One M9 to feature 20MP rear camera, smartwatch coming along

A Bloomberg report reveals some details about HTC’s new flagship phone, expected March 1. HTC’s first smartwatch could be announced at the same time.

Citing a person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that the next One flagship (tentatively known as M9 or Hima) will feature an improved camera and audio experience. The device will feature a 20MP camera as its main shooter, while the UltraPixel sensor, a key spec of the previous two generations of the One series, will be moved to the front. Such a setup would be similar to the Desire 826, announced at CES, which also features an UltraPixel frontal camera.

The M9 will be powered by Qualcomm’s eight-core Snapdragon 810 chip, the source said, and feature a design that resembles the One M8 in aspect and size. While metal isn’t mentioned, it’s very likely that HTC will keep the highly successful metallic design language of the One family, probably with some small modifications.

The device will feature Dolby 5.1 audio technology and run HTC’s 7th generation Sense interface, “with improved location-based services.”

The report also briefly mentions the long-rumored HTC smartwatch, which will reportedly be introduced along the M9 at HTC’s pre-MWC March 1 event. The only detail about the wearable is the integration with Under Armour’s fitness service. During CES, HTC announced that it would weave Under Armour’s services into its 2015 products, including wearables.

HTC confirmed in October 2014 that it had worked on and ultimately axed an Android Wear smartwatch. The company’s marketing head said at the time that HTC needed more time to develop a competitive product.