HTC One M9: leaked videos confirm specs for flagship smartphone
Expect a 20mp camera and powerful new processor on the HTC One M9, due for launch on 1 March
Details of HTC's new smartphone continue to leak out ahead of its launch in Barcelona on 1 March.
Three videos promoting the new phone – expected to be called the HTC One M9 – have been leaked by the well-known tipster @Upleaks. Together, the videos reveal pretty much everything there is to know about the new device. So what can we expect when it launches just ahead of the start of Mobile World Congress?
According to the leaked videos, the M9 boast a significantly improved 20-megapixel camera at the back, as well as a higher resolution "UltraPixel" front camera to improve your low-light selfies.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Engadget suggests that the front-mounted camera will most likely be 4-megapixel. The phone will also offer Dolby surround sound from HTC's "BoomSound" speakers.
Inside, the M9 will run an "eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor", says tech site The Verge.
HTC's new phone is also expected to come with Sense 7, the company's latest Android operating system skin. The new system will allow users to customise their phone's theme and features a new widget that shows apps based on a user's location – for example the system could show you news before you leave home in the morning, maps during your commute and then restaurant reviews and going out guides in the evening.
The M9 is also expected to include a new built-in photo editing suite that allows users to combine images to get the best of two exposures. Sense 7 also introduces a new three-finger swipe gesture for sharing media with friends.
Android Central says that if early leaks turn out to be accurate, "the device will retain a five-inch full-HD display". The site says it doesn't know if HTC will stick with the five-inch form factor – but that's what most users want.
The launch of the One M9 is critically important for the Taiwanese firm which is trying to halt three years of falling sales. While HTC is keeping the new product under wraps, Bloomberg says there is the possibility it will also release a smartwatch at the same time. Such rumours suggest that the company is attempting to move beyond the smartphone market. Android Central suspects the smartwatch will use technology developed by athletics brand Under Armour.
The two firms announced a partnership earlier this month, with Under Armour's 'UA Record' exercise app to run on the firm's phones. The App is part social network for athletes, part fitness tracker, allowing you to time your workouts and runs.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Tesla Cybertruck 2021: Elon Musk reveals why windows smashed in botched demo
The Week Recommends Divisive design hasn’t stopped 200,000 customers pre-ordering the electric pickup
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla Model S: which is king of the EVs?
The Week Recommends German firm enters the electric car ring, but it faces stiff competition from US rival
By The Week Staff Published
-
WRC 8 review: racing’s most underrated gaming franchise?
The Week Recommends Kylotonn’s latest rally game boasts a revamped handling model and F1-inspired career mode
By The Week Staff Published
-
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 - why is it so controversial?
The Week Recommends Rebooted shooter launches amid criticism over its portrayal of Russians
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Grid 2019 game review: can it match the highs of F1 2019?
The Week Recommends Codemasters’ revamped racer lands this week. Here’s what you need to know
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Apple September event 2019: how to watch the iPhone 11 launch and more
The Week Recommends New iPhones, MacBook Pro and Watch Series 5 are tipped to appear in just two hours
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Super Mario Maker 2 reviews: how does the sequel rate on Nintendo’s Switch?
The Week Recommends Build-your-own Mario game is already a sales hit - but can it win over the critics?
By The Week Staff Published
-
What is Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and when does it launch?
The Week Recommends Magical new augmented reality mobile game is based on Pokemon Go
By The Week Staff Published