Category: HTC

HTC One E9+ Spotted on the Company’s China Website

There was recently rumours about an HTC’s new device known as the A55 which flaunted some amazing specs. The device was to be a part of the company’s Desire line of handsets. Now the company has gone ahead and quietly posted the A55 on its Chinese website but with a new name. It is now called the HTC One E9+.

The specifications for the device is close to what was previously rumored about the A55. It sports 5.5″ Quad HD display and is powered by a 64-bit, octa-core MediaTek MT6795M chipset along with 2GB RAM. It offers 16GB of internal storage which is expandable, but the limit hasn’t been stated yet. The device will be juiced up through a 2800 mAh battery.

It offers a 13 MP camera at the back and 4MP UltraPixel camera in the front. It features a metal frame design and would be a refreshing change over last year’s HTC One E8 which had an appealing design but was made of plastic. The device runs HTC Sense 7 UI based on Android Lollipop.

There are a few discrepancies in the websites relating to specs at the moment, so some of these specs may change with updates to the website. But looking at the features, it appears that like last year, HTC plans to bring a slightly stripped down version of its flagship, the HTC One M9. The One E9+ will be available in meteor grey, gold sepia, and two-tone classic rose gold colour options.

March 30, 2015
HTC Desire 820s with the 8MP Front Camera Arrives in India

Months after the announcement of the Desire 820s, HTC has now launched the device in India. It has been priced at Rs. 24,890.

The Desire 820s boasts a 5.5-inch wide 720p display and is powered by the 64-bit Octa-Core MediaTek MT6572 processor clocked at 1.7GHz. The phone has 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage space onboard, which is expandable. Running on Google’s operating system Android 4.4 KitKat, the device has the company’s Sense 6 UI on top.

Coming to the camera fitted onto the Desire 820s, a 13MP camera paired with BSI sensor and LED flash is installed at its back. The front has a huge 8MP shooter, apt to capture selfies. HTC has given particular attention to the audio quality. HTC BoomSound speakers are equipped at the front along with built-in amplifiers.

The handset offers dual-SIM support and provides 4G connectivity option. The battery stands fair at 2600 mAH. The connectivity options comprise of Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX and GPS.

HTC has given two colour options with this device; one is the Milky-way Grey, while the other is Santorini White.

March 12, 2015
Upcoming HTC E9 Specs Leaked, Sports 3GB RAM and Bigger Camera

HTC recently unveiled their flagship or the year 2015 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The device was an upgrade over the previous generation devices and addressed the criticisms against the earlier device. HTC is now reportedly about to launch the One E9, which will be a successor to the E8 launched last year.

According to various rumors, the HTC One E9 will be a major upgrade over the last year’s version and will be competing in the market as a phablet. The device is expected to be launched in the mid to high range segments.

The reported image of the new HTC One E9.

The E9 is touted to sport a 5.5 inch Quad HD display which would make it the first HTC device to feature the ultra high definition display. Even HTC’s latest flagship, the One M9 sported a Full HD display.

The biggest change is HTC’s bet on MediaTek 64-bit 8-core processor for the new device instead of the usual Qualcomm Snapdragon line of chipsets. The E8 flaunted a Snapdragon 801 chipset. The handset is also expected to feature 3 GB RAM, 32 GB of storage with expandable storage and will be juiced up by a 2800 mAh battery.

On the camera front, the E9 is said to sport the 20 MP shooter we saw on the new M9. According to the leaked image, the device now features a massive camera on the back. For the front camera, it is said that the standard model of the device will house a 13 MP shooter on the front while a premium version of the E9 will sport a 4 MP ultrapixel camera.

Now these reports are still based on rumours so we cannot confirm the authenticity of these reports. The E9 does look like a considerable upgrade over the One E8, but we have to wait for official confirmations to be sure. Overall, like e8 was a stripped down version of the M8, the E9 seems like the slightly pocket-friendly version of the One M9.

