This is the HTC One A9 — this isn’t an iPhone. But, if you wish you could get an Android device in the shape of an iPhone, well, here you go.

HTC says that it sold aluminum unibody devices before Apple did, and they’re right. Ever since the One M7 at the start of 2013, HTC has been promoting its signature aluminum unibody design, characterized by a particular mix of subtle curves and precise straight lines.  But hey, the camera, camera flash, and even corner radius on the A9 device match the iPhone 6 and 6s, and those antenna bands look awfully familiar as well.

If you read the One A9’s spec sheet, you’d probably think of it as a mid-range phone with nothing special about it. But that’s why spec sheets should be ignored for the most part. Using the One A9 shows what happens when a phone makes the most of its components, resulting in a device that compares favorably with most other companies’ flagship smartphones.

The HTC One A9 is a good phone. However, the price is the issue. $500. Decent battery life, above average performance, decent software options, decent camera. This is a mid-range phone with mid-range specs with an expensive price tag. It doesn’t compete in a market where you can drop $500 on a Nexus 6P flagship, Galaxy S6, or the iPhone 6.

You can pick up HTC One A9 now.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Gear Live’s YouTube channel to be notified of all new tech review videos as they’re posted.

GeekWire Picks is a regular feature linking to our favorite products and deals. GeekWire or its partners may receive a share of the revenue from your purchase through affiliate referral fees.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.