PSA, folks: we just banned about 25 people who couldn't keep their rage in check. Debate is fine, but once you start attacking one another (or us) you're gone. No warnings, no mercy. We don't have time for that trash. ^M
It seems like the content creators are the only ones who know how to incorporate intelligence into there own comments. :F Google should hold people more accountable for there age on TH-cam, to keep little kids who wanna argue about a personal device out of the comments.
It's not the actual flagship, just a new variant. But it's quite sad because the M7 was a beast. Moved to Apple since M7 coz the M8 was a disappointment. And I could careless about the bloat that Samsung phone has, lol although Apple has bloatware too.
That's the sign of desperation from HTC. They made too many stupid marketing decisions this year that they might have to file for bankruptcy. Hopefully that won't happen, but if it does than they should sell there company to either Asus or Huawei in order to survive in this Wild Wild West of smartphone and tablet world.
+Michael Kao Its a last gasp. Apple has recorded the largest switcher rate of Android to iOS last quarter. HTC is battling a perception problem. With Android sales tanking with all the oems the ones on the bottom are going to lose no matter what. Like others have said, they will probably sell out. Personally, I feel the A9 could sell some at the 399 promo price but at 500 its doomed. And that price starts on Nov 6.
There's plenty we couldn't fit in this video, folks. For the full story on the HTC One A9 (including a TON of photo samples), head on over to our full review at Pocketnow: pocketnow.com/2015/10/27/htc-one-a9-review ^M
since now you could get the m9(in the 32gb variant) for the same price as this phone, I'd get that instantly and leave this for pocketnow's "WORST PHONE EVER SERIES" whenever that's coming back...
+Pocketnow One thing this review didn't cover which I was really looking forward to was: does Android Marshmallow allow the SD card 'adoption' as internal memory, as touted earlier? If so, how does it perform and how easy was the process? Would greatly appreciate a response on that though :)
+Ahmed Ezzedin From other reviews its a good news that this option makes the 16GB model superior (available memory is around 10GB) and it does a great job with that.
People who support HTC talk about how Apple copied the M7 with iPhone 6. But really, there is much less resemblance between the iPhone 6 and the M7 than there is between the A9 and the iPhone 6/6S. If you show a random person an M7 and an iPhone 6, s/he would probably tell you that they are two distinctively different phones. But ask anyone whether the A9 copied iPhone 6, the answer is probably gonna be a huge yes. HTC could've done a much more unique design, but instead they took the lazy way out and got themselves into this controversy. This could be a marketing trick to get people to start talking about the company which has been kind of going obscure for a while, but for me personally, I would be ashamed to own a phone so much like an iPhone.
I couldn't have worded this any better. You literally took the words out of my mouth. It's sad that HTC has to take this route. It's going to be a sad day if/when they die out.
+tiger d IMO, if HTC opt for a curve back instead of a flat one and reposition the camera to the centre of the phone, A9 would look much similar as the M7.
+tiger d the only thing HTC did was make the back flat instead of curved, on the other hand, the only thing HTC might have copied is the buttom with the speaker grill and what's not, but then again, it's the same as the S6 and a dozen of other Android phones, so even that even not copied. The other point, if Apple can copie HTC and get with it, then HTC deserve the same, offering a better phone for almost half the price is an achievement
+tiger d There are some who say that Apple had to sign an agreement with HTC to do the same antenna style design as their phones. This may be true because remember when Apple tried to get rounded corners patented and nobody else on the planet would be allowed to make cell phones with rounded corners? Yeah, the childish acts of a big company who want's to control everyone's mind and replace your brain with whatever they say. Heaven forbid anyone actually uses their own brain cells anymore.
+S Hossain Tushar Blackberry had Timeshift back in 2013, shhh, don't tell Apple Fanboy's, they think Apple invented everything on the planet, even air!
+Muhammad S Hossain even worse is that, living image was started not by lumia lines, but nokia N9. The impressive 1ghz 1gb ram phone that can multitask 50 apps as if it was nothing. Gotta hand it to linux for that.
yep. I'm just keeping my M8 indefinitely. worse battery, worse processor, worse design, and most of all, no boomsound?? phones are supposed to get better over time.
I have a9 and love it! Cause it has lot going for it: Very good and color accurate amoled screen, Superb audio quality through earphones, very good fingerprint scanner, well buildt and great feel in the hand, gps is accurate and camera decent as well, Voicecalls sound good. Maybe biggest "flaw" is that graphic intense games studder with this phone, but if you dont play those with phone. Its meaningless. I would pick a9 anyday over 6p mostly because 6p cracks like crispbread when you twist it.
When will we get an after the buzz on this phone? Is it still worth looking into? How has performance been now that the out of the box snappiness most phones have may start to be wearing off? Is the OS stable and consistent? Love your videos, just a suggestion for your next After the Buzz ( which is my favorite series you guys do btw)
Disliked for the title, many people forget that apple and HTC have a design share agreement, so they're able to do this kind of stuff any time without any repercussions. *for the last time HTC did not copy apple design for god sake*
+Anykinds Matthew Much has been made of this "design share agreement," but everyone seems to forget it specifically forbids outright copying of some design elements. You can read the agreement for yourself, including this pertinent part: "The agreement also appears to exclude any of Apple’s design patents and nine specified HTC patents as well as coverage for any products that are defined as cloning an Apple product. (An arbitration process is outlined should Apple feel that HTC has released a “cloned” product.)" Source: allthingsd.com/20121205/heres-apples-settlement-pact-with-htc-well-the-parts-were-allowed-to-see/ ^M
+Anykinds Matthew They made the original design, but this one looks like an iPhone with the HTC logo on the back, they may have the rights, but it still doesn't change the way the phone looks compared to the iPhone.
