HTC M8, the name given to HTC's soon-to-be released, has been one of the most talked about phones of 2014 and it hasn't even been unveiled yet.
The HTC One started a new era for HTC with an exquisite aluminum unibody, a brand new experimental UltraPixel camera and stereo front speakers, but it’s been months since it launched and we’re approaching the time for the new flagship - the HTC M8 (this is not the final name, but it's the codename we know of). The device is not yet official, but we have been bombarded with leaks from all sides, and all seem to agree there will be one huge feature to make it stand out - the HTC M8 will come with a twin-sensor rear camera.
Twin-sensor camera
It will be the first phone to feature such a dual camera, without aiming it straight at 3D photography. Instead, rumors agree that the dual-sensor setup will contribute most to improved focusing, depth of field and overall image quality.
Coincidentally, it's been just a few weeks since Toshiba unveiled a 5-megapixel twin sensor for smartphones and tablets. It's a very interesting piece of technology with two separate 1/4-inch CMOS sensors that are capable of recording depth data and allow post-shot re-focusing.
The new technology would also enable interesting effects like the possibility to erase certain objects from the picture. That's something we've seen other phones do using software only, but with twin cameras, the accuracy and speed of this effect could turn out to be better.
HTC is also said to still use UltraPixel technology, but improve it. That's good news, as we have found HTC One's camera to be the one department where it underperforms hugely. It lacks not just in detail (its 4-megapixels start to show when you zoom in), but often in color representation and other areas.
HTC M8 rumor round-up: camera, specs, release date and design
Design: similarly great, even more intense metal
The HTC M8 is rumored to retain the design of the HTC One, so much that it's said to be 'strikingly like' the One. Actually, that's great news since the One already features a premium, good-looking, and durable aluminum body, and impressive front-facing speakers. Last year, HTC was the only Android phone maker to ship a top-shelf device made of aluminum, and its effort has been universally praised. Moreover, while we have heard rumors about other Android phone makers trying to make a flagship Android device out of aluminum, we have not yet seen any real devices. We've heard it on the grapevine that HTC is actually pushing for an even more intense metal texture on the M8, so that's one interesting feature to look for.
HTC M8 rumor round-up: camera, specs, release date and design
The loud and clear front-facing stereo speakers also remain an unmatched gold standard - not just on Android, but even when looking at all smartphones out there. These two factors will obviously continue to be huge advantages for HTC when it fights for your hard-earned dollar with Samsung, Apple, and the others.
Slightly larger, 1080p display (no Quad HD)
The HTC One featured a slightly smaller display than most of its competition in 2013. Its 4.7-inch display never seemed too small, but now, HTC is said to adopt a slightly larger display size. Rumor has it that the HTC M8 will come with 'at least' a 5-inch screen with the same 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution. Pixel peepers might complain, and point out that others like Samsung, are said to have a sharper, Quad HD (1440 x 2560-pixel) displays, but we would not really count a 1080p screen as a huge downside. Most studies confirm that the average person won't even notice the difference between a QHD and 1080p smartphones. Moreover, a larger resolutions means more pixels to push, and subsequently that actually results in a drop in performance. It's a double-edged sword.
Speaking of performance, the M8 is also expected to feature the Snapdragon 800 system chip, but in a more powerful than the currently used one variation - the MSM8974AB. That AB add-on is what signifies the upgrade and it results in higher clocks, faster memory bandwidth and more capable graphics.
HTC M8: company's first Android 4.4 KitKat phone, coming with brand new HTC Sense 6.0
HTC's Sense skin has been evolving steadily to a more streamlined, flatter, modern look, and we expect this trend to continue as HTC is expected to use the M8 launch to reveal its newest Sense 6.0. All leaks have pointed out to the only logical thing for software - HTC's new flagship will feature Android 4.4 KitKat straight out of the box. That's actually almost a must for HTC. After all, it's been months since Google debuted its KitKat software.
A March release?
Most excitingly, though, HTC might finally be able to pull its long-chased goal to release its flagship months before Samsung releases its own. We don't know whether it'd succeed after the latest rumors about a late-February unveiling for the Galaxy S5, but what seems to be true is that - after going through issues with manufacturing and production in the past two years, and especially after the excruciating delay of the HTC One - this year the Taiwanese company seems to finally have all its logistics set. With all such issues ironed out, whispers are that the HTC M8 will launch in late March 2014 at an event in New York City.
Keep in mind that none of the information is final - it’s all rumors and leaks, so take it with a grain of salt. In either case, it really seems like we’re in for a treat with the HTC One 2. Hopes are high that the sequel will be just more refined.
Right below, we have summed up all important rumors about the HTC M8: a round-up with specs, benchmarks and all other info available right now.
