99.9% sure leak

[Inders99]

Regarding Samsung not changing their design, from what I can tell, people never really complain about the physical look of the device. While not everyone likes the home button, that is their design and it does provide functionality for them. I don't feel that the HTC black bar and the Samsung home button are the same since one has a function and one doesn't. I have heard the black bar is for some engineering reason, but other phones don't need that dead space and I haven't seen it definitively stated from HTC that this is required. However, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm mistaken.

I think Apple proved that nice looking good quality phones do appeal to the public. Regarding the black bar and speakers, I know that people won't purchase it because those areas are valuable real estate, should be used to maximize the screen instead of looking at two "in your face" speaker grilles. Surely they could have done a better job with the design.

 

[Inders99]

But Samsung has only ever done the same thing with each of their smartphones. All of the Galaxy S updates were small and evolutionary, same with all of the Note updates...So why can't HTC do the same thing? In fact, every smartphone manufacturer has done the same thing.

Simple, because they sell a fraction of the volume of the phones that Samsung does. Samsung is taking the direction of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" because they're the leader, HTC meanwhile needs to shake it up. I know people who've never heard of HTC. A third straight iteration of the same clunky phone won't do it.

 

[smooth4lyfe]

From The Verge...99.9% sure this is it according to them. Pretty confident huh? For their sake I hope they're right, for mine...time to start looking for LG leaks, this design just doesn't do it for me. Done with Sammy too, so two down one to go...ugh.

Don't judge this One by its cover | The Verge

I see your point, but would you rather have a decent looking phone with amazing specs? Or would have rather have an amazing looking phone with sub-par specs?

If the HTC M9 has a great camera, no lag, great speed, and great sound, I still think it will be good despite that it looks like the M8

 

[P_Devil]

Im still gonna buy at launch. It didnt need a total redesign. The m7 & m8 were two of the best designed phones out there. People are overreacting.

I agree. I still might get something else but I agree that people are overreacting. I'm just looking for something with a bigger display. I think I will still get the M9 because the design I still pretty solid, the internal specs are an improvement over my S5, the battery life with Android 5.0.0 will be a lot better than my S5, and the camera should be an improvement too (assuming there's OIS). I just want a 5.5" (or larger) phone but, if HTC offers all of the improvements I want except the screen size, I'll definitely consider it for a day one buy.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Inders99]

I see your point, but would you rather have a decent looking phone with amazing specs? Or would have rather have an amazing looking phone with sub-par specs?

If the HTC M9 has a great camera, no lag, great speed, and great sound, I still think it will be good despite that it looks like the M8

When making decisions like this I try to put myself as the CEO of HTC, would I want form or function is what you're asking...well I'm directing my company to do both. I'm directing my company to make a buzz, I'm trying to take some of that market share from Sammy. Having two big clunky speakers and a black bar staring at my face for a 3rd year doesn't hack it.

The phones aren't even out and Sammy's getting all the buzz already, HTC is in its typical subdued role. They're losing and it's not even Sunday.

 

[smooth4lyfe]

The phones aren't even out and Sammy's getting all the buzz already, HTC is in its typical subdued role. They're losing and it's not even Sunday.

I would blame this more on Samsung's marketing scheme...they make videos every week about the S6, and HTC has not really made any. Samsung posts S6 information on their twitter and instagram too. I honestly don't have that much high hope for the M9 from seeing the leaked videos. I think it will be an improvement, but if the camera on the M9 is bad, the whole phone will pretty much be a fail because they put so much emphasis on their camera improvement

 

[neo905]

I see your point, but would you rather have a decent looking phone with amazing specs? Or would have rather have an amazing looking phone with sub-par specs?

If the HTC M9 has a great camera, no lag, great speed, and great sound, I still think it will be good despite that it looks like the M8

You make a great point. I was willing to overlook the 1080p more when the design was greatly improved. Now with the same design and still 1080p it is looking like they are trying to pull a fast one here and be cheap. Whereas before I felt they were making the proper compromises. It becomes a perception thing.

