CES 2015 is now behind us and we are already beginning to turn our attention towards Mobile World Congress. Sometime around this timeframe we not only expect to see Samsung’s latest Galaxy S release, but it’s pretty likely HTC will unveil the One M8’s successor as well.
While there have been rumors about the HTC One M9 (aka HTC Hima) for months now, many of them have either been vague or somewhat contradictory to one another. Still, with it only being a few months (or less) before we see the One M9, we have decided to put together a very early look at what the M9 may end up like. As we learn more about the M9 we will be sure to update this post to give you an even more accurate look at what to expect.
DESIGN
Hima (M9) should feature similar design language to its predecessors
There have yet to be any leaked images or really any major rumors talking about a design shakeup for the HTC One M9 (aka Hima). Given how the One has evolved from the M7 and M8, we imagine the next-gen flagship will retain a similar look and feel when compared to its predecessors, though we expect there will be at least some minor refinements to HTC design’s language.
There have been whispers that HTC will further improve the build quality by switching to a tougher aluminum alloy when compared to the M7 and M8, but really there’s few concrete details about how it will differ. The device is also said to be launching in Gray, Silver, Gold or Gunmetal Gold color choices.
If well-known leaker Upleaks proves correct, we can tell you the size of the phone will be quite similar to the One M8 at 144.3 x 69.4 x 9.56mm. For those wondering, the M8 came in at 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4mm.
DISPLAY
At least when it comes to size and res, the One M9 should provide a similar experience to the M8
Some of the early rumors associated with the HTC One M9 claimed the phone would have a larger 5.5-inch display, but the most recent rumors have instead pointed towards a more modest 5-inch 1080p display. While not as impressive as the QHD resolutions adopted by some of 2014’s flagship products, the One M9 (Hima) appears to have a much smaller display than most of the phones that have went with QHD, and so the difference in resolution shouldn’t be that noticeable.
HTC ONE M9 SPECS
Again early rumors pegged the One M9 as a device that wouldn’t rock the boat when it came to specs, as it was believed to carry a modest Snapdragon 805 chipset. More recently, more than one rumor has suggested that this isn’t really the case and that the One M9 will actually pack a Snapdragon 810 with 3GB RAM. Considering the fact that the LG G Flex 2 is launching with this chipset, we can’t say we’d be too surprised. Battery life is also expected to make a minor jump upwards, going from the 2600 mAh battery in the M8 to a 2840 mAh battery. As always, except the battery to be non-removable.
As for other sensors? It’s hard to say what HTC will or won’t bring to the table. With more flagships bringing stuff like heart rate monitors and fingerprint scanners to the mix, it’s possible HTC will follow suit. The M7 and M8 didn’t pack these extras, but it is worth mentioning that the HTC One Max did in fact offer a fingerprint reader upon its debut.
CAMERA
Ultrapixels and Duo likely won’t see a return on the rear of the Hima (M9)
HTC has come under a lot of flack for its Ultrapixel camera, but this time around HTC is finally switching things up a bit. Reportedly, the phone will offer a 20.7MP rear facing camera, though the exact sensor isn’t known just yet. On the front, reports say there will either be a 13MP shooter or a 4MP UltraPixel camera — with the former being similar to the Desire Eye’s setup and the latter akin to the new Desire 826.
SOUND QUALITY
One thing HTC is known for is its sound quality, and we don’t except things to change with the One M9. In the past Beats has powered the sound tech behind the One series, but according to at least a few early reports, HTC may be teaming up with Bose this time around.
SOFTWARE FEATURES
Not a lot of rumors have focused on what exactly might be different with the HTC One M9 (Hima) software, though you can expect it to run Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7 on top. No news on special software features or improvements just yet, though we’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we learn more.
RELEASE DATE
Just like the HTC One M8, HTC latest flagship is expected to arrive sometime in March, likely around the same timeframe as Mobile World Congress. No exact dates are rumored just yet, though we wouldn’t be too shocked if HTC stages an unveil sometime in earlier March in order to coincide with MWC.
RETURN OF THE MAX SERIES?
The original One Max
A bit earlier in this post we said that rumors originally claimed the One M9 would offer a 5.5-inch display, only for later reports to suggest the actual size will just be 5-inches. As it turns out, the 5.5-inch claim may have some merit, though it applies to the upcoming “Max”-sized model and not the standard M9.
The One Max series has pretty much be a one-off release for HTC. Tons of reports surfaced about an alleged One M8 Max (aka One Prime) last year, though nothing ever became of these rumors. Now the latest claim is that the One M9 Max, aka the HTC Hima Ace Plus, will debut with a bigger 5.5-inch QHD display that is “bezel free” in design, allowing for the phone’s footprint to be as small as possible.
Allegedly the phone will have the same Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB RAM as its littler brother, the One M9. In fact, the only major difference in specs will be the display size. While the idea of a “larger” M9, alongside a smaller 5-inch model, sounds great — we wouldn’t get our hopes up just yet. Even if the rumored device is real, the rumor mill says it won’t debut until sometime between August and September, and that’s a pretty long ways off.
WRAP UP
One M7 and One M8
Just like the Galaxy S6, all we have is a semi-fuzzy image of what to expect from HTC’s Hima (M9) at this point. That said, most of the rumors are consistent in regards to the fact that the phone won’t see any massive changes in design language and, like the M8, will simply further refine the HTC One formula, instead of trying to reinvent it.
What do you hope to see from the HTC One M9 (aka Hima)? Let us know in the comments. Also be sure to participate in our poll!