Help Looking at getting this phone

[CrimsonToker]

I'm shopping on Google, and for the first time I noticed it looks in the pictures like it's running windows. Is this a windows phone only? I thought it came with kit Kat.

 

[Phases]

You can get either variant

 

[CrimsonToker]

Ahh good to know. OK. I've been wanting an HTC for a long time, and this one is just so appealing! Another question though, is this phone like the m9 in that the battery is non removable?

 

[Phases]

Yah, non-removable. :\

 

[CrimsonToker]

Ahh I see. That's a little concerning, because I'm planning to root

 

[doniago]

Speaking as an M8 user, how is that an issue?

 

[CrimsonToker]

When I've rooted and flashed new ROMs there's always a chance it won't boot normally the first time. Battery pull always fixed it. Boot loop becomes more scary

 

[doniago]

If it helps, that's not an issue I ever had and I've flashed on a few occasions now.

 

[Brian706]

When I've rooted and flashed new ROMs there's always a chance it won't boot normally the first time. Battery pull always fixed it. Boot loop becomes more scary

You can hold the power button down to simulate a battery pull. I got stuck once in a bootloop on my Nexus with a non removable battery and held the power button until the screen went black. Then immediately held the volume down key and made it into the bootloader no problem.

 

[EarlyMon]

On the M8 it's volume up + power for power reset.

Odds of needing a separate boot image flash are very low here.

And it would be odd, although possible due to inventory etc etc, for it to come with KitKat as they ship with Lollipop now.

 

[CrimsonToker]

I figured out the service I need is metro, only reception where I'm moving, and unless I'm wrong, m8 is CDMA. So I've chosen instead the G Stylo

 

[EarlyMon]

Dude, seriously - the M8 is available for every GSM carrier, it's not just a CDMA phone.

 

[KOLIO]

I figured out the service I need is metro, only reception where I'm moving, and unless I'm wrong, m8 is CDMA. So I've chosen instead the G Stylo

The T-Mobile variant of the M8 is 100% compatible with MPCS, as MPCS is on the exact same network as T-Mobile.
www.willmyphonework.net

 

[EarlyMon]

Plus there's a world of difference between rooting an M8 and rooting an LG.

 

[CrimsonToker]

How so, EM?

 

[EarlyMon]

Rooting an LG is inverted and Windows only unless you go to Kingroot hell.

Rooting the M8 follows the standard Android model, not surprising because HTC built the first Nexus and the first Android.

1. Unlock bootloader (you have to get the token from HTC but it's trivial)
2. Install TWRP using fastboot
3. Make a nandroid backup of your stock setup
4. Either flash SuperSU or install a rooted rom of your choice from TWRP

And you can do that from Windows, OS X, or Linux.

If you want, you can spend $25 and get Sunshine s-off. With that you can manage firmware independently of the rom. A big advantage of that is being able to upgrade the audio DSP to 24-bit 192 kHz and depending on the mod you go with, flash the HK audio libraries (originally available only on the Sprint Harman Kardon M8) or the Dolby libraries (now stock on the M9).

Boomsound is quite good, the HK mod is quite better.

The M8 was one of the last GPE phones. If you prefer standard Android over HTC Sense, you can flash a GPE rom. And the rom collection overall is quite good, including a ports from the M9 so you'll be ahead of the update game if that's what you want.

 

[CrimsonToker]

Dude.... I don't understand half of what you're talking about. This is all past my limited flashing experience. I've never experienced sense but have wanted to, part my appeal toward HTC

 

[EarlyMon]

I run Sense, it's pretty good.

 

[CrimsonToker]

Gotta say though, one thing I love about lg, every time I boot my phone it tells me "life's good!" Lol

 

[EarlyMon]

There's no competing with that.

Except with s-off. My last phone turned on and said Property of EarlyMon.

 

[doniago]

Ugh, Kingroot. I used it to root my Nvidia Shield for reasons that escape me now, decided I didn't like it (partly because it possibly messed with Google stuff), and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to remove the binary it had installed. Ended up doing a factory reset and picking up the pieces.

 

[CrimsonToker]

Ugh, Kingroot.

Lol this is how I've always heard of king root