When HTC unveiled the One (M7), everything about that phone looked good. The company that had run to ground just about every other handset before it, due to a lack of originality and more-of-the-same-software, had suddenly come out swinging, and the One (M7) was a pretty powerful bat. Of course, the trouble is that sometimes when you swing for the fences you actually get what you're going for, and HTC suddenly had a lot of momentum moving forward.

As a result, there was a lot of expectation heaped onto the One (M8) even before codenames for the handset started churning out of the Rumor Mill, and it only got worse as the weeks turned into months, and we got closer to the inevitable launch. The One (M8) was another great device, with a few hang-ups here and there, but ultimately it was another strong entry into the One lineup, and it showed that HTC was focused on bringing high-end, premium devices to market that really stood out.

Here we are, almost out of the first month of 2015 and a lot of people are already counting down the days until the start of March, when it's believed that HTC will unveil the One (M9), or codenamed Hima.

Again, the Rumor Mill is busy with this particular handset leading up to its official announcement, as people chomp at the bit to get any and all information about the upcoming flagship. I'm pretty excited about myself, even if admittedly I did go on a bit of a rant about how I wasn't at all impressed with those earlier leaks this month. But, if the rumors are true that HTC was using dummy units, intentionally trying to keep the mystery alive ahead of the official unveiling, well, then they deserve extra points for the effort.

And it means that I'm back on board with the One (M9) and the potential energy that its holding onto right now. This is one handset that I'm hoping really bears the weight of its own hype well, and transitions from a rumor into a glorious reality with its head held high, so to speak. I know that hype, just the general hyperbole wrapped around some devices, can ultimately mar their launch (even before they launch), but this is one of those times where I hope that doesn't happen.

HTC has always been one of my favorites, just because they've launched the devices that I've used in the past that have really left a mark. A positive mark. The smartphones that I look back on and actually smile, because it reminds me of good times. That's why when I look at March, into the future, I can't help but hope that I get to have those same feelings again, with a company that's made such amazing devices in the past. I want that trend to continue with the One (M9), and while I know not every smartphone is perfect, the rumors are painting a pretty fantastic image of the upcoming flagship, and I can't help but hope that whatever does indeed come down the pipe is worth all of the wait and churning through the rumors.

I want to hear about a phone that you were really hyped for (get hype!), but when it finally launched you were ultimately disappointed in the final result. And let me know if you're getting excited for HTC's upcoming One (M9)!