HTC Launches the One M9+ Supreme Camera Edition
by Joshua Ho on September 29, 2015 4:51 PM EST
Today, HTC launched the One M9+ Supreme Camera Edition. The rather verbose and mildly surreal name probably gives away what this phone is, which is a variant of the One M9+ with some significant changes to the camera. The spec sheet below should give a pretty good idea for what to expect.
| HTC One M9+ | HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera Edition | |
| SoC | MT6795 2.2GHz 8xA53 MediaTek Helio X10 | MT6795 2.2GHz 8xA53 MediaTek Helio X10 |
| RAM/NAND | 3GB LPDDR3 32GB NAND + microSD |
3GB LPDDR3 32GB NAND + microSD |
| Display | 5.2” 1440p IPS LCD | 5.2” 1440p IPS LCD |
| Network | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (MediaTek Category 4 LTE) | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (MediaTek Category 4 LTE) |
| Dimensions | 150.99 x 71.99 x 9.61mm 168g | 150.99 x 71.99 x 9.61mm 168g |
| Camera | 20MP Rear Facing w/ 1.12 µm pixels, 1/2.4" CMOS size, f/2.2, 27.8mm (35mm effective) 2MP Duo cam 4MP Front Facing, 2.0 µm pixels, f/2.0 26.8mm (35mm effective |
21MP Rear Facing w/ 1.12 µm pixels, 1/2.4" CMOS size, f/2.2, 27.8mm (35mm effective) Laser AF + PDAF + OIS 4MP Front Facing, 2.0 µm pixels, f/2.0 26.8mm (35mm effective) |
| Battery | 2840 mAh (10.79 Whr) | 2840 mAh (10.79 Whr) |
| Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.1, GNSS, NFC, DLNA, microUSB 2.0 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.1, GNSS, NFC, DLNA, microUSB 2.0 |
| SIM Size | NanoSIM | NanoSIM |
As you can see, the big change here is the camera. Instead of the 2.1MP secondary camera, HTC has added an IR laser rangefinder for short distances, which should dramatically speed up auto-focus in low light and macro shots. The sensor is now a Sony IMX230 with phase detect auto focus, so in conditions with good light it should be possible for the sensor to traverse straight to in-focus instead of bracketing the in-focus point with contrast detection. However, the optical characteristics are unchanged from the One M9 and M9+ with an f/2.2 aperture likely to keep edge distortions under control. OIS is also added to improve low light performance for still photos and improve video stability.
The One M9+ Supreme Camera edition will go on sale in Taiwan on October 6th for $630 USD in gunmetal grey and two-tone silver/gold. This is likely to remain an Asia-only variant, although we may see a similar camera in future devices.
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Kepe - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
Software support on Android devices is still such a disappointment.. As much as I hate Apple, at least they are supporting their devices for years, updating devices all the way back from 2011 to ios9. On Android, manufacturers seem to support their devices for 18-24 months, tops. That is just sad.For example, the HTC Sensation was released in Q2 2011. It got its last big update in Q1 2012. Yes I know people can get custom ROMs, but the general public doesn't know about that, and very few have the patience and skills to install those.
What I'm trying to say here is that Android manufacturers keep releasing new devices too fast. It's no wonder they don't have the resources to update older models when there are hundreds of device models out there, literally. Using GSM Arena's phone finder, we see that Samsung has released 238 different Android phone models between 2011 and now. Apple has released 9 phones in that period of time. It's a lot cheaper to keep 9 models updated than it is to keep 238 models updated. I'm not saying everyone should release just 1-2 phones a year, but come on..! Think about all the R&D costs that come with churning out a new phone every week (2011 to now is 249 weeks). Now think how awesome and well thought-out the phones could be if they cut the release speed to 1/10 and kept the same amount of R&D. But no... Let's just flood the market with copy/pasted crap and never care about the customers after they've given us their money.
I have the HTC Sensation. I also have a Sony Xperia Z1C. That was released in Q1 2014, and it isn't getting Android 6. I'm getting bored of this crap, and installing custom ROMs that lack some of the nice things I got the phone for in the first place. I like Android. I hate Apple. But wtf am I supposed to do when every single manufacturer seems to be hell-bent on driving away their customers?
"Hey, we made a decent phone last week and people bought some of them! Now let's make a new model, but add a bunch of stupid features nobody wants, remove some of the stuff people liked, hike up the pricing and give it a newer version of Android. Let's also drop support for the last week's model, since it's SO last week! If people want the new software, f**k them, let them buy our new phone!"
superflex - Friday, October 30, 2015 - link
Have you ever tried using an iPhone 4 (circa 2011) running IOS9?I bet you haven't because it's a horrible experience.
Just because Apple still pushes software updates to older devices doesn't mean they work very well.
In fact, Apple pushes these releases just to basically brick your older phone and tempt you into a new purchase.
Run along AAPL troll.