The HTC One is everything the next iPhone should be

[alphaod]

Just picked up the HTC One last week to use as my second phone.

Apart from the camera, it's a refreshing device. Everything is very fast, the screen look amazing, of course Android customization is there and has improved quite a bit since the last time played with one. The built-quality is amazing. In this aspect, I think the HTC One has surpassed the iPhone in just about every way. I tried the Galaxy S3, but didn't like it because it had too much plastic.

I only two issues I have are:
1) The aforementioned camera is pretty rotten. They want you to think megapixels don't matter, but when you need to crop it does.
2) The screen size is great for use, but not for putting in my pocket. The iPhone screen size is perfect in this regard. I'd be fine if Apple stayed the course.

I'm not going to do a step-by-step comparison as there are plenty of those online.

If I wasn't so depending on iOS only features like iMessages, this would be my primary phone of choice.

Honestly, if Apple can't best this, I can't imagine the need to upgrade.

 

[lordofthereef]

This is often what I hear from new HTC devices. I have been the one singing praise before. Then, months later, the honeymoon is over, HTc moves on to a new device, this stopping support on this one, and the divorce papers start being drafted.

I think it's a great device, but I've been burned before by HTC. Compared to other manufacturers, they are slow to update, and I'm not talking only major OS updates. This could certainly be their chance to change things. Lord
Knows their numbers indicate they need to

 

[///M Powah]

Just picked up the HTC One last week to use as my second phone.

Apart from the camera, it's a refreshing device. Everything is very fast, the screen look amazing, of course Android customization is there and has improved quite a bit since the last time played with one. The built-quality is amazing. In this aspect, I think the HTC One has surpassed the iPhone in just about every way. I tried the Galaxy S3, but didn't like it because it had too much plastic.

I only two issues I have are:
1) The aforementioned camera is pretty rotten. They want you to think megapixels don't matter, but when you need to crop it does.
2) The screen size is great for use, but not for putting in my pocket. The iPhone screen size is perfect in this regard. I'd be fine if Apple stayed the course.

I'm not going to do a step-by-step comparison as there are plenty of those online.

If I wasn't so depending on iOS only features like iMessages, this would be my primary phone of choice.

Honestly, if Apple can't best this, I can't imagine the need to upgrade.

Try the Galaxy S4.

 

[mpayne2k]

This is often what I hear from new HTC devices. I have been the one singing praise before. Then, months later, the honeymoon is over, HTc moves on to a new device, this stopping support on this one, and the divorce papers start being drafted.

I think it's a great device, but I've been burned before by HTC. Compared to other manufacturers, they are slow to update, and I'm not talking only major OS updates. This could certainly be their chance to change things. Lord
Knows their numbers indicate they need to

I appreciate your spin on the thread. I understand many Android device owners have been burned with lack of support and updates to their devices not even 6 months after they purchased them, but I do have to say that the HTC One is very impressive. I demoed it in store at my Best Buy and had that small itch to sell my iPhone 5 online and buy an HTC One.

It is hard to think about pulling the trigger as I don't know the future of the HTC One where I can guarantee my jailbroken iPhone will fit me well and/or I can update to iOS 7 the day it is released. I appreciate the update cycle of Apple's closed network for their OS.

 

[alphaod]

Try the Galaxy S4.

I did. Feels cheap just like the Galaxy S3. The camera is much nicer than the HTC One, but that's not compelling enough for me. Even with the higher resolution, the camera doesn't feel better than the one on the iPhone 5.

Hardware-wise, it's pretty much on par with the HTC One, which is also why I would choose the HTC One over the Galaxy S4

 

[lordofthereef]

I appreciate your spin on the thread. I understand many Android device owners have been burned with lack of support and updates to their devices not even 6 months after they purchased them, but I do have to say that the HTC One is very impressive. I demoed it in store at my Best Buy and had that small itch to sell my iPhone 5 online and buy an HTC One.

