| Phone | Plan | Minutes | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Click 'Get Plan' to view price |  Verizon myPlan Unlimited Welcome No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | Unlimited 4G/5G LTE Data (may be slowed during network congestion) | $ 65 /mo + $30 Upfront |
| General Info | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HTC |
| Technology | GSM |
| Data Type | 4G |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Operating System | Android |
| Physical Specifications | |
| Height | 5.69 Inches |
| Thickness | 0.38 Inches |
| Weight | 5.54 Ounces |
| Keyboard | Touch Only |
| Phone Form | Open-Faced |
| Display Specifications | |
| Display Size | 5.00 Inches |
| Touchscreen Size | 5.00 Inches |
| Audio/Video Specifications | |
| Front Camera | 4.00 Megapixels |
| Rear Camera | 20.70 Megapixels |
| Video | HD |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility | None |
| Battery Specifications | |
| Standby Time | 391 Hours |
| Talk Time | 693 Minutes |
| Battery Type | 2840 mAh |
| Memory Specifications | |
| Internal Memory | 32.00 GB |
| Expandable Memory | 128.00 GB |
The HTC One is known for its exacting design and was already almost flawless with the release of the M8. With the M9, HTC has taken the best features of the M8 to the next level.
Instead of using the 4MP ultrapixel sensor of earlier One versions, HTC has included a massive 20.7MP option for consumers who demand the latest technology in their devices. Internal components have also been upgraded, and BoomSound has been enhanced in cooperation with Dolby for audio that is crystal clear. Heavy phone users will be glad to know that battery life is increased with the M9. In fact, the M9 even tops the Galaxy S6 from Samsung in this regard.
So, is there a catch? There is no doubt that the phone commands a high price. Off the shelf, the HTC One M9 sells for about $650, which may come as no surprise considering the upgraded components and external design. Storage has been boosted to 32 gigabytes while the microSD slot has been retained for additional space. Clearly, consumers who choose the M9 will not be short on storage capacity. With 3 gigabytes of RAM, an octa-core Qualcomm 810 chipset and a 2840 mAh battery to power the phone, power users are likely to be satisfied. Finally, the Super LCD3 screen offers rich color and excellent image quality, possibly thanks to its short distance from the glass.
The visuals of the M9 may not impress all users. At just five inches, the screen may feel excessive or undersized depending on your viewpoint. Furthermore, the resolution is 1080p. This provides excellent image quality, of course, but it also drains the battery more quickly than lower-resolution screens do.
The design of the M9 is bold with its metallic chassis and dual tones. Four versions are available: gold and silver, gold and pink, gold and gunmetal gray and gold on gold. While the first two versions have bands of color wrapping around the sides, the latter two do not. The quality is apparent in the design, which is based on one piece of metal for the whole device.
Consumers may be wondering whether this phone justifies its high price. The HTC One has obviously been improved, but are the enhancements meaningful? Upon first seeing and holding the M9, consumers will doubtlessly notice the visual appeal and build quality. Although the versions with dual tones offer looks that are less reserved, they still feel the same. At the same time, the feel of the phone may not be enjoyable to those who cannot get used to the sharper edges on the back of the device. This particular feature is distinct from the M8, which was curvier. HTC has not explained the reasoning behind this odd design, but it seems to be related to the use of dual coloration.
The positions of certain external features have also changed. Whereas the power button was on the left side of the phone in previous versions, it is now on the right. Of course, this choice of location simplifies turning the screen on and off. The problem lies in the design of the button itself. Because it is the same shape and size as the volume buttons next to it, users can easily press the volume button by mistake. Also near these buttons is the microSD slot, which has indentation that makes volume changes difficult without looking at the phone.
Not all users will enjoy the changes HTC has made to the exterior of the One. Nevertheless, the phone is expertly manufactured, and the workmanship really shows. In fact, the M9 easily tops the market in this regard. While opinions about the dual tones may vary, the company has crafted the design impressively. Compared to previous versions of the HTC One, the M9 is better balanced and has an ideal weight of 157 grams, which is heavier than the iPhone 6, the only phone that can compete with the M9 in terms of looks. Overall, a feeling of precision is present upon evaluating this phone. Even the speakers have been designed with finesse.
Some consumers have criticized the space surrounding the M9 screen with claims that it is excessive. Some consumers also feel that the HTC logo should not be there and that its placement draws too much attention. However, it is important to remember that HTC had to fit the components of the phone somewhere. In view of features such as the enhanced audio quality from BoomSound, some might say that the extra space around the screen is justified. In fact, the M9 has actually decreased in size compared to previous versions while the screen size has remained the same. The 1080P SuperLCD display remains along with the Gorilla Glass covering it.
Performance has been improved noticeably with the M9. HTC has been reluctant to divulge any details on what it has changed in terms of display quality, but the colors are remarkably rich. Little space is wasted between the glass and the display itself, and nobody will complain about the incredible sensitivity of the touchscreen.
Screen improvements are significant with the M9, which features 441PPI and is hardly inferior to the QHD screens that are appearing on store shelves. Realistically, one might suspect that the only justification for putting ultra-high definition on a sub-six-inch screen would be capability for using headsets in virtual reality applications. If virtual reality were used with the M9, magnification would pixelate the picture and obviously reduce quality. This phone is not being marketed with virtual reality in mind, however, so consumers may want to look elsewhere if they are concerned about that feature.
Although the five-inch screen on the M9 may be slightly smaller than the screens on some other phones currently available, the phone offers plenty of usability and a picture that will please users. The stylish bezels used on the M9 go beyond what is offered by other popular phones, such as the Galaxy S6 and the LG G3, and the metallic banding adds to the bold presence of the phone. In the end, there is no need to focus solely on screen size as it is far from the only important feature on any phone. With superior feel and amazing design, the HTC One M9 represents quality and class well above the market standard.
