Design Change Promotes Brand Transformation HTC One A9 Evaluation

IT168 evaluation due to the rise of domestic internet mobile phone brands in recent years, the once-famous international manufacturers have suffered a lot of sales shocks. For ordinary consumer groups, the same hardware parameters have become the norm, and the purchase factor under this premise is naturally the price first. At the same price, it is inevitable to choose the product with the strongest performance. This is human nature and is in line with the normal trend of the market. Therefore, international manufacturers who once relied on word-of-mouth accumulation and product premium will inevitably be affected by the domestic smart phone environment. Among them, HTC is the one that needs to be transformed urgently. Its flagship product has been criticized by consumers because of its unchanging industrial design and many "chins". HTC in last stand urgently needs a revolutionary product to make itself return to the altar and regain the attention of consumers.

driven by many market demands and product factors, HTC One A9 came into being. It adopts a brand-new industrial design, giving up the signature BoomSound front dual speakers and the iconic double chin. The 2.5D glass design, which is very popular at this stage, also appeared in HTC mobile phones for the first time. At the same time, the curve of the back of the fuselage also becomes smooth, not in the middle bulge to cater to the palm of your hand. It really takes a lot of courage to make such a mobile phone that completely subverts its product ID. It is also difficult to predict whether we can get positive feedback from the market. But what HTC is facing at present is that it is really difficult to win the favor of users without changing.

"basic parameters of HTC one a9

screen characteristics

5 inches 192*18 pixels, Samsung AMOLED, 2.5D glass

body size

145.75x7.8x7.26mm

body weight

143g

processor

Qualcomm. Dual-card dual standby

body memory

16GB, supporting 2T expansion

running memory

2GB

Camera features

UltraPixel camera with 13 million pixels in rear/4 million pixels in front

Features

Front touch fingerprint identification button, Fast charge

Battery capacity

215mAh

Operating system

China Sense

Body color

Black, white, red and gold

Sales price

Not yet on the market

In terms of body size, HTC One A9 chose a 5-inch Samsung AMOLED screen with a resolution of. In terms of core hardware, the machine adopts Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 platform, supplemented by 2GB of running memory and 16GB of body storage, which supports memory card expansion up to 2 T.. The built-in 215mAh battery capacity can only be said to be quite satisfactory. However, due to the small screen size and relatively low power consumption of AMOLED materials, it is no problem to maintain normal use for one day. In addition, the front-facing 4 megapixel UltraPixel camera is also a highlight, and the highly sensitive camera can get good imaging results in dim environment.

"1. What is the biggest selling point of HTC One A9?

▲HTC One A9 is suitable for one-handed operation

As we all know, HTC's application and grasp of metal materials have reached the point of incisively and vividly. Throughout its flagship mobile phones, whether it reflects the brushed texture of metal or the grip of metal materials, it can achieve the top level in the industry. However, the unchangeable industrial design has caused consumers aesthetic fatigue, which has made HTC products unable to win the favor of the market. However, the appearance of HTC One A9 can be said to completely subvert the family-style design concept of HTC. Let's integrate the current mainstream 2.5D glass screen and fingerprint recognition button; At the same time, it also abandoned the "double chin" that was hacked to pieces. In addition, on the system level, HTC is also the first mobile phone for consumers to experience Android 6. in addition to Nexus mobile phones. And first equipped with Qualcomm's latest mid-range chip Snapdragon 617 processor.

"second, why did you choose Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor?

judging from the naming rules of Qualcomm, Snapdragon 617 processor is not a flagship chip and has no powerful hardware parameters. There are four main reasons why HTC chose it:

"1.

After all, HTC One A9 is a revolutionary product, and it is unknown whether the market feedback can meet the expectations, so its birth has a certain testing nature. We can see that HTC is trying to avoid risks, and it is not desperate to use top-level hardware. After all, next year's HTC One M1 is the core product.

"2.

Qualcomm Xiaolong 81 processor has a poor reputation in the market due to power consumption and heat generation. At the same time, the mobile phone equipped with Xiaolong 82 processor will be launched early next year. At this time, the introduction of Xiaolong 81 mobile phone will soon be eliminated by the market.