For the record, I'm not the guy that demands OS updates immediately. He'll, I don't necessarily mind if they don't come for many months. But when there are issues that need solving (eg battery drain related to OS) that the company just sits in, eh, not so happy about that.

It is hard to think about pulling the trigger as I don't know the future of the HTC One where I can guarantee my jailbroken iPhone will fit me well and/or I can update to iOS 7 the day it is released. I appreciate the update cycle of Apple's closed network for their OS.

I too demod it, and was impressed. Day one I am impressed by many phones, to be quite frank. It's day 30, then 120, then 365, etc that keeps (or loses) my attention.

The last HTC phone I really loved was the EVO 4g. It stood the test of time (was relevant for over a year, which is astounding for an android device) and actually saw some good support. Since then, I feel HTC has dropped the ball. I actually had a friend who was a die hard HTC fan (she swore by sense and said she would never change). Well, she got a nexus 4 because of how HTC has slipped and loves it. Her one complaint is lack of LTE, but, in her own words, she has gained more than she has lost.

If you're thinking of pulling the trigger, my honest recommendation is don't. Wait and see if HTC fixes the things (support) that you dislike about them. If they do, in certain their next device will be just as nice, and you can be more assured its a good buy.

 

[Mrbobb]

The HTC One is everything the next iPhone should be

If you are right, Apple should buy HTC like they bought PortaPlayer to make the iPod.

But I really hate that FLAT interface.

The hardware looks OK, like a Panasonic laptop, but NOT up to Apple's aesthetic.

 

[lordofthereef]

If you are right, Apple should buy HTC like they bought PortaPlayer to make the iPod.

But I really hate that FLAT interface.

The hardware looks OK, like a Panasonic laptop, but NOT up to Apple's aesthetic.

Isn't apple working on a flat interface for iOS 7?

 

[Mrbobb]

Isn't apple working on a flat interface for iOS 7?

And am crinching at it. I will have to trust Ive's intention but I won't be dumping IO6 right away, it's probably just me.

 

[lordofthereef]

And am crinching at it. I will have to trust Ive's intention but I won't be dumping IO6 right away, it's probably just me.

It's not just you. I'm honestly intrigued at what changes may be coming. If all it is is a skin refresh, I don't really see the point. I guess people calling iOS stale would **** up, but really, just redlining the thing really wouldn't do much for me one way or the other.

 

[Prototypical]

...everything, except on the largest carrier in the US. No, Verizon, the "Droid DNA" is not an acceptable substitute.

I've seen quite a few shots out of the One's camera - I don't get what some people are upset about. At normal sizes, the pictures are fantastic. If you're blowing up pictures to 8x10" or bigger, you shouldn't be using a PHONE to take the picture in the first place. Megapixels don't = good quality, and so many mobile technophiles don't seem to get that.

 

[mpayne2k]

I'd like to see if Google allows a Nexus device to be made by HTC!

 

[Dontazemebro]

I'd like to see if Google allows a Nexus device to be made by HTC!

HTC already made the first Google device (Nexus One) but I doubt they get another crack at it, or even want to.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

HTC One is definitely the best non-Apple device I've seen to date. It feels solid in the hand for sure and the screen, while big, is not entirely unwieldy.

Few things though will keep it from being something that seriously gets me to consider giving up my iPhone:

1. The rounded back. My phone sits on my desk a lot and I randomly check it for various things without picking it up. Doing this with the One would cause it to wobble....which would be annoying for me.

2. The lack of a physical home button. With my iPhone, whether it is on my desk or in my pocket, it is easy for me to pick it up and in a singular motion hit the home button and slide my thumb across the bottom to unlock the phone. With the One, and the position of the power button on the top, it just makes this process not quite so convenient for me.

3. Android. At the end of the day....iOS still fits in my life better. Between all of the Apple hardware I have and my lack of involvement with the Google world, there's nothing there really pulling me towards Android.