March 11, 2015
Heads On With HTC’s First Virtual Reality Headset Vive

Alongside the new HTC One M9, the one gadget that caught our attention at the ongoing MWC 2015 is the company’s first virtual reality headset, HTC Vive. The headset has been built in collaboration with entertainment software technology company Valve.

The developer edition of the Vive looks bigger than the Oculus Rift but promises to pack some unconventional features. The headset has two 1200x1080p resolution displays. These screens leave no space for jitter and refresh at the rate of 90 frames per second. The audio quality of the headset is also impressive.

It is the first virtual reality headset to allow you to walk and explore your virtual space. All this is possible with the infused Steam VR base station. Also, there are sensors like gyrosensor, accelerometer, and laser position that can track your head movement at one-tenth of a degree. The device comes with wireless controllers that make it rather easy to operate and get on with the virtual gaming.

Our experience with HTC Vive was amazing. We haven’t seen anything like this ever before. It’s realistic and doesn’t put a strain on the eyes at all. There is cushion support around the eyes that makes it even more comfortable. Its experience is hard to explain, it’s one of those things that need to be personally experienced.

The headset feels a part of a world that belongs to the future. Seeing this, we can already feel that we have epic things coming up.

HTC has also collaborated with many game developers such as Vertigo Games, Wemo Labs, Google, Owlchemy and others to generate content for the HTC Vive. Beta versions of the games for the Vive Developer Edition have already been produced. HTC is also working with companies like Google, HBO, Lionsgate and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan to create unique content for the new VR device.

The headset looks bulky with extra cables on the top. The company is still developing the same, so there’s a chance that these avoidable cables vanish in the consumer version. The VR headset will be available to the customers by the end of this year, however, the developer version of the same will be out earlier.

March 3, 2015
HTC’s Active Case for One M9 is Something That Every Phone Needs

HTC yesterday unveiled its brand new flagship, the One M9 at MWC 2015. The device is a bit of an upgrade over the predecessor, the One M8 but comes with its own set of unique features. Much has been said and discussed the M9’s features but not a lot has been said about the amazing cases brought out by HTC with the new flagship launch.

We take a look at the HTC Active Case, the true protective case that every smartphone needs to have. It is rated IP68, which means that it will be waterproof and can also take the jolts of the floor when it is accidentally dropped. The case can withstand a drop of 2 meters, which is great for the butterfingers out there.

The clear case lets your appreciate the metallic back panel while keeping the device safe.

The case looks sturdy and complements the phone to some extent. Also, as it’s a clear case, you will also get to look at the shiny aluminum back cover that sets the One M9 apart from its competition.

Active Headset from HTC is a waterproof pair of earphones for the outdoorsy folks.

Waterproof Earphones

Waterproof Earphones

The Active case by HTC is for those outdoorsy folks whose phones are always at the risk of contact with the natural elements. To give even more peace of mind, HTC has unveiled the Active Headset. This is a pair of waterproof earphones that are rated at IP67. With these in your pocket, you can take that March mountain trek without being concerned for your smart gears.

HTC also unveiled new Dot View II cases for the M9 along with the Active case.

HTC also launched a bouquet of new Dot View II cases with textured backs that will let you add a unique character to your One M9. Just like their previous version.

Rugged Case

Rugged Case back

Rugged Case

These are some great accessory from HTC, and hopefully the company will bring the strengthened cases for its other products. This will make you feel safe about your device in comparison to regular flip cases. The major smartphone maker should work towards introducing strong cases for the smartphones as it would be an accessory that people will see as an investment instead of a mere add-on.

Watch our hands on with HTC One M9 here:

March 2, 2015

HTC One M9 vs Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge : New Arrivals Battle it Out

Finally, the day has arrived which all of us were waiting for. The extravagant smartphone carnival, Mobile World Congress kicked off in Barcelona and we brought the ground report from the show, live.

HTC took the veils off the much-awaited product from their stable, the One M9. It impressed us with its all-metal unibody design that had mirror polished gold sides. Alongside HTC, Samsung too made a big entry with its two high-end, metallic devices, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6.

All of these phones pack quite a good set of specs. Let’s have a look at the detailed specs sheet that compares the three of them.

