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jamezr

macrumors P6
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
16,077
19,077
US
Little bit lower light comparison.
Default camera settings with no processing or filters applied. Point and shoot.



HTC M9


dVyx1B1l.jpg




Galaxy S6


I9hrcSzl.jpg


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I think you have to use a third party tool like GSAM to get a screen on time.

A few more of mine today.

Image
Image
Image

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S6 is better, but the M9 isn't too far behind. Did you get the software update when you set it up for the camera? I got one on mine.
No software updates so far. I have checked a million times.
The M9 has a 20MP camera but does not process the images very well.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
I am passing on it for now anyways.

Want to check out the G4 and Moto X 2015 first. If I do bite on those or the M9 the Nexus 6 is the goner rather than my Note 4.

That is the latest plan, next week maybe it will change. :)
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Little bit lower light comparison.
Default camera settings with no processing or filters applied. Point and shoot.



HTC M9


Image



Galaxy S6


Image

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No software updates so far. I have checked a million times.
The M9 has a 20MP camera but does not process the images very well.
Yeah the new camera software basically adjusts the dodgy post processing in the software, though I still think at times its HDR algorithm is too aggressive to mid and shadow tones, so if you plan in using HDR I would recommend doing it after in photos app as the HDR results are better there than from the processing the camera software does.

So I use manual setting, and then landscape and macro modes to take my shot.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
16,077
19,077
US
Yeah the new camera software basically adjusts the dodgy post processing in the software, though I still think at times its HDR algorithm is too aggressive to mid and shadow tones, so if you plan in using HDR I would recommend doing it after in photos app as the HDR results are better there than from the processing the camera software does.

So I use manual setting, and then landscape and macro modes to take my shot.
Got it.... I read some people XDA pretty much created their own post process and manged to save it as default somehow. I don't have the skills you do to create the great pictures you posted. I have to rely on the camera to do all that for me.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
I found the Achilles heel for me with the M9.

Call quality & reception. It has been very poor in areas of low signal. I live in an area where it fluctuates between 2g & 3G (forget 4) and I'm finding dropped calls and break up of call quite frequent on the M9.

No problem on my S6 Edge, N6 or iPhone 6.

So ..... Not sure if I can use this phone as a daily driver if every time I get a call it's a 50/50 chance it will drop and I'll have to call the person back with another 50/50 chance of disconnection.

I just double checked by going to the dodgy area and swapping sims into my other phones and they were all able to hold the call and the M9 wasn't. The M9 when connected suffered broken up / stuttering sound.

Feck it
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
The hottest button for me would be the display versus the Note 4 and Nexus 6. If I did not use those two devices and just the M9 it would probably be OK, even the screen size.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
HTC “Hima” Flagship Device Rumored to Sport Snapdragon 810, 5-Inch FHD Displa...

The hottest button for me would be the display versus the Note 4 and Nexus 6. If I did not use those two devices and just the M9 it would probably be OK, even the screen size.


It's certainly not as vibrant as those two. If you had the Note 4 set to basic mode in display then that would be similar colour wise. Whilst auto brightness is too dull, it doesn't affect the colour as much as say the Nexus 6 on stock rom does with adaptive brightness enabled and screen brightness set mid way (often screen gets a red overcast on the N6 when you do this).

It's basically a a v.good LCD screen, but I still think iPhone 6 & 6+ has a better screen also.


However screen isn't bothering me as much as dropped calls at moment.


I'll likely be selling it on when the LG G4 comes out.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
16,077
19,077
US
Tons of new app updates including camera update today ....


Have seen a camera update. But did get a lot of app updates. Sadly I may just return the phone. The camera really under performs for me.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Have seen a camera update. But did get a lot of app updates. Sadly I may just return the phone. The camera really under performs for me.


Camera has been ok for me, but call quality & reception are killing me ....

Think I may sell it on and pick up a Z3 just for the craic :D
 
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jamezr

macrumors P6
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
16,077
19,077
US
My M9 has gone ......... Picking up a Z3 tomorrow.
i thought you would. Sadly mine is gone too. Great handset....great build and premium design and overall feel in the hand. This was the phone i was looking forward to the most in 2015. But alas the camera and button placement was disappointing to me.
 

LukinLedbetter

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2014
357
626
i thought you would. Sadly mine is gone too. Great handset....great build and premium design and overall feel in the hand. This was the phone i was looking forward to the most in 2015. But alas the camera and button placement was disappointing to me.

