99.9% sure leak

[LindtChocolate]

The design was never the problem with the M8. The camera and marketing was.

You're joking right? The bezels are gigantic and disgusting. The only reason HTC gets buys anymore is because of their looks. Their marketing is not going to get better anytime soon, so why not try to capitalize on being the most beautiful smartphone? This is a pathetic cop-out of a phone and the only real change is that camera on the back.

 

[Brian Low]

I'd argue the public don't know about the device. Apple and Samsung spend more on marketing and advertising that HTC are worth as a company - HTC simply cannot compete against that.

It's not like every person who purchased a smartphone knew of all the high-end flagships, researched them and weighed up the pro's and con's of each. The two devices they would have known of are iPhone and Galaxy. No surprise they were the two companies dumping most money into marketing/advertising and no surprise that they were the highest selling smartphones on their respective platforms.



The M8 outsold the M7, so I don't know how that's a 'failed design'. Seeing as you seem to think the success/failure of a phone purely on its design, it would make sense to release a design similar to a phone that sold more than their previous one.

HTC was always going to get smoked by Apple/Samsung/LG etc. They are larger corporations with more money to splash on advertising. When the iPhone and Galaxy is on every tv advert, every billboard, newspapers, website ads, trains, bus stops etc - it's kind of hard for the public to know about HTC.

Even if HTC did change their design to be that evleaks one (or some other one that's deemed beautiful), they'd still get 'smoked' by Apple and Samsung.

I don't get why you're putting so much weight into the looks of the device. It's much, much more than that.

Im going to have to disagree with your last statement. For most people i believe looks play a very very VERY large factor for those that are not tech enthusiasts. I have many friends,family and even asked people around my college that own iPhones why they like it. Very simply put they all said the exact same thing. "Its pretty", "its beautiful". For comparisons sake i asked a close friend of mine how he thought the M8 looked, he said it was ugly due to the speaker grills and he's more engrossed by phone tech than me. You can argue that i'm generalizing based on the area i live in but to be blunt, looks are probably the number 1 thing people look for when choosing a phone. Just my two cents.

 

[taft]

For me I wasn't hyped on renders made by evleak, but on the hope that 2 years later the tech would have been developed enough that the massive bezels/wasted space from the speakers could be reduced. The evleak render was amazing, but all I needed was a more usable phone to get me to buy. I did not like the M8 design, and with it being certain at this point that the M9 will be a upgraded M8 (let's not kid ourselves on the M9 looking any different) so the M9 is a non-starter for me.

I consider this a big error on HTCs part as, whether people knew about the M7/8 design or not, the M9 design must compete against much higher standards in competor build quality.

 

[warpdrive]

I disagree with most of you. Like hero said, it's all about marketing.

I too said the same thing in my disappointment thread. No matter how much the phone looks the same or different, without marketing it won't get recognized by the masses.

I know people who still don't even have a smart phone. Ok, they are mostly old people. But they recognize the name Samsung and Galaxy. HTC? "what's that?" they say. Even Motorola and LG is in the same boat due to lack of marketing.

Last year, the only reason why the m8 out sold the award winning m7 was that HTC advertised for 3 months straight instead of only one. As much as they tried, they need to market for way longer then that. Say 6 to 9 months. Then people will know the name.

At least in the US, you'll be lucky to see a Motorola or LG commercial without a carrier advertising it. And then it only gets a month or so before that campaign is done. HTC has gotten better. But they can not campaign for 6 months. They can't afford to make fun of us like Samsung and put out an ad within a day or two. That cost money. But that is how you get new and exciting customers to look at you. Looks? Yeah, Ok. Who is gonna look if they don't even know you.

Posted via Android Central App using the all new HTC One (m8)

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

You're joking right? The bezels are gigantic and disgusting. The only reason HTC gets buys anymore is because of their looks.

You say the bezels are gigantic and disgusting, then you go on to say the only reason HTC gets buys is because of its looks? So which is it? Is it disgusting, or good looking enough that it gets purchased?

so why not try to capitalize on being the most beautiful smartphone?

They already have one of the most beautiful smartphones - at least in the realm of Android phones. Looks have never been what the One series has been criticised for - it's been revered for it.

Don't take my word for it, read Android Central's review: HTC One Review (M8) | Android Central

Plus many (just about every?) review praises the look and design of the One M8. I don't recall of a review where they claimed the design to be a negative aspect. If you think it's ugly, that's fine, but I'm afraid you may be in the minority.

