HTC One M8 (Review)

The Taiwanese manufacturer has taken a lot of time is launching its 2014 flagship device. Anyways HTC One M8 is finally here and there are huge expectations. Inspired by the design of its predecessor the HTC One M8 looks solid, making the design even better. Let's have a quick glance at the specifications of HTC One M8:

Stunning Unibody Design and Attractive display

Last year HTC One had an awesome impact on the market and its design was stunning. This year's HTC One has even more good looking design and it can easily be the best looking device in this time. The unibody chasis fits perfectly in the hand with curved metal edges which are more comfortable to handle. The device is elegantly built around on a 5" full HD display which has an awesome resolution of 1080 x 1920 (441ppi). The display uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for its protection. The device doesn't have a fingerprint sensor and heart rate monitor like Samsung Galaxy S5. Anyways M8 will be available in three different colors at the time of launch. The colors include Glacial silver, gunmetal grey and amber gold. 

4MP Ultra pixel camera and 5MP front facing camera

HTC One M8 has an Ultra pixel dual camera which has a pixel count of only 4MP which can't compete with the other flagship devices in my thinking. Its design has the edge but the camera doesn't look convincing and the strategy of using the same camera of last year's HTC One doesn't seems to be a good move. The dual camera also doesn’t have OIS but it uses HTC imagechip 2. However M8's camera allows you to add effects to your pictures like background blur re-focus and colorize. Moreover there is also a dual LED flash on the device. 

This time around you can also activate the camera by pressing one of the volume key in landscape orientation while the phone is at sleep giving a fast access to the camera. Anyways if you are a selfie lover then this phone is the best choice as it packs a phenomenal 5MP front facing camera which is just perfect for the selfies. 

Latest Snapdragon 801 SoC and Quad Core CPU

Unsurprisingly the M8 packs the latest Snapdragon 801 chipset thanks to the numerous numbers of leaks which left nothing to imagination. Anyways there is also a Quad-core Krait 400 CPU clocked at 2.3GHz under the hood. So definitely the internal specifications are not disappointing at all. Packing a 2GB of RAM the device's performance is even faster and smoother. There are two storage options in the M8 16/32GB but the Micro SD card can add up to a humongous 128GB of storage to the device. Moreover HTC is also offering 50GB of Google drive storage for two years. So there is a lot of roam in the device to store.

Android KitKat and HTC Sense 6

Running on the Google's latest iteration M8 is one of the fastest devices around. Having Android Kitkat 4.4 out of the box is always a good feel. Moreover M8 also has the HTC's latest revamped UI with Sense 6. The updated UI brings subtle changes to the apps and colors. M8 also brings some new features like double tap on the screen wakes up the device like the Knock on feature of LG G2. The BlinkFeed is also updated by HTC now you can add custom topics to the service. HTC One M8 also has the Google Now notification panel on-board. Last year's HTC One attracted many users and became one of the greatest devices and I must say HTC hasn't disappointed its fans.

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HTC launches Desire 816 and 610

At the MWC HTC unleashed two smartphone the Desire 816 and Desire 610. Both the smartphones look like mid-rangers and have a very compact design. Both these handsets have different screen size and are affordable alternatives to high end devices.

HTC Desire 816

HTC Desire 816 looks like the bigger brother of the HTC One as it has a strong resemblance with the last flagship device of HTC. The front looks the same but the back panel is a bit different. It is built around on a massive 5.5" display which has a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. Under the hood there is a Snapdragon 400 chipset along with a 1.6GHz Quad-core CPU. Moreover there is a 1.5GB of RAM and an Adreno 305 GPU inside. 

There is an internal storage of only 8GB (expandable via Micro SD card). HTC Desire 816 has a 13MP primary camera and an impressive 5MP front facing camera. The device will be offering 4G LTE connectivity too. It will be available in Black, Orange, White, Mild Gree, Dark Blue and Grey Color. It will hit the shelves in April and will cost less than $300 in China. 

