If you like most things about HTC's current flagship smartphone, the One M8, but are, like ourselves, a little disappointed with the image quality of its 4MP camera, HTC might just have launched the right phone for you.

The HTC One E8 takes most of the M8 components, wraps them up in a polycarbonate unibody frame instead of the M8's brushed metal hull and replaces the flagship's Duo Cam with a more conventional camera module using a 13 megapixel 1/3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and F2.2 maximum aperture. Given the questionable results of the Duo Cam, the latter arguably makes the E8 the best option for photo-centric users in the current HTC line-up.

On the front you get the same 5MP camera as on the M8 and most of the other components are identical, too, including the 2600 mAh battery and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC. Despite the different body material, in terms of design the E8 is very close to the One M8. At 9.9mm vs. 9.4mm it is a little thicker than its metal sibling but at 145 grams also 15 grams lighter. 

The HTC One E8 will first launch in China at a price of approximately $450 which makes it a good chunk cheaper than the One M8 which currently retails at around $700, and then be introduced to other countries later in the year. A dual sim version will be available in select markets.

Key Specification:

  • 13MP 1/3-inch BSI CMOS sensor
  • F2.2 lens
  • 1080p video
  • 5MP front camera
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, quad-core 
  • 5-inch 1080p screen
  • Android 4.4.2 / HTC Sense 6
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB storage, microSD card up to 128 GB
  • 2600 mAh battery