+Pocketnow Okay, I now have an understanding of the agreement, but come on! let's just be real here! who copied who? HTC original One M7 was the first smartphone with a metal unibody that had antenna bands built into its back. way way back before we even knew iPhone 6 was going to be a thing.
Thanks for doing this review. Michael, Nexus 5X or One A9? Also, I'm surprised you didn't really emphasis marshmallows ability to use microsd as internal storage; this is big selling point imo. It's a real shame the camera isn't better, I wonder if it's even an improvement over my current iPhone 5. Regardless, I pre-ordered one. $550 CAD is less than most alternatives, even a 32GB Nexus 5X. Considering that the 5X lacks any storage expansion, it's build is primarily plastic + slightly larger than the A9, and it lacks the usb C adapter so I can transfer files from my non usb C computer, the A9 seems to be the clear choice - at least at the current promotional price.
+NightRush that your s14 in your dp? Nice I have a zenki, and I am also torn between 5X and A9 as I like the screen size, don't want any bigger than 5.2 as I am coming from Z3C.
+NightRush If they didn't listen it's probably another Toshiba sensor. Every other phone on the planet is using a Sony Sensor or one of Samsung's models.
The iPhone can't be mistaken for an HTC One m9 but the a9 can be mistaken for an iPhone. I'm no apple fan but sorry HTC fans, it's true that HTC really looks like an iPhone and there's no mistaking it. On the other hand, the a9 is a great buy before Nov. 7. This is the best review so fast of the a9 which shows its strengths and weaknesses. After November 7 nexus 6p is the king of smartphones.
Yeah I am with you. I have the M8, and it worries me that HTC would get rid of the best selling point for me... BoomSound. Sigh. Looking into that Nexus 6p if need be.
Sure HTC used the antenna lines, but people come on..the M7, M8 and M9 do not look like the iPhone 6. They're not rounded all the way around the device like the 6 is. The A9 though...damn, I would be hard pressed to tell them apart from a distance. Not that it's a bad thing though, it looks nice just like the iPhone.
***** Whoa man you sound a bit annoyed lol. To each their own, and you've got a great argument. I've gotta give it to HTC, they actually do have a winner with the A9 (I'm skeptical with the battery but everything else looks great) and it looks nice too! But I personally would pick the Nexus 6P at $500. At $400, I could like the Moto X Pure one day, or the A9 the next.
BrainSeepsOut I don't know if you're just refusing to see the similarities or if you're really that dumb. The A9 looks more similar to the i6s than the i6 looked to the m8.
I like how the integrated DAC and AMP were never mentioned which makes the phone immensely better than anything else out there for music listening. How did you miss this?
+Oscar M Of course not, and that doesn't mean that Apple copied the M7 design. The iPhone 6 design is just a modified iPod touch 5g with rounded edges adding only the M7 antenna lines (with an uglier shape). But this A9 is a total ripoff of the iPhone 6 adding some M9 details.
I'm looking at this and at the newly announced One+ X, and even if the us pricing is competitive, this side of the pond the price kind of stings :( and makes the One+ X seem like a way smarter choice even with the older SoC. Of course I'm basing my conclusion on the SoC, screen, and build(the stuff you kind of get from spec sheets); things like camera, speaker, battery life and lack of fingerprint reader and NFC on the One+ X need a proper head to head, hint hint ;). What do y'all think ?
+M Niranth Yeah even on the HTC channel, the people who wrote comments similar to that, they totally ignore. The one's who said how the A9 was so awesome, HTC actually replies to those ones. They had 2 different guys telling you about the A9 before their release party instead of actually posting their release party on their own channel. I guess the entertainment wasn't going to be that exciting and they didn't want to bore anybody.
This isn't meant to replace the One M9. This is something like a Desire X, a mid range model that will hopefully get some people excited about HTC's major flagship for 2016.
I had an HTC one. Yes, the sound is pretty good, it does sound really stereo when you hold the phone 10 cm from your face. But why would they partly focus on increasing those tiny speakers which aren't able to produce enough sound for a small room?
All of you android fanboys can't get over that Apple made something popular. Yes HTC had a similar design but it wasn't till Apple made it a worldwide symbol that it became popular. Pocketnow is far from being Apple fanboys and Michael Fisher is an amazing reviewer. You guys can't get over 3d Touch and you can't get over that HTC copied the iphone 6 design. The thing is so similar that without the logos you couldn't tell the difference. Great review Michael keep them coming. By the way the only android company that matters is LG ;).
+A Cato C Samsung is the best android company? You can't be serious, their phone quality is not the best, also their 2015 revenue tanked by big percentage, they are already downsizing in structure.
Boomsound is the reason why I bought the HTC One M7... That's a feature that sets it apart from other smartphones. Why would they take that out and clone the iphone?
I have a question Michael and I would like for you to be perfectly honest if you was going to make your opinion on performance how would you rate the performance using some other device such as galaxy s6 galaxy s5 iPhone 4s iPhone 5 moto X 14 Moto X 15 you get the picture
Don't care if it looks like an iPhone, it's one of the best Android phones you can get right now For me personally, I care most about the software being clean, reliable, well supported and performant. The A9 is the *only* device, other than Nexus devices, that can tick all of those boxes. I also appreciate the sensible choice of SoC (617 > 808/810, I'd rather have efficiency over crippling power draw), the AMOLED display at a sensible resolution (2K/4K is pointless), the Sense additions, the excellent audio quality for music, battery life I can trust.... the list goes on. Much love to HTC for continuing to deliver on the stuff that really matters!! I will be buying this one :-)
+Aaronage I agree with you to a point. Its great they got something with android m out of the box. With the FHD screen, and android m it might get all day battery life. But it does have a small battery. The 617 processor is a bit slow but this device reminds me what I'm using now which was the moto x 2013. Had the lower specs but its still fast. Every device has its Achilles heal and the A9 is the battery. I don't know if the 2150 mAh will cut it. When they raise the price to 500 I'm not sure that's going to sell many devices. But with everything they put into this device they can't make much even at 500. It has a great FHD amoled display, speaker that is on par with apples, fingerprint scanner, decent camera with OIS, and the newer 617 processor and metal body. But reviewers are already claiming poor battery life. Even Android M can't help OST. It only helps for standbye. So if you do want this buy it now. Don't wait until Nov 6 when the price goes to 500. I would say at 400 this is a decent buy. As long as the battery life is not too horrible.