HTC Desire 610

On the other hand the Desire 610 is a more compact device having a 4.7" qHD display. It also looks like the HTC One from the front. Anyways it is powered by a Snapdragon 400 chipset with a Quad-core 1.2GHz Processor and 1GB of RAM. It packs an 8MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front facing one.

HTC Desire 610 has an internal storage of 8GB which can be expanded through Micro SD card. It will boot with the Android Jelly Bean and also has support for 4G LTE connectivity. The device is expected to hit Europe in May.

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HTC introduces trio of Mid-range Desire smartphones

Today HTC has taken the wraps off from three Desire smartphones in Taiwan. These three smartphones are Desire 700, Desire 601 and Desire 501. These smartphones are mid-rangers; anyways let's have a look at them. 

HTC Desire 501

HTC Desire 501 is the smallest of the three and looks like a compact device. It features a WVGA 4.3" display and a dual-core processor clocked a 1.15GHz. There is an 8MP camera at the back and a 2.1MP at the front. It also uses the HTC ImageChip. Strangely it lacks stereo speakers and Zoe support. 

Moreover there is 1GB of RAM and 8 gigs of internal storage (expandable via micro SD card). It is powered by a 2100 mAh battery and has only one Sim slot. The handset will cost only $330 in Taiwan.

HTC Desire 601

This is the dual-sim variant of the already announced desire 601. This model has 5MP rear camera along with 1080p video recording. Other changes include the halved 4GB of internal storage and the slightly underwhelming 1.2GHz dual-core processor. 

This device has a slightly bigger 4.5" display and BoomSound front facing speakers. The dual-sim variant of HTC Desire 601 is priced at $370. Nothing more to share about the device.

HTC Desire 700

Desire 700 is the most expensive of the three and its design is inspired by the HTC One. It's an outstanding alternative to the HTC One and costs way less than that. HTC Desire 700 is built around on a 5" qHD display along with BoomSound speakers up front. Under the hood there is a Quad-core Snapdragon SoC along with a 1GB RAM. 

The device offers 8GB of internal storage and also has a micro SD card slot. At the back there is an 8MP snapper which records 1080p videos and also has HTC Zoe. There is also a 2.1MP camera at the front. HTC Desire 700 has two SIM slots. It is powered by a 2100 mAh battery. It costs $470.

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HTC One Max now available on Verizon for $299

HTC One Max has finally made its availability on the Verizon Network. The phablet is available to purchase for $299 with two-year contract while the off-contract price is $599. Recently the Galaxy Note 3 also made the availability on the Network and it has the same price tag of $299 while its off-contract price is $699. The HTC One Max is also available on Sprint and soon AT&T will also offer the device. Verizon is also working on another device launch which is Nokia Lumia 1520.

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HTC One Max (Official)

Today HTC announced the much anticipated phablet, the HTC One Max. Looking at the device I would say that most of the rumors came true about the One Max. This is probably the first phablet running Android from HTC with a massive 5.9 inches display. As this is the bigger version of HTC One so it has the same iconic design and premium looks like the original HTC One. Surprisingly the device also features a fingerprint senor. Let's take a closer look at the device.

HTC One Max at a Glance:

• 5.9" full HD 1080p display and HTC Sense 5.5
• 1.7GHz Quad-core Krait 300 processor
• Snapdragon 600 SoC + 2GB RAM 
• 4MP UltraPixel Camera
• Latest Android 4.3 out of the box
• FingerPrint Sensor
• 16/32GB in-built storage along with Micro SD slot
• BoomSound dual front Stereo Speakers
• Non-removable 3300 mAh battery
• 4G LTE connectivity

The massive 5.9" display has an outstanding resolution of 1080 x 1920 which makes a pixel density of 373ppi. The device also has fingerprint sensor located at the back under the camera, so the device can easily be unlocked by tapping on the sensor. HTC One Max also comes with a cool new feature which is Quick App which allows you launch an app automatically depending on the finger you use for unlocking the device. As I already mentioned the design of the device is same as the original HTC One. HTC One Max also has the same HTC One's 4MP UltraPixel Camera along with 1080p video capturing but this around the handset lacks Optical Image stabilization. 

