HTC One Is A Mess (My Opinion Only)

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

I know the HTC One received almost universal acclaim from professional reviews but just demoing the phone a few times I view it as a mess of a device. I commend its screen, curved aluminum backing, and front speakers, but there is so much not to like about this phone IMO. If the One does not sell well for HTC, I feel they only have themselves to blame.

I really think HTC screwed up with the One. There is so much I personally don't like about it and I have to think some others agree.

The most glaring issues IMO.

1. Terrible placement of power button. Top left is just terrible. Power button should always be on the right side of the phone when your phone sports a screen larger than 4.5". This becomes even more important when waking your phone requires you to hit the power button because there is no physical home button.

2. Notification light is way too small and hidden in the speaker grille.

3. Volume buttons are way too recessed.

4. Lack of Menu button forces it to be found on-screen at times, taking up screen real estate.

5. Home button bizarrely placed in the lower right.

6. Blinkfeed cannot be removed entirely from a home screen. Sure you can disable all feeds and hide it away on a screen of your choice but this feels like a workaround and not a proper solution.

Again, I'm not saying the One is worthless. There are things I do like about it. But its flaws seem obvious and I think HTC made some bad decisions with this phone. Perhaps choices they could not afford to make at this time.

AppleRobert · Aug 21, 2013

There is an option to return a smartphone after I admit a rather short timeframe for trial but I say most did not with regards to the One.

Klosefabrinio · Aug 21, 2013

yeah, although it does have some great things, but i also returned the phone, they should move the power button to right side, they should add a home button (imagine if that HTC logo worked as a home button, that would've been awesome), the ultrapixel camera produces bad results in bright light and there is not SD card slot. HTC should improve this.

PerfectDB · Aug 21, 2013

I actually agree with all of the OPs points, but I'd argue they're minor issues, which are addressed in part by the 4.2.3/4.3 update. I'd still take the One over other devices, quirks
and all.

HTC may have issues, but I'd hardly call the One a mess.

MRU · Aug 21, 2013

The most glaring issues IMO.

1. Terrible placement of power button. Top left is just terrible. Power button should always be on the right side of the phone when your phone sports a screen larger than 4.5". This becomes even more important when waking your phone requires you to hit the power button because there is no physical home button.

What about left handed people.... I never found it a bother, on the other hand I'm always accidentally pressing / tipping off my S4 power button. I actually wish it was on the top like the iPhone, Z10 or HTC One.

2. Notification light is way too small and hidden in the speaker grille.

But you can see it clearly when it lights up so what's the problem ? Why do you need to see it when it's not lit up ?

3. Volume buttons are way too recessed.

? ? Never had the problem.

4. Lack of Menu button forces it to be found on-screen at times, taking up screen real estate.

Corrected in 4.2.2

5. Home button bizarrely placed in the lower right.

Design choice, but can understand some folks not liking it. I never was bothered but I certainly don't speak for everyone.

Solution use an app that makes swiping up from the HTC logo return you to the home screen.

6. Blinkfeed cannot be removed entirely from a home screen. Sure you can disable all feeds and hide it away on a screen of your choice but this feels like a workaround and not a proper solution.

Design choice, but can understand some folks not liking it. I never was bothered but I certainly don't speak for everyone.

Solution : use a launcher like Nova or Apex

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

MacRumorUser said:
The most glaring issues IMO.

1. Terrible placement of power button. Top left is just terrible. Power button should always be on the right side of the phone when your phone sports a screen larger than 4.5". This becomes even more important when waking your phone requires you to hit the power button because there is no physical home button.

What about left handed people.... I never found it a bother, on the other hand I'm always accidentally pressing my S4 power button

2. Notification light is way too small and hidden in the speaker grille.

But you can see it when it lights up so what's the problem ? Why do you need to see it when it's not ?

3. Volume buttons are way too recessed.

? ? Never had the problem.

4. Lack of Menu button forces it to be found on-screen at times, taking up screen real estate.

Corrected in 4.2.2

5. Home button bizarrely placed in the lower right.

Design choice, but can understand some folks not liking it. I never was bothered but I certainly don't speak for everyone.