I don't remember who said it, but someone said that the A9 is like HTCs version of the Samsung Alpha series. They arent necessarily the highest end spec wise, but they allow the company to introduce new design language/materials on a device that is separate from their main flagship line. While the A9 won't sell like hot cakes, it will allow HTC to break out of their shell a little and gives us a glimpse of the changes we may see with the HTC One M10.
Some people claiming that HTC A9 design has come from iphone 6.But those people forgot that the design of iphone 6 has come from HTC One(M7) which was released in 2013 .
@pocketnow quick question: The HTC One M7 came out before the iPhone 6 design correct? I'm rocking an iPhone 6s Plus right now and I was a fan of HTC sense the HTC Evo but they have been dropping the ball ever since. I just believe a lot of people are quick to defend Apple but in essence Apple is the true thief! Apple and Samsung has been capitalizing on what HTC fail to with their own phone! Just my thought. Thanks.
How powerful is it? When I first got into Snapchat, I noticed that my HTC Desire 626 isn't powerful enough to run filters and the camera is only good in natural light. I need something like an iPhone 6s or an LG V4 at leasr
I just watched a review of the m7 and its clear apple got there inspiration from that phone, however can it be cloning if each htc one had aluminum and antenna lines on the rear. if you ask me no no beats audio means a single speaker is fine and the build is just the evolution of what they already started. sorry but I know who the real clone is. htc great job
HTC Why did you make a flat phone? Why did you round the camera shape and put it at the top? Why did you make a round dual flash to the right of the camera? Why did you round the edges? Why include a home button? iPhone 6(S) - Bad copy. (Apple maybe took the antenna lines idea, but made their own version of them. That's all Apple "copied".)
Well, what you said about the camera confirms that it is a software problem not the hardware. HTC needs to rebuild their camera software package to keep up and work along with the new sensor if they are welling to put it on the next M10.
Wait, so HTC wont be releasing a new One M10 model since the One A9 replaces the One M9? As a One M8 owner that's a shame since the A9 seems like a downgrade even when compared to my M8.
I know i've been hauling on this phone for looking like an iphone, but I have to give htc credit, that red color looks beautiful. It's a shame that the real cost of the phone is around $500. It would have been a good option otherwise, but I think I might go for the Moto G 2015.
you know what would help differentiate the power button from the volume rocker? having them on opposite sides of the phone. Why are so many phones coming out with all the buttons on the same side?
+Goose Willis We were a little worried about this, but TBH the power button is so heavily textured that there's no chance of confusion. Oddly specific bit of praise, but it's probably the best power button out there. ^M
I gotta ask for some input from someone with a firm understanding of phones. I have a dying htc one m7 and need a new phone asap. I was saving up for one of the $ 400 flagship phones but then I came across an m8 that is brand new for $280. Should I get it or not? It's factory unlocked also
HTC says that they didn't remove boomsound. they just moved it at the bottom just for the fingerprint scanner. BoomSound™ and FFS are different. don't be confused by the two.
+Harlan Dy There's nothing Boom about the Sound coming from that speaker. And yes, the "BoomSound" branding remains on the digital audio enhancements (we talk a bit about them in the written review linked in the description) but we wouldn't be surprised to see that brand de-emphasized going forward. ^M
+Pocketnow They should've just did the same implementation of the FFS and Fingerprint Scanner like the One (no pun intended) on the M9+ I agree that it's a stupid compromise especially they just did that just for the sake of the Scanner.
This phone actually looks good. It looks actually a little better than iPhone. With a HTC's Oops free 1 year protection plan, 399 is pretty reasonable. If I didn't already pick galaxy s6 active this year. I might in for this phone. I would hope HTC follows this route and give a A10 next year with advanced iPhone 7 design. I will definitely in for that one next year.
The M series is going to the be the premium series though, so I'm excited to see where the next one goes. I hope it doesn't look like an iPhone though... Also, if they dropped Uh Oh protection for the cheaper devices, I am certain they could drop the price. I don't think the cheaper phones need it as much as their high end phones.
I need to see a comparison between the A9, Nexus 6p, and Moto pure! Please!! I'm. Coming from an HTC one m8 and I hate to leave them, but I love my front facing speakers.
I was really wanting to get this phone, until you mentioned the camera performance. Darn it. Otherwise, another awesome and informative video, Michael! Thumbs up.
You could easily argue Apple used HTC's previous offerings to make the 6. HTC has been using that rounded rectangle for ages...and they started those parallel aerial things too.
I recently picked the A9 (Note 5 was too pricy and I needed a carrier phone so I was not able to pick up the much coveted 6P)and I was pleasantly surprised how good it is. Yes it looks like an iPhone,but tbh it's better than the iPhone. The finger print scanner is amazing,and the camera is much better than M9 and I'm not much of a photographer anyway. And if you've lived with Marshmallow you can't go back to Lollipop. The only downside is the battery life,which is pretty average,and no boomsound (sadly). Overall, it isn't as bad as all these people say it is. It's an overall a very good phone.
btw after November 6th I believe, HTC is going to bump the price up to 500$, which is disappointing because at 400$ it compares favorably to other fairly inexpensive phones like the OnePlus Two and Moto X. But at 500$, it'd make more sense to buy a Nexus 6P.