HTC One Max is skinned with the latest Android 4.3 and runs the HTC Sense 5.5 UI. Surprisingly the device doesn't have the latest SoC but the Snapdragon 600 SoC also produces quite impressive speed. The back panel of the device can be removed but the battery is still non-removable. HTC One Max offers two storage options 16/32GB along with Micro SD card slot. The device has no support for Beats Audio which is quite strange but the improved BoomSound speakers at the front produce louder sound.

The handset is expected to hit the market this weekend in Asia and Europe. While Verizon and Sprint will be offering the device on contract before the end of this year. HTC has also announced some accessories for One Max which includes Power Flip case and an Aluminium Stylus. However HTC hasn't announced the exact price of the device. Stay tuned for more news.

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HTC One Max Leaks Again

HTC One Max in the headlines again. This time the device showed up in the Benchmark confirming the screen size of the device. Probably the unannounced phablet is sized up against the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. 

The device features a massive 5.9 inches display which is even bigger than the Galaxy Note 3. The Benchmarks also showed that the chipset stuffed inside the device is Snapdragon 600 (the same one chipping inside the HTC One). The monster is rumored to have a non-removable 3,300 mAh battery along with MicroSIM card slot. Previously the device was rumored to have Dual Sim capability along with a removable back.

 Rumors also suggest that the device also has LTE connectivity. According to the rumors the device is expected to be announced in China in October. Well HTC hasn't unveiled the device officially yet but its photos are already rocking the web. The pricing information is revealed too. The device is said to be cost only $800 in China. Well soon we'll receive the official statement and will update you soon.

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HTC Desire 600

HTC recovered the loses very well with the launch of HTC One, and they are carrying the momentum to their upcoming devices too. HTC Desire 600 is the device which is following the footsteps of the flagship device. The device has also support for two Sims, so we better call it HTC Desire 600 dual Sim. The dual Sim support is becoming a need for people but most of them think of it as an extra feature. Well let's see what the HTC Desire packs other than the Dual Sim support.

Display & Design:
HTC Desire 600 packs a 4.5" 720p Super LCD2 Display with a resolution of 540 x 960 (245ppi). The resolution isn't HD which is a sudden set back. Talking about the design, it off course is inspired by the HTC One and it would be an awesome alternative to it. The whole body is made of plastic which gives the device a firm grip and make the device immune to fingerprints. The back panel is removable. BoomSound speakers are located at the front just like the HTC One had on the front. The device also has built-in amplifiers.

Processing & Capturing:
HTC Desire 600 uses the Snapdragon 200 chipset, a 1.2GHz Quad-core Cortex -A5 processor and 1GB of RAM. The Snapdragon 200 chipset would sound outdated as well as the Cortex-A5 CPU, but they can handle most of the tasks very well. The capturing is controlled by an 8MP primary sensor which helps you record 720p videos (disappointing not to have 1080p video recording). This device also has a dedicated chip for the capturing, and also has LED flash. The device uses a wider lens. So the capturing department has a lot to offer. There is also a 1.6MP front cam.

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Rumor Says: HTC working on a mid-ranger HTC Zara with 4.5" Display

Alleged Image of HTC Zara

According to the rumors HTC is working on a new mid-range device with 4.5 inches display the HTC Zara. The news is came from evleaks. Rumors also reveal the full specifications of the device. The device is rumored to have a Qualcomm Snapdragon Chipset, a dual-core Krait Processor and one gig worth of RAM. The device is also rumored to have a micro SD card slot and 8GB of internal storage. Rumors say the device will feature an 8MP rear camera (no information about recording capabilities). Interestingly the device is rumored to have the latest Sense UI 5.5, which hasn't made the debut yet. The device is said to be running the latest Android 4.3 out of the box and same capacitive button arrangement we saw on HTC One, HTC Desire 600.

 In the image you can see that the device would feature BoomSound Speaker and smooth plastic made back panel. The specifications shows that the device would lie in the mid-range territory. No information about the official announcement of the device but you can expect the announcement in September together with the HTC One Max. 

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