6. Blinkfeed cannot be removed entirely from a home screen. Sure you can disable all feeds and hide it away on a screen of your choice but this feels like a workaround and not a proper solution.

Design choice, but can understand some folks not liking it. I never was bothered but I certainly don't speak for everyone.

Studies say that 70%-90% of humans are right handed. Makes more sense to cater to them. Also how exactly do you keep accidentally hitting the power button on the S4?

The light itself is simply too small. My guess is that it's easier to miss because it's so small plus it would be easier to see if it were larger like the one on the S4.

Volume button is way too flush with the side of the device. If you have no issue with it so be it but a button on the side should always stick out a bit.

So the Menu issue is gone now with 4.2.2?

Does using a launcher eliminate Blinkfeed from showing up on all your screens?

If you can use an app to swipe up from the logo that's certainly an improvement to an issue that should have never existed in the first place.

MRU · Aug 21, 2013

Studies say that 70%-90% of humans are right handed. Makes more sense to cater to them. Also how exactly do you keep accidentally hitting the power button on the S4?

When I pick it up I tend to hold it from the upper part rather than lower and always seem to tip off the power button or if I am putting it in my right hand to type with my left, I find I occasionally accidentally press the power button with my thumb. I accidently press it at least once a day if not more.

The light itself is simply too small. My guess is that it's easier to miss because it's so small plus it would be easier to see if it were larger like the one on the S4.

Yeah never really had an issue, I aways saw it when it blinking at me - so maybe it's a manufacture defect of yours that its hidden behind a grill hole more than it should be ?

Volume button is way too flush with the side of the device. If you have no issue with it so be it but a button on the side should always stick out a bit.

I ask because some folks also said their power button was very flush , neither my power-button or volume buttons were so flush that they were hard to press or feel, so I'm wondering if it could be your handset perhaps ?

So the Menu issue is gone now with 4.2.2?

Yep. You can assign a long press of the back button to be menu.

Does using a launcher eliminate Blinkfeed from showing up on all your screens?

Yep.

If you can use an app to swipe up from the logo that's certainly an improvement to an issue that should have never existed in the first place.

Again it was a design choice but yeah there is an app Coach has linked to previously that can do what you want to improve the experience for you.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matthewma.swipehomebuttonfree&hl=en

mattopotamus · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
Studies say that 70%-90% of humans are right handed. Makes more sense to cater to them. Also how exactly do you keep accidentally hitting the power button on the S4?

The light itself is simply too small. My guess is that it's easier to miss because it's so small plus it would be easier to see if it were larger like the one on the S4.

Volume button is way too flush with the side of the device. If you have no issue with it so be it but a button on the side should always stick out a bit.

So the Menu issue is gone now with 4.2.2?

Does using a launcher eliminate Blinkfeed from showing up on all your screens?

If you can use an app to swipe up from the logo that's certainly an improvement to an issue that should have never existed in the first place.

I had to comment on that haha. That seems like a massive difference...are there 30% lefties or 10% lefties

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

MacRumorUser said:
Studies say that 70%-90% of humans are right handed. Makes more sense to cater to them. Also how exactly do you keep accidentally hitting the power button on the S4?

When I pick it up I tend to hold it from the upper part rather than lower and always seem to tip off the power button or if I am putting it in my right hand to type with my left, I find I occasionally accidentally press the power button with my thumb. I accidently press it at least once a day if not more.

The light itself is simply too small. My guess is that it's easier to miss because it's so small plus it would be easier to see if it were larger like the one on the S4.

Yeah never really had an issue, I aways saw it when it blinking at me - so maybe it's a manufacture defect of yours that its hidden behind a grill hole more than it should be ?

Volume button is way too flush with the side of the device. If you have no issue with it so be it but a button on the side should always stick out a bit.

I ask because some folks also said their power button was very flush , neither my power-button or volume buttons were so flush that they were hard to press or feel, so I'm wondering if it could be your handset perhaps ?