It´sad that a brand like HTC have to start cut corners to live on. I just hope that this is tehir mid-range phone to test out the market with their new design or try to get new buyers, and that they will release a "real" HTC flagship arround christmas. I really hope so, because the A9 does not seem to be my next phone upgrading from HTC One M8 in may 2016, and that makes my sad and worried.
I'm a huge HTC fan..not that I haven't owned devices from other manufacturers, but I have a soft spot for them. Have always loved their designs and their Sense UI. Premium every time. But the One M9 was a massive disappointment by today's standards, and the company just needed to get people talking about HTC again. This may have purely been a 'troll' phone. An iPhone clone? Let me see! Wow It does look like an iPhone! They've got people talking again, and imo, if they release something of note next year, THIS could be the biggest turning point. Negative or not, they've somehow managed to get back in the frame. And I for one am pleased :)
PSA, folks: we just banned about 25 people who couldn't keep their rage in check. Debate is fine, but once you start attacking one another (or us) you're gone. No warnings, no mercy. We don't have time for that trash. ^M
It seems like the content creators are the only ones who know how to incorporate intelligence into there own comments. :F Google should hold people more accountable for there age on TH-cam, to keep little kids who wanna argue about a personal device out of the comments.
Savage af 😂
Awesome Michael!
+Pocketnow GG WP
Just asking. Was GrammerNazi one of those 25 banned? Because I blocked him.
As someone who switched from my beloved M7 to the S6, I am so heartbroken. Why did HTC just give up? I was really hoping they'd win me back.
Same here it's really sad
+Michael Kao same here...upgraded from the m7 to the S6, and seeing how HTC is going to a different path
It's not the actual flagship, just a new variant. But it's quite sad because the M7 was a beast. Moved to Apple since M7 coz the M8 was a disappointment. And I could careless about the bloat that Samsung phone has, lol although Apple has bloatware too.
That's the sign of desperation from HTC. They made too many stupid marketing decisions this year that they might have to file for bankruptcy. Hopefully that won't happen, but if it does than they should sell there company to either Asus or Huawei in order to survive in this Wild Wild West of smartphone and tablet world.
+Michael Kao Its a last gasp. Apple has recorded the largest switcher rate of Android to iOS last quarter. HTC is battling a perception problem. With Android sales tanking with all the oems the ones on the bottom are going to lose no matter what. Like others have said, they will probably sell out. Personally, I feel the A9 could sell some at the 399 promo price but at 500 its doomed. And that price starts on Nov 6.
If i bought this, my friends would make fun of me. They'd think I got a Chinese iPhone clone
😭😭😭
+Hello Bro it's Taiwanese iPhone clone....
Tom Liu I know what it is, I'm saying this is what my friends would most likely say
Hello BRo, just to be clear...Taiwan is not part of China
+Tom Liu Yes it is. China calls Twaiwan with a different name. It starts with T. I can't spell that name to save my life.
There's plenty we couldn't fit in this video, folks. For the full story on the HTC One A9 (including a TON of photo samples), head on over to our full review at Pocketnow: pocketnow.com/2015/10/27/htc-one-a9-review ^M
stop being ignorant. .apple copied HTC design and made it their own.
since now you could get the m9(in the 32gb variant) for the same price as this phone, I'd get that instantly and leave this for pocketnow's "WORST PHONE EVER SERIES" whenever that's coming back...
+David Felix maybe he meant HTC is beating apple hands down?
+Pocketnow One thing this review didn't cover which I was really looking forward to was: does Android Marshmallow allow the SD card 'adoption' as internal memory, as touted earlier? If so, how does it perform and how easy was the process?
Would greatly appreciate a response on that though :)
+Ahmed Ezzedin From other reviews its a good news that this option makes the 16GB model superior (available memory is around 10GB) and it does a great job with that.
People who support HTC talk about how Apple copied the M7 with iPhone 6. But really, there is much less resemblance between the iPhone 6 and the M7 than there is between the A9 and the iPhone 6/6S.
If you show a random person an M7 and an iPhone 6, s/he would probably tell you that they are two distinctively different phones. But ask anyone whether the A9 copied iPhone 6, the answer is probably gonna be a huge yes.
HTC could've done a much more unique design, but instead they took the lazy way out and got themselves into this controversy. This could be a marketing trick to get people to start talking about the company which has been kind of going obscure for a while, but for me personally, I would be ashamed to own a phone so much like an iPhone.
I couldn't have worded this any better. You literally took the words out of my mouth.
It's sad that HTC has to take this route. It's going to be a sad day if/when they die out.
D33M0N3Y It's sad I know.
As Apple sucks up more and more money from the industry, leaving Android makers struggling, things start to fall apart.
+tiger d IMO, if HTC opt for a curve back instead of a flat one and reposition the camera to the centre of the phone, A9 would look much similar as the M7.
+tiger d the only thing HTC did was make the back flat instead of curved, on the other hand, the only thing HTC might have copied is the buttom with the speaker grill and what's not, but then again, it's the same as the S6 and a dozen of other Android phones, so even that even not copied.
The other point, if Apple can copie HTC and get with it, then HTC deserve the same, offering a better phone for almost half the price is an achievement
+tiger d There are some who say that Apple had to sign an agreement with HTC to do the same antenna style design as their phones. This may be true because remember when Apple tried to get rounded corners patented and nobody else on the planet would be allowed to make cell phones with rounded corners? Yeah, the childish acts of a big company who want's to control everyone's mind and replace your brain with whatever they say. Heaven forbid anyone actually uses their own brain cells anymore.
I hoped Pocketnow would say something similar when apple stole the idea of Living Image from Lumia Phones!!
