The 'All New HTC One" (aka the M8)

[The Beaver King]

RizzoTheRat said:

Not a fan of the idea of more powerful speakers getting built in to mobile phones these days. It means we're going to be subjected to even more st music from people using their phone to play music without having the decency to wear headphones. I fully accept that I'm turning in to my father.

Personally, if I'm listening to music on the go then headphones are essential. I'd hate passing strangers to know my taste in music

The front facing speakers on the HTC One are one of the main reasons I'm looking at getting one. I watch quite a few films/videos on my phone and having speakers on the back of my current GS3 is infuriating.

[TheAngryDog]

Hmmmm, I was starting to go off HTC as I find some of the things on my One annoying, but looking at this phone....

I hope it doesnt have the same WiFi issues!

[Funk]

OK, so the new S5 is still plastic; unless it feels seriously nice in the hand, I think it's ruled out for me on that alone. Great spec though:

• 5.1" screen Full HD Super Amoled
• Android 4.4
• Quad Krait 2.5GHz processor
• 16MP camera
• 142x72.5x8.1mm
• 145g
• USB 3 charging
• Dustproof and waterproof: IP67
• 2800mAh battery

Also apparently has a good fingerprint sensor that can be used not only for unlocking but also as a password replacement. It can also combine WiFi and 4G for ultra-fast connection speeds which is quite clever - however, I fail to see why anyone REALLY needs speeds faster than 3G/4G? I'd rather see improvements in coverage/battery life than faster internet speeds to be honest.

HTC have finally sent out invites to an event on the 25th March which is highly likely to be their announcement date for the New One - interestingly the S5 should be available late March/early April so it's possible it'll get ahead on the sales front.

I'm pretty sure I won't be going for the S5 and looking forward to seeing what HTC come up with...

[The Beaver King]

Yeah, not hugely impressed with the S5 other than the fact it's IP67 rated.

Apparently the fingerprint scanner is gash and nowhere near as good as the iPhone one.

If HTC pull something interesting out of the bag then they could make some good ground up on Samsung; I'm very surprised that the S5 doesn't have a metal case as the plastic shell was/is one of the Galaxy's major criticisms.

[Funk]

Oh, I'd read the fingerprint sensor was OK.

[The Beaver King]

Funk said:

Oh, I'd read the fingerprint sensor was OK.

I read an article last night that said it was difficult to access one handed and if you didn't swipe it in a particular way it wouldn't read your fingerprint.

I'll see if I can find the article.

[Funk]

To be honest, I don't think the reader should need a swipe. It ought to be static like the iPhone although that's probably patented somewhere to stop anyone else using it.

[Polarbert]

I've already seen a pocketnow video of it not working about a dozen times.

Apparently a metal S5 is on the cards.

[Funk]

Must admit, I did just like the look of the LG G Pro 2...

[RedTrident]

The samsung is a no for me. The plastic just feels cheap for a c£500 phone. Picked up a HTC One last year and there is plenty to like about the phone. There's a few niggles I'd want to see fixing but mainly when I use my Nexus 7 and then go and use the HTC, the Nexus just feels like a better experience. Hopefully they leave as much alone with the operating system as possible, and improve the camera and battery life.

[Funk]

The Beaver King said:

Funk said:

Oh, I'd read the fingerprint sensor was OK.

I read an article last night that said it was difficult to access one handed and if you didn't swipe it in a particular way it wouldn't read your fingerprint.

I'll see if I can find the article.

Just watched a video of the scanner; what a pain in the backside place to have to swipe! Your thumb is at the wrong angle so it becomes a two handed affair plus you have to wake the phone first with the power button?

I'm afraid Apple got this right, none of the Android phones I've seen so far have a fingerprint scanner I'd ever use. The one on the back of the One Max is better positioned than the Samsung one of one must drag a finger rather than simply place a digit on the sensor.

[Polarbert]

You'd be pretty certain Apple have got a patent on the specific technology. Otherwise these newer phones with the scanners would have been similar. They all seem a bit contrived compared to the iPhone. And I'm saying that as a person who doesn't care for Apple products whatsoever.

[TheAngryDog]

I dont care much for finger print scanners. I dont have any issues swiping the phone screen...

[Polarbert]

Yes exactly.


For me, the only real way my HTC One could be improved is if the battery lasted a month without charging, like a Kindle with the wifi off. Its going to be many years away until we see something like though I would think. I don't even know if its possible.

I do like the look of the slightly large screen in the new HTC One.


What are thoughts on what it will be called? Since its largely the same as last years I'm going to wager a Jammie Dodger on it being called the HTC One Plus or something along those lines.

[Funk]

Gotta love HTC trolling Samsung..

https://twitter.com/htc/status/438033001083990016/...

[robsa]

I think the S5 looks really nice. Yes, it still has an awful lot of guff on it, but at least this time round Samsung have focussed on things people care more about - extending battery life, improving camera, making it less slippy in the hand, removing lag...

The only thing is though, the new Sony Z2 seems to match or beat it just about everywhere. The S5 is IP67, the Z2 is IP58 (which is superior), S5 has 16MP camera, Z2 has 20.7MP (though that isnt the whole picture), both have 4K video, both have Snapdragon 801, Both have HD screen, the Z2s being slightly larger, both have SD card capability, Z2 has bigger battery but the S5s is removable, Z2 has stereo forward facing speakers and built in noise cancellation, S5 just has rear single speaker. Z2 is arguably a nicer construction.

Frankly, I think anyone would be very happy with either, but for once Sony really has a potential 'best smartphone' contender. The HTC M8 is going to have to be damn good to beat it....

[Funk]

It really is a brilliant time for smartphones.

[The Beaver King]

There is a leaked 12 minute video of the new HTC One doing the rounds.

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m8_makes_an_appearance...

Main points:

• Roughly the same size as the previous HTC One
• Definitely no soft-keys
• Revised Blinkfeed and music player
• Micro SD slot
• New multitasking and camera interface

Nothing on the dual-camera though.

Well, it has expandable memory; that has sealed it for me

[The Nur]

The Beaver King said:

There is a leaked 12 minute video of the new HTC One doing the rounds.

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m8_makes_an_appearance...

Main points:

• Roughly the same size as the previous HTC One
• Definitely no soft-keys
• Revised Blinkfeed and music player
• Micro SD slot
• New multitasking and camera interface

Nothing on the dual-camera though.

Well, it has expandable memory; that has sealed it for me

I think expandable memory would be what makes the decision for me too. I have had mine since not long after release and only lately have I truly filled the 32Gb onboard. If they can sort out the low light problems with the camera then it is deal sealed.

[VEA]

The Beaver King said:

There is a leaked 12 minute video of the new HTC One doing the rounds.

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m8_makes_an_appearance...

Main points:

• Roughly the same size as the previous HTC One
• Definitely no soft-keys
• Revised Blinkfeed and music player
• Micro SD slot
• New multitasking and camera interface

Nothing on the dual-camera though.

Well, it has expandable memory; that has sealed it for me

I've just watched the first min and a half of that. The chap doing the review might be one of the most annoying people I have ever heard.He's either high or drunk, can hardly string a sentece together.