So the Menu issue is gone now with 4.2.2?

Yep. You can assign a long press of the back button to be menu.

Does using a launcher eliminate Blinkfeed from showing up on all your screens?

Yep.

If you can use an app to swipe up from the logo that's certainly an improvement to an issue that should have never existed in the first place.

Again it was a design choice but yeah there is an app Coach has linked to previously that can do what you want to improve the experience for you.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matthewma.swipehomebuttonfree&hl=en

I've never heard this complaint before about accidentally hitting the power button on the side. When on a flat surface I always pick my phone up in the middle or bottom. I'm guessing most others do too.

I don't have the One. But I've seen the notification light in person and in images online. It's tiny. If it doesn't bother you so be it but the light itself is smaller than what is used by most other OEM's.

Again, I don't own an One. I stated that from the start. And it's a complaint I've seen in reviews and from users online. The power button and volume buttons are way too flush IMO.

But is the Menu icon gone from appearing on the screen?

Good to know a launcher will eliminate Blinkfeed entirely from appearing.

Again, it's good that an app exists for such a thing but I think HTC was just mistaken by placing that home button in the lower right. No other OEM does this and for good reason.

----------

mattopotamus said:
I had to comment on that haha. That seems like a massive difference...are there 30% lefties or 10% lefties

It's impossible to say for sure. Usually the common saying is that 9 out of 10 people are right handed. It's probably closer to 80%-90% versus 70% but regardless the majority of people are right handed is the point.

OceanView · Aug 21, 2013

The OPs concerns are valid and part of the reason I didn't get one.
I do believe HTC can improve these issues on the next version and make a great phone.

Additionally I would like to add that the bezels on the screen needs to get smaller and the screen needs to get a little larger.

Liquorpuki · Aug 21, 2013

HTC's bigger problem is they get Samsung's leftovers in the Android market and Nokia's leftovers in the WP market.

The One is a good phone. So is the 8X. But looking forward, there's a good chance they're screwed in each of their submarkets whether they put out a good phone or not. Which is why their stock is taking a dump and Lenovo and other companies are trying to buy them out.

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

OceanView said:
The OPs concerns are valid and part of the reason I didn't get one.
I do believe HTC can improve these issues on the next version and make a great phone.

Additionally I would like to add that the bezels on the screen needs to get smaller and the screen needs to get a little larger.

Agreed. Envision the HTC One but with 3 on-screen buttons and a 5" screen. (Plus a power button on the right side.) Now that would have been a killer flagship.

robanga · Aug 21, 2013

There is no perfect phone. I own the iPhone 5 and the HTC One and really like them both for fairly different reasons. The OP points are all valid opinions but many of them exist on other phones.

Build quality and styling wise, its tough to find a phone better than the One right now and that is one big reason i think the pundits love it right now.

I like the buttons overall and i guess my fairly large hands have no problems with the placement of the power button per se.

Blinkfeed I really like, so can't identify with the desire to deinstall it. I suppose one could always put a stock Rom on it if they wanted.

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

robanga said:
There is no perfect phone. I own the iPhone 5 and the HTC One and really like them both for fairly different reasons. The OP points are all valid opinions but many of them exist on other phones.

Build quality and styling wise, its tough to find a phone better than the One right now and that is one big reason i think the pundits love it right now.

I like the buttons overall and i guess my fairly large hands have no problems with the placement of the power button per se.

Blinkfeed I really like, so can't identify with the desire to deinstall it. I suppose one could always put a stock Rom on it if they wanted.

It's less of an issue if a launcher eliminates it from your screens entirely. However HTC should have allowed an option to get rid of it from all your screens without needing a launcher. It reminds me of Apple's Newstand app that could not be hidden until iOS 7.

ucfgrad93 · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
Agreed. Envision the HTC One but with 3 on-screen buttons and a 5" screen. (Plus a power button on the right side.) Now that would have been a killer flagship.

I would not have purchased my One if it had a 5" screen.

----------

robanga said:
There is no perfect phone. I own the iPhone 5 and the HTC One and really like them both for fairly different reasons. The OP points are all valid opinions but many of them exist on other phones.

