HTC One (M8) for Windows
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“With the HTC One (M8) for Windows, Microsoft makes a play at one of Android's traditional strengths: wealth of choice. If this is any indication of things to come, concurrent releases with Android and Windows Phone might become the new normal. That's a good thing for consumers and reason for optimism for Windows Phone fans.The M8 for Windows is a formidable smartphone that marries HTC's design chops with Microsoft's slick UI to great effect. But while it features more modern specs than its Windows Phone contemporaries, there isn't much of a performance advantage in real-world usage. And I'll take the Lumia Icon's 20-megapixel PureView camera over HTC's gimmicky UltraPixel and Duo Camera any day. As such, the Lumia Icon retains our Editors' Choice award for Windows Phone, but the One (M8) for Windows would make a fine choice if you put a premium on design.”
“If you were hoping to switch Android and Windows at your will, we have to disappoint you. But look at this on the bright side - for the first time ever you can choose the OS of your flagship phone. It is a huge step forward and we hope other manufacturers will follow suit, especially now when using Windows Phone is free to them.”
“When the M8 for Windows originally debuted on Verizon, I was hopeful that it would be the first of many Android-to-Windows conversions. Despite Microsoft's free licensing policy, though, that hope has failed to come to fruition. And with Microsoft itself strictly focusing on the low-to-midrange market, there aren't very many choices for die-hard Windows Phone fans. The Nokia Lumia 830 is the only other recent entrant on AT&T, and we found it to be an underpowered and overpriced midrange phone. After that, what's left is the oversized and rapidly aging Lumia 1520 to compete at the high-end, and its size makes it more of a niche product. That leaves the M8 for Windows the only real high-end option on AT&T, fortunately, it's an excellent one.”
“The Windows Phone version of the HTC One is undoubtedly a good phone. It’s available on either Verizon or AT&T’s 4G LTE networks, and unless you’re doing seriously intense, non-stop activity on the phone, you can easily get a day or more’s battery life out of the handset. If you mostly use your handset for emails, internetting, social media, and watching video, you might enjoy this handset as much or even more than its Android counterpart. But if you’re a heavy camera user, or rely on specific apps not yet on Windows Phone (Google Authenticator and Training Peaks were two I missed), this is not the handset for you.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
With its stylish design and flagship specs, the M8 is a very popular option on the Android market. While the brand was once synonymous with Windows phones, it has been a while since anyone has seen an HTC phone running anything but Android. The HTC One (M8) for Windows looks to get them back in the game. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the reviews.
If you’ve looked at the Android M8, there really isn’t much new to see on the hardware front. It’s the same device, with an extra logo on the back. However, if you haven’t seen the M8 before, you’ll either love or hate its all-metal unibody design. While reviews are positive on the look of the phone and build quality, a tall design and a smooth back make for a slippery grip according to many reviews. PC World noted its “solid, professional construction” while CNet hailed it as “handsome and opulent.”
The metal chassis wraps around a large 5-inch 1080p IPS LCD. Reviews on the screen were very positive with everyone mentioning how crisp and clear it is. Brightness does not appear to be an issue. However, CNet noted that wearing polarized sunglasses while using the phone could pose some problems. While it might not have the pure blacks of an AMOLED display, reviews give the screen high marks across the board.
Pushing the M8 is a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM. Even with the high-resolution display, reviews indicate that performance is stellar. CNet noted that it “handles like greased lightning.” Engadget was less impressed, stating that it “runs well most of the time.” They later elaborate, stating that many delays are simply a cause of animations and other eye candy used by Windows Phone 8.1.1 and not actual issues with performance at all.
With 32GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards up to 128GB, there handset offers plenty of room for your movie collection, music or the latest high-definition games. Reviews also noted that there is very little pre-installed bloatware to take up space on the device out of the box. Combined with the stereo BoomSound speakers and reviews indicate it is an excellent choice for media consumption and gaming. Phone Arena declared, “From its vibrant screen to its stereo speakers, it definitely delivers the goods in this particular area.” CNet added that the speakers “belt out a ton of sound.”
Power users will appreciate the battery life on the phone. While the 2600mAh battery cannot be swapped out, reviews all found the phone to have exceptional battery life. While gaming would tax the battery, most found that average or heavy usage otherwise would still net a full day’s use on a single charge. CNet tested the phone with light mixed use and talking and found they were about to use the phone for 21 hours without searching for a power outlet.
Other features include an IR blaster for controlling your television, the Cortana voice assistant and the interesting UFocus feature. By including two cameras on the back of the device, the UFocus feature allows you to refocus photos after you’ve taken them and add a number of artistic effects and filters not found on other handsets. Unfortunately, overall reviews of the camera are average at best, with many reviews citing lighting issues and overall soft photos. CNet said, “Compared with several Nokia Lumias, this device just isn’t up to par.”
At the end of the day, the weakest point of the HTC One (M8) for Windows, according to reviews, isn’t the hardware at all. It’s the Windows software. Pocket Now found the interface unfriendly with some common tasks and all reviews pointed out a lack of app availability compared to Android or iOS.
However, if you’re not concerned about this issue, the phone gets rave reviews. CNet believes the phone will “undoubtedly satisfy your needs — as only Microsoft’s software and HTC’s premium hardware can.” Business Insider calls it “a fantastic phone.” Even Engadget declared it “one of the best options” in the Windows Phone lineup.
What people actually want to know
When was the HTC One (M8) for Windows released?
The HTC One (M8) for Windows was released on August 19, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the HTC One (M8) for Windows?
The HTC One (M8) for Windows has a 2,600 mAh battery.
Does the HTC One (M8) for Windows support wireless charging?
No, the HTC One (M8) for Windows does not support wireless charging.
Does the HTC One (M8) for Windows have a headphone jack?
Yes, the HTC One (M8) for Windows has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the HTC One (M8) for Windows have NFC?
Yes, the HTC One (M8) for Windows has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the HTC One (M8) for Windows?
Visit HTC's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the HTC One (M8) for Windows manual?
You can view and download the HTC One (M8) for Windows manual on our dedicated manual page.
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