 

[codeda]

I was one of those that was really hoping this would be the phone for me and I know everyone thinks the design has been beautiful, but I have never been a fan of the m7 or m8. I'm not the only one either. When I've shown it to non tech friends they think the front is ugly and that's exactly what I don't like. My problem isn't so much the bar, but I hate the look of the speaker grills. Much prefer the nexus9/nexus 6 speakers. Anyway I know internals are important but a lot of people (average joes) don't know or care about specs and go by looks or what they already know. I too am rooting for htc but this phone isn't going to do what they need in sales if the other two didn't .


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Senden]

It's not the M8 customers they are trying to woo here. Most people don't get a new phone every year. It is the 2 year contract cycle that matters and people coming from alternatives. As an M7 user I would have liked to see something much different. The evleak was a slamdunk sale. Now I am looking at other options as well as the M9. For new users to HTC this may attract them. They may have not gotten it last year because of the camera so this would be all new for them. They just don't have the advertising budget to attract those people. So they will be spinning their tires again this year unless they come out with a Phablet that looks like the evleak render. Then they have a chance.

As an almost certain new user to HTC, I would say it's definitely put me off. The main reason I initially went with the S4 over the M7 was because of the ultrapixel camera. That should have got rid of that with the M8 but still stuck by it despite the negative opinion of it. Now it's great that they've sorted that but why not go all out and improve on an already amazing design? Now as I'm new to HTC, I can't say I'm as familiar with them as Samsung but to me, it just seems like they are settling as opposed to trying to blow people away. As said, that evleak render was incredible and has made the actual design seem so sloppy in comparison. Now I'd still say I'm likely to go with the M9 but I've gone from almost certain and uninterested in the competition to actually curious to see what Samsung has up their sleeves.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

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

Now with the camera seemingly in tact, they have to get the marketing right to be successful.

Contrary to what phone enthusiasts believe, the looks of a phone aren't imperative to its success. If that were the case, then Samsung wouldn't be leading in Android sales.

A new design wouldn't turn things around for HTC. The right marketing/advertising pitch would. The One's design or build quality was never its problem and won't be its problem in 2015.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Contrary to what phone enthusiasts believe, the looks of a phone aren't imperative to its success. If that were the case, then Samsung wouldn't be leading in Android sales.

Unless of course it's just that non-enthusiasts like Samsung's designs.

 

[Inders99]

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

Now with the camera seemingly in tact, they have to get the marketing right to be successful.

Contrary to what phone enthusiasts believe, the looks of a phone aren't imperative to its success. If that were the case, then Samsung wouldn't be leading in Android sales.

A new design wouldn't turn things around for HTC. The right marketing/advertising pitch would. The One's design or build quality was never its problem and won't be its problem in 2015.

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.

 

[Bearcats98]

Sorry but to say looks wont sway people but marketing will...you have to show the product. In short the leaked photos show very little difference between the M8 and the supposed M9. The product (as leaked) is making people feel like a rehash. If you are purchasing a car and they sold it as the "new" model (not a refresh) and it has the latest tech in it buts still looks like a car sold five years ago that, would that be high on anybodys list?

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!". I have also went from almost certain to a wait and see what everyone else says after a month or two.

 

[Inders99]

I have also went from almost certain to a wait and see what everyone else says after a month or two.

Yeah...I've gone from certain buy to actually looking at what Sammy's going to present (which I really had NO interest in what-so-ever) to waiting for the G4. Heck, I've held on to my GS3 for so long I might as well do it for a few more months. Sad...I had my heart set on a change to HTC.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

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.

iPhone's success isn't purely on how the device looks. It's a combination of the device, the OS, the service, the quality, their awesome returns policy, marketing and branding.

And your description of the M8 looks and feel is contrary to a lot of other people and critics. That's fine if you feel that way, but I don't think that's how the general public would feel about it.

If sales were just based off looks, HTC would be among the top Android OEM's in sales.

Sorry but to say looks wont sway people but marketing will...you have to show the product. In short the leaked photos show very little difference between the M8 and the supposed M9. The product (as leaked) is making people feel like a rehash. If you are purchasing a car and they sold it as the "new" model (not a refresh) and it has the latest tech in it buts still looks like a car sold five years ago that, would that be high on anybodys list?

