HTC One A9 smartphone

Photo: Andri Koolme via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

HTC

HTC One A9

November 2015 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC One A9 is a mid-range Android smartphone released in November 2015, featuring a premium all-metal design and being one of the first non-Nexus devices to launch with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It sports a 5-inch Full HD AMOLED display and a 13MP main camera, though its Snapdragon 617 processor and battery life were often considered modest for its initial price point.
DisplayVibrant 5.0-inch Full HD AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass 4.
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor for balanced performance.
Main Camera13MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization and dual-LED flash.
Battery2150 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery with fast charging support.
Starting from $485

💰 HTC One A9 Price

The HTC One A9 lowest price is $485, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeAMOLED
Size5.0 inches
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels (~441 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4

Platform

OSAndroid 6.0 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 7.0 Nougat with HTC Sense UI
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 617 (MSM8952)
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPUAdreno 405

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot, up to 2TB)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM

Main Camera

Single13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), OIS, AF
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single4 MP (Ultrapixel), f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeNon-removable Li-Ion
Capacity2150 mAh
ChargingFast charging (Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 compatible)

Body

Dimensions145.8 x 70.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight143 g
BuildAll-metal unibody
SIMNano-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, aptX
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCYes
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedOctober 2015
StatusAvailable since November 2015

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Premium and sleek all-metal design [12, 14]
  • Good 5-inch Full HD AMOLED display [10, 15]
  • One of the first non-Nexus phones with Android 6.0 Marshmallow [2, 14, 15]
  • Effective and well-placed fingerprint scanner [5, 14]
  • Main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) [14]
  • Expandable storage via microSD card [9, 10, 15]

Cons

  • Overpriced at launch for its mid-range specifications [12, 14, 16]
  • Mediocre battery life [14]
  • Snapdragon 617 processor was considered underpowered for its price point [12, 16]
  • Design was criticized for being too similar to the iPhone [14]
★ Our Verdict

The HTC One A9 offered a premium design and early Android Marshmallow, but its mid-range processor and battery life were often overshadowed by its high launch price, leading to a questionable value proposition.

The HTC One A9, while aesthetically pleasing with its all-metal build and featuring a decent AMOLED display, was considered expensive for its specifications upon release. If you're considering this phone today, it would primarily be for its classic HTC design or as a collector's item, as its hardware is significantly outdated. Performance will be slow for modern apps, and battery life will likely be poor. Look for it at a very low, used price if you're interested in its historical significance or as a basic secondary device, but do not expect it to keep up with contemporary smartphones. Ensure any unit you purchase has a working battery and is capable of running essential, albeit older, applications.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC One A9 smartphone
  • USB cable
  • Wall charger
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Quick start guide
  • Warranty card

Standard manufacturer's warranty applies, typically 1-2 years depending on region.

❓ Questions & Answers

What hardware does the HTC One A9 pack?

The HTC One A9 has a display of Vibrant 5.0-inch Full HD AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass 4., chipset of Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor for balanced performance., main camera of 13MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization and dual-LED flash., battery of 2150 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery with fast charging support..

When did the HTC One A9 launch?

The HTC One A9 was released on November 2015.

What's the HTC One A9's price?

The HTC One A9 starts at $485 at the lowest verified shop we track; see the price list on this page for more options.

Should I buy the HTC One A9?

We rate the HTC One A9 6/10. The HTC One A9 offered a premium design and early Android Marshmallow, but its mid-range processor and battery life were often overshadowed by its high launch price, leading to a questionable value proposition.