"3.

In addition, although MediaTek Helio X1 is nominally positioned at the high end, its comprehensive performance is inferior to that of Snapdragon 617, and because of Red Rice Note2, the chip will give people the impression that it is cheap at 1, yuan, which does not meet the product positioning of HTC One A9.

"4.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, after all, was just released in October. Compared with 615 and 616, it has an obvious upgrade. It follows the principle of using new products instead of old ones, and ensures the product life cycle. As for its performance, it will be involved in the later processor article.

"Third, does it really look like an iphone?

Since the release of HTC One A9 abroad, many media and netizens think that the appearance of this mobile phone is very similar to that of iPhone6. When I got this mobile phone, I did have the same view. It is similar to the iPhone6 in several points: both of them adopt the basic design concept of front 2.5D glass+integrated metal body, relatively rounded body chamfer, circular protruding rear camera and dual-color temperature flash on the right side of the camera. However, if it is said that it imitates the iPhone6 with these points, then many domestic mobile phone manufacturers will also lie down.

after using it for a period of time, in fact, compared with the iPhone6, HTC has a lot of its own design essence. For example, a more concise design concept: only two nano-injection signal overflow belts are used on the back (iPhone6 has four), and only the brand LOGO is kept on the back, and there is no network registration information.

"4. What are the highlights of HTC One A9?

"Cancel the" double chin "design

HTC's mobile phone products have been constantly pursuing multimedia playback, which can always bring users a better listening experience, such as BoomSound front dual speakers, iBeats headphones that have been standard in many products, and so on. However, it is also the reason for BoomSound that HTC has to make room for its front panel. As a result, a "double chin" has emerged, and it also lags behind other mobile phone manufacturers' products in terms of screen ratio.

this time, the HTC One A9 cancelled the front dual speakers and took off the "double chin". Although it sacrifices a certain external experience, it is more in line with the public aesthetic in appearance. In addition, due to the cancellation of BoomSound, the positions of various components in the HTC One A9 motherboard have to be redesigned. It can be seen that HTC has made a lot of efforts for this product.

"Adding 2.5D glass element

The" A "in p>HTC One A9 stands for AERO, which mainly means giving people a transparent glass texture. Obviously, this time HTC has to work hard on the face value, diluting the previously tough metal style and turning to a more refined and rounded glass texture. 2.5D glass is a design element that has emerged in recent years. Its greatest advantage is that it can bring a jade-like visual impression and give people a crystal clear feeling.

in addition, the application of 2.5D glass in improving the grip of mobile phones is also very obvious. It alleviates the phenomenon that the joint between the glass panel and the metal middle frame is easy to prick the hand. Holding it in your hand, whether it is holding it forward or backward, can bring a round and comfortable feel. This is also the main reason why more and more mobile phone manufacturers are willing to integrate it into their own products.

"Add fingerprint identification button

The fingerprint button of p>HTC One A9 is touch, which is similar to HTC One M9+ and One Plus Mobile Phone 2. It cannot be pressed down, which will affect the user's experience to some extent. The fundamental reason is that HTC has some concerns about patents. After all, as an international manufacturer, it needs to face the global mobile phone market. Apple has a patent for a circular forward-pressing fingerprint identification button, while Samsung has an oval button. HTC, which is already dying, can no longer pay high patent fees for this. Therefore, HTC can only do this, using the fingerprint button that cannot be pressed. However, according to the author, because HTC's Sense system has built-in virtual buttons, it does not need the function of the forward Home button, so it is entirely possible to put the fingerprint button on the back of the fuselage and increase the screen ratio as much as possible.

"There are still" slots "

In fact, the redesigned A9 still has some slots. It may be to make this phone more like HTC, so even if there is no double chin, the HTC LOGO is still placed under the A9 screen. This makes the fingerprint identification button not centered on the lower panel, which is a bit abrupt and easy to make obsessive-compulsive patients feel strong dissatisfaction. In addition, the screen ratio of HTC One A9 is only 66.78%, which is only a little higher than that of iPhone6' s 65.62%. Compared with the current domestic mobile phone, it is really inferior.

