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

[Funk]

If I want to keep my 40% discount then yes.

I'm sure the New One will be on EE (as the Z2 and S5 will be) but I never want a network-locked handset again what with all the faff I had last time getting it updated. If I'm paying for the contract I may as well get a 'free' phone with it.

[VEA]

For resale purposes I would go with the S5 as they seem to have the biggest following by those not in the know (like the iPhone).

[bodhi]

I've found two good ways of getting unlocked handsets so far

1) I know they're generally evil, but all phones supplied by Phones 4 U (and I believe CPW) come unlocked. It's worth the 30 minutes of pain to get a carrier free phone.

2) If you go for an Xperia, it is dead easy to flash a non-carrier based ROM without root. Have a look on XDA, they have a variety of stock ROM's you can flash using something called FlashTool, and it's fully supported by Sony. My Z is currently running German software, as they get their updates before we do, with no ill effects whatsoever.

[Funk]

Cheers guys. I have to buy through EE direct in order to retain my employee call. Can't buy the one to resell via cpw or wherever.

However, my 'own' phone will be coming from p4u or cpw to ensure it's network unlocked.

I wonder if it's worth seeing what newer phones will be 'free' on that tariff as I don't particularly want to have to spend out initially in order to sell...

[VEA]

I've just realised today that I am able to upgrade on my account now.

Off I go to the (really stty) Vodafone website. The M8 has not appeared on their site yet (I have actually already decided that I am going to be moving away from Voda) but the Z2 to has for Pre- order.

I'm currently on a £31.70 a month plan with 900 mins, unlimited text and 500mb data, to get a Z2 for "free" I would have to spend £10 a month more for Unlimited voice and text and 1gb plus 3gb of free "wifi" as they call it.


Oh and to top it off, that is only 3g plans.
These are the 4g plans available to me as an upgrade:

[RizzoTheRat]

Vodaphone's 4G plans are silly money compared to EE at the moment, and their 4G coverage is poor unless you live in London, however according to a mate in the phone business they're going to be rolling out 4G nationwide this year and theirs will apparently be faster than EE's due to the licence they have.

[VEA]

RizzoTheRat said:

Vodaphone's 4G plans are silly money compared to EE at the moment, and their 4G coverage is poor unless you live in London, however according to a mate in the phone business they're going to be rolling out 4G nationwide this year and theirs will apparently be faster than EE's due to the licence they have.

They may well be doing that, but at the moment I struggle to get 3g anywhere, even in London it is patchy at best. But I will be going with O2 due to an offer through a friend who works for them.

[Funk]

If rather have greater and more consistent 3G than 4G. I get around 7-12mbit down and about 3mbit up usually which is more than enough for mobile use. Even streaming video. Don't really see why networks are banging the drum about speeds that are way beyond anything most mobile users will ever need. Especially as it's in about 5 locations!

[VEA]

Funk said:

Especially as it's in about 5 locations!

Especially considering that they don't apper to be able to provide decent speeds to large areas of the UK outside of cities.

[Mattt]

Have you compared the cost of ownership against the SIM free outright plus GiffGaff PAYG type options?

[VEA]

HTC Launch at 15:00 UK time today http://www.htc.com/uk/go/launch/

[Funk]

Mattt said:

Have you compared the cost of ownership against the SIM free outright plus GiffGaff PAYG type options?

I haven't, but I suspect for the discount level I'm getting from EE, it'll be hard to match, let alone beat.

[mcflurry]

Funk said:

Mattt said:

Have you compared the cost of ownership against the SIM free outright plus GiffGaff PAYG type options?

I haven't, but I suspect for the discount level I'm getting from EE, it'll be hard to match, let alone beat.

I'd agree. The VM £15 plan is the closest in terms of usage, and you can't buy an M8 for £8/month (x24)

[Funk]

I may well be tempted by the Oppo Find 7 posted in another thread. That thing looks lovely and could convince me away from HTC.

I've been a pretty die-hard HTC customer since my first smartphone though; T-Mobile G1 (Dream), T-Mobile G2 (Hero), HTC Desire, Sensation and now One X...

[VEA]

Funk said:

I may well be tempted by the Oppo Find 7

I'd not heard of that before... looks great.

[ascayman]

I'm a smartphone idiot that's due up for renewal, how will a phone like this compare to the iphone, obviously its got a different operating system but other than that will there really be much difference?

[Mattt]

Other than that...

It's a fairly different experience between iOS and Android, but personal preference at the end of the day.

Aside from UI they both have screens, Bluetooth, cameras etc.

[VEA]

Anyone else watching the launch I posted earlier?

Only feature I think I actually like so far is the "dot (not sure if he said dog) view case".

Edited by VEA on Tuesday 25th March 15:30

[ascayman]

Already a review of it here http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communicat...

[VEA]

Well I have to say overall I am pretty happy.

I think their claims around battery life will probably be proven to be exagerations but all in all I think they have done well. I think my decision will come down to which feels best in the hand.