HTC One M9

Over the past three years, HTC has milled and beveled itself a reputation for great design and excellent build quality.

This approach has paid off to the extent that even Apple, a company more design-obsessed than a houseful of Scandinavian furniture designers having an argument over a lamp, has made a phone that looks somewhat One-ish.

While the HTC One M9 body is a new design, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s basically the same as the HTC One M8. They’re very similar in size (the One M9 is fractionally thicker at 9.6mm), both make near-excessive use of cool, hard, brushed aluminium. And both feel just amazing.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 may be thinner and have a fancy new glass and metal design, but I suspect many will still prefer the feel of the HTC One M9.

The look is actually ever-so-slightly different this time. HTC has used a two-tone finish, for one. The One M9’s sides are a bronze-gold finish while the front and back are much more silvery. Going for gold is always going to raise a few eyebrows, but the M9 pulls off the look with ease. No gaudy gold here.

To my eyes the circular camera lens of the M8 looked a bit better than the square one on the new M9, but that’s pure personal preference. Essentially, if you loved the look of the One and One M8, you’re going to love the M9 just as much.