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HTC One M9 gets a software update that improves camera performance

posted by Florin T.

Apr 09, 2015, 9:41 PM

HTC One M9 gets a software update that improves camera performance

Last month, when we reviewed the One M9, we weren't particularly thrilled about its 20 MP rear camera. So we are very happy to hear that HTC is pushing a software update that's going to improve the handset's camera capabilities.

It looks like HTC One M9 owners on Verizon and Sprint will be able to get the update first, starting April 10 (that's tomorrow). AT&T and T-Mobile One M9 variants should receive the update one week later, on April 17. It's not clear when users outside the US will get the update.

According to Phandroid, the update improves the One M9's camera capabilities in most scenarios, including when taking outdoor and indoor photos, macros, or photos with the LED flash on. You can see some sample photos (before and after the update) in the slideshow below. Apparently, the front-facing camera of the M9 doesn't need any fixes, and won't be affected by the update.

Available to order online since March, the HTC One M9 will hit shelves across the US tomorrow. The M9 costs $199 on contract, and, despite the fact that HTC just announced the Quad HD One M9+, it will remain the company's only flagship for North America (at least for the near future).

The HTC One M9 is getting a software update that improves its rear camera

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source: Phandroid

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.3

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User Rating:

9.1

Based on 24 Reviews

Display 5.0" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 20 MP / 4 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, Octa-core, 2000 MHz

Storage 32GB + microSDXC

Battery 2840 mAh(21.7h 3G talk time)

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22 Comments

1. geusan

Posts: 137; Member since: Oct 19, 2014

good move from htc

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 9:54 PM 14

5. vincelongman

Posts: 5810; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Are there any comparisons with the S6, Note 4 or iPhone 6+ yet?

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 11:16 PM 0

6. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Software can only do so much. Those phones will still destroy it regardless. Sorry Htc fans.

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 11:24 PM 4

8. singhkaran9830 unregistered

But those are great improvements,it might be able to battle with S6 and iphone's camera as well,

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 12:18 AM 5

12. fyahking

Posts: 1146; Member since: Jan 28, 2015

It could probably battle the iPhone 6, but it ain't touching the s6 or note 4.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 2:03 AM 0

9. vincelongman

Posts: 5810; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

The hardware is not bad at all Toshiba also make sensors for Nokia after all I'd except it to be better than the iPhone 6, S5, Z3, G3 and 2014 Moto X But I'd also expect the S6, Note 4 and iPhone 6+ to be better

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 12:37 AM 4

10. HTCM9

Posts: 29; Member since: Mar 29, 2015

Early trend show better sales for M9 than M8 and many people liking the design too..but i dunno why so much bad comments against HTC. Lot of stupid people trying to defame htc here.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 1:38 AM 3

11. Z3R091 unregistered

You never try, you will never know how it goes. HTC says I will try to fix you.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 1:52 AM 0

7. keekguy

Posts: 40; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

Good, late move maybe! Or, yes well move, update and fixing before launch!

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 11:30 PM 0

19. rnagic

Posts: 215; Member since: Jul 13, 2014

You'd have to be pretty naïeve to believe an ota update can fix the camera issues. Still no OIS, so anything you record is gonna look like Michael J Fox was holding the camera. Think McFly, think!

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 11:04 AM 0

2. Af1rPA

Posts: 712; Member since: Jun 12, 2014

So why cant motorola do the same thing for the moto x?

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 10:19 PM 2

4. vincelongman

Posts: 5810; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

They did that for the 2013 modelhttp://www.anandtech.com/show/7353/moto-x-update-dramatically-improves-camera-quality They haven't done that for the 2013 But the 2014 model's camera software is fine Its better than the G2, but not quite as good as the G3 (the LG G2 and G3 have the same Exmor RS IMX135 sensor as the 2014 Moto X)

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 11:14 PM 0

3. Johnnokia

Posts: 1158; Member since: May 27, 2012

I got mine today and it did good improvements ... My M9 is unlocked

posted on Apr 09, 2015, 10:37 PM 8

13. TerryTerius unregistered

Did they do anything about their dynamic range issues? To my eyes, that has been the greatest weakness of the m9. From nearly every photo I've seen taken by it, it tends to blow out highlights or underexpose other areas. If the updates can address that then I will be picking one up. That's the primary thing keeping me from getting one.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 6:45 AM 0

20. Niva.

Posts: 440; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

Did you look at the samples provided above? It does appear that was one of the biggest fixes, probably the timing of the flash was slightly tweaked, it appears that before it was causing too much glare and maybe even highlighting slight lens imperfections. Clarity improved greatly across the examples above. I'm not getting this phone because of the horrid chip inside it, but this software update seems like a huge step up for the users.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 11:45 AM 0

14. mostafawael.1998

Posts: 241; Member since: Oct 01, 2014

will the international model of the HTC One M9 get that update also, or it will remain on that .15 update ?

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 6:56 AM 0

15. LRSousa

Posts: 43; Member since: Jun 20, 2014

This isn't improvment! It is just clean lenses on the right!

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 7:24 AM 1

17. LikeMyself

Posts: 631; Member since: Sep 23, 2013

I agree! Looks like clean lenses on the right!!

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 7:38 AM 0

16. karamelakimo

Posts: 109; Member since: May 26, 2014

That's good news !

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 7:37 AM 0

18. cornerofthemoon

Posts: 620; Member since: Apr 20, 2010

Good move by HTC. It remains to be seen if the camera has gone from embarrassingly bad to great or just "good enough" but that really isn't a factor for me as I'm more interested in the HTC One's much heralded speaker capabilities. I'm going to check it out at T-Mobile today.

posted on Apr 10, 2015, 10:42 AM 1

21. mojtaba_mn

Posts: 268; Member since: Feb 22, 2013

im so happy the camera now is soooooooooooo better i mean sooooo better in low light before it was awful but now its goooood

posted on Apr 12, 2015, 2:39 PM 0

22. likha

Posts: 13; Member since: Feb 26, 2015

looking at the vast improvement i think Phonearena should modify the camera section in it's review... and maybe get us some comparisons with the leading phone to where this new camera software places the M9?!

posted on Apr 14, 2015, 7:31 AM 0

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