+S Hossain Tushar We did. pocketnow.com/2015/09/09/not-so-new-iphone-6s-features ^M
+S Hossain Tushar Blackberry had Timeshift back in 2013, shhh, don't tell Apple Fanboy's, they think Apple invented everything on the planet, even air!
And left people with leftovers like an half bitten apple and so on.
+TekReview's Apple fanboys are so stupid, Nike invented air.
+Muhammad S Hossain even worse is that, living image was started not by lumia lines, but nokia N9. The impressive 1ghz 1gb ram phone that can multitask 50 apps as if it was nothing. Gotta hand it to linux for that.
This will officially be the nail in the coffin.
It's sad
+Erik Wood Im reporting here 5 months later, the HTC 10 is here, everything is alright.
+Karol Bała I'm even more from the future, the Htc 10 is the best phone of 2016 and Samsung is now crying
+A Person And I am even more from the future, and my HTC 10 is a beast. Well done HTC.
I am even more from the future, and I like to break this trend.
hahahahahahahah 500 dollars for a sub par device
I'm good
Sorry HTC, I love my M8 but that's the end of our relationship
yep. I'm just keeping my M8 indefinitely. worse battery, worse processor, worse design, and most of all, no boomsound?? phones are supposed to get better over time.
+Darrin Ramlochan Im sure you won't be missed. :)
+Darrin Ramlochan remember that this is a MIDRANGE phone... lols....
people just do not like to think...
tsk
+Rin Hera $400 for the moto x pure, < $400 OnePlus 2
this device.... $500
I think it's definitely not worth the price
***** ya... its just an inroductory price... pfft htc never learns
I have a9 and love it! Cause it has lot going for it: Very good and color accurate amoled screen, Superb audio quality through earphones, very good fingerprint scanner, well buildt and great feel in the hand, gps is accurate and camera decent as well, Voicecalls sound good.
Maybe biggest "flaw" is that graphic intense games studder with this phone, but if you dont play those with phone. Its meaningless.
I would pick a9 anyday over 6p mostly because 6p cracks like crispbread when you twist it.
please tell me that if the earpiece near front camera works as the loudspeaker when you are playing games or watching videos????
When will we get an after the buzz on this phone? Is it still worth looking into? How has performance been now that the out of the box snappiness most phones have may start to be wearing off? Is the OS stable and consistent? Love your videos, just a suggestion for your next After the Buzz ( which is my favorite series you guys do btw)
Disliked for the title, many people forget that apple and HTC have a design share agreement, so they're able to do this kind of stuff any time without any repercussions. *for the last time HTC did not copy apple design for god sake*
+Anykinds Matthew Much has been made of this "design share agreement," but everyone seems to forget it specifically forbids outright copying of some design elements. You can read the agreement for yourself, including this pertinent part:
"The agreement also appears to exclude any of Apple’s design patents and nine specified HTC patents as well as coverage for any products that are defined as cloning an Apple product. (An arbitration process is outlined should Apple feel that HTC has released a “cloned” product.)"
Source: allthingsd.com/20121205/heres-apples-settlement-pact-with-htc-well-the-parts-were-allowed-to-see/ ^M
+Anykinds Matthew They made the original design, but this one looks like an iPhone with the HTC logo on the back, they may have the rights, but it still doesn't change the way the phone looks compared to the iPhone.
+Pocketnow Okay, I now have an understanding of the agreement, but come on! let's just be real here! who copied who? HTC original One M7 was the first smartphone with a metal unibody that had antenna bands built into its back. way way back before we even knew iPhone 6 was going to be a thing.
Thanks for doing this review. Michael, Nexus 5X or One A9?
Also, I'm surprised you didn't really emphasis marshmallows ability to use microsd as internal storage; this is big selling point imo. It's a real shame the camera isn't better, I wonder if it's even an improvement over my current iPhone 5. Regardless, I pre-ordered one. $550 CAD is less than most alternatives, even a 32GB Nexus 5X. Considering that the 5X lacks any storage expansion, it's build is primarily plastic + slightly larger than the A9, and it lacks the usb C adapter so I can transfer files from my non usb C computer, the A9 seems to be the clear choice - at least at the current promotional price.
+NightRush that your s14 in your dp? Nice I have a zenki, and I am also torn between 5X and A9 as I like the screen size, don't want any bigger than 5.2 as I am coming from Z3C.
Yeah that was my first S14. I think the A9 is the clear winner during this promo period, and also for those who want more than 32GB of storage.
get the a9 if you're able to get it for 399$
+NightRush Nevermind, One Plus X is my choice :)
+NightRush If they didn't listen it's probably another Toshiba sensor. Every other phone on the planet is using a Sony Sensor or one of Samsung's models.
Hey wow, it's the HTC iPhone S6 lol
LOOOOOL 😂😂😂😭😭😭
lol
lol hahahahaha gud one
+Peter Newport Apple One S10
vexx506 this comment 😂
The iPhone can't be mistaken for an HTC One m9 but the a9 can be mistaken for an iPhone. I'm no apple fan but sorry HTC fans, it's true that HTC really looks like an iPhone and there's no mistaking it.
On the other hand, the a9 is a great buy before Nov. 7. This is the best review so fast of the a9 which shows its strengths and weaknesses.
After November 7 nexus 6p is the king of smartphones.
well, I guess I'm just gonna keep my M8 forever then.
I'm right there with you every step of the way (Amber gold M8 BTW)
the best HTC ever
me too but I'm using my Nexus 6 as my daily driver since I got marshmallow first.
Rocking an M9 cuz AT&T mixed up my M8 replacement. But if it were up to me,same
Yeah I am with you. I have the M8, and it worries me that HTC would get rid of the best selling point for me... BoomSound. Sigh. Looking into that Nexus 6p if need be.