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!". I have also went from almost certain to a wait and see what everyone else says after a month or two.

The M8 wasn't a monsterous seller. The general public don't even know what the One M8 is, so the One M9 looking the same doesn't matter - barely anyone will realise it's a similar design to a previous phone - and even if they did, it wouldn't necessarily be a negative.

If what you said was true, then Apple's 'S' model phones (4S, 5S) should have been rejected as rehashes by the public. Turns out the S models sold more than the non-S models (4S sold more than 4, 5S sold more than 5). So clearly, having the exact same design isn't the determining factor of success or not.

Again, the design isn't the issue for the M7, M8 or M9. It never was the issue. HTC's goal at the moment is to market and advertise the M9 aggressively so the general public will consider the HTC One when they want to buy a new flagship phone. They have the design and quality down pat. It's now about getting the message out there.

HTC isn't banking on One M8 owners upgrading to the One M9. They're banking on bringing in more, newer customers as their major priority, then having those who purchased the M7 upgrading to the M9 when their 2 year contract runs out. The M8 to M9 upgrades would be a very small minority.

 

[Inders99]

And your description of the M8 looks and feel is contrary to a lot of other people and critics. That's fine if you feel that way, but I don't think that's how the general public would feel about it.

The public spoke, they didn't like it, wasn't a huge seller. Front facing speakers are brilliant, monstrous speakers/grilles taking up valuable screen real estate are not. Slippery phones are a turn off too.

If what you said was true, then Apple's 'S' model phones (4S, 5S) should have been rejected as rehashes by the public. .

The difference is that they were successful rehashes. The M8 is not, rehashing the same failed design is corporate suicide. Why a CEO would permit the continuation of a failed design is puzzling, HTC is going to get smoked by Apple, Samsung, LG, and Moto later in the year not to mention the One plus 2 and other value proposition brands.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

The public spoke, they didn't like it, wasn't a huge seller. Front facing speakers are brilliant, monstrous speakers/grilles taking up valuable screen real estate are not. Slippery phones are a turn off too.

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 difference is that they were successful rehashes. The M8 is not, rehashing the same failed design is corporate suicide. Why a CEO would permit the continuation of a failed design is puzzling, HTC is going to get smoked by Apple, Samsung, LG, and Moto later in the year not to mention the One plus 2 and other value proposition brands.

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.

 

[BuffOrange]

These theories on what average users care about are hilarious. They're not 3rd world aliens with horns on their head. Normal people know some of them in their personal lives. I was one of them two years ago. Advertising doesn't hurt, but the extent to which carriers feature a product both in store and online are vital. Similarity to previous year's model which they probably didn't know existed is about 11,783 on their list of concerns.

 

[lindseybp]

These theories on what average users care about are hilarious. They're not 3rd world aliens with horns on their head. Normal people know some of them in their personal lives. I was one of them two years ago. Advertising doesn't hurt, but the extent to which carriers feature a product both in store and online are vital. Similarity to previous year's model which they probably didn't know existed is about 11,783 on their list of concerns.

That's where Samsung absolutely destroys HTC, advertising/marketing and carrier prominence. Lots of people know Samsung Galaxy from all the ads during major tv shows/sporting events. They get premium real estate in carrier store, assuming because they put the cash out to do it along with incentives to push galaxy phones for the sales people. HTC's marketing pales in comparison....which is too bad because they have a good product.

 

[markymark]

These theories on what average users care about are hilarious. They're not 3rd world aliens with horns on their head. Normal people know some of them in their personal lives. I was one of them two years ago. Advertising doesn't hurt, but the extent to which carriers feature a product both in store and online are vital. Similarity to previous year's model which they probably didn't know existed is about 11,783 on their list of concerns.

That's not the point. The point is...if last year's model was not a big seller, and this year's model is practically the same phone with a few minor tweaks, then it seems pretty obvious that this year's model won't be a big seller either. And HTC will spend another year struggling to get market share and stay afloat. I'm holding out hope that it's all misdirection and they will come out with something more revolutionary. But it doesn't seem likely.