HTC One A9 review: Easily the most frustrating smartphone we’ve EVER tested

HTC's new smartphone looks like an iPhone, feels like an iPhone and – somehow – is actually more expensive than an iPhone.

 

HTC are up against some stiff competition from cheaper phones

• Pros – Great Display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Beautiful Design
• Cons – Ludicrous UK Price For A Mid-Range Smartphone, Low Specs For Price

 

HTC has always been a market-leader when it comes to stylish smartphone design.

The Taiwanese technology firm has built some staggeringly beautiful devices, including the brushed aluminium unibody HTC One M8 and colourful Desire Eye.

Its designs have been so consistently impressive that many have accused other leading manufacturers of pinching their finest ideas.

But now it appears the shoe is on the other foot.

 

HTC's new One A9 looks like it was separated at birth with the world's best-selling smartphone – Apple’s iPhone 6.

Fortunately, like the iPhone 6 before it, the One A9 is a stunning bit of kit.

Its all-metal chassis is slim, sleek and lightweight, making it a joy to hold in the palm of your hand.

The high definition five-inch AMOLED display keeps your content looking crisp, shiny and full of colour – but it's not in the same league as flagship devices from Samsung, Sony or LG's Ultra HD displays.

Powering the One A9 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 617 processor which offers a slick performance for most tasks but, once again, lags behind the speed of its flagship competition.



The HTC One A9 looks like Apple's latest iPhone design, but that's OK

 

For most users this slight lack of oomph probably won't be an issue but power users should probably steer clear of the One A9.

HTC's 13-megapixel rear camera produces some pretty decent images, and the bundled image stabilisation is a nice bonus.

In good light, we were left impressed by what the One A9 had to offer but, like most smartphones, the camera soon starts to struggle when the sun sets.

Selfies are handled by HTC’s UltraPixel front-facing camera. Neither shooter is going to worry Samsung or Apple but for most amateur photographers they'll do enough.



The all-metal unibody design is a joy to hold in your hand

 



HTC's version of Android Marshmallow is stylish and feature-packed



If its video you're after, the HTC One A9 can shoot video up to a maximum resolution of 1080p HD.

Sadly – unlike HTC's M9 – there's no option to record in Ultra HD 4K quality. However you do get the option to film in Slow Motion and Hyper Lapse modes, add a bit of drama to your home movies.

One of the best features of the One A9 is that it comes pre-loaded with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

HTC worked closely alongside Google for the HTC One A9, to ensure the open-source operating system was fast, fluid and easy to navigate.

There’s also a handy fingerprint scanner, support for Hi-Res Audio playback and expandable memory.

 

In good light, HTC's 13MP shooter performs well

Battery life is solid.

You'll easily be able to power through the entire day with HTC's new smartphone, thanks to Android Marshmallow's clever new Doze Mode shutting down any unused apps, it's possible to squeeze a few days life out of one charge.

Without a doubt, there is a lot to like about the HTC One A9. It's a very good little smartphone – but there is a problem.

HTC admits the One A9 is not designed to replace its One M9 flagship smartphone, that’s why the Taiwanese firm hasn’t included top-end specs.

And that's why when we started to get frustrated with the One A9.

 

From a number of high street retailers, the One A9 costs as much as £469 SIM-free, which is £10 more than Apple’s iPhone 6.

To make matters worse, our friends across the pond initially got the A9 with better specs at a price of just $399 (some £240 converted). US Price is now $499, or £300.

The US deal makes the A9 a brilliant bargain and must-have smartphone for people who can’t afford flagship prices.

Sadly, HTC fans in the UK are faced with a phone that’s overpriced for what's packed inside.

HTC has announced a variety of colours for the new smartphone

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the HTC One A9 is a really good smartphone.

It looks smart, it's fast enough to handle your daily dose of social media, video, photos and packs all the latest Android Marshmallow tricks and features out of the box.

However there is simply no justification for its ludicrous UK price tag.

HTC are up against some stiff competition from cheaper phones including the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and One Plus 2.

But the biggest problem for this iPhone wannabe is that you can buy Apple's superior smartphone at a lower price.

Had HTC launched its A9 with a sub-£350 price we’d be saying "buy, buy, buy". But, with its current £469 price tag we’re sadly saying "bye bye" to the One A9.