-screen buttons means M8 will have a LOWER resolution than One…
That’s true, in terms of absolute resolution, but the pixels per square inch on the One is so tight that they could do 5.2″, make the viewport a little more square-ish, and wind up with something overall more usable even at a 1080p display.
I would like to see them replaced with a keyboard flip cover. Like you see with the surface-tablet from Microsoft.
With extra texture on the game buttons. (A,W,S,D) for in the near future it will replace all gameconsols. I hope the keyboards on mobile phones will return.
I prefer keeping the capacitive buttons. Just a nice option. Still extremely satisfied with my HTC One, but curious about what they are going to do with the M8.
Looking to move up from my Rezound. Been a great phone but really old now. I like capacitive buttons because I like the buttons always being there and not taking up screen reality. I would like 5.2″ if the decide to use on screen buttons. Still would rather have 5.0″with capacitive buttons.