HTC One M9 hands on: Like a smart M8 in a sharp suit HTC's One is like a tasteful band that has been the critics' choice for years but never quite breaks through from cult status to superstardom. It's by far the classiest thing on the market – but its distinctiveness and craftmanship hasn't been rewarded by runaway success. If only HTC could convert glowing reviews into dollars …
I've an upgrade due- my M7 is beginning to show its age (the microphone is slightly damaged- thanks to my 3 year old)- I'm thrilled that the M9 appears to be such a worthy successor. I hope Vodafone don't force me into another 24 month contract this time round- 2 years is a lifetime for a phone- especially when you have little helpers who like to borrow it to play their games.
If you buy outright, then you are covered by the Sales of Goods Act, so you can demand a replacement or a refund (your choice) if the phone proves unfit for purpose.
Buy it using a credit card, because that adds a 30 day return to your possibilities. Anything bought on credit has a 30 day "fully roll back the transaction" condition by law, enabling you to change your mind and bring the thing back (charging admin or restocking fees is not allowed either). Having said that, use with care - I tend not to use this unless the device I bought is really not up to scratch.
Precisely. Its a good looking, sturdy phone. I've had my M7 for 2 years and have dropped it numerous times, onto concrete too, and its only signs of wear are a small scratch on the glass, and a few tiny scratches on the back. Why spend all that time changing everything if what they've got is already pretty darn good?
According to the usual factory hobby-photographers, there's also a larger M9 on its way. Also, not a hardware change, but it's been widely "leaked" that this phone will be sold in a version running Windows 10 Phone when that OS becomes available later this year.
Not surprised they didn't change much. First, HTC aren't exactly swimming in money, and second: M8 was already a beautiful phone - especially the design and engineering of the antenna and rear casing, which makes Apple's later efforts with the iPhone 6 look clumsy by comparison.
The OH's HTC One was, was, awesome until the 1y warranty ran out. Then microphone, camera and screen developed FUBAR faults in rapid succession. The mic fault seems fairly well documented.
Having said that, all the manufacturers seem to take a pretty laid back attitude to quality. Shame we can't get an actual measure of fault rate in the wild.
I'll be waiting to see the final shipped version's camera performance. The launch sample photographs were appalling! My M7, now smoother than ever on Android 5.0.2, has OIS and consistently outperforms my partner's M8 in both stills and video photography. Whoever took the decision to omit OIS from the camera specs of both M8 and M9 wants showing the door.
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