HTC One M8: Best UK Deals

HTC's new flagship smartphone, the HTC One M8, has finally launched today, following months of leaked specs and images. With improved software and a host of new features - including the much-talked about Duo Camera - it is going to be once agin among the best-selling smartphones of the year.

Here we lay out the best deals available if you are thinking of upgrading to HTC's latest smartphone:

HTC One M8 - SIM-free

Buying a phone outright is obviously a tantalising prospect, as it means you are not tied to a long and expensive contract. The problem is, as with all high end phones, the HTC One M8 is not cheap.

The all new M8 will cost £529.95 SIM-free at Phones4U from today, and £549.95 SIM-free at Carphone Warehouse.

HTC One M8 - Pay Monthly

For those after the best pay monthly deals, here's a round-up of what's on offer in the UK from all major networks:

• EE

EE, the largest 4G network in the UK, will be offering the HTC One M8 from 26 March online and from 27 March through EE stores. The device will be available on a £37.99-per-month contract on the EE Extra plan for an upfront cost of £29.99 with unlimited calls and text and 2GB of data - which will be doubled to 4GB should you sign up before 10 April (one day before the expected launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S5).

"We're excited to be stocking the new HTC One M8, with its exceptional user experience setting a new benchmark for smartphones," said Sharon Meadows, director of devices at EE.

"The new HTC Zoe video sharing and remix features are a great way to relive incredible moments with friends, and are a perfect match for our superfast double speed network – the UK's biggest and fastest."

• Vodafone

The HTC One M8 is available immediately in a few select* Vodafone stores in the capital, while the rest of the UK will have to wait until 27 March to get their hands on a handset. It will cost £42-per-month with no upfront cost on Red 3G plans.

The first 3,000 customers buying the HTC One M8 with Vodafone will also get a free HTC Boombass.

*Those select Vodafone stores are: White City Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford Westfield Shopping Centre, Oxford Street Experience, Oxford Street and Kensington High Street.

• Three

Three will be selling the HTC One M8 for a relatively steep upfront cost of £49. From there customers have the option of four different 24-month plans depending on their personal preferences. These range from £38-per-month for 600 minutes and 2GB of data, to £44per-month for unlimited calls and data.

• O2

O2 are demanding the largest upfront cost from customers, charging £50 for a pay monthly deal costing £38. On pay-as-you-go deals, the cost of the handset it £610 - £80 more than an unlocked SIM free handset at Phones4U. To try and soften the blow for customers paying such costs, O2 is offering £100 of House of Fraser vouchers.