SPECS	HTC One M9	Samsung Galaxy S6	Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Display	5-inch Full HD	5.1-inch QuadHD Super AMOLED (577ppi)	5.1-inch QuadHD Super AMOLED (577ppi)
Processor	64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core	2.1 GHz Quad + 1.5 GHz quad Exynos 64-bit	2.1 GHz Quad + 1.5 GHz quad Exynos 64-bit
RAM	3GB	3GB	3GB
Storage	32GB	32GB/64GB/128GB	32GB/64GB/128GB
Expandable Upto	128GB	–	–
Main Camera	20MP with Auto-focus, BSI sensor	16MP with F1.9 + OIS	16MP with F1.9 + OIS
Front Camera	HTC UltraPixel	5MP	5MP
Battery	2840mAh	2550mAh	2600mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense	Android 5.0.2 Lollipop	Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
Price	Rs.	Rs. 49,900	Rs. 58,900

Samsung’s new bad boys clearly have a winning list of specs on the table. The only disappointment with the S6 siblings is the lack of expandable storage. These gadgets will hit the stores by April and then the consumers will get to decide which metallic marvel gets the podium finish.

March 2, 2015

HTC Grip : Hands On First Look

HTC’s new foray into a connected self begins with their first wearable the HTC Grip (it’s a part of the Re branding). The Grip is a beginning for what HTC claims will be a big handle on the pro fitness experience by HTC

The device we got to lay our hands on is a prototype device, and the final product will feature some design and aesthetic changes. In the first glance, this device looks like any other fitness accessory. It’s made of a soft touch, hardened rubber compound. It has a grippy web type surface on the inner side which will be available in a lime green color.

The display is a 1.8 inch Passive Matrix OLED(PMOLED) display that would provide excellent outdoor visibility. You can connect the device to your smartphone to receive notifications on the device. There is a vibration motor in the device that alerts you when a new notification arrives. The bits that set the Grip apart is that it has inbuilt GPS and advanced tracking. Grip is completely waterproof so you can sweat on it as much as you want and even take a shower while wearing it.

The HTC Grip will record data such as steps taken, distance travelled, calories burnt, and how much you have slept. You can choose between workout’s like outdoor walking, indoor walking, running, indoor running, cycling, weights training, gym and a customizable workout plan. When connected with a smartphone, the Grip lets you control music on your phone, get weather information, and sync your calendar. It also allows you to put your phone on silent mode or airplane mode or turn it off.

HTC grip will be brought to North American market by this spring and will reach other markets by the end of the year. It will be available in small, medium and large sizes. The company will also two links in the box that will let you increase the size of the device
.

Specs	HTC Grip
Operating System	Android 4.4.2
Screen Size	1.8 inch 32 x 160 PMOLED mono flexible display with capacitive touch
RAM	8MB SRAM
Battery	100 mAh
Processor	STM32L151QDH6
CPU	Quad-core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage	16MB Flash Storage
Price	$199 in North American markets

March 1, 2015

This Kickass Headset Comes From HTC and Valve

Taiwanese smartphone maker, HTC is known as one of the premier smartphone companies. It was one of the first companies to bring out Windows and Android based devices. It’s known for its unique design elements that make its devices recognizable in the crowded smartphone market. HTC is now taking an aim at a new device segment; virtual reality(VR) headset with the new HTC Vive.

HTC has unveiled the Vive at a special event held in Barcelona, Spain. The device is made in collaboration with an entertainment software technology company called Valve. Valve will offer its Steam VR tracking and input technologies whereas HTC is responsible for the design as well as the build of the product.

HTC Vive will take on the likes of Oculus Rift, Gear VR and Project Morpheus.

HTC Vive is claimed to offer immersive VR experience that includes moving around and interacting with the virtual space. The device comes with wireless controllers that make it rather easy to operate and get on with the virtual gaming. It offers high-quality graphics, 90 frames per second video and impressive audio fidelity.

