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So, it looks like the rumors were on the right track. HTC just announced a Windows Phone 8.1 variant of its HTC One (M8) flagship, and it is coming to the U.S. as a Verizon exclusive. And it may not look like it, but HTC's new model could be facing some serious competition in the Windows Phone segment – a segment dominated by Nokia and its Lumia series.
Still, The HTC One (M8) for Windows has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. In fact, we've made a list of 10 notable features of HTC's WP8 smartphone that you won't get on a Nokia Lumia, at least not with any of the current Lumia models. Check them out and let us know if the One (M8) for Windows is a phone you'd love to own.
8 HTC One (M8) features you won't get on a Nokia Lumia
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In general, Nokia's Lumia phones output audio at decent levels, but so do most other handsets. The HTC One (M8) for Windows, however, stands in a league of its own thanks to its fine-tuned, front-facing stereo speakers. They're not only loud. They sound crystal-clear even at high volume, which makes games and videos much more enjoyable.
Front-facing stereo speakers
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Nokia is no stranger to using premium materials in its phones. The Lumia 925 and Lumia 930, for example, both sport a solid metal frame for improved rigidity and a more solid feel in the hand. But the HTC One (M8) for Windows is superior in this respect with its all-metal construction. In fact, it is one of the few smartphones crafted so meticulously.
All-metal design
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The HTC One (M8) for Windows uses one of Qualcomm's fastest commercially-available SoC solutions, namely the Snapdragon 801. It packs a powerful, quad-core processor running at up to 2.3GHz and a capable Adreno 330 GPU. Even the top Nokia Lumia models on the market use the slightly slower Snapdragon 800 SoC, which makes them weaker than the Windows-powered M8, at least in theory.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC
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Now that's neat! The HTC One (M8) for Windows comes with a built-in IR blaster, which enables it to control your TV (and the one at the gym, most likely). And with the pre-loaded HTC Sense TV app, you may instantly see what's on air – tap a button and you'll be taken to the respective channel in an instant. (Image is of the Android version of the Sense TV app.)
An IR blaster and the HTC Sense TV app
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The current Nokia flagship, the Lumia 930, comes with a powerful, dual-LED flash. So why is the flash on the HTC One (M8) for Windows better when it is also composed of two LEDs? Well, it is of the two-tone variety – the two lights emit a slightly different kind of white light. As a result, less color inaccuracies should occur in photos when the flash has fired.
Dual-tone LED flash
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Blur effects are nothing new. Most popular phones let you apply blur to the background of a photo (aka "bokeh") to make it look as if it has been taken with a professional camera. The HTC One (M8) for Windows, however, is one of the few phones to come with a secondary camera intended to enable the effect without having to switch to a special mode first. Various creative effects can be applied as well.
The HTC Camera app and Duo camera effects
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The HTC One (M8) for Windows is a true selfie machine! On its front is placed a very capable, 5MP camera with a wide-angle optics system for high-quality self portraits and group shots. In comparison, the Nokia flagship models come with only 1.2MP front cameras.
5MP front-facing camera
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HTC's signature service, BlinkFeed, comes pre-loaded on the One (M8) for Windows. For those not familiar, it acts as a hub that unifies all your social network feeds and blends them with news from popular news outlets. The result is an up-to-date stream with bits of news you care about.
BlinkFeed
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HTC's Dot View Case, which is a cleverly-made accessory, we must say, is fully compatible with the new One (M8) for Windows. It lets users pick up calls or get the current time and weather information, without lifting the case's flap. Better yet, you may have the case for free should you choose to purchase the phone from a Microsoft retail store.
HTC Dot View case
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The HTC One (M8) for Windows is covered by the HTC Advantage program, which is an awesome perk. Most importantly, it lets you get a cracked screen replaced once at no charge, and that's pretty sweet having in mind that such a service may otherwise cost you a three-digit figure. Plus, you're promised timely updates for your phone's software and 15GB of free cloud storage.
HTC Advantage
8 HTC One (M8) features you won't get on a Nokia Lumia
In general, Nokia's Lumia phones output audio at decent levels, but so do most other handsets. The HTC One (M8) for Windows, however, stands in a league of its own thanks to its fine-tuned, front-facing stereo speakers. They're not only loud. They sound crystal-clear even at high volume, which makes games and videos much more enjoyable.
8 HTC One (M8) features you won't get on a Nokia Lumia
1. Front-facing stereo speakers
In general, Nokia's Lumia phones output audio at decent levels, but so do most other handsets. The HTC One (M8) for Windows, however, stands in a league of its own thanks to its fine-tuned, front-facing stereo speakers. They're not only loud. They sound crystal-clear even at high volume, which makes games and videos much more enjoyable.
2. All-metal design
Nokia is no stranger to using premium materials in its phones. The Lumia 925 and Lumia 930, for example, both sport a solid metal frame for improved rigidity and a more solid feel in the hand. But the HTC One (M8) for Windows is superior in this respect with its all-metal construction. In fact, it is one of the few smartphones crafted so meticulously.
3. Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC
The HTC One (M8) for Windows uses one of Qualcomm's fastest commercially-available SoC solutions, namely the Snapdragon 801. It packs a powerful, quad-core processor running at up to 2.3GHz and a capable Adreno 330 GPU. Even the top Nokia Lumia models on the market use the slightly slower Snapdragon 800 SoC, which makes them weaker than the Windows-powered M8, at least in theory.
4. An IR blaster and the HTC Sense TV app
Now that's neat! The HTC One (M8) for Windows comes with a built-in IR blaster, which enables it to control your TV (and the one at the gym, most likely). And with the pre-loaded HTC Sense TV app, you may instantly see what's on air – tap a button and you'll be taken to the respective channel in an instant. (Image is of the Android version of the Sense TV app.)
5. Dual-tone LED flash
The current Nokia flagship, the Lumia 930, comes with a powerful, dual-LED flash. So why is the flash on the HTC One (M8) for Windows better when it is also composed of two LEDs? Well, it is of the two-tone variety – the two lights emit a slightly different kind of white light. As a result, less color inaccuracies should occur in photos when the flash has fired.
6. The HTC Camera app and Duo camera effects
Blur effects are nothing new. Most popular phones let you apply blur to the background of a photo (aka "bokeh") to make it look as if it has been taken with a professional camera. The HTC One (M8) for Windows, however, is one of the few phones to come with a secondary camera intended to enable the effect without having to switch to a special mode first. Various creative effects can be applied as well.
7. 5MP front-facing camera
The HTC One (M8) for Windows is a true selfie machine! On its front is placed a very capable, 5MP camera with a wide-angle optics system for high-quality self portraits and group shots. In comparison, the Nokia flagship models come with only 1.2MP front cameras.
8. BlinkFeed
HTC's signature service, BlinkFeed, comes pre-loaded on the One (M8) for Windows. For those not familiar, it acts as a hub that unifies all your social network feeds and blends them with news from popular news outlets. The result is an up-to-date stream with bits of news you care about.
9. HTC Dot View case
HTC's Dot View Case, which is a cleverly-made accessory, we must say, is fully compatible with the new One (M8) for Windows. It lets users pick up calls or get the current time and weather information, without lifting the case's flap. Better yet, you may have the case for free should you choose to purchase the phone from a Microsoft retail store.
10. HTC Advantage
The HTC One (M8) for Windows is covered by the HTC Advantage program, which is an awesome perk. Most importantly, it lets you get a cracked screen replaced once at no charge, and that's pretty sweet having in mind that such a service may otherwise cost you a three-digit figure. Plus, you're promised timely updates for your phone's software and 15GB of free cloud storage.