Display is great, build quality is great and it has some interesting features (would love to see the IR thing make its way to the iPhone). Hopefully this will push HTC's market share back up to add a legit third player to the US smartphone market to help push innovation for all.

 

[mattopotamus]

HTC One is definitely the best non-Apple device I've seen to date. It feels solid in the hand for sure and the screen, while big, is not entirely unwieldy.

Few things though will keep it from being something that seriously gets me to consider giving up my iPhone:

1. The rounded back. My phone sits on my desk a lot and I randomly check it for various things without picking it up. Doing this with the One would cause it to wobble....which would be annoying for me.

2. The lack of a physical home button. With my iPhone, whether it is on my desk or in my pocket, it is easy for me to pick it up and in a singular motion hit the home button and slide my thumb across the bottom to unlock the phone. With the One, and the position of the power button on the top, it just makes this process not quite so convenient for me.

3. Android. At the end of the day....iOS still fits in my life better. Between all of the Apple hardware I have and my lack of involvement with the Google world, there's nothing there really pulling me towards Android.

Display is great, build quality is great and it has some interesting features (would love to see the IR thing make its way to the iPhone). Hopefully this will push HTC's market share back up to add a legit third player to the US smartphone market to help push innovation for all.

The remote app is actually pretty awesome. It took less than 5 mintues to set it up in all of my rooms. Beats the hell out of channel surfing b.c you get a "movie billboard" type display about what is on each channel.

 

[AppleRobert]

Maybe the next gen iphone is the device that the One needs to be compared to tell the truth.

For now, I definitely feel the One has a leg up.

 

[mattopotamus]

Maybe the next gen iphone is the device that the One needs to be compared to tell the truth.

For now, I definitely feel the One has a leg up.

That is the way it will always be. When the 5s is released it will be the best for a few months (from a benchmark perspective), and then a few months later an android phone will best it.

 

[Switchback666]

Both need to lose the big bezels

 

[ChazUK]

I'll be close to divorce if I go out and buy another phone but all of the positive chattering the HTC One really makes me want to give one a whirl...

 

[onthecouchagain]

Both need to lose the big bezels

I disagree to some extent regarding the One. I'd love for HTC to lose the capacitive buttons for on screen buttons, though some wouldn't consider that more screen space really.

But the speakers serve a wonderful purpose taking up that bezel. First, they're not as big as you might think. When I saw the One in person, I was surprised that the speaker grills weren't bigger. They look bigger in pictures. And secondly, they're spectacular speakers. It's a pleasure playing videos/music from them. I can forgive the bezel for the great sound.

 

[Switchback666]

I disagree to some extent regarding the One. I'd love for HTC to lose the capacitive buttons for on screen buttons, though some wouldn't consider that more screen space really.

But the speakers serve a wonderful purpose taking up that bezel. First, they're not as big as you might think. When I saw the One in person, I was surprised that the speaker grills weren't bigger. They look bigger in pictures. And secondly, they're spectacular speakers. It's a pleasure playing videos/music from them. I can forgive the bezel for the great sound.

Yet to see a One in person but i take your word if you say they are not huge, again while i havent see one im positive the sound must be very good and great when you want to put some music using the phone

Now the iphone, no reason for it.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Yet to see a One in person but i take your word if you say they are not huge, again while i havent see one im positive the sound must be very good and great when you want to put some music using the phone

Now the iphone, no reason for it.

Agree there. I would love to see the next redesigned iPhone move away from the physical home button too. Gesture based iPhone would be nice. Anyone that has tried Zephyr from the jailbreak community can attest to that.

 

[Dr McKay]

Isn't apple working on a flat interface for iOS 7?

 

[nuckinfutz]

The HTC One probably deserves a lot more praise than any other Android phone right now including the S4.

It's the phone i'd buy if I was straying from the iOS pond.

 

[tjl3]

Both need to lose the big bezels

Agree with this. The HTC One is gorgeous, but is the size of some 5" smartphones. And both companies need to find a better way to better penetrate the metal body than to inject plastic or glass into the device.