HTC One (M8) Cloned, Now Offers Windows Phone 8.1 Too
Mobile handset maker HTC revealed the HTC One (M8) for Windows, a new version of the company's flagship smartphone that uses Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 platform instead of Android. The device will be available this Tuesday on Verizon Wireless for $29.99 per month for customers on the Verizon Edge plan or for $99.99 with a new two-year contract (for a limited time).
The HTC One (M8) features a 5-inch Full HD IPS multi-touch screen backed by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 quad-core chip and 2 GB of RAM. The phone also comes with 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for adding up to 128 GB of additional storage. The 2,600 mAh battery boasts up to 20 hours of talk time on 3G.
In addition, the phone also comes packed with a 4MP "Duo" camera on the back and a 5MP wide-angle camera on the front, dual-band Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, NFC, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a gyro sensor and a barometer. There's also a microUSB 2.0 port that supports mobile high-definition link (MHL), which means that if the phone is plugged into an MHL-compatible HDTV, it will receive a charge while pumping audio and visual feeds to the big screen.
According to HTC, the phone sports an all-metal "unibody design" and a curved back so that it's easier to hold. The original HTC One (M8) shipped with Android 4.4 "KitKat," but this model ditches the robotic operating system for Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1. The phone also includes the company's HTC BlinkFeed, BoomSound, Video Highlights, and more.
"Consumers love the HTC One (M8) and today's introduction extends that enthusiasm to new audiences hungry for choice in their mobile experience," said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas. "HTC fills a gap in the market for unique devices that put a premium on form and function. Microsoft shares our vision, and that's why we committed to bringing the Windows Phone platform to the HTC One (M8)."
Both the Android and Windows Phone 8.1 models are covered under the HTC Advantage plan that will replace the cracked screen for free. HTC also promises "timely" software updates.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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red77star Problem #1 Exclusive only for VerizonReply
Problem #2 Weak Camera
Makes me wonder how well this will sell considering it has Windows Phone but that's the whole point of it. -
hannibal It would be really interesting to see both phone versions in the same test!Reply
the hardware is the same so only different aspect would be the operation system. -
lpedraja2002 Wait is Windows Phone even compatible with MHL? Back when I was using a Windows Phone 7 one of my biggest gripe was no HDMI or video mirroring support at that time, hope that has changed.Reply -
kawininjazx I am really considering the windows phone, I have a Galaxy S3, it works pretty good but I heard WP is fast.Reply -
dovah-chan ReplyProblem #1 Exclusive only for Verizon
Problem #2 Weak Camera
Makes me wonder how well this will sell considering it has Windows Phone but that's the whole point of it.
I own an M8 and the camera is wonderful. It might not have the raw amount of pixels backing it like other high end phones do, but I'd take a stable and shake-free image over a phone that requires a tripod to stablize it enough to take a decent picture. The front facing camera is the best I've used as well. I also like that you can change the focus after you take the picture as well.
The only thing I don't like about the phone is not even with the phone itself. It's the dot view case. It's terrible. It makes the phone nearly unusable for me when its on. I'm thankful its so easy to slip on and off. But jeez its so annoying when I'm using my phone and my hand slips a bit and the case cover flaps over my screen. -
whiteodian Work has been offering to buy me phone, but I was holding off. I was thinking this would be the one. Verizon only /cry. We use AT&T.Reply -
Zeroplanetz Whiteodian- ATT has stated that they will get it. They just didn't say when. So that means that its only a timed exclusive to Verizon. So id say 3 to 6 months at most.Reply