If you’ve been craving a Windows Phone 8.1 device from HTC, your prayers have finally been answered! The HTC One (M8) for Windows is available in the US at Verizon stores across the country for a mere $99.99. We’re expecting to get our review unit from our friends at HTC early next week, but we decided to hop on over to the Microsoft store at Mall of America for a few minutes of hands-on time.
As we’ve mentioned before, the hardware on the HTC One (M8) for Windows is indistinguishable from its Android-powered twin. We put the two side-by-side and could not find a single difference, save for the Windows Phone logo on the back of the phone. This is a huge step for HTC and Microsoft and the last time HTC released a flagship device running Windows Phone (the HTC 8X), the external hardware was designed to complement elements of the OS and didn’t necessarily reflect HTC’s best design work.
Since we’re all familiar with the hardware, the software differences are what captivated our time with the new phone. The HTC One (M8) for Windows is running the latest Windows Phone 8.1 release, packing in folders, customization wallpapers, a notification panel, Cortana and much more. We’ll be honest – since HTC has shunned Windows Phone over the past few years, so have we. It’s clear that Microsoft’s mobile operating system has come a long ways since the HTC 8X was introduced nearly two years ago and we’re looking forward to exploring every last nook and cranny of the software now that we have shiny new hardware to test it with.
We’ll be giving the HTC One (M8) the full review treatment it deserves over the next few weeks. It you can’t wait that long, head on over to your local Verizon store and give the phone a spin. So far, we’re impressed and we’re hoping that the public will be as well.
