HTC unveiled a cheaper version of its One M9+ flagship smartphone in Taiwan, hoping to regain momentum in its home market following the disappointing run of its three-month-old M9+ handset.
The One ME dual sim will go on sale Saturday through HTC’s online store in Taiwan at a starting price of US$460 that is 38% cheaper than the original M9+ when it was launched locally in mid-May at US$735.
The ME dual sim, like the M9+, comes with a 5.2-inch 2K display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, a MediaTek Helio X10 octa-core 2.2GHz mobile processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a fingerprint scanner built into a home button on the front, a 20-megapixel main camera and support for up to 2TB of micro-SD external storage.
The HTC One ME dual sim comes with a show-stealing5.2″ WQHD (2K) display. Together with the HTC BoomSound™ x Dolby Audio™ Surround speakers which create a surround sound effect with true left- and right-channel audio projection, you’ll enjoy breathtaking and eye-popping audio-visual experience. Metallic front-side accents and a sleek, contoured back inspired by the award-winning design of the iconic HTC One series achieves a look of pure elegance. The dual-tone style of the HTC One ME dual sim features a mirrored metallic polycarbonate for an ergonomic, lightweight result.
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But several advanced features seen in the M9+, including an all-metal body design and a Duo camera depth sensor, have been removed from the ME dual sim. HTC One ME is available in three colors. Rose Gold, Gold Sepia and Meteor Grey
The ME dual sim has been launched in China and India to attract young and cost-conscious consumers, as high-end Android models no longer drive sales amid increasing competition from budget phones made by Chinese brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi.
HTC overtook Apple to regain the title of Taiwan’s largest smartphone vendor by sales volume in June with a 19.3% share, ahead of Samsung with 18.6% and Taiwan-based Asus Computer with 17.9%, according to industry statistics.
The results were driven mainly by HTC’s mid-tier models such as Desire 826 and Desire 626, the only two HTC phones listed among the top 10 best-selling smartphones in June, rather than the One M9+, the statistics showed.
HTC also said that it had temporarily halted sales of the M9+ in the Netherlands as the company is investigating problems with the device that are reportedly linked to 4G LTE connectivity.
In a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Aug. 13, the Taoyuan-based company said the M9+ sold in the Netherlands has no compatibility and software issues with 4G networks and supports major common LTE bands and operators.
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