Basically a perfect summary of my short time with the M9 as well. REALLY wanted to like it. Loved the M8. Too bad it couldn't have had a stellar camera like the s6. I'd have overlooked the button placement if the camera had been awesome.
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
Valiant effort, guys. : applause :

Sadly for HTC, if MRU and Jamerz can't make the M9 a keeper, there's no hope for HTC this year. They're going to hurt.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
Valiant effort, guys. : applause :

Sadly for HTC, if MRU and Jamerz can't make the M9 a keeper, there's no hope for HTC this year. They're going to hurt.

Network issues, the camera, or button placement would not be issues for me and I still did not go for it so add me to the list. :)

The display inclusive of ratio versus the device did not thrill me so why concede.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Valiant effort, guys. : applause :

Sadly for HTC, if MRU and Jamerz can't make the M9 a keeper, there's no hope for HTC this year. They're going to hurt.


Lol. Funny that the reasons we sold it are different though. I found camera not too bad, and the new raw shots were good - not as good as say the 20mp lens in the Lumia 930 / Icon which also can shoot raw, but I did get some nice results. Sadly for me almost every other call I made was either dropped connection or broken up / distortion.

Hopefully the Z3 will be interesting adventure, I wasn't overly interested on it until I saw how close to stock android lollipop 5.0.2 is on the Z3 and that's very attractive to me. Plus there are great deals on them now.
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
Network issues, the camera, or button placement would not be issues for me and I still did not go for it so add me to the list. :)

The display inclusive of ratio versus the device did not thrill me so why concede.

Interesting. Like MRU said, everyone's leaving the M9 for different reasons.

It just doesn't seem like HTC has a "whole-package" offer with the M9. Just some strong points here and there (boom speakers, cleaner skin, etc.).

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Lol. Funny that the reasons we sold it are different though. I found camera not too bad, and the new raw shots were good - not as good as say the 20mp lens in the Lumia 930 / Icon which also can shoot raw, but I did get some nice results. Sadly for me almost every other call I made was either dropped connection or broken up / distortion.

Hopefully the Z3 will be interesting adventure, I wasn't overly interested on it until I saw how close to stock android lollipop 5.0.2 is on the Z3 and that's very attractive to me. Plus there are great deals on them now.

You never think any camera is bad. I can't trust your camera reviews! Ha :p

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Z3. One of my top choices when I was phone hunting. Settled with the S6, as you know, because of the superior screen and camera.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
16,077
19,077
US
Interesting. Like MRU said, everyone's leaving the M9 for different reasons.

It just doesn't seem like HTC has a "whole-package" offer with the M9. Just some strong points here and there (boom speakers, cleaner skin, etc.).

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You never think any camera is bad. I can't trust your camera reviews! Ha :p

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Z3. One of my top choices when I was phone hunting. Settled with the S6, as you know, because of the superior screen and camera.

They even managed to keep the SD card which is a plus. The display is a little dim. But overall the phone just can't measure up to the rest of the pack right now.
 

Zaft

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2009
4,570
4,049
Brooklyn, NY
Little bit lower light comparison.
Default camera settings with no processing or filters applied. Point and shoot.



HTC M9


Image



Galaxy S6


Image

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No software updates so far. I have checked a million times.
The M9 has a 20MP camera but does not process the images very well.
What the heck? The M9 image looks like something my old droid x would produce.. terrible.
 

petvas

macrumors 603
Jul 20, 2006
5,479
1,808
Munich, Germany
There is apparently a new system software update being rolled out in Taiwan. Have a look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/pictures-m9-t3044267/page116
and here: https://twitter.com/Masini1491/status/600163456931627008

The new ROM version is 1.40.709.4

According to some user in the XDA forums:
I have already updated to 1.40.709.4.
The Result is.
1. SUPER SPEED Sense UI. now improve significant speed.
2. Fokus now fastest. Makro fokus is easy from before. (before update, Makro is BAD focus on M9)
3. Camera Color more Vivid.

