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Like most of you, I'd forgotten that the One (E8) even existed before today. In case you need a quick refresher, the One (E8) is pretty much a plastic-bodied, 16GB One (M8) that trades the M8's 4MP rear camera for a 13MP unit. It debuted on Sprint around two years ago, sporting the then-current Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Now, it's upgradable to 6.0 Marshmallow.
The HTC One E8 is a plastic version of the M8 that contains the same internals and a larger 13MP camera. Yet despite the similarities, its Lollipop over-the-air update has come significantly later than its flagship counterpart's. But alas, it's here.
When you finally get your hands on the HTC One M9, you won't have to wait to get a top notch custom recovery. An official version of TWRP is already prepped for the M9. In addition, there's official support for the HTC One E8. Much less exciting, but it's still nice to see.
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If you're going to do any serious modding on your Android smartphone, your first step is going to be unlocking the bootloader. This is a simple procedure on Nexus devices and a few other handsets, but many of the top OEMs have added security measures to prevent regular users from mucking about with their stock software. For these devices, there's a tool called Sunshine by recognized developers Justin Case (jcase), beaups, and friends. Version 3.0 just came out, and it can unlock the bootloader and acquire S-Off with almost every modern Motorola and HTC smartphone on the market.
Update: Here's a screenshot, courtesy of an Android Police reader.
The HTC One E8 is a plastic remake of the all metal M8 that sports identical specs with the exception of the camera (13MP vs the latter's 4 "UltraPixel"). With this being the case, it's only fitting that the pair get an OTA update at the same time. Sprint is now pushing one out to the two devices that introduces basically the same features across both.
The first thing HTC announced at its Double Exposure event today wasn't new hardware. No, the company was very eager to share its new software, which it has coined the EYE Experience. This term encapsulates a full range of features all aimed at making your HTC phone a better tool for taking photos.
The HTC One M8 is an Android device that looks and feels premium. However, its price tag suggests the same. If you want the power and features of the Taiwanese manufacturer's flagship smartphone but don't particular need all of that aluminum, Sprint is now offering such a device in the form of the HTC One E8. This more affordable option comes in priced at 24 monthly payments of roughly $20.84, which adds up to $500. The M8's 24 payments of $27.09 come out to $650 instead. Alternatively, you can get the E8 for $99.99 with a two-year contract compared to the M8's $199.99.
HTC's One M8 is a solid phone. It's packed with high-end specs, and has a high-end build to match. Of course, all that also equates to a high-end price tag. In an effort to build an equally powerful phone with a much smaller price, HTC swapped out the M8's aluminum body for a much subtler plastic frame. The result is the One E8, a much more affordable M8 trapped in plastic shell.
Do you want most of the HTC One's features in a device that's not quite as expensive? Then meet the One (E8), HTC's newest smartphone. Between the plastic (oops, sorry, "polycarbonate") body and a separate model with dual SIM card slots, it's clear that this handset is aimed at developing markets. The announcement post for the phone doesn't mention a specific date or price, but my money's on "soon" and "upper mid-range."