Sure HTC used the antenna lines, but people come on..the M7, M8 and M9 do not look like the iPhone 6. They're not rounded all the way around the device like the 6 is. The A9 though...damn, I would be hard pressed to tell them apart from a distance.
Not that it's a bad thing though, it looks nice just like the iPhone.
$500 dollars? hahahah you could get the moto X style for $400 and it's a flagship! WTF is HTC thinking!
+Eddy Nelson Lopez Exactly what I was thinking. If it stayed at $400 it would be a phone to consider, though I'd still pick the Moto X Style over it.
Naanu Loper I still think it'll be the Nexus device lineup but let's see!
Naanu Loper I dunno I think it's worth the extra $100 but to each their own. And also, the Moto G tends to outsell the Moto X.
Naanu Loper Ahh okay true. Still a damn good phone for the price haha but yeah kinda weak.
***** Whoa man you sound a bit annoyed lol. To each their own, and you've got a great argument. I've gotta give it to HTC, they actually do have a winner with the A9 (I'm skeptical with the battery but everything else looks great) and it looks nice too! But I personally would pick the Nexus 6P at $500. At $400, I could like the Moto X Pure one day, or the A9 the next.
This is one best and honest review I saw on youtube for this phone. Good job pocketnow for this unbiased precise review of the phone!
The iPhone looks like the HTC, not the other way around.
Lol. No....
+BrainSeepsOut The iphone 6 only copied the bands whereas the a9 and iphone 6 look pretty much identical
So if Apple copies you you have no right to use the design anymore? LOL
BrainSeepsOut I don't know if you're just refusing to see the similarities or if you're really that dumb. The A9 looks more similar to the i6s than the i6 looked to the m8.
I like how the integrated DAC and AMP were never mentioned which makes the phone immensely better than anything else out there for music listening. How did you miss this?
M7 2013, Iphone 6 2014. ggwp
M7 and iPhone 6 have not in common look it up, pnly the antenna bands and thats it. looks nothing alike
iPod touch 5th generation 2012
+Oscar M Of course not, and that doesn't mean that Apple copied the M7 design. The iPhone 6 design is just a modified iPod touch 5g with rounded edges adding only the M7 antenna lines (with an uglier shape). But this A9 is a total ripoff of the iPhone 6 adding some M9 details.
+SkyDragon Team iPhone 2007, M7 2013
That shot at 7:31 was sexy, all the phones stacked like that.
Props to whoever did the b-roll
Uh oh protection is something to remember too
+Kevyn Miller Yes indeed. It's mentioned in the full review, linked in the descrip. ^M
+Kevyn Miller Even though it has a dumb name
At least they've got the message and are improving the camera for a change which brings me some hope for the M10 cause I love this company
DIDN'T FIX THE CAMERA. That's all you really needed to say.
+Ben Holmes Not entirely, no - but that doesn't mean there haven't been improvements here, either. ^M
I'm looking at this and at the newly announced One+ X, and even if the us pricing is competitive, this side of the pond the price kind of stings :( and makes the One+ X seem like a way smarter choice even with the older SoC.
Of course I'm basing my conclusion on the SoC, screen, and build(the stuff you kind of get from spec sheets); things like camera, speaker, battery life and lack of fingerprint reader and NFC on the One+ X need a proper head to head, hint hint ;).
What do y'all think ?
This phone is basically for people who can't afford an iPhone 6. lol
the chinese sell $100 iphone clones
more like iPhone 6 is for people who want similar design but doesnt want android.
+Kristaps Vigulis Nice try, but not the case.
+Inner Ear Thing
all carriers offer flagships free 2 months after their released
4 hours SOT? Thats pretty incredible for that tiny battery. looking forward to what the M10 will bring. Already have the red A9 preordered though.
the death of HTC
+M Niranth Yeah even on the HTC channel, the people who wrote comments similar to that, they totally ignore. The one's who said how the A9 was so awesome, HTC actually replies to those ones. They had 2 different guys telling you about the A9 before their release party instead of actually posting their release party on their own channel. I guess the entertainment wasn't going to be that exciting and they didn't want to bore anybody.
This is a likeable phone, but one your going to just love?
The iphone looks so bad, I have no idea why HTC decided to clone it. The ONE M7 was the best phone body I've ever seen.
m9 to me
Alvin Zahran Majid m9 had rounded corners, which makes it slippery. But still looks nice.
jerome ley but we're talking about the best phone body I've ever seen, right? :)
Alvin Zahran Majid Yup, M7 for me, M9 for you. I was just explaining why I liked the older M7 more than the newer M9.
+jerome ley aw alright, M8... :D
This isn't meant to replace the One M9. This is something like a Desire X, a mid range model that will hopefully get some people excited about HTC's major flagship for 2016.
HTC 2015: COPY EVERYTHING
I had an HTC one. Yes, the sound is pretty good, it does sound really stereo when you hold the phone 10 cm from your face. But why would they partly focus on increasing those tiny speakers which aren't able to produce enough sound for a small room?
All of you android fanboys can't get over that Apple made something popular. Yes HTC had a similar design but it wasn't till Apple made it a worldwide symbol that it became popular. Pocketnow is far from being Apple fanboys and Michael Fisher is an amazing reviewer. You guys can't get over 3d Touch and you can't get over that HTC copied the iphone 6 design. The thing is so similar that without the logos you couldn't tell the difference. Great review Michael keep them coming. By the way the only android company that matters is LG ;).
Samsung is actually the best android company. Without Samsung apple wouldn't have some equipment to make phones
+A Cato C I would rather have a removable battery and expandable storage. That's is why I own a LG G4.
