HTC One M9 Review!

The HTC One M9 review starts by framing the device as a familiar evolution of the M8, emphasizing that while the exterior remains largely the same, the real changes are inside. The video notes a refined metal build that remains slippery and a power button relocation that some viewers may dislike, pairing it with a new brushed metal look and a color-accented side strip. The reviewer highlights the display as still excellent and a standout with the best speakers on any smartphone, referring to BoomSound as a defining feature and praising the 1080p panel for its brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angles. Dolby audio integration is explained as a software toggle between music and theater modes, with music mode delivering loud, clean sound and theater mode simulating a surround effect at the expense of naturalness. The software surface is praised for its clean feel built on Android 5.0.2 with Sense 7, noting a preference for stock Android but acknowledging Sense’s improvements, especially with BlinkFeed and the new theming engine that lets users customize the UI extensively. The review discusses Sense 7’s multitasking options, the addition of screen-off gestures, and the new home screen widget that leverages location data to suggest apps, which can be disabled if annoying. Overall performance is described as excellent thanks to 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 810, delivering fast and fluid navigation with minimal stutter, though the device does get warm under heavy use. Battery life is characterized as decent, with a roughly three to four hour screen-on time and days ending with ample charge left, despite one anomalous day where it died early. The core camera discussion reveals a major tradeoff: a 20MP rear sensor replacing the M8’s 4MP UltraPixel, but with poor dynamic range and inconsistent exposure that undermines image quality, even with HDR. The reviewer notes that while the camera can occasionally produce sharp, detailed images, the overall results are not reliable, and video capture remains underwhelming with 4K looking like upscaled 720p. The video concludes by rating the One M9 as a well-built, fast device with top-tier speakers and a great display, but advises camera-conscious buyers to weigh the tradeoffs, praising the hardware while acknowledging the camera’s flaws. Viewers are invited to like and subscribe for more reviews.

Topics · mobile_devices · hardware · display · software · audio · camera