Build quality and styling wise, its tough to find a phone better than the One right now and that is one big reason i think the pundits love it right now.

I like the buttons overall and i guess my fairly large hands have no problems with the placement of the power button per se.

Blinkfeed I really like, so can't identify with the desire to deinstall it. I suppose one could always put a stock Rom on it if they wanted.

Agreed. There are compromises with every phone.

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

ucfgrad93 said:
I would not have purchased my One if it had a 5" screen.

You really think that .3" would have been much harder to handle? I went from an iPhone 5 to the S4 Active and I can still use it with one hand with no issues. And I have borderline small hands for a man.

MRU · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
I don't have the One. But I've seen the notification light in person and in images online. It's tiny. If it doesn't bother you so be it but the light itself is smaller than what is used by most other OEM's.

Again, I don't own an One. I stated that from the start. And it's a complaint I've seen in reviews and from users online. The power button and volume buttons are way too flush IMO.

So your opinion is not based on first hand experience ?

So your opinions are formed third hand ???

Well in that case here's a big list of mistakes from companies that have designed products that I don't own or have used in person....

tbayrgs · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
Agreed. Envision the HTC One but with 3 on-screen buttons and a 5" screen. (Plus a power button on the right side.) Now that would have been a killer flagship.

If that's what you prefer, it's already available, called the Galaxy S4.

To address some of your qualms:

1. I guess I'm in the minority with MR but I dislike having the power/sleep button on the ride side. I'm right handed and when I hold the phone, my thumb is always close to the power button if its on the ride--was always inadvertently pressing it on my Note II. With the One I find it much easier to just slide my index finger up behind the device to press it on the top left--moving it to the top right make it even less convenient.

2. Yes it's small but I've never had a problem seeing it, even in bright daylight. If there is a fault with it, it's that it's a two color LED--only red or green. I loved being able to customize the notification light on the Note II.

3. Never had a problem using them. My thumb is always very closely but unlike the problem I had with the Note II, because they are nearly flush, inadvertent presses aren't a problem.

4. Already addressed, though we are still on 4.1.2 in North America so we're still waiting on this fix.

5. Yup, not typical and while I have no problems using it, not using the space where the HTC logo is was a mistake IMO.

6. Won't disagree, though I actually like it and use it regularly. I use Nova launcher so it's not on my home screens but I configure Sense so that Blinkfeed is my only home screen in Sense and set up a gesture in Nova to launch it--best of both worlds IMO.

No, the HTC One isn't perfect in my opinion but I could create a similar thread identifying what I see as flaws in the Galaxy S4 (and thus why I didn't purchase it). There never will be a perfect smartphone because so much of what we're looking for is subjective and varies from individual to individual.

----------

blairh said:
You really think that .3" would have been much harder to handle? I went from an iPhone 5 to the S4 Active and I can still use it with one hand with no issues. And I have borderline small hands for a man.

But the One is already as big, if not bigger than the S4, mostly because of the large dual speakers. An HTC One with a 5" display and an S4 with a 5” display are not the same size device.

jrswizzle · Aug 21, 2013

tbayrgs said:
If that's what you prefer, it's already available, called the Galaxy S4.

To address some of your qualms:

1. I guess I'm in the minority with MR but I dislike having the power/sleep button on the ride side. I'm right handed and when I hold the phone, my thumb is always close to the power button if its on the ride--was always inadvertently pressing it on my Note II. With the One I find it much easier to just slide my index finger up behind the device to press it on the top left--moving it to the top right make it even less convenient.

2. Yes it's small but I've never had a problem seeing it, even in bright daylight. If there is a fault with it, it's that it's a two color LED--only red or green. I loved being able to customize the notification light on the Note II.

3. Never had a problem using them. My thumb is always very closely but unlike the problem I had with the Note II, because they are nearly flush, inadvertent presses aren't a problem.

