HTC One M8 - Sprint vs. Verizon versions

[DWS44]

I guess I'm really asking this in regard to all HTC devices common to both carriers, so not necessarily specific to just the M8. I've been using HTC phones for years on the Sprint network. I've had the M7 since launch day and used it until I recently picked up a pre-owned M8 to play with until the M9 comes out.

With my most recent 2-year contract on Sprint winding down, I'm seriously thinking of moving to Verizon. Been with Sprint for 15 years, but growing tired of the slow/unstable/unreliable 4G in my area, and even more concerning, the seeming decline in voice signal strength. (Reason for considering Verizon, my brother has had it almost as long as I've had Sprint, and never seems to have voice/data signal problems)

All that said, with an eye toward the M9, how similar is the M7 and M8 on Verizon vs. Sprint software-wise? Does Verizon do anything different in regard the Sense apps/features or block anything out? My brother sticks to Motorola devices, so I've never had any experience with HTC or Sense on Verizon.

Anyone used the M7 and/or M8 on both carriers who'd care to comment?

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

I'm not replying to your post with any personal experience regarding Sprint or verizon, as I have always been with the death star (AT&T), but I would assume that the only difference is the carrier bloat. Sense is unchanged across any carrier, it's always the same. The only difference being, which version Android is on the phone. I personally have a Dev Edition M8 and have a barebones sense 6. I have the fm radio, the stock file manager and no carrier bloat . I do know that almost all carriers have eliminated the fm radio and some haven't received the update that brings along the sense file manager.

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[Stanley Kubrick]

I have read of random little differences between carriers. One that comes to mind that I read about recently is the ability to see how long a particular phone conversation lasted. One carrier will show the date and time of the call like Verizon does, but not how long the call lasted. Another carrier will show the date and how long the call lasted, but not what time it started. Stupid I know, but that seems to be the type of differences you will find between carriers. Personally I use Verizon only because I started with them long ago due to my previous, previous...previous employer providing a discount for using our own phones for work related stuff, and I have just stuck with them ever since.

 

[dty06]

One carrier will show the date and time of the call like Verizon does, but not how long the call lasted. Another carrier will show the date and how long the call lasted, but not what time it started. Stupid I know, but that seems to be the type of differences you will find between carriers.

I've never seen this across carriers but depending on the version of Android I have. All of the info is there, just a matter of figuring out exactly how to access it. I'm on custom ROMs (Blisspop atm) and not having any issues, but then it's a custom ROM so that's not exactly going to be anyone else's experience.

I know the bloat is different, and sometimes the bloat can be marginally useful (VZW has an app that lets you see your balance for data, for example) but is otherwise useless.

You should be able to load any carrier apps from the play store though and you can use a stock Verizon ROM if you really wanted to (or a custom one if you really wanted to).

 

[Tempest79]

i was looking at the htc rom downloads on the htc site and the sprint m8 got android m can i use that rom on my verizon phone?