U right me too
+A Cato C Samsung is the best android company? You can't be serious, their phone quality is not the best, also their 2015 revenue tanked by big percentage, they are already downsizing in structure.
There quality is better now there os is horrible, but they have the best specs and also Samsung notes are the phablet king
Boomsound is the reason why I bought the HTC One M7... That's a feature that sets it apart from other smartphones. Why would they take that out and clone the iphone?
Would u recommend this model over the iPhone 5s ?
I have a question Michael and I would like for you to be perfectly honest if you was going to make your opinion on performance how would you rate the performance using some other device such as galaxy s6 galaxy s5 iPhone 4s iPhone 5 moto X 14 Moto X 15 you get the picture
Take an M7 (2013), combine with Desire 816 (2013), and what do you get? iPhone 6 (2014).
Don't care if it looks like an iPhone, it's one of the best Android phones you can get right now
For me personally, I care most about the software being clean, reliable, well supported and performant. The A9 is the *only* device, other than Nexus devices, that can tick all of those boxes.
I also appreciate the sensible choice of SoC (617 > 808/810, I'd rather have efficiency over crippling power draw), the AMOLED display at a sensible resolution (2K/4K is pointless), the Sense additions, the excellent audio quality for music, battery life I can trust.... the list goes on.
Much love to HTC for continuing to deliver on the stuff that really matters!!
I will be buying this one :-)
How much did HTC pay you to type all of this?
Lol its definitely not one of the best android phone.
+Aaronage I agree with you to a point. Its great they got something with android m out of the box. With the FHD screen, and android m it might get all day battery life. But it does have a small battery. The 617 processor is a bit slow but this device reminds me what I'm using now which was the moto x 2013. Had the lower specs but its still fast.
Every device has its Achilles heal and the A9 is the battery. I don't know if the 2150 mAh will cut it. When they raise the price to 500 I'm not sure that's going to sell many devices. But with everything they put into this device they can't make much even at 500. It has a great FHD amoled display, speaker that is on par with apples, fingerprint scanner, decent camera with OIS, and the newer 617 processor and metal body. But reviewers are already claiming poor battery life. Even Android M can't help OST. It only helps for standbye.
So if you do want this buy it now. Don't wait until Nov 6 when the price goes to 500. I would say at 400 this is a decent buy. As long as the battery life is not too horrible.
Which color is more appealing Grey or Silver? reply asap.
Hello Michael, is HTC replacing the M Series with the A Series?
I don't remember who said it, but someone said that the A9 is like HTCs version of the Samsung Alpha series. They arent necessarily the highest end spec wise, but they allow the company to introduce new design language/materials on a device that is separate from their main flagship line. While the A9 won't sell like hot cakes, it will allow HTC to break out of their shell a little and gives us a glimpse of the changes we may see with the HTC One M10.
+insainllama Insightful post. Thanks! ^M
Some people claiming that HTC A9 design has come from iphone 6.But those people forgot that the design of iphone 6 has come from HTC One(M7) which was released in 2013 .
@pocketnow quick question: The HTC One M7 came out before the iPhone 6 design correct? I'm rocking an iPhone 6s Plus right now and I was a fan of HTC sense the HTC Evo but they have been dropping the ball ever since. I just believe a lot of people are quick to defend Apple but in essence Apple is the true thief! Apple and Samsung has been capitalizing on what HTC fail to with their own phone! Just my thought. Thanks.
How powerful is it? When I first got into Snapchat, I noticed that my HTC Desire 626 isn't powerful enough to run filters and the camera is only good in natural light. I need something like an iPhone 6s or an LG V4 at leasr
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I recall HTC using an Aluminium way back to the One M7
I thought I can ditch my One M7 for this. What's left in my choice anyway? 6P?
It is allways a pleasure listening to Michael Fisher
I just watched a review of the m7 and its clear apple got there inspiration from that phone, however can it be cloning if each htc one had aluminum and antenna lines on the rear. if you ask me no no beats audio means a single speaker is fine and the build is just the evolution of what they already started. sorry but I know who the real clone is. htc great job
"Please be Michael Fisher".
-Me, everytime I see a new Pocketnow video.
HTC Why did you make a flat phone? Why did you round the camera shape and put it at the top? Why did you make a round dual flash to the right of the camera? Why did you round the edges? Why include a home button?
iPhone 6(S) - Bad copy.
(Apple maybe took the antenna lines idea, but made their own version of them. That's all Apple "copied".)
can't wait for your comparison videos against the m9, the ip6s, oneplus 2, GS6.
Wasn't HTC going to release a Blinkfeed launcher with the launch of the M8 last year?
Well, what you said about the camera confirms that it is a software problem not the hardware.
HTC needs to rebuild their camera software package to keep up and work along with the new sensor if they are welling to put it on the next M10.
Isn't this phone suppose to be a high mid-end phone? Or is this really a successor to the M9?
you said that it is smooth , yet there are glaring lag everywhere in the video... as with buggy new android versions..
Would you rather get an A9 or a Blackberry Priv ?
at about 3:24 you're talking about the notifications bar at the top, are you saying that is gone now?
you can also change the fingerprint scanner to a soft touch home button
Wait, so HTC wont be releasing a new One M10 model since the One A9 replaces the One M9? As a One M8 owner that's a shame since the A9 seems like a downgrade even when compared to my M8.
I know i've been hauling on this phone for looking like an iphone, but I have to give htc credit, that red color looks beautiful. It's a shame that the real cost of the phone is around $500. It would have been a good option otherwise, but I think I might go for the Moto G 2015.
Michael makes the best reviews hands down :D
I love HTC phones :) this is a really beautiful phone I'm stuck with the HTC desire 626s but I'm happy
What they were able to do with the battery seems pretty impressive.
I'm using this phone for a week now,
I must say im impressed with everything !
