Verizon HTC One (M8) promo box tells us to 'hit refresh' at 1pm ET on launch day

By Alex Dobie
last updated

Teasers suggest quick Verizon launch for HTC's upcoming flagship

As we prepare for the arrival of the new HTC One (M8) next Tuesday, there's evidence that the UK might not be the only country getting a quick M8 retail launch. Over in the U.S., at least one Verizon store has received promotional boxes telling shoppers to "get ready to hit refresh" on March 25, at 1pm ET. That's within an hour of the time given by British retailer Carphone Warehouse, which will be selling the M8 in London immediately after the launch event.

The source of the image, Android Central forums poster Joe the Insider, says his store is also receiving an M8 demo unit. All of which points to a likely Verizon M8 launch soon after the announcement, possibly even the same day.

As for the teaser image itself, it seems to show the new HTC One behind the fancy dot-based flip case we saw leaked a few weeks back. Leaked shots of the accessory showed various color options, and the ability to display the time and weather when closed.

Source: Android Central forums

Alex Dobie
Alex Dobie
Executive Editor

Alex was with Android Central for over a decade, producing written and video content for the site, and served as global Executive Editor from 2016 to 2022.

42 Comments
  • Wow will be interesting to see if VZW can deliver first for a change.
  • Ohhhh now Verizon is on board with the HTC One because I'm pretty sure I left Verizon last year because they took 8 months to sell the HTC One. Funny how money and sales change Verizon mind. Scumbags Posted via Android Central App
  • I left for the same reason. Maybe they are getting the picture. Posted via Android Central App
  • Woo! Exciting!
  • Come on at&t! Posted via My HTC GPE
  • I want this in my life. Posted via the TARDIS.
  • If HTC releases this thing on announcement day, they will have a BIG edge on Samsung/LG/Sony because none of them can seem to be able to do it and we all hate waiting for the manufacturers and carriers to release the phones in a timely manner.
  • We all? Speak for yourself. Patience is a virtue my friend. I wait for a paycheck every 2 weeks after 80+ hours. I'm pretty sure I can wait for a phone. Sorry, but I'm just sayin. Especially since it hasn't been reviewed yet. Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm with him... Can't wait for it. Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm actually with you here ONLY because my lack of patience in the past has caused me to miss out on a new post-release color variant.... Lol Posted via Android Central App
  • +1, I love my silver One which I bought the week it was released, but I would sure love to have that blue one!
  • Excuse me? Do you know what they call people when they assume things? Don't act like you know what kind of financial situation I am in first of all (I work 85+ hours every two weeks, get paid bi-weekly, have a mortgage, student loans and other bills just like a grown adult since apparently you think I like to throw money around like it grows on trees). Secondly, what I posted was a general "Wow, if they release this on the day they announce it will be a HUGE advantage over the competition because they haven't been able to do that since ever.."
  • Pretty sure he doesn't care how much you work. He was saying patience is a virtues, using waiting for a paycheck as an example, not calling you a bum. Sent from my bathroom
  • Also, those other manufacturers don't have to resort to gimmicks like this. It's also probably why there were so many leaks. Sent from my bathroom
  • LOL, gimmicks like this? This is a thing called marketing, something HTC has been terrible at. It's a step in the right direction for them.
  • Agreed. I believe they have marketed this One very well.........especially if they deliver product in such a timely manner. Color me impressed so far with this launch. Posted via Android Central App
  • It's not marketing if the only people that buy it read AC and sites like it. If there was iPhone like buzz in the non tech world, fine. It's fine they try it, but HTC listening to nerds is barely getting them by. Personally, I want to see what people have to say about a phone first, and apparently quite a few other people do as well, or AC would not review so many phones. Sent from my bathroom
  • The word "gimmick" is loosing it's meaning due to being overly used, and so loosely spoken, no different than stupid words like "troll" being overly used. Posted via Android Central App
  • Living check to check isn't the way to live.
  • Sadly, most Americans do live paycheck-to-paycheck. Posted via Android Central App
  • But...but...but Verizon is always last at everything! How can this be? Posted from my newly Kit Katted Droid Ultra
  • I'm assuming same day availability across all carriers. Posted via Android Central App
  • I wouldn't assume that Posted from my newly Kit Katted Droid Ultra
  • This. Especially, if there's an exclusive involved. Posted via my "Gift from God" Note 3, my "Blessed" iPad Mini 2, or my "Risen" Asus ROG"
  • I think there's a good chance for that. It will be quite a feat if they pull it off. That being said I was just at a corporate at&t store and they knew nothing of it.......even after I showed them at&t's own website showing the giveaway promo from the 21st- 25th. Posted via Android Central App
  • Man, if HTC can work so that this phone hits most major markets and carriers the day it is announced it will be pretty huge. I really hope they can pull this off as they need a good marketing move like that.
  • Only if people want to buy it. It May be better to show it, wait a week, then launch it so sufficient buzz is created. This us not the next iPhone release, most people don't really care about the the next HTC phone. Sent from my bathroom
  • "So that sufficient buzz is created"? Have you been living under a rock in the middle of no where? There have been a lot more buzz for this compared to the gs5 and this one hasn't even been announced yet.
  • Ask some one that does not go to tech sites. There is a world outside of AC Sent from my bathroom
  • I have and even though not as much buzz as an iPhone it definitely is more than it used to be. By the way I just talked to a Verizon store rep and they are going to have it on the day it is announced . Which will be the 25th. As a matter of fact she said she would be getting her demo unit on Monday.
    The at&t reps though had no idea what I was talking about. Even after I showed them their own website.
    Posted via Android Central App
  • Disappointed Verizon didn't insist to put their logo on the front. Posted via Android Central App
  • Oh, it will be there Posted from Moto X via Android Central App
  • It wasn't on the Old HTC One doubt it will be on this one.
  • Who cares. HTC puts their logo on the front. Sent from my bathroom
  • Ugh. I am such the poster child for our consumer world. I just got a Nexus 5 last fall and am chomping at the bit for either this or the Galaxy 5. I don't know why exactly (I suspect both will have better cameras though the N5 is pretty good now), but can't help but feel I'll be walking into T-Mobile sometime soon and picking one or the other up.
  • You suspect both will have a better camera than the n5? Of course they will, after all the gs4 and the one both have a better camera than the n5.
  • Shut up and take my money!! Posted via Android Central App
  • I know where part of my nice bonus is going!!
  • same here its going on one of these i need att to release same day paid in full baby
  • I'm not an HTC fan, but if it happens I'm impressed. Samsung should take note. Posted via Android Central App
  • Why would they take note that u bought an HTC? They sell more than HTC ...
    Posted from my HTC one Posted via Android Central App
  • First phone in a long time that could make me change carriers.