HTC has collaborated with many game developers such as Vertigo Games, Wemo Labs, Google, Owlchemy and others to generate content for the HTC Vive. Beta versions of the games for the Vive Developer Edition have already been produced. HTC is also working with companies like Google, HBO, Lionsgate and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan to create unique content for the new VR device.

In its present iteration, the HTC Vive looks like the first generation Oculus device. It looks massive and messy with the cables hanging on top of it. Being the Developer edition, it still has a look of a prototype device. HTC might tweak the design to make it wireless by the time it arrives in the consumer market.

The Developer Edition of the HTC Vive will be launched this spring. The consumer edition is expected to come out by the end of 2015. Virtual Reality headsets are one of the most promising consumer devices and have tremendous potential. HTC’s entry into the VR foray definitely makes things interesting for the market.

March 1, 2015
Exclusive Hands On : HTC One M9

HTC’s latest flagship has arrived and it might just live up to expectations. HTC has made a more mature incremental upgrade to an already promising product. The new HTC One M9 highlights everything that was good about the M8 and M7 and fixes what was horribly bad about them.

Big major fixes include a bumped up camera, a 20 MP shooter with a sapphire lens cover. The camera now not only looks good, but also shoots 4k video. However we are majorly missing the OIS found in the Korean rival’s handset.

Last year’s main camera the Ultrapixel snapped, is now the front facing camera, improving low light selfies and it looks really good. The camera adds a lot of details and pictures are actually very visible in low light. HTC claims that the camera sees more light than the human eye, our tests confirm that.

The M9 is powered by an all new Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, a 64 bit SOC, with an Octa core 2.0 GHz CPU and Adreno 430 GPU. 3GB of RAM and 32 GB storage makes the memory part complete, but, you do get a 128 GB card support and 115 GB of Google Drive.

The two tone color of the Silver One M9 looks fantastic and will be an instant hit, with anyone who appreciates quality handsets. However the new Samsung Galaxy S6 looks too fancy to ignore. HTC has found inspiration from luxury watches, and the minute we look at the M9 we see Hublot.

Everything runs on a highly optimized 2800 mAh battery, bundled with Android Lollipop 5.0.2 out of the box and HTC’s new Sense 7 promises a major improvement in the battery life, and out of experience there is a big difference. The quick charge also improves the charge times and you will be on the go in just a few.

HTC has included a new flurry of covers, none of which come with the device. The new rugged cover will make the device IP 67 and it honestly feels great on the phone and does not add much bulk. The DOT case has been improved quite a lot, adding more functionality. Including Dot-breaker (a cool game) and custom wallpapers that you can sketch, see below.

New Dot Case

Transparent Back

Rugged Case

Rugged Case back

New Dot Case

HTC One M9 Unboxing and Hands on Video

HTC One M9 Specifications

March 1, 2015
Here is the New HTC One M9

While the world puts its eyes onto MWC 2015, HTC has basically stepped on board with an excellent start. HTC has launched and announced a bunch of new products, also showcasing their connected concepts which include Connected Home, Connected Life, Connected Entertainment and Connected Self.

The new HTC One M9 falls right into their connected formula and is not a whole lot different from the HTC One M8; it follows in HTC’s design lineage and adds a whole lot of new elements. HTC claims that the new design is inspired by luxury and mostly luxury watches.

The new HTC One M9 has a newer notched design and a two tone finish, the gold bezels on silver is their hero product and will be available globally, a new graphite and an all gold will be available in select markets. The HTC One M9 still has a IR blaster and the native TV app has been replaced by the Peel remote app. The phone supports TDD and FDD LTE across the globe so is essentially a 4G world phone, and should work worldwide if you buy it unlocked.

The Golden Edge Looks Better

Spec wise you don’t see a major bump up either. However a more powerful 64 Bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 runs this handset along with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. It sports a 5-inch screen with a 1920×1080 display. You do get micro-SD support upto 64 GB as well. Optics is where you see a major increase the new 20 MP shooter at the rear along with a 4 ultrapixel front camera make for a fashionable lot. The HTC One M9 also shoots 4k video natively and can parse it onto a class 10 card.

