The HTC One M9 is almost here. Here is what we think will come with HTC's latest flagship including all of the features and specs of the new HTC One M9, replacing the well-loved and cherished HTC One M8 that launched one year year ago!
Now that it’s 2015, it’s time to talk about the next generation smartphones. One manufacturer that kicks off every single year is the brand new HTC One device. Last year, the HTC One M8 proved to be a super amazing device. Everyone loved the fact that it had a brand new construction even though it was on the slippery side. The phone also had a gorgeous 5-inch 1080p Super LCD display and it ran Android 4.4 KitKat with HTC Sense 5. There’s also a Google Play edition, which runs Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Some of the features HTC debuted on the One M8 include a duo camera feature with UltraPixel camera. It had four UltraPixel cameras and focus sensor that allows you to focus after taking a shot. An original feature brought over from the original HTC One is the Boom Sound Speaker, which was improved on the One M8 with a louder and better design comprising of up to 90% metal. The screen was also bigger with a 1080p resolution. HTC just really made a great looking device.
Just like every great phone, there are some things that would be okay to change on the One M8. This is where the HTC One M9 could come into play, in terms of improving the features that HTC One M8 did and to produce a great phone for 2015.
Build Quality and Design
In terms of looks, the HTC One M9 looks identical to its predecessor. The only real feature that looks different is the camera sensor and camera hole unit on the back. With its design, the One M9 makes use of the same body construction; which is about 90% aluminum and metal on the back. Just like the One M8, a Gun Metal color option will be available along with a 5-inch display.
As for its resolution, everyone has been talking about Quad HD. I don’t necessarily see the need to go Quad HD on the One M9. There’s no 1440p content, no one makes that kind of content. Honestly, there’s no benefit and to the human eye, you can’t differentiate 1080p and 1440p. It doesn’t matter who you are. Anything above 320ppi, you can’t really tell the difference.
Boom Sound Speakers
Some of the features that will be carried over from One M8 to One M9 will be its Boom Sound Speakers. Everyone has tried front-facing speakers this year but no one’s gotten it right like HTC. By far, the HTC One M8 still is the best sounding smartphone of any type of speaker system. It’s just, hands down, the best sounding phone around. A lot of people have tried the Nexus 6, Moto X, and Moto G but no one has done it the same way that HTC has done.
There is a rumor that Dolby Digital will be making the speakers and software for the HTC One M9. Obviously, they will improve on the speakers’ quality and make them louder and more efficient. Generally, they will make them a lot better than the last generation.
Specs
Every HTC One is a flagship phone, which means it’s going to have flagship specs. Last year’s model had a 2.3GHz quad-core 801 chip with 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU. This year’s model will be equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, probably 3GB of RAM and Adreno 430 GPU. Not sure what it will be clocked with, hopefully around 2GHz, same as the LG G Flex 2 announced at CES last month. But it’s definitely going to be a very big powerhouse of a smartphone, hooked up to Android 5.0 Lollipop and the latest version of HTC Sense 7.0.
A Google Play edition could be available in the near future along with a Windows Phone model. These are not going to be announced with the device but considering the One M8 was available before as a Windows Phone, a similar variant could be available for the HTC One M9. It could have Windows Phone 10 later this summer.
Battery Size
One of the chief complaints on the HTC One M8 was its 2600 mAh battery size. While it is up from the original 2300 mAh from the HTC One, it still wasn’t able to be the best amount of battery life. A bigger and larger capacity to have longer battery life would hopefully be available on the One M9, somewhat closer to 3000 mAh range.
Power Locks
The power locks on the last model was a little bit of a reach. The One M9’s looks like the new power switch location is on the right side, just below the volume rockers. They are separate and have a more premium look. Hopefully, it will be more tactile than the One M8. While this is a minor issue, it could be a big difference for someone with small hands.
Camera
Every single generation of HTC One has had UltraPixel. Basically, these are larger megapixels but come in lower amounts. The One M7 and One M8 both had four UltraPixels or 4MP. Honestly, it wasn’t the best. In low light, it could do some work to allow light in. But overall, the quality and detail just wasn’t there.
The One M9 is rumored to have a 20.7MP sensor, probably from Sony. This is why the camera module on the back looks big and kinda ugly. But it’s probably housing some serious megapixels and optics. Hopefully, it will have OIS just like the Xperia Z3 so it will be a kick ass camera.
Watch out for the HTC One M9 when it debuts at the Mobile World Congress on March 1. This is going to be an exciting year for HTC!
