HTC's precision craftsmanship meets Google's purest vision for Android in the HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition (GPE)—the latest in the company's growing stable of Experience-branded devices. Unlocked and unburdened by carrier or manufacturer customization, the One (M8) GPE liberates owners to pick their service and apps as they see fit. And like all Google Experience devices, the One (M8) is guaranteed timely updates to the latest versions of Android. For the purists and the particular, the One (M8) GPE represents the pinnacle of design and performance without compromise. At the same time, the $699 price tag makes it a niche play in the U.S., and keeps it from overtaking the Google Nexus 5 as our Editors' Choice for unlocked smartphones.

We've already tested the HTC One (M8) on AT&T, so head on over to that review for a full rundown on the design and features. The Google Play Edition is physically indistinguishable from the carrier models, so we'll focus on the software differences here.

Network and Call QualityThe unlocked Google Play Edition supports quad-band GSM/GPSRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz), quad-band HSPA/UMTS (50/1700/1900/2100MHz), and LTE (700/1700MHz). That means it'll work fine for AT&T and T-Mobile customers, but Sprint and Verizon subscribers are left out. I popped in an AT&T nano SIM card, which worked perfectly, connecting the M8 GPE quickly and painlessly to AT&T's network in midtown Manhattan. With a strong LTE connection, I saw speeds of around 10Mbps down and 5Mbps up, which is about average for the AT&T phones we've seen lately.

Call quality was strong in my tests, with voices coming through clearly and getting a nice richness in the earpiece. There's plenty of volume, too, so I didn't have to press the One against my ear like I do with some other phones. Transmissions through the mic sound natural and easy to understand, though my voice sounded a touch too treble-heavy. Noise cancellation was solid, drowning out a loud engine running just a few feet away.

Android and CameraLike all Google Experience devices, the One (M8) GPE runs stock Android 4.4 KitKat. It's the same experience you get with the Nexus 5 and the principal reason you'd even consider buying this model versus a carrier version. The One is stripped of basically every aspect of HTC's Sense 6. Instead of BlinkFeed, swiping to the right summons Google Now. Hangouts replaces the default SMS app and Chrome replaces HTC's browser. The app drawer scrolls horizontally instead of vertically, and the UI generally looks a lot cleaner than HTC's version. You can also trigger voice commands and searches anytime while on the home screen, like with the Nexus 5. Everything responds instantaneously, but that's also the case with the standard Sense-bearing One (M8).

As an unlocked device, there are no traces of carrier customization or bloatware. Best of all, if there are aspects of HTC's Sense skin that you like, you'll soon be able to add them as you see fit. Features like BlinkFeed and Zoe are coming to the Google Play app store later this year, while apps like HTC Sense TV and support for the Dot View case are already available for download. HTC's useful Motion Launch gestures are still here, but Extreme Power Saving mode is gone. Though you buy the GPE through Google, it's still eligible for the HTC Advantage screen replacement program.

The unique 4-megapixel (or UltraPixel) sensor and the new Duo Cam depth sensor are both still here on the GPE. Instead of HTC's camera app, though, you get the minimalist stock Android camera app. I personally prefer HTC's, as it includes flexible, easy-to-access controls that are thoughtfully laid out. Google's camera makes you hunt around for settings in a menu structure that I find less intuitive. Once images are captured, you'll be given the option of using the stock Photo editing app or HTC's Photo Edit app. You'll need the latter if you want to access the new focus and depth effects enabled by the Duo Cam, but they work exactly the same here as on the standard One.

Still image quality is comparable, but not identical between the GPE and standard models. I put the HTC model and the GPE side by side and found that HTC's model generally took sharper images with more lifelike colors. Focus looked a bit soft on the GPE and colors lacked the same depth as on its HTC counterpart. Fine details also appear a touch clearer using the standard HTC model, though both still struggled with inconsistent exposure that tended to wash out photos in bright outdoor lighting. Video quality was more or less indistinguishable, though, with good-looking 1080p footage indoors and out.

ConclusionsThe HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition is arguably the best version available, and at the very least, the most flexible. It's unencumbered by any carrier bloat or OS update delays, and thanks to HTC's decision to move many of its features to the Google Play app store, you still have the option to pick and choose features you do happen to like. You also don't lose useful features like Motion Launch and can still access the interesting depth effects of the Duo Cam. Overall image quality seems to take a hit, but it's the exact same hardware, and Google has already proven its commitment to update camera performance with timely updates. All told, the One (M8) GPE is an excellent choice for the design conscious Android purists out there, but the $350 Nexus 5 hangs on to our Editors' Choice award thanks to its unbeatable value.