While the S6 edge in particular is indeed a sight to behold, the all-aluminum construction of the M9 is still a cut above the metal and glass housing on the Galaxy S6.Īnd although the HTC One M9 looks quite similar to the M8, the overall design is still a bit more original than Samsung’s Galaxy S6 design. In 2015, Samsung has come closer than ever to finally putting its flagship smartphones on par with HTC’s in terms of hardware design and quality, but there is still a divide.Īs I noted in my hands-on previews, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are remarkable improvements over Samsung’s earlier phones.
#ANDROID AUTHORITY HTC ONE M9 REVIEW ANDROID#
Like all HTC smartphones in recent years, the HTC One M9 features a stunning design and outstanding build quality no other Android phone maker can match. Yes, that’s thanks in part to the fact that the HTC One M9 bears a striking resemblance to last year’s M8. Starting with the design and build of the new One M9, this smartphone is instantly recognizable as an HTC device. Is there any smartphone capable of overcoming this level of adversity? If any phone has a shot, it might just be the HTC One M9.
#ANDROID AUTHORITY HTC ONE M9 REVIEW UPGRADE#
But where the M8 was a big upgrade for HTC customers who already owned an M7, the same might not be true this year. It’s a natural progression from the HTC One M8, providing improvements in many key areas without any tremendous leaps in any direction. While the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are completely new smartphones for Samsung - from top to bottom, inside and out - the M9 is a decidedly iterative update.
Just to finish setting the stage, there is one last major hurdle the HTC One M9 will have to leap if it hopes to find any degree of success. What is HTC’s pitch now? Who is HTC’s customer? They’re gorgeous, they’re made of premium materials, and they’re remarkably powerful. Now, Samsung has unveiled two smartphones that hit all the same notes as HTC’s flagship product. It sought to appeal to the discerning Android phone shopper, the minority looking for something more in a smartphone. Instead, it sought to create a phone that was better designed, better built and sleeker than Samsung’s phones. With the HTC One M8, the company wasn’t looking to “kill” Samsung or outsell Samsung’s flagship smartphones. In 2014, HTC stressed repeatedly that it was well aware of its current position in the market. Moving on to HTC and Samsung’s smartphones themselves, this could be where HTC finds the most trouble. (And of course, there’s always the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which the M9 will also directly compete with at the high end of the smartphone market.) Both companies have great relationships with carriers here in the U.S., but Samsung’s deep pockets will most certainly come into play again on this battlefield. The new One M9 will also have to compete for display space in carrier stores here in the United States, as well as in most other top markets where phones are sold primarily by wireless service providers. Meanwhile, HTC’s marketing budget is a drop in the bucket for Samsung.
The company spends billions of dollars each year to market its products, and its two new flagship smartphones are among the most important products it will sell in 2015.
0 kommentar(er)
