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

[NordicCrankShaft]

So having had my HTC One M8 for a while now, I've got to say it's really not as great as other HTC models I've had. I'm a bit of a HTC fanboy and have always had HTC handsets since the HTC Google G, HTC Desire, HTC Desire ONE X and now the HTC One M8. But the One M* whilst a beautifully designed handset I just don't feel quite as attached to it as the other models.

Build quality is ok, the camera compared to my last HTC is piss poor, the software isn't really that great and crashes quite a bit resulting in me having to reset the phone.

The main thing that has alway brought me back to a HTC handset is the fantastic build quality and the premium feel of a nice phone in your hand, I mean whats the point in having all that oomph inside and covering it all in stty plastics, something Samsung used to do but the latest Samsung handsets are even doing that now and with better internal specs aswell.

Another thing that always bothered me with HTC's flagship models is the screens, now I've seen the screens on Samsungs and the colours look fantastic, HTC needs to adopt a much better screen for these phones!

I'm not going to jump ship just yet as I want to see what HTC has up it's sleeve with the next generation One M10 but if the M9 is anything to go by then I might have to consider (and I hate myself for saying this) buying a Samsung handset. HTC seriously needs to go all out with the M10 to gain back that tiop spot in the market it had with the M8!

Edited by NordicCrankShaft on Sunday 7th June 12:19

[Funk]

I looked at the S6 and have to say that as a fellow HTC fan I'm now also tempted to go Samsung next time. The M9 hasn't moved the game on at all (in some respects it's a backwards step).

[NordicCrankShaft]

Indeed and now they've cottoned onto the fact that people want a phone that feels nice and premium I think they will attract a lot more consumers from rival brands.

[SimianWonder]

The S6 Edge feels great in the hand, and runs even quicker than the M8. I came to the M8 from an S3, so the M8 felt amazing as an upgrade, but there's still that nagging doubt that the camera on the M8 - despite being fine 90% of the time - will let you down when an otherwise perfect moment presents itself. Don't get me wrong, the M8 remains a mighty fine phone, but I think the competition - by which I mean Samsung specifically - has really upped their own game with this generation.

[NordicCrankShaft]

The camera for me is the biggest sticking point, the camera on my HTC One X was fantastic compared to this, some of the shots that I captured genuinely were great, the camera on this however leaves a lot to be desired. They tried something different with the UltraPixel stuff and for me it does not work, they need to revert back to normal mega pixels and increase it.

Samsung really is making it a very difficult decison!

Edit. Just found this regarding the M10 or whatever they decide to call it. Good news I guess!!
http://phandroid.com/2015/06/05/htc-one-m10/

Edited by NordicCrankShaft on Sunday 7th June 20:40

[Funk]

The M9 is a 'normal' 20MP camera but it's still been panned compared to the competition. HTC just can't get cameras 'right'.

I had a look at the S6 Edge in-store and it's a lovely bit of kit. Have a nagging feeling that screen would be a pain to live with in the long term though.

[Rachie]

Funk said:

Rachie said:

Does anyone know an app that can stop these so annoying pop ups please?

Hey Rachie!

Get this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....

See if it finds any malicious apps and have a clear out.

Thanks lovely, um, 1 Trojan and over 1gb of junk

[VEA]

Should we have a general which Android phone thread rather than using the M8 one? I'm beginning to think about an upgrade soon.

[Funk]

VEA said:

Should we have a general which Android phone thread rather than using the M8 one? I'm beginning to think about an upgrade soon.

I think there are so many options stuff would get lost in the noise... Usually a new phone gets a thread made about it, especially 'premium' ones.

Maybe narrow it down a little yourself and post something with 3-4 of your contenders? I'm sure owners will bundle in with their thoughts and feedback?

[AJB88]

Had my M8 for ages now and love it but always annoyed me all the HTC bloatware on it (I use Google Now launcher, Google keyboard etc) so today I have fettled with it and converted it to a Google Play Edition phone.

I previously had a Nexus 5, First impressions are the HTC version of Lollipop is pants compared the the original version. Really glad I swapped.

Edited by AJB88 on Wednesday 24th June 16:37

[Funk]

Could someone using Smart Lock test something for me? I have SL enabled for home but the method of manually forcing a lock (long press on lock icon when on the lock screen) isn't working. When I press the padlock, it simply gives me the little animated arrow indicating to 'swipe up'. It would be useful to be able to lock the phone when needed; it works on the N7 tablet so I'm wondering whether HTC's meddling means you can't manually lock using SL?

Cheers.

Edit: Solved it myself - having any app enabled under Accessibility > Services seems to interfere. Disabling all of those allows the lock to function again. Weird!

Edited by Funk on Sunday 28th June 04:43

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Has anyone else had any issues with the physical buttons on their M8? I'm getting intermittent problems on both the power button and volume button. In the case of the power button it refuses to work at all and the volume button gets stuck on volume down. As you can imagine, it's starting to drive me up the wall!

[ArsE92]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

Has anyone else had any issues with the physical buttons on their M8? I'm getting intermittent problems on both the power button and volume button. In the case of the power button it refuses to work at all and the volume button gets stuck on volume down. As you can imagine, it's starting to drive me up the wall!

Not here. Are you a particularly grubby person?

[VEA]

Nope, no issues with buttons here.

I am getting itchy feet though. Want something new.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

ArsE92 said:

Not here. Are you a particularly grubby person?

Not really and the phone is kept in a pull case which should protect it from dust and dirt to some extent.

[ArsE92]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

ArsE92 said:

Not here. Are you a particularly grubby person?

Not really and the phone is kept in a pull case which should protect it from dust and dirt to some extent.

The only issue I've had with grime is on the camera.

VEA said:

I am getting itchy feet though. Want something new.

Me too but I don't know what. I fancy either a Windows phone as I'd like to see how well W10 integrates across mobile and PC, or dare I say an iPhone 6+

[VEA]

ArsE92 said:

Me too but I don't know what. I fancy either a Windows phone as I'd like to see how well W10 integrates across mobile and PC, or dare I say an iPhone 6+

No and no.

I'm thinking of waiting for the new Nexus, some good rumours around.

[ArsE92]

VEA said:

ArsE92 said:

Me too but I don't know what. I fancy either a Windows phone as I'd like to see how well W10 integrates across mobile and PC, or dare I say an iPhone 6+

No and no.

I'm thinking of waiting for the new Nexus, some good rumours around.

Meh. It'll just be another Android phone with a slightly 'better' camera and an unnecessarily high-resolution screen.

[leglessAlex]

TheGreatSoprendo said:

ArsE92 said:

Not here. Are you a particularly grubby person?

Not really and the phone is kept in a pull case which should protect it from dust and dirt to some extent.

Mines kept in a pull case and no problems so far.

I'm probably going to get an S6 soon though, I fancy something new and I'm deeply disappointed in HTC for not continuing with the ultrapixel rear camera and duo feature, it made it a bit different and I think they could have been interesting with some further refining. That said, the LG G4 seems to be decent and it would mean not buying Samsung which is always a bonus.

With the construction of the S6 and the way they have slimmed down the UI I reckon Samsung have taken away two of HTCs trump cards.

[VEA]

VEA said:

No and no.

I'm thinking of waiting for the new Nexus, some good rumours around.

I know what you mean, I had a play with a mates lumia the other day and although it looks great I can't see me going to Windows. iPhone, having had one in the past is a no for me. I just don't like IOS.

Guess I'll have to keep my eyes and ears out and see what comes up.