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Topic: Mobility

T-Mobile HTC One: World's best smartphone on US best value major carrier

Summary: I've spent a couple of months with an international HTC One, and it remains the best smartphone I have ever used. My own T-Mobile USA model arrived and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a new smartphone.

Matthew Miller

By for Smartphones and Cell Phones |

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(Image: Matthew Miller/ZDNet)

HTC One Car Kit and HTC One from T-Mobile

You will find many articles here on the HTC One (links are listed on the last slide), and after spending a couple of months with it, I am convinced it is the best smartphone I have ever used. I ordered a T-Mobile HTC One on Friday and it arrived yesterday, along with a nice free gift from T-Mobile and HTC.

I've previously explained why T-Mobile is the best value major carrier in the US at this time and that is obvious when you check out its available plans and actual device pricing. If you have two to five phones on T-Mobile, then it can't be beat. Let's take a closer look at what sets the HTC One and T-Mobile apart from the rest.

  • No: Unjustified phone upgrade fee of $36 like other carriers.
  • No: Interest payment plan that stops when phone is paid off, unlike other carriers that charge you subsidy fees for an infinite period of time.
  • No: Carrier branding of any kind on the hardware.
  • No: Contract required like other carriers.
  • Yes: Wi-fi calling support so you can still make phone calls with weak cellular coverage at home.
  • Yes: Free HTC One car kit when ordered online.
  • Yes: 42Mbps HSPA+ and LTE on T-Mobile.

T-Mobile includes a free HTC One car kit that looks to have a value of around $60 to $70. The T-Mobile website states that you can expect the car kit in six to eight weeks, but mine showed up with the HTC One, just two weekend days and one business day after I ordered the HTC One. I'll be testing out the HTC One car kit soon, but note that is designed to fit the HTC One perfectly and activate car mode when inserted. The package comes with a car plug, so you can keep your HTC One charged up while driving as well.

Because I like to watch movies on my smartphones, I ordered the HTC One Double Dip Flip case. I understand it isn't the best for phone calls, but I wanted something along that I could prop up to enjoy media.

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Topics: Mobility, Android, HTC, Reviews, Smartphones

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45 comments
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  • I think you have got a bit too excited...

    "world's best smartphone"?!... I highly doubt that!!
    I do like your articles but I think this one is just too personally biased.
    Nsaf
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Isn't that the case with any phone?

      Best is in the eye of the beholder.
      ye
      Reply 2 Votes

    • Read all other reviews

      Actually, this time my claim is backed up by most every other person who has reviewed the phone. I don't say something is best, but in this case it is tough to argue.

      It is clearly the best hardware ever made. However, some may not like Android and I understand that. If there ever was a title for the best smartphone though, the HTC One gets it right now.
      palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)
      Reply 2 Votes

      • it has great specs

        but specs are not the only thing that make a phone great. I wouldn't trade the larger screen and pen of my note 2 for just specs.
        theoilman
        Reply Vote

      • smaller yet heavier than S4

        HTC one has smaller screen and smaller casing by about 1-2mm, yet weighs 10% more than the S4. Samsung manage to still cram in an SD slot and removable battery as well as infrared so you can get rid of the Logitech Harmony remotes.
        S4 is lighter and more convergent and more flexible and FASTER with 4 A15 cores. S4 first, daylight second.
        warboat
        Reply Vote

        • High build quality

          Htc One might be heavier, but it's build with high higher quality material which could be one of the main reasons for Samsung to fall behind. Personaly I wouldn't like to pay such a serious amount of money for a peace of plastic.. Let's wait and see...
          dordevicmarko
          Reply Vote

    • Nexus-4 is much better

      By the measure of feature or by cost I believe Google Nexus-4 Phone is a much better deal.

      http://www.google.com/nexus/4/
      mocnarf
      Reply Vote

      • Nexus 4 good - you get what you paid for when compared to HTC One

        I've been using the Nexus 4 since December 2012 - I totally agree that you get the most for your money, but you also do get what you pay for. My Nexus 4's screen got a hairline scratch from it falling on wood floor and then getting dragged to pick it up since it got under my bed. (Lower quality Gorilla glass perhaps?), the camera and screen quality also don't compare to the HTC One when I checked it out physically at the ATT store. I just ordered one for Tmobile, gotta love no contract plans :)
        juicex
        Reply Vote
        • Relative to the cost of other phones, you clearly get far more than you pay for with the nexus 4.
          DrWong
          Reply Vote