4. Already addressed, though we are still on 4.1.2 in North America so we're still waiting on this fix.

5. Yup, not typical and while I have no problems using it, not using the space where the HTC logo is was a mistake IMO.

6. Won't disagree, though I actually like it and use it regularly. I use Nova launcher so it's not on my home screens but I configure Sense so that Blinkfeed is my only home screen in Sense and set up a gesture in Nova to launch it--best of both worlds IMO.

No, the HTC One isn't perfect in my opinion but I could create a similar thread identifying what I see as flaws in the Galaxy S4 (and thus why I didn't purchase it). There never will be a perfect smartphone because so much of what we're looking for is subjective and varies from individual to individual.

----------

But the One is already as big, if not bigger than the S4, mostly because do the large dual speakers. An HTC One with a 5" display and an S4 with a 5 display are not the same size device.

I've used the One and now have a GS4 and I agree with 100% of this post.

The One is a great handset - if I come into some extra money, I'm thinking about going back and getting a GPE just for funsies.

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

MacRumorUser said:
So your opinion is not based on first hand experience ?

So your opinions are formed third hand ???

Well in that case here's a big list of mistakes from companies that have designed products that I don't own or have used in person....

My opinions are in no way invalidated because the One is not my daily driver.

jrswizzle · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
My opinions are in no way invalidated because the One is not my daily driver.

Maybe not completely - but you can't blame those of us who actually owned the phone and used it daily for taking your comments with a MASSIVE grain of salt now...

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

tbayrgs said:
If that's what you prefer, it's already available, called the Galaxy S4.

To address some of your qualms:

1. I guess I'm in the minority with MR but I dislike having the power/sleep button on the ride side. I'm right handed and when I hold the phone, my thumb is always close to the power button if its on the ride--was always inadvertently pressing it on my Note II. With the One I find it much easier to just slide my index finger up behind the device to press it on the top left--moving it to the top right make it even less convenient.

But the One is already as big, if not bigger than the S4, mostly because of the large dual speakers. An HTC One with a 5" display and an S4 with a 5 display are not the same size device.

I've never once come close to hitting the power button on my S4 by accident. I think most people hold their phones on the bottom or the middle, and the power button is essentially in upper right. Also having to constantly hit that power button in the upper left with my index finger would be a nightmare. Mimicking this action on my S4 is so awkward and unnatural.

I'd say that's another flaw with the One. It's just as big if not slightly bigger than the S4 yet the screen is .3" smaller.

MRU · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
My opinions are in no way invalidated because the One is not my daily driver.

No but it's like forming beliefs on politics and history etc.. from wikipedia...... or something you overheard in a bar one time...

It also begs why would you start a thread bemoaning a device you don't own or use ? It just seems crazy ? If it was a newbie we would all be calling them trolls.

blairh · Aug 21, 2013

jrswizzle said:
Maybe not completely - but you can't blame those of us who actually owned the phone and used it daily for taking your comments with a MASSIVE grain of salt now...

Well that's your fault and anyone who chooses to do so. Notice how many people here that use or used the One are already saying my points are valid. If you want to dismiss my original points in any way because I don't use the One then that's your choosing. I would counter that my conclusions are obvious ones and it's up to any user to determine whether it would bother them or not. I in absolutely no way feel anything that I've stated initially should be taken with any grain of salt or anything else. A lot of this is common sense stuff. Home button on the lower right? Power button on the upper left? Flushed buttons? Come on.

MRU · Aug 21, 2013

blairh said:
Well that's your fault and anyone who chooses to do so. Notice how many people here that use or used the One are already saying my points are valid. If you want to dismiss my original points in any way because I don't use the One then that's your choosing. I would counter that my conclusions are obvious ones and it's up to any user to determine whether it would bother them or not. I in absolutely no way feel anything that I've stated initially should be taken with any grain of salt or anything else. A lot of this is common sense stuff. Home button on the lower right? Power button on the upper left? Flushed buttons? Come on.

Seriously step back.

This is the kind of post we would all be under normal circumstances face palming. I'm genuinely shocked it's coming from a regular poster.

HTC One Is A Mess (My Opinion Only)

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