The battery on the inside is a 2840 mAh, bundled with Android 5.0.2 out of the box and the all new HTC Sense 7. HTC is touting excellent battery life on this iteration of the One.

HTC has also improved upon the camera app, allowing for better edits, filters and fun effects on the phone, along with a prismatic mode that indulges a trippy audience.

New Dot Case

Along with the HTC One M9, the company also introduced a flurry of cases, including a number of dot view cases. The new design has a transparent back and allows for more customization of what is visible from the dot matrix. You also have a fun game called dot-breaker included as a freebie.

New HTC M9 Cases

HTC has also made a rugged case with iP67 certification and 2 Meter drop resistance, giving you the rugged you have missed on the HTC One series in the past.

Rugged Case

Rugged Case back

Rugged Case

HTC One M9 Specs

March 1, 2015

HTC One M9 vs HTC One M8 : Here is What has Changed!

HTC launched its big gun, the HTC One M9, at the MWC 2015. The phone is a upgraded version of its predessecor, the HTC One M8. It will be interesting to see how this phone fares against competitors like the Nexus 6, Galaxy S6 or the Apple iPhone 6. But before that, we would like to see the improvements and upgrades of the M9, against its older sibling, the M8.

We compare the spec table of both the handsets, below.

SPECS	HTC M8	HTC M9
Display	5 inch Full HD	5 inch Full HD
Chipset	2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801	64 bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (4 x 2GHz + 4 x 1.5GHz)
RAM	2 GB	3 GB
Storage	16/32 GB	32 GB
Expandable Up to	128 GB	128 GB
Primary Camera	HTC Dual 4 MP Ultrapixel Camera	20 MP
Front Camera	5 MP	HTC UltraPixel
Battery	2600 mAH	2840 mAH
Operating System	Android 4.4.2	Android 5.0.2

Watch our exclusive Hands on with the HTC One M9:

Now, you can compare and check out our review of the HTC One M8:

March 1, 2015

HTC One M9 Will be Everything That the One M8 Wasn’t

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 is definitely the most awaited device at the MWC 2015. This launch of this device will be a make or break moment for the Korean giant that has struggled recently to attract the consumers towards its devices. The other major device that will attract a lot of shutterbugs would be HTC’s One M9, successor to the popular M8. Here’s how HTC will introduce a device that attends to all the limits of its previous generation offering.

A Higher Resolution

HTC One M8 was unveiled in the March of 2014. The device featured a 5-inch full-HD display, but a lot has changed in the display department of flagship smartphones since then. LG G3, Nexus 6 and Note 4 have all placed their bets on the Quad HD (2K) displays. If the rumors are to be believed, HTC will continue on with the 1080p display, but there might just be a chance that the company surprises its audience with a higher definition display.

An Amazing Camera

One of the most touted but least appreciated offerings from the HTC One M8 was the dual ultra pixel cameras on the back. HTC realized its folly and released the HTC One M8 Eye with a better camera. This time around as shown by rumors and promotional video, the One M9 will sport a 20 MP camera on the back and an ultrapixel camera on the front.

The Power of the Lollipop

HTC has been at work proactively to provide Android Lollipop updates to its users. The company had set a goal of 90 days from the date of release of Lollipop to provide the update on its devices. Unfortunately, following the report of many bugs with the Lollipop launch, the update has been delayed. It is expected that HTC One M9 will come to the market with Lollipop running out of the box. The user interface as shown in the promotional video clearly shows an HTC Sense like UI with Blinkfeed.

Other Improved Bits

The One M9 will also bring in the Boomsound speakers and advanced photo manipulation tools so that the users can have more fun with the device. HTC also seems to be adding more customization options that are usual offerings of ROMs such as Cyanogen and MIUI. There are a lot of expectations from the M9, but it feels like HTC doesn’t need take a lot of efforts with this new launch. As the One M8 was one of the most appreciated devices of last year, all HTC has to do is take care of a few tweaks, and it will have a promising device,. The HTC One M9 will be unveiled on 1st March, so update your calendar and come check out iGyaan as we’ll be reporting right from the ground at MWC 2015.