Im going to have to disagree with your last statement. For most people i believe looks play a very very VERY large factor for those that are not tech enthusiasts. I have many friends,family and even asked people around my college that own iPhones why they like it. Very simply put they all said the exact same thing. "Its pretty", "its beautiful". For comparisons sake i asked a close friend of mine how he thought the M8 looked, he said it was ugly due to the speaker grills and he's more engrossed by phone tech than me. You can argue that i'm generalizing based on the area i live in but to be blunt, looks are probably the number 1 thing people look for when choosing a phone. Just my two cents.

I'm not doubting looks is a factor in the purchasing decisions of customer, I'm just saying it's not the only decision. There have been 'ugly' phones that have been very successful. Phones that look exactly the same as one another, released a year apart that have been very successful - so clearly looks aren't the only thing consumers are after when they purchase something.

As mentioned - the looks of the One isn't HTC's concern. The critics rave about it as being one of the best things about the phone. HTC's concern is being able to get enough advertising out there so consumers consider it when making a purchasing decision.

 

[mountainman]

Im going to have to disagree with your last statement. For most people i believe looks play a very very VERY large factor for those that are not tech enthusiasts. I have many friends,family and even asked people around my college that own iPhones why they like it. Very simply put they all said the exact same thing. "Its pretty", "its beautiful". For comparisons sake i asked a close friend of mine how he thought the M8 looked, he said it was ugly due to the speaker grills and he's more engrossed by phone tech than me. You can argue that i'm generalizing based on the area i live in but to be blunt, looks are probably the number 1 thing people look for when choosing a phone. Just my two cents.

I partially agree ...looks sell. Which amazes me because the iPhone 6 is an ugly device.

I don't think any smartphone on the market right now looks good.

 

[smooth3006]

the only thing im disappointed in is that i see no promo for the m9 from any of the carriers like with the s6. the only way htc could trump the s6 sunday is by having the phone be available for purchase the same day. regardless im getting one.

 

[npaladin-2000]

the only thing im disappointed in is that i see no promo for the m9 from any of the carriers like with the s6. the only way htc could trump the s6 sunday is by having the phone be available for purchase the same day. regardless im getting one.

Carriers aren't doing all that much device advertising anymore, Samsung, Apple, and LG tend to do their own.

 

[smooth3006]

Carriers aren't doing all that much device advertising anymore, Samsung, Apple, and LG tend to do their own.

Sprint and tmobile have adverts for the s6 already.

 

[Inders99]

The critics rave about it as being one of the best things about the phone.

Critics don't buy phones. Everybody pretty much said that the software aspect of the phone is good, that only leaves the gorky looks and feel as the main reason people aren't buying it.

Look, we're on waaaayyy opposite sides here. If I run HTC I'm not looking to keep the status quo because the status quo means getting smoked by the competition. If your goal is to remain a small player and actually lose ground as Huawei and One Plus (not to mention the others) gain market share then you're not going to be liked by your shareholders.

The proof is in the numbers, if you're ok with that then that's fine, but it's a failed strategy that won't bode well for the manufacturer, and that's sad because I'm tired of my Samsung. Now on to the LG...

 

[ibcop]

Critics don't buy phones. Everybody pretty much said that the software aspect of the phone is good, that only leaves the gorky looks and feel as the main reason people aren't buying it.

Look, we're on waaaayyy opposite sides here. If I run HTC I'm not looking to keep the status quo because the status quo means getting smoked by the competition. If your goal is to remain a small player and actually lose ground as Huawei and One Plus (not to mention the others) gain market share then you're not going to be liked by your shareholders.

The proof is in the numbers, if you're ok with that then that's fine, but it's a failed strategy that won't bode well for the manufacturer, and that's sad because I'm tired of my Samsung. Now on to the LG...

I'm going to watch the G4 as well but those back button are tough for me to get used to. I dig some stuff with LG, Samsung, HTC and Moto. If only we could make a device with all the good stuff! Lol

 

[Inders99]

I'm going to watch the G4 as well but those back button are tough for me to get used to. I dig some stuff with LG, Samsung, HTC and Moto. If only we could make a device with all the good stuff! Lol

I have no experience with the G3 but the back buttons really make sense to me, I think I'd really like it. For me, I find the side buttons kind of a pain. Nice to have options, I'll reluctantly check out the S6 now too. Not sure if I'll hold out for the new Moto.

 

[ibcop]

I have no experience with the G3 but the back buttons really make sense to me, I think I'd really like it. For me, I find the side buttons kind of a pain. Nice to have options, I'll reluctantly check out the S6 now too. Not sure if I'll hold out for the new Moto.

I had a G2 and G3 and I preferred the G2 over the G3 but the G3 offered the MicroSD and removable battery. I recently sold the G3 preparing for the next device.

 

[P_Devil]

Can't disagree enough, iPhone has proven that absolutely false. People are attracted to quality and performance. The M8 is gorky looking and felt terrible in the hand last time I picked it up.

