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

22 Comments

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posted on 09 Apr 2015, 21:54 14

1. geusan (Posts: 137; Member since: 19 Oct 2014)

good move from htc

posted on 09 Apr 2015, 23:16

5. vincelongman (Posts: 5043; Member since: 10 Feb 2013)

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

posted on 09 Apr 2015, 23:24 4

6. Taters (banned) (Posts: 6474; Member since: 28 Jan 2013)

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

Sorry Htc fans.

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 00:18 5

8. singhkaran9830 (unregistered)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 02:03

12. fyahking (Posts: 963; Member since: 28 Jan 2015)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 00:37 4

9. vincelongman (Posts: 5043; Member since: 10 Feb 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 10 Apr 2015, 01:38 3

10. HTCM9 (Posts: 29; Member since: 29 Mar 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 10 Apr 2015, 01:52

11. Z3R091 (Posts: 88; Member since: 13 Apr 2014)

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

posted on 09 Apr 2015, 23:30

7. keekguy (Posts: 40; Member since: 17 Aug 2014)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 11:04

19. rnagic (Posts: 210; Member since: 13 Jul 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 09 Apr 2015, 22:19 2

2. Af1rPA (Posts: 711; Member since: 12 Jun 2014)

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

posted on 09 Apr 2015, 23:14

4. vincelongman (Posts: 5043; Member since: 10 Feb 2013)

They did that for the 2013 model
http://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 09 Apr 2015, 22:37 8

3. Johnnokia (Posts: 1144; Member since: 27 May 2012)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 06:45

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 10 Apr 2015, 11:45

20. Niva. (Posts: 433; Member since: 05 Jan 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 10 Apr 2015, 06:56

14. mostafawael.1998 (Posts: 240; Member since: 01 Oct 2014)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 07:24 1

15. LRSousa (Posts: 28; Member since: 20 Jun 2014)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 07:38

17. LikeMyself (Posts: 456; Member since: 23 Sep 2013)

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

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 07:37

16. karamelakimo (Posts: 109; Member since: 26 May 2014)

That's good news !

posted on 10 Apr 2015, 10:42 1

18. cornerofthemoon (Posts: 601; Member since: 20 Apr 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 12 Apr 2015, 14:39

21. mojtaba_mn (Posts: 268; Member since: 22 Feb 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 14 Apr 2015, 07:31

22. likha (Posts: 13; Member since: 26 Feb 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?!