February 25, 2015
HTC One M9 Details Leaked As Promo Videos Go Live

As is often the case with prominent flagship smartphones prior to their official unveiling, virtually all details of HTC’s next flagship are out in the open. With the One M9 all set to be officially announced at the Mobile World Congress 2015, three new promotional videos were published on YouTube by user Upleaks which were immediately removed. Interestingly, the source of the clips is also no where to be seen on YouTube. Though we managed to find a source that currently works. Readers be reminded that videos are in line with leaks in the past, and barely leave room for imagination.

The promotional videos showcased the design of the upcoming flagship, along with its hardware capabilities. Key attributes of the HTC One M9 include a dual-tone metal body, Ultra-pixel front facing camera which can apparently offer better low light selfies, a 20 MP primary camera, and the BoomSound feature has been upgraded with Dolby Audio surround sound.

The video also shows a new home screen focused on the Sense-d Android 5.0 and its new camera unit. HTC has added a slew of improvements to its latest custom UI like better BlinkFeed and a plethora of customisation options.

Meanwhile, earlier this week a German listing for a smartphone was spotted that looked uncannily familiar to the HTC One M9. The leaked images did look authentic and shows that HTC has moved some buttons around, we may see the power button right below the volume rockers on the right, unlike the M8 where it was located on top, making it quite a task to reach at times given the size of the M8.

HTC One (M9) debuts this Sunday, on March 1 in Barcelona. Make sure you tune in to find out everything about HTC’s new flagship, if there’s anything left to show. Also check out the leaked intro video below:

February 25, 2015
New HTC One M9 Images Suggest a Thicker Outer Body With Minor Design Tweaks
With nearly a week left before HTC officially reveals its flagship smartphone in Barcelona, it seems that the device is already out in the open. MobileGeeks has spotted a German listing for a smartphone that looks strikingly similar to the One M9 images that were spotted last month.

If the leaked images are authentic, we may see just one camera on the rear compared to its predecessor. Images also suggest that HTC has moved some buttons around, we may see the power button right below the volume rockers on the right, unlike the M8 where it was located on top, making it quite a task to reach at times given the size of the M8.

In addition, the BlinkFeed news stream looks slightly different suggesting the possibility of a new software. Even the phone’s outer body appears notably thicker than the One M8.

Though nothing is officially confirmed, we may be in for a few surprises in a week’s time. In the meantime, here’s what we can expect under the hood from HTC’s next flagship:
- 5-inch Display running at 1080p
- 20.7 Megapixel rear camera, 4.0 megapixel front camera with HTC’s “Ultrapixel” tech
- Android Lollipop 5.0 (with HTC Sense running on top)
- 2,840mAh battery
- 3GB of RAM
- 2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU (though some rumors point at 2.8Ghz)
February 23, 2015
Specs of HTC’s Next Desire Series Smartphone A55 Leaked

With HTC’s next flagship One M9 aka Hima lined up for release, HTC is not planning on releasing any more flagships this year. According to reports, another high-end device by the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing firm is in the making and it is not a flagship. The upcoming phone, titled A55, falls under the Desire series and boasts impressive specs, just like any other high-end phones.

If the rumours are to be believed, then the A55 will sport a 5.5-inch QHD display. The device will be powered by the 64-bit octa-core MediaTek MT6795 chipset, along with 3 GB of RAM. Running on Android 5.0 Lollipop with the company Sense 7.0 UI on top, the phone will house an internal storage capacity of 32 GB.

On the camera front, the A55 is expected to flaunt a robust rear camera of 20MP, together with 13MP front shooter or 4MP UltraPixel Front Camera. The BoomSound speakers infused on the handset will give users a sound quality that is loud and clear. The A55 is supposed to have Bluetooth 4.1 as the connectivity option and a battery of 3,000mAh.

The A55 will release in two variants: Single SIM for EMEA markets (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) and dual SIM for Asian markets. The device will be available in three colour options – White Rose Gold, Gray, and Brown Gold. There is no information about its price yet.

February 2, 2015