HTC One (M8) Dot View Case Review

Cases are a big deal, as many smartphone makers are coming up with some interesting ones that not only provide that comforting level of protection, but also some neat functionality. With the announcement of the brand spanking new 2014 edition of the HTC One, the Taiwanese based company has something original and fresh that’s absolutely different from what we’ve seen elsewhere. Enter the HTC Dot View case, a peculiar looking thing that delivers a retro-like dot matrix feel with its protective front cover – dishing up some delightful notifications, gestures, and information.

At first glance, we can’t help ourselves but to draw up comparisons to Samsung’s Galaxy S4 S-View Flip Cover. Needless to say, the HTC Dot View case borrows some elements from it, as the all-around protective case is able to display information even while the front cover is completely shut and over the display of the HTC One. However, it has a totally different approach where it produces a colorful and fun dot-matrix pattern – one that’s retro looking indeed!

Let’s briefly talk about the design of the case, which at its core, is a form-fitting thing that envelops the entire case front and back. With the rear portion, it’s actually a plastic material that has a slick finish to it – while long cutouts around its side provide us with easy access to all of its ports and buttons. However, the front portion with all the uniform dot cutouts has a more rubbery texture to it, which plays nicely by cushioning and protecting the display.

What’s unique here with the HTC Dot View Case is how it’s able to produce some neat-o visuals. Thanks to the uniform dots littered throughout the front cover, that retro-like dot-matrix display look is achieved. It’s pretty slick looking to tell you the truth, mainly because it’s fresh and something we haven’t seen before. In addition, it incorporates a few of the HTC One’s new Motion Launch gestures – where we’re able to turn on the display by double tapping the front cover, and activate Voice Dialing by doing a swipe down gesture.

Interestingly, there are some animated elements with the dot-matrix pattern too – albeit, it’s reserved strictly for incoming calls. To be exact, a subtle accept/reject animation pops up, where we’re required to either swipe up/down to accept/decline. Of course, it’s nice being presented with a quick look at the time, temperature, and some relevant notification through it. As much as we appreciate what it has to offer at the moment, we’re hoping to see some other enhancements down the road – like enabling us the option to personalize what it displays.

Finally, the only qualms we have is how it’s a bit uncomfortable to hold the handset in landscape while holding the front cover down. Interestingly enough, there isn’t a magnet incorporated into the front cover, but regardless of that, it manages to stay firmly shut in place. Trying to pull it all the way back so it’s hugging the rear casing, that’s another challenge in itself because it just wants to close shut – due to its form fitting nature.

At the end of the day, the HTC Dot View Case is an intriguing case that’s refreshingly different, more so with its retro dot-matrix pattern. However, at $50.00 a pop, it’s a pretty costly – almost halfway to the cost of some battery charging cases.