Like they say, it’s better late than never. Although it was never quite meant for smartphones or tech gadgets. The HTC One (M8 EYE) finally sets its foot on Malaysian shores, a full year since its original debut. Essentially a HTC One (M8) with a better camera, the HTC One (M8 EYE) is also heaps cheaper than the one-year old flagship – now going for a cool RM1,399.
If you love the HTC One M8 styling, then you’ll love the HTC One M8 EYE. Because it’s essentially the same. You get the same sexy metal unibody design (an award-winning one at that) and it’s even retained the much-loved front-facing speakers with HTC BoomSound audio tech.
The only major change would be round the back. Out goes the infamous 4MP Ultrapixel Duo Camera and with a 13MP Duo Camera with dual-LED flash. At the front, a 5MP wide-angle front-facing camera takes care of the selfies.
If you’re familiar with the HTC EYE experience, then you’ll know it’s all about the camera and the camera software. Refocus your photos with the Duo Camera and UFocus. There’s Foregrounder and Seasons animations. Copy & Paste for a bit of fun. Dimension Plus for unique perspectives on your photos.
Powering the mid-ranger is the venerable, last generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC with quad-core Krait CPUs running at 2.3GHz. It’s old, but it’s still a performer. It comes integrated with 4G LTE. There’s 2GB of RAM and a base 16GB of storage. If you need more, there’s expandable microSD storage.
The device takes a single nano-SIM, and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 6.
The HTC One M8 EYE also introduces Smart Sensor Hub that intelligently anticipates your every need and Motion Launch controls to make everyday tasks easier.
Pricing and availability
The HTC One M8 EYE retails for RM1,399 and is available in Gunmetal Grey.
Initial thoughts
So why did HTC finally decide to introduce an ‘old’ new phone to the market? It’s a little baffling, but having said that, it still makes business sense. As a package and at a low price point, it can still be a compelling buy. If you love the HTC One M8, you will love the HTC One M8 EYE. Not only for its looks but the combination of a better camera, solid hardware even by today’s standards and a low price point.
What say you?
