HTC is preparing to launch its latest flagship smartphone, the HTC One M9, on April 10. Newly leaked images show the company is also planning to introduce a more feature-rich variant called the One M9 Plus.
When HTC launched its One M7 in 2013, it took more cues from Apple than it did from rival Samsung. The smartphone maker decided to differentiate it from Android competitors by placing a strong focus on the handset's design. This meant that HTC would be dropping plastic and choosing to build the device out of a single piece of custom-grade aluminum and tempered glass, to give the One M7 a solid premium feel.
HTC's plan worked and the One M7 was a huge success for the company. When it followed up with last year's One M8, it kept the same winning design. When HTC unveiled the One M9 at this year's Mobile World Congress, it didn't excite smartphone fans as in years past, and it certainty didn't help that Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge on the same day. Samsung finally got the metal memo and upped the ante by using 2560 by 1440 quad-HD displays, compared to the HTC One M9's 1920 by 1080 full-HD screen.
A new set of leaked images shows a device that HTC probably should have announced alongside or in place of the One M9. The always-reliable @upleaks has posted images of what are reportedly the HTC One M9 Plus.
The photos match previously leaked images of the One M9 Plus, which was shown next to the One M9. As you can see in the images above, the One M9 Plus will be offered in a silver or gold color choice. The smartphone is expected to match Samsung's Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge by shipping with a 2560 by 1440 quad-HD display and a physical home button that will also serve as a fingerprint scanner for the handset.
HTC is holding a press conference on April 8, so we should hear more about the HTC One M9 Plus and other devices at the event. If you were planning to purchase an HTC One M9, does the One M9 Plus make you reconsider? Let us know in the comments.
