A closer look: HTC One M8 Design and comparison to the HTC One M7

The all new HTC One is here! It’s been a week since we first picked up HTC’s current flagship smartphone, the HTC One M8 and today we are going to begin to dive into a few subjects before we wrap up in a few days with a full review of the stylish new phone. Today we are going to cover the look that HTC came up with as a means to “one up” themselves compared to last year’s flagship, the HTC One M7.

HTC didn’t need to change much from the HTC One M7 design considering the device won all sorts of awards for the best smartphone of 2013, but like any great company there is always room for improvement. Even when we, as consumers, can’t see how a specific area can be improved, companies like HTC discover new ways to enhance that which was already solid.

“Inspired design, the brushed-metal unibody frame is built to fit your hand yet stand out in a pack.” -HTC

At a first glance, the HTC One M8 has a familiar look to the HTC One M7, but differences unfold as you grab the phone in your hands and rotate it over and over. The HTC One M8 has a slim design keeping the phone nearly as wide as the M7, but taller to make room for that 5″ full 1080p display. There’s still an HTC logo near the bottom, but this round the company has transitioned to three software buttons that sit on top of the logo when the phone is on. The back and sides of the phone are wrapped with almost 90% polished aluminum or some versions are available with powder-coated colors that have a finish similar to that of the HTC One M7. Either way, the phone now has more curves for an improved fit in the user’s hand.

Before we flip the all new HTC One over, let’s talk about the sides, top, and bottom of the device. HTC has kept the volume rocker on the right and about the same size as last year’s model, but it is not as squared as the previous rocker and is thinner too. Above the volume is the slot for the nanoSIM card and on the left side of the phone is a slot for a mircoSD card (not include, but accepts cards up to 128GB). The top of the phone has a plastic piece that stems most of that surface area and the power button has moved to the right, but it still supports an infrared remote control transmitter. HTC moved the audio jack from the top to the bottom and to the right of the microUSB charging port.

The HTC One is almost as much fun to look at from behind as it is when the display is turned on. This device is classy and professional looking and when you turn it over that amazing polished finish will catch the eyes of those around you and the Duo Camera will have them making a double-take with shock and awe. We’ll cover the camera hardware and software in an upcoming post.

Last year, HTC discovered the missing link between a mostly metal unibody finish and getting all those radio antennas to communicate outside of it’s little packaging with two strips of plastic; one near the top and one near the bottom. This year, the strips are still present and are the same size as before, but the polished aluminum model has black plastic strips. The main camera is nestled in the same position before and the second eye on the HTC One M8 is a 2MP depth of field sensor that gives HTC users a handful of perks dealing with focal points during the post processing of your images. There’s also the new addition of the dual camera flash which is supposed to create more of a balance when the flash is needed instead of washing out the subjects in your shot during exposure. Last, but not least a big HTC logo is centered on the back of the all new HTC One just like the HTC One M7.

HTC has really “one up’d” the already stellar design of the HTC One M7 with this new hardware design. Those of you that have bought or are going to buy the HTC One M8 will enjoy showing this phone to your friends and family. And if you are like those of us at HTC Source, we showcase HTC phones with lots of pride!