HTC shares an insider’s video behind the design of the HTC One (M8)

posted by Maxwell R.

Apr 05, 2014, 5:40 PM

HTC shares an insider’s video behind the design of the HTC One (M8)

The newest generation HTC One (M8) is a slick piece of hardware. From a standpoint of build quality, it is arguably at the top of the list. HTC managed to wrap the aluminum all the way around the device, eliminating the polycarbonate edges.

The rounded back compliments the subtle accents at the bezel to provide a feeling of no hard edges to be found anywhere on the device. Frankly, it is gorgeous.

As end users, it is easy to take for granted what goes into the manufacturing of such hardware, but with uni-body designs, there is much less margin for error, particularly when working with metal. While we noted in our review that looks can only get you so far, we were impressed with the overall function of the HTC One (M8) and lauded the build quality.

HTC put together a short video featuring some of the people that brought us the design of the HTC One (M8) and the challenges of putting more in to a package without making it feel too big. Aesthetically, HTC hit a home run with the new M8. Is the new HTC One (M8) on your list?

source: HTC (YouTube)

FEATURED VIDEO

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39 Comments

30. NoFanboy

Posts: 300; Member since: Nov 18, 2013

I have the note 3 and trust me the bezeless thing looks cool for a while.. after a while it means nothing

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 10:41 AM 0

31. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Um, it means the device is more compact. Hardly what I would call nothing...... In fact, I would say being as compact as possible for the screen size, which means the bezels need to be as small as possible without it affecting your user experience, should be the number 1 priority for MOBILE phones. Not a race between Nokia, Sony, and HTC in who can put the most useless hardware that no one asks for that needlessly increases the size of the handset. Even Samsung has fallen victim to this with the GS5. Let's hope the Note 4 isn't 10.5 mm thick in order to make it waterproof or add OIS. Honestly, iPhone level camera is ideal, no need for 40mp, ultra, waterproof, heart rate monitor, dual camera bull crap. Give it next gen specs and performance, make it the same size as the GS5 and bam. Almost everyone that can live with OLED screens would buy it, even the haters.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 2:06 PM 1

34. papss unregistered

Number one priority? Are you serious man? What about battery tech? Imo phones are already too thin. I don't have baby hands and my hand cramps up on these current phones

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 3:49 PM 0

37. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Think about it. If you can get a Note 4 and all of its features into the size of a GS5. That would be an instant runaway success. You would have phablet and Spen power in a package that is smaller than tyhe new HTC One. I would buy it instantly. That is definitely where companiess s hould go. Yes battery is important but it just needs to last the day easily IMO.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 6:47 PM 1

28. wilsong17 unregistered

I love it how people talk about samsung plastic. ... nobody is forcing you to buy a Samsung phone dumbtwat

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 9:50 AM 1

33. papss unregistered

Good thing too.. I'd never have another phone if I were forced into one brand..

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 3:45 PM 0

24. giani

Posts: 269; Member since: Nov 13, 2012

As a s4 owner, I have to say how frustrated and pathetic I can be when looking at this gorgeous design. If only my beloved corporation would make such a phone. At least now I have an ugly plastic brick that can take my heart rhythm. That's what I've always dreamed on.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 7:21 AM 1

35. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

Should we believe, that you are S4 owner??? "If only my beloved corporation(samsung) would make such a phone."(ROTFL) You really underestimate our intelligence, iboy.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 4:33 PM 1

16. phonepro

Posts: 22; Member since: Mar 31, 2012

I love these videos as a designer myself to see all the hard work they have done

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 12:19 AM 3

12. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Took a m7, elongated it with a chest expander. Made it curvier(uglier) at edges. Took some metal chips sticked it at sides and edges. Tada M8.

