HTC One (M8) for Windows review: Tinker, Tailor

introduction

What if you could pick a phone and then choose its operating system? What if you could get a popular flagship such as the HTC One (M8) and replace the Android OS with Windows Phone? Wonder no more - meet the HTC One (M8) for Windows - the only smartphone giving you the choice!
HTC is the first manufacturer to launch a popular smartphone running on another platform. HTC One (M8) has been around since the last spring season and it has become favorite to many. Now it has a chance to expand its reach beyond the Android users.


Windows Phone is still young and advancing operation system, but since the Windows Phone 8.1, it has become a true competitor to Android and iOS in terms of usability and features. The growing popularity and the free license of Windows Phone to devices under 8" are probably among the reasons HTC has decided on launching its most popular smartphone - the One (M8) - running on Microsoft's OS.
HTC One (M8) for Windows is virtually the same device as the original One (M8) - it's got the same unibody metal shell, the same Snapdragon 801 chipset, the same UltraPixel rear camera duo, and finally, the same beautiful 5" 1080p display. It is absolutely the same device, just running on Windows Phone 8.1.

Key features

• Metal unibody with brushed finish
• 5" 1080p capacitive touchscreen with 441pi pixel density; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• Windows Phone 8.1 OS
• 2.3GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU; 2GB of RAM; Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset
• Dual 4MP AF "UltraPixel" (2µm pixel size) camera with 1/3" sensor; 28mm f/2.0 lens; dual-LED flash; HTC ImageChip 2
• 1080p video capture at 60 fps
• 5MP front-facing camera with BSI sensor; wide-angle f/2.0 lens; HDR; 1080p video recording
• 32GB of built-in memory; microSD card slot up to 128GB
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
• Front-facing stereo speakers with BoomSound and built-in amplifiers
• 2,600mAh battery; Extreme Power Saving Mode

Main disadvantages

• 4MP camera can't match higher-resolution rivals
• No 4K video recording or OIS (on a flagship device)
• Non user-replaceable battery
• USB On-the-go or USB Host

HTC One (M8) for Windows lacks the same features its Android sibling was missing on - a removable battery, 4K video recording or optical stabilization, and the camera still offers the same low resolution.

HTC One (M8) for Windows live pictures
We've already met the HTC One (M8) and we know what to expect from its hardware presentation. But we are definitely keen on seeing HTC's take on Windows Phone and how things will actually work out. Maybe for the better? Let's begin, shall we?

The HTC One (M8) for Windows ships in the exact same retail package as its Android counterpart. Inside the nicely-looking box, you will find the handset, a charger, microUSB cable, a pin for ejecting the SIM and microSD card, a stereo headset, and the usual printouts.

The retail package has the basics covered

Design and build quality

Save for the small Windows Phone sign under the HTC logo on the back, HTC One (M8) for Windows is a carbon copy of the Android version. As a matter of fact, you can easily take one of the devices for the other when looking even at their lockscreens.
HTC One (M8) for Windows sports a familiar unibody shell made out of aluminum with small polycarbonate accents here and there on the all-metal rear. Its construction has resulted in lovely-looking curved metal edges, a signature for the second generation One series.

HTC One (M8) for Windows
Of course, the BoomSound stereo speakers are onboard as well as the criticized, but iconic UltraPixel dual-camera at the back. There is really not a single feature or element missing in the One (M8) for Windows. And it is still one of the best looking device even if its design and shell are more than six-month-old now.

HTC One (M8) for Windows
Just as before, the HTC One (M8) is a real pleasure to handle. It might not be a compact smartphone, nor is a light one, but it offers a rather solid feel and amazing build quality. The premium factor is all over the HTC One (M8) for Windows and the phone is really likable, even prettier than the new iPhone 6 duo (which undeniably shares a lot of the design traits).

Controls

Above the screen is the front-facing 5MP camera, alongside ambient light and proximity sensors. The top speaker takes the role of an earpiece during calls. It also accommodates the device's status LED.

A peek above and below the display
The bottom speaker and a lonely HTC logo sit below the display. The mouthpiece is located within the speaker grille, as its nowhere else to be seen.
The nano-SIM card slot is on the left side of the One (M8), while the volume rocker and the microSD card slot are on the right side of the smartphone.

The nanoSIM tray is on the left side • the microSD slot and the volume rocker
The top of the HTC One (M8) for Windows is home to the IR port and the power/lock key and. The latter is more conveniently located and the button itself is more tactile than the overly flush key on the first-gen One.

The top has the power key and IR blaster • the microUSB port and the mic are on the bottom
The microUSB/charging port and the 3.5mm audio jack are located at the bottom of the HTC One (M8) for Windows.
The HTC M8's back is where the dual camera sits along a two-tone dual-LED flash. The polycarbonate lines which cut through the metal are most probably needed for the device's multiple antennas but they don't spoil the high-end impression at all.

The back of the HTC One (M8) for Windows
The back of the One (M8) for Windows will also be home to carrier branding. Its extent will vary depending on the wireless provider. You can notice the Windows Phone logo just below the HTC's.