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HTC One M8 Duo Camera - useful innovation or a gimmick?

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By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Mar 31, 2014, 2:55 AM

The unique Duo Camera on the HTC One M8 utilizes two camera sensor/lens sets, in order to capture a more complete depth of field information about a scene, and use it for various post-shot effects.

You can tap to focus on the foreground in portraits, or the background for added emphasis, and the rest will get artistically blurred-out, for example. HTC also lets you lay various augmented reality and color effects over the foreground or background, and all of this can happen after you've taken the shot. The kicker is that the depth information is collected with every snap, so you don't have to wait for the phone to take multiple photos with different focus setting, like it works with other manufacturers. The Duo Camera makes record 0.3s autofocus time possible, so it all happens instantaneously.

We already made a thorough camera comparison with the HTC One M8, and demonstrated all the new modes and effects that the Duo Camera makes possible. After all is done and dusted, however, we are interested to hear what you personally think about the new dual-lens camera that only HTC offers on its flagship. Do you consider it a welcome and useful invention, that adds significant value to the smartphone camera realm, or is it more of a gimmick innovation for the sake of it, whose effects people won't use on a regular basis? Take your pick in the poll below, and sound off in the comments.

HTC One M8 Duo Camera - innovation or a gimmick?

It's a unique differentiator that nobody offers, and lets you instantly get professional-grade out-of-focus perception

21.11%

I might not use its effects all the time, but the Duo Camera adds value with its 0.3s autofocus time, too

22.71%

HTC skipped on OIS or higher resolution for this?! I could have just used an app to blur stuff out with similar results!

56.18%

2241 Votes

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.