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 10:37 PM 4

17. LionStone

Posts: 1048; Member since: Dec 10, 2010

Sure pal

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 12:47 AM 2

26. ToxiD

Posts: 54; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

And now talk about Samsung phones, the same cheap plastic crap since S3.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 7:59 AM 1

27. wilsong17 unregistered

And let talk about who is going to succeed more oh wait samsung.. stupid HTC fan becoming like apple crap choosing design over function

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 9:49 AM 1

39. ToxiD

Posts: 54; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

Stupid shamesung fan saying bullsh!ts. Samsung is going to succeed mainly cos of marketing because it is everywhere and well-known, that's why many people buy it. PS: I have never owned an HTC device nor iPhone, so you are completely wrong.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 7:40 AM 0

11. omaianu unregistered

If I hear one more thing about bezels, I'm going to lose my mind. WTF!!! Has it ever occurred to you people that there may be functional/operational reasons for the slight bezels? These people sit at there desks for years at a time designing these phones. Do you think they haven't considered bezels? How are the bezels hurting your life?

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 10:08 PM 0

14. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Bezels,bezels,bezels ugly htc bezels. They suck no matter what you say. Dont tell me circuitary s**t and all components, thats a lame excuse.

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 11:51 PM 4

19. vincelongman

Posts: 5838; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

If you look at the teardowns, there is only a fat display connector behind the htc logo bezel. Which IMO is extremely disappointing because htc/their display OEM, should have design a better slimmer connector (like in other phones). The M8 is literally the same tall as the first Galaxy Note. If that htc logo bezel wasn't there, the M8 would literally be a cm, which would make it much more comfortable to use with one hand.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 12:56 AM 3

15. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Operational reasons that are not very good reasons if they make the phone too big.

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 11:59 PM 0

18. LionStone

Posts: 1048; Member since: Dec 10, 2010

Sure I believe 'you'.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 12:49 AM 1

21. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

It's true. Don't tell me that you are not intelligent enough to realize that a secondary camera for depth effects is not worth making the phone huge. There are plenty of things they should have cut out to keep the phone compact. Heck, I would even give up the speakers if I had to. Some things just need to be done and HTC needs to make hard choices, not make HUGE phones with big useless bezels.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 1:24 AM 1

25. papss unregistered

Your comment was lost with calling this phone huge... most tech geeks must have little girly hands.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 7:23 AM 0

29. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

It's huge. Pretty close to the height of the Note 3 and one of the, if not biggest phone with a 5 inch screen ever made. The One Plus 1 with a 5.5 inch screen might be smaller than this for example. That is HUGE. Judging by your profile picture, you might be used to huge Nokia level bricks like the N95 and Lumia 920 but most people are not so that makes this phone huge.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 10:11 AM 1

32. papss unregistered

Fair enough but being tall doesn't make it unwieldy.. it's still pretty narrow. I'll gladly take the speakers on the front for tallness over speakers on the back..I mean speaker.

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 3:43 PM 0

8. LATOKYO

Posts: 8; Member since: Dec 05, 2013

As an owner of the HTC One (m7 google edition), I must say that the phone has a premium look, feel, and design. However, The phone is only superficially designed, meaning, only on the outside the phone looks "tailor made" and "designed." Once you open up the phone, which takes time, all you see is a complete mess and mashing of parts. Yes– some may say you're not suppose to open the phone, but to limit accessibility of the phone from the user is in my opinion, not a well designed product. I say this because, what if your battery dies and you are out of warranty? Personally, I know how to replace my battery on the HTC one, but many people will not be able to replace their batteries. If we take for example, the iphone 5, you simply screw off the bezel and replace the (10 dollar) battery in a matter of 2 minutes; the internals of the phone is well organized like a Mercedes engine. The iphone is well designed, both inside and out. The HTC one is only well designed from the outside. If they are going to market how well designed their product truly is, then they should make a holistically designed product, and not a superficial one.

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 8:16 PM 3

9. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

They can't show the insides. If they did, good engineers would immediately notice how much space is wasted and how their pyramid stacking technique would cause a lot of potential problems with components not working properly in the future due to no air flow and overheating. Possibly electrical problems as well with wires and ribbons sandwiched between components.

posted on Apr 05, 2014, 9:11 PM 1

22. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

Well Said

posted on Apr 06, 2014, 4:50 AM 0

7. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

" From a standpoint of build quality, it is arguably at the top of the list. HTC managed to wrap the aluminum all the way around the device, eliminating the polycarbonate edges." Pathetic!!!!!! ROTFL