# Plastic-Sheathed Smartphones The HTC One (E8) Comes in a Range of Colorful Plastic Exteriors By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-06-10 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-e8 References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/htc-one-e8-plastic-version-m8/32382/) & [blog.htc](http://blog.htc.com/2014/06/introducing-htc-one-e8/) The [HTC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htc-wildfire-e5-plus) [One](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galaxy-s25-edge) (E8) smartphone is a phone that boasts much of the specs of the HTC M8; the main difference between the two however has to do with their external build and feel. While the M8 has a premium aluminum construction, the One (E8) ditches that in favor of colorful plastics. The phone's shape is also different in that it is a squarer, polycarbonate unibody design, which HTC says is designed for "the fashion-conscious." Like the M8, the One ([EG](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meesh)) has a quad core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 CPU, 2 GB of RAM and a 2,600 mAh battery. It also has an excellent 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display. The HTC One (E8) will launch in China for about $448, although prices in Western markets have not been released just yet. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Plastic-sheathed Smartphones:** Opportunity for smartphone manufacturers to explore the use of colorful plastics in their design, targeting the fashion-conscious consumer market. - **Squarer, Polycarbonate Unibody Design:** Innovation opportunity for smartphone designers to create a new aesthetic with a polycarbonate unibody design that combines style and durability. - **Budget-friendly Alternatives:** Potential for smartphone companies to tap into the market for more affordable devices by offering plastic-sheathed smartphones at a lower price point. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Smartphone Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for smartphone manufacturers to create a range of plastic-sheathed smartphones with unique designs. - **Fashion and Accessories:** Opportunity for fashion brands to collaborate with smartphone manufacturers and create designer plastic-sheathed smartphones that cater to the fashion-conscious audience. - **Consumer Electronics Retail:** Potential for retailers to offer a variety of plastic-sheathed smartphones at different price points to cater to the budget-conscious consumer segment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ultra-Affordable Name-Brand Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htc-wildfire-e5-plus.md) - [Low-Cost Quad-Camera Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oneplus-11.md) - [Triple-Camera Dual-OS Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oneplus-ace.md) - [Metallic Unibody Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oneplus-nord-4.md) - [Confidentiality-Centric Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confidentiality-hightech-smartphone.md) - [Realistic Photography Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htc-u23-pro.md) - [Slim Precision Smartphone Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honor-x8b.md) - [Wacky Design Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-phone-experimentation.md) - [Low-Cost High-Spec Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oneplus-nord-5.md)