HTC One M8 (For Windows) vs. HTC One M8 (For Android) – Specifications, Features, Release Date And Price Showdown

The HTC One M8 (for Android) was released in the first quarter of 2014, whereas the HTC One M8 (for Windows) has recently been announced in August and the handset will be released in September. The main differentiating factor between the two handsets is the software. If the initial reports are true, Sprint's Harmon Kardon edition of the HTC One M8 Windows variant has enhanced features when compared to the Android counterpart. Readers who are interested in the HTC One M8 (Android) or the latest HTC One M8 (Windows) should check out this specification, features and price comparison.

Display And Design

Both the handsets feature the same 5.0-inch Super LCD3 display bundled with a solid screen resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels and 441 ppi pixel densities. There seem to be no difference in the display quality either. Both the devices provide crystal clear and refined viewing angles, according to Phone Arena.

Officially, the HTC One M8 for Windows will come only in gunmetal grey shade, while the Android variant comes in multitude of colours. However, the colour option is entirely dependent on the chosen carrier. Therefore, Sprint's Harmon Kardon edition will offer gold and black options to its customers. HTC has reportedly announced that the Windows phone will also come in plenty of colours eventually.

When it comes to exterior, it features the same bold, brushed metal design packaged with a wrap-around unibody frame, curved to fit the hands comfortably. However, both the phones do not feature dust or water resistant exteriors. The thickness and the weight of the phones are identical i.e. 0.37-inch and 160 g respectively.

Under The Hood

The Android-based HTC One M8 runs on Android v4.4.2 KitKat OS (upgradable to higher versions) with HTC Sense 6 UI, while the Windows-based handset runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1.1.

The substantial difference in the software is very much evident in comparison. The Android-based variant stands tall with its user interface, thanks to HTC's incredible Sense 6 UI on top of Android. The Sense 6 UI provides a modern touch to the interface. However, the Window Phone OS has a sense of uniformity in all its phones irrespective of the device manufacturer.

Furthermore, both the phones are powered by the same quad-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801) Krait 400 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz and 2 GB of RAM. When it comes to memory, the Windows handset offers 32 GB of internal storage, whereas the Android handset offers 16 GB and 32 GB of in-built storage. Both the phones support microSD card slot for expansion up to 128 GB.

Camera, Battery And Connectivity

Both the handsets sport the same 4 UltraPixels rear-facing camera unit with dual-LED flash. The primary camera unit of the HTC One M8 has 2 lenses (Duo Camera) to capture picture-perfect images. When it comes to secondary camera, the devices house 5 MP front-facing shooters.

Furthermore, there is no difference in the battery specifications either; both the handsets are backed by the same Li-Ion 2600 mAh non-removable battery unit. However, the Android variant could provide up to 20 hours of 3G talk time and 496 hours of 3G stand-by time. The Windows variant, meanwhile, provides a slightly better 22 hours of 3G talk time and 528 hours of 3G stand-by time, says HTC's official Web site.

Both the phones come equipped with Bluetooth v4.0, LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, microUSB port, Infrared port and NFC support. In addition, both the handsets support nano-SIM.

Price And Release Date

The HTC One M8 16 GB (4G LTE) is priced at AU$629.95 in Australia. Verizon announced on Aug. 20 that it will be selling the HTC One M8 (Windows) handset for $99.99 with a two-year contract. However, the HTC One M8 (Windows)'s launch date in Australia is unknown at this point.

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