HTC One M8 32GB Unlocked Smartphone - U.S. Version - Glacial Silver

I don't even know where to begin describing all the ways this phone blows all others away.This phone is everything the tech sites boast it is and more. The processor in this thing makes a world of difference. Apps and widgets open in the blink of an eye, web pages load at blazing speeds and the phone boots up almost instantaneously. The last time I experienced such a leap in speed is when I first used my Samsung Galxy S3 and iPhone 4 after using a Blackberry Curve for so many years. The difference between the speed of the One M8 and S3 is like apples and oranges. A Ferrari 458 vs. a Hyundai Veloster.The display on the M8 is stunning. The screen on the this thing makes the one on the S3 look like a CRT display from 1998. And speaking of the display, my biggest (and best) surprise came when I used the phone outside in direct sunlight. To my amazement, I could see the screen perfectly, unlike my S3 (and other phones) which was impossible.The form factor of this thing is it's strongest quality in my opinion, and one of the reasons I picked this over a Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5s. You will be hard pressed to find a phone that looks this good AND feels this comfortable in your hand. I did notice the volume buttons felt a little loose, but it's not a deal breaker. The phone feels sturdy and ready for war, it feels like it won't turn to powder (iPhone 4, 4s) or dent (iPhone 5, 5s) if dropped. Although I would recommend getting a case to put it in. I haven't had any yet (*knocks on wood*), but I can see the potential for the back and sides of the phone getting minor nicks and scratches. I ordered the Spigen® [Non Slip] [AIR CUSHION] HTC One M8 Case and amFilm HTC One M8 Screen Protector 2014 Premium HD Clear. The case hasn't arrived yet, but I can say the screen protector is EXCELLENT. They weren't lying when they boasted about the clarity and protection this thing offers.The OS is great too. If you're familiar with Android operating systems, it won't be hard to adjust to this phone. Although it did take getting used to having no physical home button and navigating the menus, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (I like newness). The camera, despite what some apple fanboys and tech reviews claim, is actually really good. The images are clear and the colors are rich, and with a little tweaking of the settings, it can compete with any other camera (on a phone) out there.The battery is also a strong suit of the HTC One M8. I was initially worried about purchasing a phone that didn't have a removable back cover, but now I know it was for nothing. When I first opened the box, it had a 47% charge, which would have lasted me, but I decided to charge it fully. The next day, the phone only lost around 30-40% charge after more than 18 hours of light to moderate use (facebook, instagram, email, whatsapp, music, youtube and internet browsing). With heavy use, I can see getting at least 10+ hours. In standby mode, I can see this thing lasting weeks. Needless to say, the battery is great.Now, onto my only gripe about the HTC One M8, the speakers. Don't get me wrong, these are the best speakers on a phone that I have experienced, and having them facing forward makes a world of difference. When the volume is up, the speakers are very crisp, clear and bass rich. However, after reading so much about Boomsound, and then actually hearing the phone, I was honestly expecting a little more. I know that I have to take the audio file quality into account (which I do), but I wasn't expecting to have to turn the volume up to the level I did (almost max) to experience what HTC so proudly boasted about.After all is said and done, I would highly recommend this phone to anyone who wants the best piece of pocket tech available.Pros:-Super fast-Very lightweight/excellent form factor.-Battery life is amazing.-Great display.-Can actually use the phone in sunlight!Cons:-Dual front speakers not as loud as I had hoped.-Volume buttons don't feel very well constructed.

Before I start reviewing this product, if you want to change the screen or the battery on your phone, take it to a professional!!! Also, please pardon the punctuation, as I'm dictating this review.With that out of the way, this was an excellent bargain. I had an HTC phone exactly like this, and you can guess by my previous comment what happened to it. The seller did a fantastic job of picking out a phone that looked brand new, save for a few minor scratches where the power plug goes in the phone. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had received earbud headphones and a power cord with an adapter for A/C current. Shipping was very quick, and the seller responded almost immediately to some questions. I only requested that the screen be clear and not have any scratches , and that is what I got, plus more! Granted, I had to get my own specific screen covers for this model , but they are cheap and I had some already (I would recommend getting at least a 64 GB micro memory card , too). While the advertisement said the phone is unlocked, it came with an AT&T logo stamped on it . While that's not a problem for me, as I'm going to go with a T-Mobile pre-paid account, Verizon will not allow an AT&T phone on their network . You might want to verify with the seller if there are any logos stamped on the phone before you buy it, as that can severely limit your choice of carrier . These are NOT refurbished phones , but USED phones. When the seller said that the condition was like new, it was like new .I really wanted this particular model of smartphone. it does and a lot of things thatmost other smart phones do not do. Be warned! If this is your first smartphone, it will be a bit difficult to learn how to use. However, once you learn how to use the device, you can use it for almost anything, including a remote control for your TV. Don't worry about not having an instruction manual sent with the phone-- there's one on the Internet . I have that particular page bookmarked, and I use it a LOT!! LOLI would definitely work with this seller again. I got more than my money's worth for an excellent price. I was really surprised to see such a good quality phone for the price that I paid.It's worth an extra $40 to have a professional install a new battery if that is something you want to do. Please learn from me,and don't try to install a battery yourself, unless you know how to do it. Watching a YouTube video does not constitute "knowing how to do it".I don't know why they quit making this model of phone. It does so many things and has great sound when it's not plugged into any kind of amplifier . I compared it to a Samsung , and I decided that the Samsung name was the only thing that was raising their price compared to HTC . Of course, the phone cannot do things that the current phones can do , such as capturing videos when you take photographs . If you want to spend $800 to over $1000 for a cell phone, that's your business , but I think this was an excellent phone for the money , but ONLY as a USED phone. It pays to shop around, and to research what an individual device is capable of doing .