[Windows Phone 8 General] GoodDayToDie:
So, my Samsung ATIV S (SGH-T899M) died on me yesterday, and I'm not giving it much likelihood of recovery. That brings me to the question of what to replace it with.

Priorities are:

* Compatibility with T-Mobile USA network. This is mandatory for up to HSPA+ and strongly desired for LTE as well. Unfortunately, offers TMoUS a lousy selection of WP8 devices.

* At least a decent degree of hackability (as I did for the Samsung, I will expand the hackability of any phone I get, but the Lumias in particular seem resistant).

* Good screen: nothing less than 720x1280 and 4.5", more is preferred in both dimensions though anything *over* 6" would probably be too big. Ideal size would be ~5" (the ATIV S at 4.8" was near perfect).

* Good battery life; it doesn't have to be perfect but it should last at least a full 24 hours (my ATIV S did not do so towards the end, but it *used* to last several days unless heavily used).

* Tons of storage. Basically, an SD card is mandatory, though I'll quite happily take larger internal storage as well.

* At least mid-range specs otherwise; I don't want to have to worry about whether a given app will run.

Price is much less important than you might think, although all else being equal I will, of course, take the cheaper option. I'm fine with importing a phone, so long as it works with T-Mobile US and isn't SIM-locked. Slight preference for newer phone models but it's not a big deal. Definite preference for removable battery but it doesn't outweigh any of the factors above. It's fine - possibly slightly preferred - if the phone comes with 8.0 instead of 8.1 but I'd upgrade it anyhow. Good camera is a plus but I already have a "real" camera so it's not a priority, although a front-facing camera (for Skype) is. Bluetooth 4.0 would be very nice (since I believe it's required for BTLE support?) but I can live without.

Models which I am considering:

* Another ATIV S SGH-T899M. Now cheap, if I can find one at all, and they have quite acceptable specs and are very hackable. Not capable of BT4.0 but otherwise very good aside from their age.

* Samsung ATIV SE. Nearly a strict upgrade from the ATIV S in all ways, it's ideal (aside from the lack of BT4.0) if I can get it to work on T-Mobile. Unfortunately, it's sold as a Verizon phone. Anybody know if it's available through GSM carriers, or if the Verizon model can be used with T-Mobile as-is? If I have to pay a bit more for a SIM unlock that's acceptable, so long as it works with T-Mobile's towers and SIM cards.

* HTC One M8 for Windows. Perfect, specs-wise, if it works on T-Mobile. Hackability is still being explored but looks promising.

* Something Lumia. There's so many I really don't even know which are worth considering and which aren't. I'm not going to take anything with *worse* specs than my ATIV S, but that still leaves plenty. Hackability-wise, it'd be a step backward but there's a lot to be said for me being *incentivized* to hack the most common WP8 device family. I have a 520 as a test device, but it's not suitable for my everyday use (for many reasons).

Recommendations (from those models, or others you think are suitable) are much requested. I'd like to buy within the next few days, so something coming out "soon" better be excellent to give me any reason to delay.

Thank you!