The device, which is apparently pronounced 'em-eight', boasts a a 5-inch HD screen, compared with the iPhone 5s 4-inch display. The M8, like its predecessor, also features a full aluminium unibody design, along with a Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor running at 2.3GHz with 2GB of RAM.

The phone's storage is 16GB or 32GB but the phone also packs in a microSD slot for additional storage, something the original HTC One lacked.

As we predicted a dual-lens camera system on the rear lets you adjust the depth of field and even focal points on photos you've already taken.

The Android phone also has a revamped version of HTC's Sense UI, as well as new features to the BlinkFeed homepage from the original. You can also now turn off BlinkFeed if you're not using it.

Its predecessor, the HTC One, was extremely well received critically and won 'phone of the year' at Mobile World Congress last month.

Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas, said HTC is doing more than launching another plastic phone with "maybe a software gimmick or two and then masking it all with expensive advertising."

Ben Wood, chief of research at telecoms analyst firm CCS Insight, said the new phone is a "make or break device" for HTC. He said HTC has the advantage of coming out before Samsung's Galaxy S5 and Sony's Xperia Z2.

"While HTC still has a mountain to climb as it tries to recover its position in the smartphone market, early indications are encouraging," Wood wrote.

"However, there is no room for complacency."

The three major Aussie telcos have all confirmed availability of the new HTC One M8.

Telstra said it would commence taking pre-orders for the HTC One (M8) immediately., and said the HTC One (M8) is Australia’s first smartphone compatible with Telstra’s recently acquired 700MHz spectrum.

Customers who purchase the HTC One (M8) will" be among the first to benefit from the better in-building 4G coverage and more reliable internet speeds when Telstra switches the APT700 on in early 2015" the telco said.

Meanwhile Optus customers can get their hands on the HTC One (M8) by visiting in store, calling telesales, or pre-order online today..

Vodafone customers will be able to order the new HTC One M8 online now and in store from 1 April.

Vodafone is offering HTC’s One M8 for $10 a month on a $65 Vodafone Red 24-month contract, which includes 3GB data, unlimited national calls and unlimited national and international text messages.