HTC announces the One M9 with Sense 7.0, a Snapdragon 810 chip, 20MP rear camera

HTC has announced what could be the one of the only flagships this year that is smaller than than its predecessor. Today, the company officially unveiled the One M9, an evolutionary upgrade over the M8, featuring a 5-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable internal storage.

Along with a refreshed hardware design, which features a two-toned dual anodization process, HTC has managed to shave a few millimetres off the top and sides of the device, though the chassis itself, which is inlaid like two conjoined pieces of metal, is slightly thicker than its predecessor thanks to a 2,840mAh battery.

HTC’s newest device launches with Sense 7.0, which doesn’t depart too much from 6.0 other than to add some context-based personalization on the home screen, a fantastic Theming Engine, and some new effects in the photo editor. As with every Sense refresh, this one feels modern and respective, a refinement more than a reinvention.

This can be found in nearly every aspect of the One M9 — measure twice, cut once — except for the rear camera, which has been boosted from 4MP to 20MP. HTC isn’t ridding itself completely of the UltraPixel branding, but the 20MP rear camera was added in response to customer feedback. Many One M8 customers liked the phone’s Duo Cam setup, but found the absolute resolution difficult to work with in post-production. The higher-resolution sensor also allows for 4K video capture, a first for an HTC product. And that UltraPixel sensor from the One M8? It’s moved to the front where it can be used as a selfie cam with all of HTC’s recently-added Eye Experiences.

While on the surface, the One M9 doesn’t appear to be a huge upgrade over its predecessor — and in many ways it isn’t — the company is taking the “s” approach that Apple has made famous over the past few years. It understands that most potential M9 buyers will be coming from an earlier HTC device, like a One X or One M7, or from an older Android product. To them, the One M9 is a huge upgrade.

Availability

According to HTC Canada, the One M9 will be available in Canada on Bell, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, and Videotron in early spring. More information on availability will be shared in the coming weeks. “

For more, check out our HTC One M9 hands-on and video.

Specs:

• Android 5.0.2 w/ Sense 7.0
• 5.0-inch 1920×1080 Super LCD 3 display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core processor (4 x 2.0Ghz, 4 x 1.5Ghz)
• 3GB RAM / 32GB internal storage
• 2,840mAh battery
• 20MP rear camera, F2.2 lens / 4K video capture
• 4MP UltraPixel front camera, F2.0 lens
• HTC BoomSound speakers
• 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.61 mm
• 157 grams
• Category 6 LTE