HTC CEO: a 'hero' phone arriving in October, next flagship to be completely redesigned

posted by Daniel P. / Jun 04, 2015, 8:58 AM

HTC CEO: a 'hero' phone arriving in October, next flagship to be completely redesigned

With the One M9, HTC might not repeat the relative sales success it had with its predecessor, the One M8, but it is not going down without a fight, it seems. CEO Cher Wang apologized for the plunging stock price at the annual shareholder meeting, but said that we should all speak again in October, when the company will be releasing a "hero" device.

Now, what does this entail, remains to be seen, but it obviously will be something to be sold alongside the One M9, rather than replacing it this early in the game. In fact, this revelation ties in with the report the other day that HTC will be introducing a "new series" of smartphones before year-end.

The company said it will be working on its "product mix" regarding smartphones, and, judging from today's One ME version with Quad HD display, it is starting to deliver on that announcement. Last but not least, besides the usual yada-yada about increasing operational and supply chain efficiency, Cher Wang said that it will introduce a completely new design and innovative features into next year's flagship. Here's to waiting. As for Robert Downey Jr - HTC won't be renewing its multimillion contract when it expires at the end of the year, which makes us sad, given their wonky and fruitful collaboration.

HTC CEO apologized for the company's performance at the annual meeting

source: Taipei Times via Pocket-lint

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51 Comments

1. Birds

Posts: 1172; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

I'm putting all my faith in this "hero" phone so when it disappoints me, I'll have a cosmic melt down like those 14 year olds had when Zayn left 1D. I guess it really is crunch time for HTC... They better hustle!!!!

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:01 AM 18

2. seret6

Posts: 279; Member since: Aug 14, 2013

They better have 4k in it, unlike the upcoming note 5

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:04 AM 1

39. gersont1000

Posts: 473; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

No, that's just wasting processing power for something you'll barely notice if at all, at the cost of battery life.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 2:38 PM 5

50. ILikeBubbles

Posts: 525; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

1080 is perfectly fine with me as long as they keep the 5" screen... i pretty much just wish i could have an m9 with an 820 and better camera... lol i know a lot of people think the design is stale but personally i actually like the m9 the best out of all 3 interations.

posted on Jun 25, 2015, 10:42 AM 0

3. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

All the best.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:06 AM 0

13. Birds

Posts: 1172; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

I just wonder what they're gonna do. It is really hard to be innovative in this market space with monsters like Samsung and LG having all the good ideas and bringing them to fruition. Since Samsung went the premium route with the S6/S6 Edge's build quality, that's one X over the HTC One's campaign. Think if Samsung put stereo front firing speakers on their next flagship and an amplified audio driver. What made HTC remotely different from the rest will be generic and standard on all phones LMAO. It seems everyone is working on killer cameras for their phones. For stills and manual mode. LG is the current champ. What I want HTC to do is ditch IPS and go with IGZO for thinner panels with smaller drivers so the bezeles can be reduced. For the front, I want them to go more minimalistic Make the boom sound speakers slits instead of grill holes. Underneath the speakers put a discrete little finger print scanner with a trapezoidal design that tapers off the bottom of the phone with that cute metal trim that's so popular these days. On top, put the FFC in the center and for semetry purposes, place the same trapezoidal design around it. As for the rest of the phone. I could go on and on but I'd like to see a stacked design remoniscent of the Nexus 6 or Meizu MX Pro just with more premium materials and choices. That's just hardware... Software is a whole nother ball park that is just too much to for me to keep brief Lol.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:36 AM 6

29. BaffledTruffle

Posts: 523; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

Loved how elaborate this is. However, I still think Samsung manages to outperform LG when it comes to still photography, although by a very slight margin. And I think HTC doing pretty good with software as far as UI is concerned. I mean, a lot of people like how fluid and how Sense looks, so they're definitely something right there. Although, optimizations such as battery and camera software need a lotta work on software side.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 11:09 AM 1

40. Birds

Posts: 1172; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

Oh my God are you TruffleButter from DD? As for sense. A lot is optimized right and a lot is optimized wrong and you said exactly what I think needs to be fixed.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 3:14 PM 1

45. BaffledTruffle

Posts: 523; Member since: Dec 07, 2013

Yes! I've noticed you're quite the HTC fan. :D

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:54 PM 0

46. Birds

Posts: 1172; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

Yes I Stan hard AF for them Lol.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 10:26 PM 0

15. waddup121 unregistered

okay okay

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:38 AM 1

41. Simona unregistered

really want to see that beast's DESIGN nice and flat no roundness on the back pls anymore !

