HTC One M8 for Windows

HTC took its months-old flagship Android phone and repurposed it for Microsoft users. And that’s enough to make the device a strong contender for the best Windows Phone out there.

HTC's latest Windows Phone is thoughtful, inspiring, and well-constructed. Unfortunately, some hardware and software limitations hold it back.

The One M8 for Windows is worth considering if you're looking for a beautifully designed Windows Phone with fast performance.

Fortunately though, the One M8 for Windows does have a lot of good qualities, and if HTC is able to improve the few performance issues I saw via software updates and fixes, it could be a compelling option for a select number of people interested in Windows Phone but looking for something other than Nokia’s offerings.

In short, this is one of the finest Windows Phones ever created. If it’s a Microsoft smartphone you’re looking for, and you have no need for a PureView camera, you can’t do better than the HTC One M8 for Windows.

While its camera isn't best-in-class and Windows Phone's underwhelming app selection still stings, the elegant and sophisticated HTC One M8 is an enticing alternative to Nokia models.

Over the last couple years we have seen Nokia update and release their Lumia Windows Phones so it is refreshing to see HTC jump back in and provide a high end Windows Phone, especially one as good as the M8.

If you don't mind missing out on the best apps, or you just like using Microsoft's services like Bing, Outlook, and Office exclusively, then the HTC One is the first Windows Phone you should consider buying. But I suspect that's a minuscule slice of the smartphone market.