I'm sorry how is the A9 an iPhone 6 clone if the iPhone 6 itself was an audacious clone of the HTC One in the first place?!
hey Michael, what is the name of the combat flight sim app you play on most of your review. thanks
Are you gonna review the regular Xperia Z5 Michael?
I lovecyour reviews! They are without doubt the best. Thanks
Always loved HTC and the A9 is a beautiful phone! Thanks for another great review.
might upgrade iphone 5s to this idk. i'll probably hang on to my iPhone but this is my favorite phone of 2015
Will u be comparing this with the m9?
So is the A9 the flagship?
you know what would help differentiate the power button from the volume rocker? having them on opposite sides of the phone. Why are so many phones coming out with all the buttons on the same side?
+Goose Willis We were a little worried about this, but TBH the power button is so heavily textured that there's no chance of confusion. Oddly specific bit of praise, but it's probably the best power button out there. ^M
Have the camera of the M7 with updated specs, body of the A9, M9+ Front Screen with boomsound speakers and finger print scanner.
I gotta ask for some input from someone with a firm understanding of phones. I have a dying htc one m7 and need a new phone asap. I was saving up for one of the $ 400 flagship phones but then I came across an m8 that is brand new for $280. Should I get it or not? It's factory unlocked also
HTC says that they didn't remove boomsound. they just moved it at the bottom just for the fingerprint scanner. BoomSound™ and FFS are different. don't be confused by the two.
+Harlan Dy There's nothing Boom about the Sound coming from that speaker. And yes, the "BoomSound" branding remains on the digital audio enhancements (we talk a bit about them in the written review linked in the description) but we wouldn't be surprised to see that brand de-emphasized going forward. ^M
+Pocketnow Why did I read this in Michael Fisher's voice? Lmfao
+Pocketnow They should've just did the same implementation of the FFS and Fingerprint Scanner like the One (no pun intended) on the M9+ I agree that it's a stupid compromise especially they just did that just for the sake of the Scanner.
Sad HTC still could not get the camera right and further compromised too much on battery size, can never figure out what HTC is thinking.
This phone actually looks good. It looks actually a little better than iPhone. With a HTC's Oops free 1 year protection plan, 399 is pretty reasonable. If I didn't already pick galaxy s6 active this year. I might in for this phone. I would hope HTC follows this route and give a A10 next year with advanced iPhone 7 design. I will definitely in for that one next year.
One question buggers me, Does it heat up like the M9?
well hopefully HTC will make a come back next year. my m9 is still going strong.
What happened to the HTC ONE design? It was so good.
good review, I love the phone but the future Verizon "support" is a strike out for me. after future software update and when it's $500 ... sigh...
I'm either going for the 950xl or the HTC one m10... no way will I ever buy this..although I respect the efforts HTC has put in.
is this HTC's new flagship, or will we be seeing a HTC M10
I bought this phone online for $150 about a month ago for Boost Mobile. I'm pretty happy with it.
iamrodo what store?
shopcelldeals.com
The M series is going to the be the premium series though, so I'm excited to see where the next one goes. I hope it doesn't look like an iPhone though... Also, if they dropped Uh Oh protection for the cheaper devices, I am certain they could drop the price. I don't think the cheaper phones need it as much as their high end phones.
I need to see a comparison between the A9, Nexus 6p, and Moto pure! Please!! I'm. Coming from an HTC one m8 and I hate to leave them, but I love my front facing speakers.
Is it a 13mp or a 21mp camera? Ive heard both
I was really wanting to get this phone, until you mentioned the camera performance. Darn it. Otherwise, another awesome and informative video, Michael! Thumbs up.
which was the game you played in the review?
I know I'm off topic, but... How come I can't find that game on the Play Store?? I'm using an S6 Edge btw...
You could easily argue Apple used HTC's previous offerings to make the 6. HTC has been using that rounded rectangle for ages...and they started those parallel aerial things too.
I recently picked the A9 (Note 5 was too pricy and I needed a carrier phone so I was not able to pick up the much coveted 6P)and I was pleasantly surprised how good it is. Yes it looks like an iPhone,but tbh it's better than the iPhone. The finger print scanner is amazing,and the camera is much better than M9 and I'm not much of a photographer anyway. And if you've lived with Marshmallow you can't go back to Lollipop. The only downside is the battery life,which is pretty average,and no boomsound (sadly). Overall, it isn't as bad as all these people say it is. It's an overall a very good phone.
***** No I meant a phone that was available from a carrier. The 6P is only available on the Google Store
btw after November 6th I believe, HTC is going to bump the price up to 500$, which is disappointing because at 400$ it compares favorably to other fairly inexpensive phones like the OnePlus Two and Moto X. But at 500$, it'd make more sense to buy a Nexus 6P.
It´sad that a brand like HTC have to start cut corners to live on. I just hope that this is tehir mid-range phone to test out the market with their new design or try to get new buyers, and that they will release a "real" HTC flagship arround christmas.
I really hope so, because the A9 does not seem to be my next phone upgrading from HTC One M8 in may 2016, and that makes my sad and worried.
HTC One A9 or SAMSUNG Galaxy A5 (2016) ?
and why?
THX ;)
Funny title. The iPhone 6 has always put me in the mind of a HTC phone.
I'm a huge HTC fan..not that I haven't owned devices from other manufacturers, but I have a soft spot for them. Have always loved their designs and their Sense UI. Premium every time. But the One M9 was a massive disappointment by today's standards, and the company just needed to get people talking about HTC again. This may have purely been a 'troll' phone. An iPhone clone? Let me see! Wow
It does look like an iPhone! They've got people talking again, and imo, if they release something of note next year, THIS could be the biggest turning point. Negative or not, they've somehow managed to get back in the frame. And I for one am pleased :)