HTC's flagship phone in each generation is usually among the best-built smartphones , with a design many consider to embody a philosophy of simplicity. With the HTC One M9 , the brand maintains this approach, refining key details to deliver a solid experience in terms of materials, performance, and camera, along with a comprehensive suite of multimedia features .
In the transition from the previous model, HTC opted to refine its offering rather than revolutionize it. Although rumors circulated at the time about an 800 series processor and a large Quad HD screen , the final product chose a more balanced and efficient configuration for everyday use, with a smaller screen size, Full HD resolution, and a cutting-edge mobile platform at launch.
Although there were leaks pointing to a Snapdragon 805 and a 16-megapixel camera with optical stabilization, the final version of the HTC One M9 confirmed a Snapdragon 810 accompanied by 3 GB of RAM and a 20,7 MP main camera without OIS, in addition to software tuned with Android Lollipop and HTC Sense 7.
Design and materials
The M9 retains the renowned unibody aluminum design with high-precision finishes, sharper edges, and an attractive two-tone bezel depending on the version. It's available in gray, silver, gold, and rose gold , offering a more secure and less slippery feel in the hand than previous generations. Its dimensions remain at 144,6 x 69,7 x 9,6 mm and 157 g, maintaining a comfortable size for one-handed use.
The power button is now located on the side (an ergonomic improvement), the volume controls are split into two buttons , and the microSD card tray remains . On the top, HTC has integrated an infrared emitter for controlling televisions and other devices.
The front panel is still dominated by the BoomSound speakers in stereo configuration, a hallmark of the brand, which now also include Dolby Audio processing for a more immersive sound in compatible content.
Screen
HTC has opted for a 5,0-inch Super LCD3 panel with Full HD resolution (1.920 x 1.080) and a pixel density of 441 ppi. It's a sharp screen with natural colors , good viewing angles, and sufficient brightness for outdoor use. The surface is protected by Gorilla Glass , which is resistant to scratches and micro-impacts.
This choice of resolution, combined with the hardware platform, contributes to a very smooth experience and moderate power consumption, avoiding excessive demands on the processor and GPU without sacrificing visual detail.
Performance and connectivity
At the heart of the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (octa-core big.LITTLE with Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53 cores) paired with the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of LPDDR4 RAM . Internal storage is 32 GB , expandable via microSD (nominally compatible up to 2 TB). The system handles the interface, demanding applications, and games smoothly, benefiting from the FHD resolution.
- Networks: 4G LTE Cat. 6 (up to 300/50 Mbps), HSPA+ 42/21 Mbps, EDGE and GPRS.
- Wi ‑ Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual band, Wi ‑ Fi Direct and DLNA.
- Bluetooth: 4.1 with A2DP and aptX for higher quality audio.
- NFC y IR (infrared) for payments and remote control.
- USB: microUSB 2.0 with USB OTG/Host and video output MHL 3.0 (TV-out).
- SEO: GPS with A‑GPS y GLONASS.
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, light and compass.
Cameras
The main camera uses a 20,7 MP (5376 x 3752) BSI CMOS sensor, a ~28 mm equivalent lens with an f/2.2 aperture , and a sapphire crystal lens cover . It features a dual-tone LED flash , autofocus, HDR, panorama, face detection , ISO control, and exposure compensation. It records video in 4K at 30 fps , 1080p at 60 fps , and 720p slow motion at 120 fps . The lack of optical image stabilization is partially compensated for by digital stabilization.
The front camera uses the well-known UltraPixel technology (4 MP) with f/2.0 aperture , wide angle and 1080p video , an ideal focus for low light selfies and sharper video calls.
Sound and multimedia
The BoomSound system with front stereo speakers and Dolby Audio processing offers remarkable volume and clarity for its size, as well as HAC (M4/T4) compatibility . It features an FM radio with RDS and a 3,5 mm jack . Format support is very broad:
- Audio: MP3, AAC/eAAC/eAAC+, FLAC, WMA, WAV, AC3, OGG, MIDI, M4A, among others.
- Institutional: MP4, H.264, H.263, DivX/XviD, MKV, WMV, 3GP/3G2, AVI.
battery and charging
The 2.840 mAh battery (Li-Poly, non-removable) ensures solid battery life for a full day of mixed use. Thanks to Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 (Rapid Charge 2.0 in HTC's terminology), it's possible to reach approximately 60% in about 30 minutes with a compatible charger. The combination of the FHD display and the SoC allows for low power consumption without sacrificing performance.
Software and features
The M9 launches with Android Lollipop and HTC Sense 7 , which adds advanced customization with themes, icons, fonts, and sounds , as well as the HTC Sense Home smart display that adapts shortcuts and suggestions based on location (home, work, away). BlinkFeed remains as a content aggregator, and double-tap to wake or turn off the screen is still included.
It also integrates HTC Connect (based on AllPlay) for sending music/video to compatible devices with a gesture, an infrared remote control app , and a complete messaging suite: SMS/MMS, email, push email, and IM . It includes Google Drive with a promotional option in some markets, and utilities such as an organizer, notes, voice commands, and predictive text input.
Essential technical sheet
- Screen: 5,0″ Super LCD3, 1080p, Gorilla Glass.
- chip: Snapdragon 810, Adreno 430 GPU, 3 GB LPDDR4 RAM.
- Storage: 32 GB + microSD (up to 2 TB nominal).
- Cameras: 20,7MP f/2.2 4K; front 4 MP UltraPixel f/2.0 1080p.
- Audio: BoomSound stereo, Dolby Audio, 3,5 mm jack, FM radio with RDS.
- Connectivity: LTE Cat.6, dual Wi-Fi ac, BT 4.1 aptX, NFC, IR, MHL 3.0, USB OTG.
- Battery: 2.840 mAh with Quick Charge 2.0.
- System: Android Lollipop + HTC Sense 7.
- Colours: Grey, Silver, Gold, Pink (Dual-tone options).
With its outstanding metal construction, distinctive sound, and balanced set of specifications , the HTC One M9 remains a very solid choice for those who prioritize design, fluidity, and good audio, along with a versatile camera and a system packed with useful features.