The camera results have also been confirmed by Hamdir, the forum member that posted the original camera settings in the XDA forum.
Let's hope for a speedy update worldwide..
 

petvas

macrumors 603
Jul 20, 2006
5,479
1,808
Munich, Germany
Update time: HTC One M9 scores improved camera performance, better battery life in some regions

Changes log:
Camera
- Greater auto-exposure balance to improve overexposure, so images look less washed out
- Reduction of noise and blur in low light, so images are clearer and detail is more apparent
- Reduction of yellow/green hue to photos taken in extreme lighting conditions, so colors appear truer to their actual hue

Battery Life
- Reduced power consumption by YouTube and Facebook, so you can stay on these sites longer or know that your battery will last longer if your site use doesn’t change

Heat Management
- Smart charging thermal improvement, which means your phone will stay cooler when it’s being charged

This update has been discussed extensively at the XDA Forums and with it the camera gets on par with the S6 and the iPhone. Battery life is also significantly improved.
US users will have to wait a couple weeks longer for the update to roll out.
 

Savor

Suspended
Jun 18, 2010
3,742
918
I wished HTC can get their act together esp in the camera department. I wished HTC didn't scrap the One mini 3. Reason why the One mini 2 interested me so much was because of its size and it might actually look better than its bigger brother M8, with black plastic trim and all. What I would like with HTC IF they ever did make another One mini is better price, better cam, 4.7 inches, 720p, same height as One M7/mini 2, and 2500+ mAh.

While I don't have the highest favorable view with HTC anymore, I do miss a few things from them...

- Great design. I think the gunmetal One mini 2 looks better than M8 and iPhone 6. Basically similar size and front look (same cam and sensor placement) of the M7.

- Class-leading external and internal sound. BoomSound (front facing speakers) makes total sense (no pun intended). The back and rear placements get obscured alot depending how you hold the phone, play a game, or rest it on a table or bed.

- SLCD display is usually excellent

- Gallery app is excellent esp for trimming videos.

- I miss BlinkFeed even though Flipboard makes a good alternative.


What they need to correct -

- Improve battery life to class-leading

- Improve camera to class-leading

- Lower their prices. They build premium quality phones but don't offer better value like from Chinese OEM's, LG, or Nokia. Like Sony, HTC isn't a top-tier phone maker.

- Improve customer service here in my country which seems non-existent and terribly bad when you finally get connected to a service rep.


If Apple and Samsung weren't ruling the roost, these are the FIVE underdog companies I would root for...

HTC - Because their design and sound quality still appeals to me. But people can easily forget how innovative HTC thinks. Maybe they can blow us all away again next year after one of the most underwhelming updates and disappointing sales with the M9.

LG - Because G4 stands alone as the only 2015 flagship with removable battery but also because (sans Google Nexus) LG have raised their game and have been making solid phones since the Optimus G. LG is one of the few companies with weaknesses that aren't quite as evident like say Sony or HTC. They seem to be above average in all areas.

Nokia - Like LG and Xiaomi, they offer good solid hardware for a good price. And like LG, Nokia doesn't seem to show a glaring weakness. They seem to excel in all areas. Except they focus too much on WP. The software they chose is what held them back. Across the board like battery life, call quality, price value, and camera, they seem to be no worse than above average. Siding with Microsoft is what set back Nokia for years and to lose their throne to Samsung. Thz, Elop!

Sony - Because even though they aren't the Sony of the 1980's and 1990's, they seem to appeal to me when it comes to design, water resist, and long battery life. They do suck with TFT screens, call quality, and value. Sony isn't Apple but they price their phones just as high. I just wished they ditch the glass rears already. Apple already moved away from it in 2012 and Sony is still using the material since 2013. I also love Sony video game consoles. The PS4 is on top of my Christmas list once Metal Gear Solid V gets released in Sept. No thanks to Nintendo or Microsoft...

Xiaomi - Even though the burden of having only 12 GB avail while I added several hundreds of videos onto the 32 GB micro-sd card for my G3 Beat yesterday, I still think my Mi 3 is still my all-time favorite phone ever for every day use. I actually considered swapping it for a HTC One mini 2 with its paltry Snapdragon 400 because that closely matches the size of the G3 Beat and has micro-sd slot, but I love the speed of the Snapdragon 800 and Wi-Fi ac. I can barely log onto Wi-Fi at the mall with my LG. The Xiaomi is just INSTANT even in slow and congested networks. The Redmi 2 probably wouldn't be as fast. If the battery degrades, I will replace it as I doubt their services cost that much. Xiaomi offers good value. I want to see them expand. I think they can take out Gionee/BLU in the lower ranks. They have good products for a good price all across the board. One of the few QUALITY Chinese brands to me.

Meizu, Huawei, and ASUS are the brands to watch in the midrange segment. HTC and Sony should try to appeal to that market more but they overprice and under spec their midrangers because they still think they can appeal to the premiums ruled by Apple and Samsung.
 
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