The HTC One A9 is actually $499 after Nov 7th. Thoughts?

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

So, it seems like $399 was only a promotional price. $499 is the actual price of the phone.

Here are my thoughts.

HTC is a company in tough times. They desperately need to turn things around or close its doors. Unfortunately, they seem to have not thought things through.

The HTC One A9 is actually a capable phone. Packing somewhat decent hardware wrapped up in a polarizing but very premium design and great software. However, it's initial price of $399 was a bit tough as it was up in competition against some other phones, many of which pack punchier hardware on paper, like the Moto X Pure Edition, ASUS Zenfone 2 Deluxe, Nextbit Robin, Nexus 5X and even the OnePlus Two.

The $499 MSRP is actually a huge mistake, as that puts it in the territory of the Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4, Nexus 6P and other flagships launched earlier this year.

IMHO, the phone should have been $299 or somewhere around that mark. It's hard for HTC to make premium phones at affordable prices, but a phone that has weaker specs on paper compared to another phone at the same price just isn't gonna sell. I'm sorry, but that's the harsh reality. The non-techie consumers don't know what software optimization is. They just look at the spec sheet and buy the phone that has the strongest hardware and one with more features than the other.

 

[Jon_Doh]

They clearly said on launch day the $399 price was a temporary promotional price. $499 isn't a bad price if you consider the competition - the new Sony Xperia's are $695 and $650; The Nexus 5X is $380, but it's plastic. And how much does an iPhone cost? The Samsung Galaxy S6 was over $600 when it first came out so I don't think their pricing is out of range for a newly released phone. The price will likely be lower six months from now.

 

[austriak]

I think $499 is a mistake but I think you have to also conclude that the Nexus 5x pricing is a mistake as well then. Based on initial hands on reviews, the A9 is higher quality than the Nexus 5x in almost every way. The nexus 5x cut a lot of corners and is priced at $429 for 32gb model. The screen, memory, and build quality alone make the HTC One A9 so much better. The only thing that the nexus 5x has over it is .2 inches of screen and completely pure android. If $399 seems like the right price for the A9, I would argue that the 5x should be $300.

The A9 looks like a really sweet phone and one of the reasons I am giving it a try is because it is $399. Lately, I look at my iphone and think, "why do I pay so much more for this." Don't get me wrong, I like my iphone but I have had android and liked it as well.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

If you want an A9, you'd want to get one between now and November 7th.

I honestly don't think it's worth $499. $399 is palatable and $299 would be very sweet. At $499, the Nexus 6P and Galaxy S6 (both high-end flagship phones sporting premium metal builds) look much more tempting.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I think $499 is a mistake but I think you have to also conclude that the Nexus 5x pricing is a mistake as well then. Based on initial hands on reviews, the A9 is higher quality than the Nexus 5x in almost every way. The nexus 5x cut a lot of corners and is priced at $429 for 32gb model. The screen, memory, and build quality alone make the HTC One A9 so much better. The only thing that the nexus 5x has over it is .2 inches of screen and completely pure android. If $399 seems like the right price for the A9, I would argue that the 5x should be $300.

The A9 looks like a really sweet phone and one of the reasons I am giving it a try is because it is $399. Lately, I look at my iphone and think, "why do I pay so much more for this." Don't get me wrong, I like my iphone but I have had android and liked it as well.

I think we can safely say that many phones have their prices gone wrong.

I would say the Priv is too expensive, the A9 is somewhat overpriced and both it and the new Nexus devices have WILD overseas prices.

 

[megatomic]

If you want an A9, you'd want to get one between now and November 7th.

I honestly don't think it's worth $499. $399 is palatable and $299 would be very sweet. At $499, the Nexus 6P and Galaxy S6 (both high-end flagship phones sporting premium metal builds) look much more tempting.

I think $299 is too low for the A9, but I agree with the rest of what you said. $499 just ain't gonna happen for me.

 

[SharkyNY]

I pre-ordered mainly because they had said that it was just a promo price. With that said I'm in line with what most are saying. $499 is probably too much for this phone in this market. Sure it has some high end features (fingerprint scanner, Hi-Fi DAC, metal build, OIS), but other features are decidedly midrange (1080P AMOLED, 2150 mAh battery, 13 MP Sony IMX214). Many of the flagships of early 2015 have already crept down to that price range.

 

[anon(470989)]

I am fine with the phone at $399 but $499, no thanks. I really wish it had a better chip in it. My mind is blown how they think a 617 with Adreno 405 is worth $499. My HTC M7 has a better Gflops score than this.

 

[Ry]

Too many comparable if not downright better phones at around the same price. Moto X Pure Edition. Nexus 5X. Nexus 6P.

 

[anon(470989)]

Too many comparable if not downright better phones at around the same price. Moto X Pure Edition. Nexus 5X. Nexus 6P.

Well...I think they are aiming at the market that likes pocket-friendly phones...I hate to compare it with the likes of the Pure and 6P. The 5x, iPhone 6s, Z1 Compact, Galaxy 6, etc. are what I would consider its competitors.

 

[Ry]

Well...I think they are aiming at the market that likes pocket-friendly phones...I hate to compare it with the likes of the Pure and 6P. The 5x, iPhone 6s, Z1 Compact, Galaxy 6, etc. are what I would consider its competitors.

Size comparison: Nexus 5X vs. One A9

Factoring in non-promo pricing, not sure there is a compelling reason to buy the One M9 over the Nexus 5X.

 

[anon(470989)]

Oh I am fine with the 5x comparison, not the 6p. I did include the 5x in what I think is a good comparision phone. And I also agree, it would be really hard to pay $499 for an A9 opposed to $379 for the 5x. But at $399 its probably fine. It has things the 5x doesn't, and the 5x has things the A9 doesn't.

 

[morphodone]

Size comparison: Nexus 5X vs. One A9

Factoring in non-promo pricing, not sure there is a compelling reason to buy the One M9 over the Nexus 5X.

I just realized this phone is bigger than the One M9. And without front facing speakers. Geez. Albeit thinner.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I just realized this phone is bigger than the One M9. And without front facing speakers. Geez. Albeit thinner.

HTC seems to have a love affair with more bezels.......

The new Hamilton Beach SD toaster. Powered by the Snapdragon 810.

 

[bhatech]

After watching all the reviews definitely don't think it is worth or this is going to sell in any numbers at that price. I probably will cancel this actually after watching various reviews.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

After watching all the reviews definitely don't think it is worth or this is going to sell in any numbers at that price. I probably will cancel this actually after watching various reviews.

I think the battery life is a joke, especially at that price.

Which genius at HTC thought a 2,150mAh battery is sufficient?

 

[Jon_Doh]

I think the battery life is a joke, especially at that price.

Which genius at HTC thought a 2,150mAh battery is sufficient?

If you read the reviews of the 5X battery life is a joke there too. Seems like only Sony is releasing new phones with good battery life.

 

[bhatech]

If you read the reviews of the 5X battery life is a joke there too. Seems like only Sony is releasing new phones with good battery life.

Actually the 5X reviews didn't complain that much about battery, easily gets thru the day and also it has 2700 compared to 2150 in A9.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Actually the 5X reviews didn't complain that much about battery, easily gets thru the day and also it has 2700 compared to 2150 in A9.

Any battery issue with the 5X should be software-related since the capacity is actually good for the specs.

The new Hamilton Beach SD toaster. Powered by the Snapdragon 810.

 

[SharkyNY]

Add me to the list of those on the fence when it comes to canceling the pre-order. Kind of disappointed by what the reviews are saying about battery life. Not that its terribly surprising given the low capacity the battery has, but I still had hopes in so far as optimization.