But, if looks were everything, nobody would be getting an iPhone since each update has only been evolutionary in terms of looks. You may not have liked the looks lof the M8 but that doesn't mean that your opinion applies to everyone. Either way, Apple's sales have only proven that people like iPhones and some consumers fall victim to marketing.

I hold out hope but the M8 design didn't interest me and how many current M8 users are going to go "wow, I need that M9. Its better than my phone and looks the same I better ditch mine and buy that!".

To be fair, smartphone updates aren't made for people upgrading on an annual basis. Most people (at leas in the U.S.) still buy phones through contracts only and upgrade once every two years when their contracts are up It doesn't matter who the manufacturer is, their updated models are only going to seem evolutionary to people who get new ones every year.

 

[ibcop]

To be fair, smartphone updates aren't made for people upgrading on an annual basis. Most people (at leas in the U.S.) still buy phones through contracts only and upgrade once every two years when their contracts are up It doesn't matter who the manufacturer is, their updated models are only going to seem evolutionary to people who get new ones every year.

This is true. I know some people that are still sporting the S3 and can't wait to upgrade - they are going to be in for a good surprise .

 

[Inders99]

This is true. I know some people that are still sporting the S3 and can't wait to upgrade - they are going to be in for a good surprise .

That's me!! My GS3 is still chugging and it'll do good enough to get me to the LG roll-out.

 

[Inders99]

But, if looks were everything, nobody would be getting an iPhone since each update has only been evolutionary in terms of looks. You may not have liked the looks lof the M8 but that doesn't mean that your opinion applies to everyone. Either way, Apple's sales have only proven that people like iPhones and some consumers fall victim to marketing.

Here's the difference, the iPhone was a winner in every phase from the start, not so with the HTC series...never really gained any traction.

And I think my opinion does apply to many since it's sales are way below the others, and losing ground to the new companies.

Regarding your last sentence, Apple makes a premier phone, you can't deny that. From its hardware to the software it's a winner. Not for me though, I prefer to tweak my phones a bit and to me, Android makes more sense to my mind (what little mind I have left).

 

[markymark]

They already have one of the most beautiful smartphones - at least in the realm of Android phones. Looks have never been what the One series has been criticised for - it's been revered for it.

Don't take my word for it, read Android Central's review: HTC One Review (M8) | Android Central

Plus many (just about every?) review praises the look and design of the One M8. I don't recall of a review where they claimed the design to be a negative aspect. If you think it's ugly, that's fine, but I'm afraid you may be in the minority.



I'm not doubting looks is a factor in the purchasing decisions of customer, I'm just saying it's not the only decision. There have been 'ugly' phones that have been very successful. Phones that look exactly the same as one another, released a year apart that have been very successful - so clearly looks aren't the only thing consumers are after when they purchase something.

As mentioned - the looks of the One isn't HTC's concern. The critics rave about it as being one of the best things about the phone. HTC's concern is being able to get enough advertising out there so consumers consider it when making a purchasing decision.

Critics don't make successful phones. "Critically acclaimed" TV shows get cancelled all the time if nobody watches them. Consumers vote with their wallets and the M8 comes up short in that vote. And if the M9 is just a slightly tweaked M8 it will come up short too. Let's face it...the M8 was a nice phone no doubt, but compared to the evleaks renders, the M8 is ugly and dated. The evleaks phone would be an instant buy for me and lots of others. A slightly tweaked M8...not so much.

 

[Love Divine]

The M8 is still the best-designed and best-looking Android handset, easily. On that front, I could see why people would be pleased with the M9. Even if it doesn't change much from the M8 looks and design-wise, it'll be the best.

That said, it's always disappointing to see the same design the next year, as a big part of the excitement comes from using something entirely new. If were in the market for an Android phone I'd keep a close eye on the M9. If it delivers on the camera front (even putting out something very comparable with its rivals) then it will be a hit. No other phone will likely be as well-designed, and it'll succeed for sure on the speed, sound and software fronts. A 2900mah battery ensures it'll be a battery-life champ.

 

[lindseybp]

The M8 is still the best-designed and best-looking Android handset, easily. On that front, I could see why people would be pleased with the M9. Even if it doesn't change much from the M8 looks and design-wise, it'll be the best.

That said, it's always disappointing to see the same design the next year, as a big part of the excitement comes from using something entirely new. If were in the market for an Android phone I'd keep a close eye on the M9. If it delivers on the camera front (even putting out something very comparable with its rivals) then it will be a hit. No other phone will likely be as well-designed, and it'll succeed for sure on the speed, sound and software fronts. A 2900mah battery ensures it'll be a battery-life champ.

The problem is it will not be a hit with enough consumers....same as the M8.