It’s hard not to have high hopes for the HTC One M9. Its immediate predecessor and the first phone in this rebirth of the HTC’s flagship line – that’d be 2014’s HTC One M8 and 2013’s M7 – were fan favorites, and highly regarded by those of us who critique phones for a living.
But those phones were not without their flaws. And as we’ve seen HTC slowly address its devices’ shortcomings (while growing and innovating in other areas), it’s been difficult to not expect it to finally get things – all the things – right.
At least that’s what we’ve been hoping, especially when it comes to its one tragic feature: The inconsistent performance of its UltraPixel camera.
And that brings us to this. The HTC One M9. We’ve spent a little time with HTC’s latest, and this is what we’ve found thus far.
The HTC One M9 – the new one, announced today – looks very similar to the M8, but of course with better specifications and updated software. As much as I think the One series might be the best Android phones out there in terms of build quality, I just can’t get myself to like its overall design. I do hope, though, that the M9 sells in large enough numbers, because HTC is going to need it.
This article suggests that the camera is rather mediocre:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/1/8126431/htc-one-m9-hands-on-previe…
Meanwhile, Samsung decided to make the S6 irrelevant by losing the SD card slot and removable battery. Looks like we’re already off to a disappointing year for Android smartphones.
How would you use the sd card slot? I find it very difficult to use on my shield tablet. Most apps can’t be installed to it and those that can still take space on the main storage. Moving files to it is also difficult because android has that ‘secured’.
So it is mostly for photos, music and movies I guess?
You answered your own question. Internal storage for apps, SD card for everything else.
That’s probably the reason I don’t really care for it. I would rather have 64GB main memory. That should cost about 50 euro.
You would rather have 64gb for 50 euro (which would probably be more like 75 euro) when you could have the same amount with an SD card for 25 or less?
If it means a thinner, sturdier, and prettier device?
Yes. Without a doubt.
Except it’s not a sturdier device. They replaced the durable plastic back from previous models with a breakable glass one.
Bigger main storage means easier file management, faster storage, more and bigger apps.
But when I want a 32gb instead of 16gb phone/tablet I am paying 60 euro more. So if I can get a phone/tablet with 64gb for 50 euro more that would be really nice.
Edited 2015-03-02 06:46 UTC
I have the M7 on both Verizon and T-Mobile. I loved the phone. Still do, even though I carry around an LG G3 now. The camera (4 mp) killed the phone for me. And the M8 camera was only barely, marginally better. Sure I got some great shots, for instagram, but if you pulled them off the phone and tried to use them elsewhere, it was usually disappointing.
The LG G3’s camera has been very good. Works very well for me.
I couldn’t bring myself to go S5 even though the camera on it is better than the LG G3, I am not a fan of the Samsung software stack.
For me, and this is personal preference, the LG G3 seemed to be the most balanced option available. Don’t get me wrong, I really wish the LG had the manual exposure options the Samsung has, but other than that, the LG has been a solid choice.
It will be interesting if the M9 camera is good. I would like to jump back to an HTC device. So far, over the years, HTC has made my favorite Android devices, sadly it is usually 2 or 3 (or more) generations between devices before they get another good one.
Still waiting for a replaceable battery, doesn’t have to be removable. Just ‘replaceable’, so a $500 piece of technology can still be used after 2 years.
Guess I won’t be upgrading the HTC Evo 4G this year.
Edited 2015-03-03 14:16 UTC