Meet the HTC One M8 Prime’s massive UltraPixel camera

Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

The One M8 has been on sale for almost two months now, and when it launched, we all assumed this device would be HTC’s flagship smartphone for 2014. But over the past week, it has become apparent that that’s probably not the case. Just like Samsung, HTC is planning a “Prime” version of its latest device that’s going to be even better.

One of its improvements is said to be a new UltraPixel camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, and the leaked image below gives us a peek at what that massive sensor’s going to look like.

I love my One M8 — as I’ve mentioned time and time again since the device came out. You’re probably sick of hearing it. So let’s talk about something I’m not overly impressed with — its UltraPixel camera.

It has improved this time around, and the second sensor that sits above it allows it to be incredibly quick. It’s by far the fastest smartphone camera I’ve ever used — and I’ve used a lot. That second sensor also captures depth information to provide some really nice focus effects.

I have taken some nice shots with the One M8, and it does do better than most in low light. But I find it to be too inconsistent. Some of the shots I take outside with great lighting don’t turn out as I expected, and thanks to that 4-megapixel sensor, they’re not as sharp or as detailed as I’d like.

This UltraPixel camera has been one of the few criticisms we’ve seen of the One M8, but it seems HTC isn’t going to let it hold back the One M8 Prime. HTC is reportedly going to improve it — massively — for its next device to ensure that it’s no longer a weakness but a compelling reason (as if you needed another one) to buy an HTC flagship.

HTC-M8-Prime

The image above, published by reliable leaker @Evleaks, indicates the M8 Prime’s UltraPixel sensor will be significantly bigger than the regular M8’s sensor. It’ll protrude out of the back of the device with a bulbous lens, and again, it’ll be accompanied by a second sensor.

The M8 Prime is also expected to offer a faster Snapdragon 805 processor, a larger 5.5-inch display with a 2K resolution, and 3GB of RAM. One of its most unique features, however — aside from the new UltraPixel camera — could be its design, which is said to be constructed out of a “composite aluminum and liquid silicone” that will be completely waterproof.

The M8 Prime certainly seems like more than just a rumor at this point, and we couldn’t be more excited to see it. However, there are certainly going to be a lot of original One M8 owners — including myself — who will be disappointed that the device they purchased less than two months ago is no longer HTC’s flagship.