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 4:12 PM 0

4. lalalaman

Posts: 638; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

that news is orgasmic

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:08 AM 2

5. DeDex

Posts: 119; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

This reminds me that back in the day, I really liked the HTC Hero and its design. I wonder if they intend to use that name again.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:12 AM 0

7. Dude2014

Posts: 448; Member since: Feb 12, 2014

I still remember the old days when HTC was the leader and their smartphones were really good.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:16 AM 0

6. Dude2014

Posts: 448; Member since: Feb 12, 2014

Lumia 940 or that hero phone? I wish I could buy both.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:14 AM 0

8. b0wzer

Posts: 103; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

HTC should save the money and time spent on their custom software and just run stock android. They can spend that money making a better phone which should be able to receive timely updates.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:17 AM 0

12. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

im not sure if you have tried the newest sense but its pretty good. i sometimes wish my nexus had some of the options sense had.. hell i wish my nexus had multi window like tw too

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:33 AM 1

17. b0wzer

Posts: 103; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

I have not tried it, but I prefer to sacrifice a few unnecessary options in exchange for timely updates, less bloat, and less lag. I also own a Nexus and wouldn't even consider sacrificing these advantages for a few unneeded features.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:47 AM 0

22. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

multi window is way more useful than you could imagine man. yes i agree about updates and bloatware

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 10:04 AM 1

33. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

HTC M7 , M8 and M9 dont lag at all are you taking drugs? They probably the most optimized Android handset ever made! The M9 can easily have 5 app open at the same time and switch between them with no load time.. The S6 reload everytime... There is just much less marketing done by HTC thats where they loose in fact. All my client who got the HTC since the M7 only upgrade to a new HTC handset because they all agree its the best experience they had on a smartphone. Anyway no use arguing with ppl blinded by marketing..

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 1:57 PM 2

43. b0wzer

Posts: 103; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

All android lags, even my Nexus. Just because YOU can't notice it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. And "the most optimized android handset ever made"? Sounds like you're the one who is blind.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 5:50 PM 1

48. Dpeeze

Posts: 3; Member since: Feb 03, 2013

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. The htc one M7, M8 and M9 are quality devices of which I am quite proud to own. Having compared the htc product to iphone, Samsung, LG, etc...my appreciation of htc's UI, design and material has increased and my choice of htc affirmed. Much good luck to them.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 2:23 AM 1

9. Derekjeter

Posts: 1448; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

How many times has HTC come out and said the same thing about its phones? HTC you haven't done anything right since my personal favorite phone of all time the original HTC Droid Incredible (which I still have). I didn't like your M8, M9, waste of two years. Oh and people please don't reply with "Both those phones had great design, and you don't know what your talking about" I do know, if these phones had been so great we wouldn't have them apologizing for the stock being down and Cher Wang saying "will talk again in October". Both phones where a good idea on paper and even he knows if they don't do something quick HTC will haves new CEO soon.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:23 AM 0

10. seret6

Posts: 279; Member since: Aug 14, 2013

But derek i ditched my iphone 6 plus for m9 and have never been so happy, its both hardware and software are light years ahead of both apple and sammy (i do use note 4 with me all the time for emergencies). The ui is smooth, i did have m7 a year ago and m9 is exceptionally better The best phone among current offering

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:31 AM 8

27. Derekjeter

Posts: 1448; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

I hear you, the M9 makes you happy and your one of the few that loves it, but lets be honest here you and the other small number of people who bought the phone wont keep the lights on or keep Cher as CEO for long. Dont get me wrong the UI i prefer over TW but not over stock. The camera sucks, i tried the M9 and couldnt get a clear shot of my 3 year old running everywhere. Like i said the phone looked good on paper but when you have other Android OEMs offering better battery, camera, among other things, its stupid to thing that they cant just add whats missing. HTC makes dumb mistakes. Look at how much money they paid all these actors to promote their phones. WASTE! They always want to try something on their own and its fine but it hasnt worked out for them. Just bring out M10 plus. Find the fastest processor, biggest battery, best camera sensor with OIS, 2k screen, finger sensor, in a 5.5 screen size, remove those ugly ass bezels and most important PROMOTE!!! the s**t out of it with out any famous people. Just show what it can do.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 10:38 AM 0

36. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

The Camera was fixed in the latest update now its on par with most of them out there ( S6 and G4 are a bit better ) The M9 is currently the multitasking king you can open much more app and switch between them with no load time no other handset support as much of them at the same time. Not a single customer who buyed it at my store had any complain where all others device i have load of complain ( mainly for Samsung and Apple product ) For the battery its funny we did some test here and the result where much better than on any review.. thats is strange or some OEM pay a lots of money.. Overheating? Really? i have S6 user complaining of this but not one HTC M9... 2k screen is crap on a 5 inch screen what is really important is the tech used. IF they would use a Super amoled screen with exactly the same tech as the S6 but in the 1080p format its would look as good resolution is only a small part. The only part you are remotely right is they need to do much more marketing.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 2:04 PM 3

38. Bootutu

Posts: 228; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

That's because only 5 people bought the M9, of course the complaint rate will be a lot lower. Just simple logic.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 2:25 PM 0

51. ILikeBubbles

Posts: 525; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

i agree HTC went about their marketing all wrong.. but the m9 faux pas wasn't all their fault imo. Qualcomm did kind of drop it on the 810, which just amplified the problems the m9 was having previosly. and as far as the huge design complaint... i guess i am one of the few who really loves the design of the m9.