Review
Roderick Scott 0

To kick off the 2015 Android flagships, we wanted to switch gears a bit in our review format.  Instead of the more lengthy review and go the list route.  We're gonna use this format for this and the Galaxy S6.  So you've been warned.  

HTC One M9 review

 

Starting off the year w/ the latest new-new is the High Tech Company or better known as HTC.  They have been killing the game w/ their award-winning design on their high-end devices.  However in the past, there has been one or two things preventing it to really go head-to-head against the likes of LG & Samsung.  

HTC returns w/ their 3rd rendition of their flagship M series Android device: the One M9.  We wanted to break down this part of the review into the reason why you should not buy this.  We got our top 3 factors along w/ a few reasons that are kind of in the middle.  



1. Cameras

 HTC One M9 review

 M9 camera 2

Sigh.  HTC and their cameras.  Yet again another missed opportunity to make their One series complete.  The lack of OIS (optical image stabilization) as well as the underwhelming performance of the new shooters.  Ultrapixel w/ a higher resolution might have actually performed better than the 20MP sensor from Toshiba.  Shame that HTC's best smartphone has a struggling camera still.  
 

M9 Camera Test

2. Design

 HTC One M9 review

 

 HTC One M9 review
The look & feel of the M9 is refined from the M8 as it is also a bit of a double-edged sword.  For the many, it may not be enough.  Some may just want more of what HTC can do and consider this being lazy or playing it safe.  It has more rigid edges and a more of a 2-piece rather than a one  piece design.  This might be the last time HTC can get away w/ this design w/o adding more innovation into the mix.  
 

HTC played it safe w/ their 2015 flagship.

3. The M8

HTC One M9 review 

 

 
HTC One M9 review 
Coming from last year's flagship to this one isn't quite leaps and bounds.  More so merely incremental.  Between the M8 and the M9, there wasn't a huge difference overall.  By not doing too much w/ the M9, HTC made the M8 its own worst enemy against this year's flagship.  The camera & battery life are slightly better on the M8 as it will be significantly cheaper as well.  
 

3 Reasons To Buy The HTC One M9

 M9 Review Grade

Those of you w/ the M8, just wait for the Lollipop update if it has yet to come to your device. 

In-Betweens:

  • Battery Life - the 2840 mAh battery is pretty good but not as good as the one on the M8.  You probably get under 24 hours but over 12 hours though.  The octa-core CPU is more than likely the culprit.  
  • Performance - this is the 2nd Android device support Snapdragon's 810 octa-core CPU.  There isn't a real huge difference in speed & processes between Snapdragon's quad-core CPU though.   
  • Uh-Oh Protection - HTC probably has the best warranty w/ their Uh-Oh Protection.  If you were to crack your screen in the 1st 12 months of having your M9.  HTC replaces your device for free.  

TG 2 Cents

HTC kind of played it safe w/ their 2015 flagship.  Not quite the best year to be modest w/ the M9 as Samsung and LG looking to step things up to make Android a lot more competitive.  The design is still OK as it is more refined, the display is still good for a 1080p panel, the octa-core CPU performs well, Boom Sound still reigns supreme, and the camera is still just meh-to-OK.  Those of you w/ the M7, this will make a great upgrade - if you're still sticking w/ HTC.  Those of you w/ the M8, just wait for the Lollipop update if it has yet to come to your device.  Perhaps next year they can break their record and actually produce a modern Android flagship device.
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Author: Roderick Scott

Father. Husband. Creative. Mild foodie. Batman in my dreams.