The new HTC One (M8) isn't radically different from its predecessor. Instead, it offers a refined vision of the already winning formula HTC achieved with the original One. Inside and out, the One (M8) is easily one of the most impressive handsets we've ever encountered. Sprint's model carries a manageable amount of bloatware and it's one of the few U.S. models to support HTC's Extreme Power Savings mode at the moment. It shares our Editors' Choice award with the Samsung Galaxy S5, which packs a better camera and a slight edge in overall function. But if you put a premium on design, the HTC One (M8) should be at the top of your list.

We've already reviewed the One (M8) on AT&T, so head over to that review for a full run down on its features and design. The $199.99 (with two-year contract) Sprint model is physically identical, so we'll focus on carrier specific differences for this review.

Network and Call Quality

The Sprint One (M8) supports CDMA (800/1900MHz), UMTS (850/1900/2100MHz), LTE (850/1900/2600MHz). That means it works on Sprint's new blazing fast tri-band Spark LTE network. In my tests, the One (M8) routinely pulled in speeds in excess of 20Mbps down and up in an area with Spark LTE turned on. Moving to an area without Spark, the One (M8) averaged around 12Mbps down and 7Mbps up.

Note: The slideshow below is of the unlocked HTC One (M8), which is physically identical to the Sprint model.

I tested call quality in midtown Manhattan in an area with good Sprint coverage. As with the AT&T model, the Sprint One (M8) produces loud volume through the earpiece, with voices that sound natural and easy to understand. In voicemail tests, my voice came through clearly and without static or other artifacts, but it did sound a bit digitized at times. Noise cancellation worked very well in my tests, drowning out a good amount of environmental sounds.

In my tests, the non-removable 2,600mAh battery was good for 19 hours, 56 minutes of continuous talk time. That's better than the 17 hours, 27 minutes we saw with the AT&T model, and should be more than enough for a day's worth of moderate usage. Sprint's model also supports Extreme Power Saving mode, which HTC claims can add 30 hours of standby time on the last 10 percent of battery life. 

Bloatware and Conclusions

Of the 32GB of internal storage, 23.8GB is available to users out of the box. Sprint takes a different approach to bloatware than Verizon or AT&T, leaning on its Mobile ID app to load up the "Sprint Default" profile automatically after activating the phone. That profile amounts to widgets and bloatware galore, including completely worthless apps like Eureka Offers and Sprint Music Plus. Luckily, though, Sprint graciously allows users to delete most of this junk, rather than forcing you to brush it under the rug the way Verizon and AT&T do.

There are two great Android smartphones out right now: the HTC One (M8) and the Samsung Galaxy S5. The One (M8) easily outclasses the GS5 on style and execution—it's simply the better built, better looking of the two. The GS5 wins out on function thanks to its superior camera, Wi-Fi performance, and display. They rightfully share our Editors' Choice award for Android smartphones on Sprint; the one that's right for you will be a matter of taste. 

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