The recent launch will also help HTC’s revenue increase slightly

Aug 20, 2014 13:45 GMT  ·  By

The new HTC One M8 for Windows is not at all a surprise, nor is the fact that it’s cheaper than its Android counterpart. The only thing that might hurt HTC One M8 for Windows sales may be the fact that it’s exclusively available in the US through Verizon Wireless.

Even though the Big Red has a large database of subscribers, it could have been much better if the smartphone were available to more customers.

The good news is that HTC One M8 for Windows won’t be exclusive to Verizon for too long and AT&T has already confirmed that it will carry the smartphone later this year.

An international version would be even more beneficial to both HTC and Microsoft, as this could boost Windows Phone sales even further.

After launching the Nokia Lumia 930, Lumia 635 and Lumia 630, Microsoft is now readying its lineup of mid-range smartphones, which will be revealed early next month during IFA 2014.

With Nokia Lumia 730 and Lumia 830 already in the pipe, the Redmond-based company has the mid-range segment of the market covered, but what about the high-end tier?

Well, HTC One M8 is the perfect device for a Windows Phone fan who wants a device that could compete with today’s Android high-end smartphones.

When HTC’s Windows Phone flagship smartphone is launched worldwide, there will be only one choice for customers who want to own the most powerful device on the market running Microsoft’s mobile platform.

The cost difference between the Android and Windows Phone versions of HTC One M8 is another aspect that customers should now take into consideration.

For only $100 (€75) and commitment to a new 2-year contract at Verizon, you could own the most powerful Windows Phone available on the market. It won’t be a Nokia, which means that some exclusive stuff that’s added via Lumia updates will not be available for you, but you get everything else.

We can safely assume that, when it launches at AT&T, HTC One M8 for Windows will be priced similarly. It’s true that the outright prices of the Windows Phone version of HTC One M8 and the Android model are the same ($600 / €450), but we should not underestimate the power of subsidies.

The more Windows Phone handsets Microsoft manages to get into customers’ hands, the larger the market share. The only problem will be to keep these customers using its products and eventually turn them into Windows Phone fans.

The HTC One M8 is a lovely device that won numerous design awards, which makes it the perfect bait for those who want to try out Windows Phone OS or even switch from a high-end Android smartphone.

It’s no shame to be disappointed in Android or wanting to try out new things. Besides, there are already reports of the Windows Phone version being slightly better that the Android model when it comes to performance.

Obviously, until more research is done, I can’t confirm it, but the Windows Phone model does seem to offer better battery life, according to Verizon.

I sincerely hope that HTC will get to sell lots of One M8 units, be it for Android or Windows Phone. This is one of the companies that lately seem to care about their customers more than others (I’m looking at you Samsung, LG) and deserve a higher ranking in the smartphone industry.

Making the HTC One M8 available for both Android and Windows Phone platforms was a smart move made by the Taiwanese company. It remains to be seen if the United States is a good market for Windows Phone, because HTC One M8 is definitely one of the best smartphones on the planet.