"5 to 13 million pixels, can it bring excellent shooting results?

compared with the HTC One M9, the A9 still chooses the 4-megapixel UltraPixel super-sensitive front camera, which can get excellent imaging results even if it is really dark. However, compared with the flagship product HTC One M9, the rear camera has shrunk to a certain extent, from 2 million pixels to 13 million pixels, with a dual-color temperature flash. As for the specific performance of the camera, let's take a look at the following sample.

Note: The following proofs are all taken in automatic mode, and the proofs are not subjected to any post-processing except cutting.

first of all, please forgive the foggy weather in Beijing ... thanks to the 13-megapixel camera, the HTC One A9 can have more delicate details after 1% restoration. In terms of white balance, the imaging effect of HTC One A9 is gorgeous, which is more pleasing to the eye. The iPhone6 Plus is more realistic and restores the original color of things, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

▲

outdoor comparison sample of HTC One

A9 and iPhone6 plus

▲ indoor comparison sample of HTC One

A9 and iPhone6 plus

By comparing the samples of HTC One A9 and iPhone6 Plus, we can see that the photo-taking effect of HTC has been significantly improved, almost comparable to that of iPhone6 Plus. Especially for white balance debugging in outdoor environment, the two are almost identical. However, in the indoor environment, the iPhone6 Plus already has a very good color reproduction ability, while the HTC One A9 is obviously cold.

let's take a look at using HTC One A9 in our daily life. (Click on the sample to view the original picture)

"Sixth, what is the difference in the experience of Android 6.?

as a mobile phone manufacturer facing the international market, HTC is not active in the development of software systems, but the biggest surprise for HTC fans in the mainland this year is the addition of localization function, that is, China Sense for the domestic market. As far as HTC One A9 is concerned, it is based on the latest Android 6. development platform, and slightly adjusted and upgraded the user interface and built-in software, basically without any change in appearance, and the whole is more inclined to the original style, and ensures the fluency and stability of the system.

Although the appearance has hardly changed, the details of the software are still worthy of our recognition. For example, this upgrade adds a self-made theme function, which is similar to the theme element collocation function in domestic ROM; At the same time, HTC security assistant software has been added, which can obtain practical functions such as harassment interception and network control. Although these functions are not surprising in Flyeme/MIUI, HTC can optimize the localization requirements of these details. It can be seen that HTC really pays close attention to the China market and gradually moves closer to the domestic ROM in terms of functions.

the fingerprint identification input of p>HTC One A9 is very convenient, and the user only needs to change the position several times according to the prompts on the screen to input the fingerprint. According to the author's test, a * * * needs to be input about 16 times, and the probability of prompting the input error is very small. Unfortunately, however, the fingerprint of the mobile phone only has the function of unlocking the screen. As for the functions of locking Apps and fingerprint payment, it can not be realized, and its practicability is not strong. But the recognition rate is very accurate and the response time is very fast. It is worth mentioning that no matter your finger presses the fingerprint recognition area from any angle, the mobile phone recognizes your fingerprint, and even if it presses the fingerprint recognition area backwards, it can quickly enter the main interface accurately, and the user experience is very good.

overall, the software system of HTC One A9 is still in the initial customization stage, and most UI elements are the native style of Android 6.. However, in the upgrade of localization, HTC has made great efforts, not only the yellow pages of life, surrounding facilities, etc., but also the customized themes and security management centers that domestic users like have been brought together in this update. However, as an international big-name manufacturer, HTC has invested too little in software. Looking at mobile phone manufacturers at home and abroad, they can make the software experience perfect, and they can have a wide range of fans and good sales. I hope HTC can discover this objective fact as soon as possible.

"VII. What is the upgrade of Snapdragon 617 processor?

at present, most of the mid-range models on the market are Qualcomm Xiaolong 615 and Snapdragon 616 processor platforms. There is not much difference in performance between the two CPUs. Relatively speaking, Snapdragon 616 only upgraded four cores with low frequency from 1.GHz to 1.2GHz compared with the previous generation. Snapdragon 617 abandoned Snapdragon 61.