On Tuesday morning HTC introduced the HTC One (M8), its followup to 2013’s critically-acclaimed One smartphone. The One features an all-metal body — distinguishing itself from the plastic of chief rival Samsung’s Galaxy S5 — a high-definition 5.0-inch screen and a “Duo camera” on the back of the phone, which will allow you to refocus your photo after you snap it.
The HTC One (M8)’s screen measures 5.0 inches diagonally, up from 4.7 inches on last year’s model. This makes it about equal in screen size to the Galaxy S5 and its 5.1-inch display. The iPhone 5s, meanwhile, has a smaller, 4.0-inch display.
HTC has also updated the phone’s software, to make it easier to use, and has greatly improved the phone’s battery life. It has also improved the critically-acclaimed BoomSound feature, the phone’s stereo speakers.
HTC executives said that a big marketing push would accompany the launch of the new One, as HTC tries to battle Samsung and Apple for relevance in the smartphone market.
The original HTC One was released in March 2013. Critics praised the One’s design and high-resolution display, but the phone turned out to be a commercial disappointment. A splashy advertising campaign with Robert Downey Jr. couldn’t help the One’s sales, which were dwarfed by both the Apple iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxy S4.
Now, the All New One will have to compete with Samsung’s recently announced Galaxy S5, as well as Apple’s new iPhone, expected in the fall.
HTC says the new One will be available immediately, at Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.
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