The highly-anticipated HTC One M8 has officially made its debut, launching as the faster, sleeker, and better flagship, but how does it stack up against its predecessor?
Owners of the original HTC One (2013 model) may be wondering what's new, what's better and what's the same, questioning whether the new iteration is worth the upgrade. Looking at the specs of both the 2013 and the 2014 models of the HTC One, here's a comprehensive comparison of the most notable aspects.
Display
The new HTC One M8 sports a slightly larger 5-inch display, compared to the original HTC One's 4.7-inch screen. Both models have the same S-LCD 3 screen type and both have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, but the HTC One M8 has a pixel density of 441 pixels per inch (ppi), while last year's model has a higher pixel count of 468 ppi. The difference is understandable, however, considering that the new model has a larger screen.
Under the Hood - Processor, Graphics & RAM
The HTC One M8 boasts a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.3GHz (or 2.5GHz in Asia), arguably better than the original HTC One's Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU clocked at 1.7GHz. Both models come with 2GB of RAM, but the new HTC One M8 has Adreno 330 graphics, while last year's model comes with an Adreno 320 GPU.
Storage
While the HTC One 2013 came in 32GB or 64GB internal storage configurations, the new HTC One M8 is available in either 16GB or 64GB. The greatest improvement in this department, however, is that the new model finally has a microSD card slot, allowing for additional memory of up to 128GB. The original HTC One does not have microSD support, which is a drawback for many.
Cameras
As expected, the new HTC One M8 boasts a dual rear camera setup with the company's UltraPixel technology. One UltraPixel sensor will gather depth information, while the other 4-megapixel camera captures the shot, aiming to deliver a superior camera experience. The HTC One M8 also comes with a dual LED Smart Flash, BSI sensor, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
The original HTC One, meanwhile, comes with a 4-megapixel UltraPixel rear camera with LED flash and optical image stabilization (OIS), as well as a 2.1-megapixel front shooter. Both the 2013 and the 2014 models of the HTC One can shoot video in 1080p.
Connectivity Options
In terms of connectivity, there are no big changes with the latest model. Both the HTC One M8 and the original HTC One support NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
Battery
The HTC One M8 packs a large 2,600 mAh non-removable battery that will provide a better performance compared to the original HTC One's 2,300 mAh battery, also non-removable. Moreover, HTC has introduced a new Extreme Power Saving Mode with its latest flagship, aiming to dramatically extend battery life. According to the company, enabling this mode will allow a smartphone with only 5% battery life to keep going for another 15 hours, while still having access to voice calls, text, and email.
Size and Weight
When it comes to dimensions, the new HTC One M8 measures 5.76 x 2.78 x 0.37 inches, while the 2013 model comes in at 5.41 x 2.69 x 0.37 inches. The new model is also slightly heavier at 5.64 oz. compared to 5.04 oz. for last year's model, but the difference will likely go unnoticed.
Key Software Features
For the HTC One M8, standout features include the innovative Duo Camera with UltraPixel technology, the Extreme Power Saving Mode, the latest HTC Sense 6.0, as well as BoomSound, Zoe, and an enhanced BlinkFeed, among others. The original HTC One comes with UltraPixel technology, BoomSound, Zoe, and BlinkFeed as well, while in terms of UI it came with HTC Sense 5 at launch. Android 4.4 KitKat powers both models.
Price
The new HTC One M8 is already available for purchase immediately after its unveiling on Tuesday, March 25, selling for a $199 starting price on-contract with Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. The Google Play Edition (GPE) HTC One M8 is available on Google Play for $699. Meanwhile, the original HTC One is now available for free on-contract, while the GPE model costs $599.
Conclusion
The original HTC One (2013 model) is by all means a powerful handset with high-end specs and features, but the new HTC One M8 is better in virtually every aspect. The new flagship is faster, sleeker, smoother, boasting notable improvements in all departments.