  • T-mobile works for me too

    I am in a good t-mobile coverage area so I am going to stay with them. I was planning on switching but I like the way their new plans and pricing. I also like the way they are selling handsets now. I usually pay cash for my phones to avoid the contract but I like the idea of paying $99 now, making a few payments, and then completing the contract a few months down the road when some extra money rolls in. Once it is paid off, I am not longer contracted to stay with them.

    I think I am going to go with the S4 though. Not because it is a better phone but there are advantages to having a phone that sells really well like availability of cases and other accessories. I am a klutz so having a supply of inexpensive cases available is important to me.
    redhaven
    Reply Vote

  • Interesting article

    Matthew, I normally love your writing. I like that you aren't afraid to actually highlight less popular technology and services. Calling a phone "best" in the world though...c'mon now. I was hardly impressed with the side by side you did with your daughters basketball game.

    As others have pointed out, however, is that this is completely a personal opinion when it comes to the HTC One being the world's best smartphone. For the average texting, calling, emailing, facebooking individual, this device is one of a HUGE number of devices that could be classified as "best". It might have the "best" low light capabilities with its camera for an Android device. There are other people that might have a must have app or feature that Android doesn't possess- XBox live integration, AirPlay, etc. based on the other accessories/devices the user has at home.

    All in all, you might want to classify this as the best Android phone for someone looking for taking lots of pictures and videos. While I'm not going to look up numbers, I reckon someone else has a bigger screen (Note series), better battery life, etc.
    ikissfutebol
    Reply Vote

  • Battery

    Matt,
    Once you've spent some time with the T-Mobile version of the HTC One, I'd like to hear how its battery life compares to the international version you've been using. Thanks.
    dunnsantee
    Reply 1 Vote

    • User Comments on Battery

      The XDA-Developers forum has some comments from users about initial battery usage. Some negative but many are positive or neutral.

      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2243248
      brucegil@...
      Reply Vote

  • If this is a paid commercial pls say so.

    I agree on the virtues of the HTC One but this article does not conform to the standards of an unbiased contribution. It's either a commercial or a personal opinion of the editor. Both is OK as long as it is marked as such.
    But the flashy headline is a bit controversial about any sort of unbiased information.
    EnticingHavoc
    Reply Vote

    • OK, it's not.

      Just like I wrote in the post, I paid $580 for the HTC One on T-Mobile with my own money. No one paid me to write this or asked me to write anything.

      This is a blog and yes it is my opinion, but if you read all the other reviews online (I especially recommend the educational one from Brian Klug at Anandtech) you will see the HTC One is universally loved and may in fact be the best smartphone available today.
      palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)
      Reply Vote

      • Brian's review was amazing

        And convinced me to change my wife over to it when the One comes out on Verizon.
        LiquidLearner
        Reply Vote

  • I Like the HTC One, But....

    I have 6 months left on my HTC Vivid contract (bought it the 2nd day it was available in 2011). I will look at the Galaxy S4 (removable battery and SD card), but I have had good service with my Vivid. Most people ignore it, but I like the built-in FM radio (no data consumption to listen to music or sports talk).

    But by waiting until later this year, I hope to see the price come down a little (the iPhone 5S/6 will have come out by then). Plus, any issues might be resolved and the OS possibly upgraded.

    The car kit looks like a good idea. Trying to find a generic/universal holder that works is a problem.
    brucegil@...
    Reply Vote

    • HTC One has an FM radio too, iPhone $170 more

      The iPhone 5 32GB model, same capacity as this One, is priced $170 more than the HTC One. I'm sure we'll see the price drop later this year, but it sounds like the HTC One may be a perfect fit for you too.
      palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)
      Reply Vote

    • No FM Radio on iphone

      if FM radio is important, then forget about iphone. Apple doesn't want you streaming free to air.
      warboat
      Reply Vote

  • Amazing phone

    had this for few days now on sprint. just awesome phone
    harry674
    Reply 2 Votes
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