Telstra’s new Android handset is an HTC A9 (more or less)
Telstra’s latest own-brand handset, the Telstra Signature Premium, is essentially an HTC A9 with a bit of Telstra-specific tweaking.
Most of the time when you buy a carrier-branded handset, you’re doing so because it’s among the cheapest devices available. Historically these have tended to be devices produced by manufacturers such as ZTE or Huawei,. However, Telstra’s latest device, the Telstra Signature Premium is instead an HTC developed device -- or in this case, essentially a rebadged HTC One A9.
Telstra announced the new handset yesterday, noting its Telstra-specific features, such as compatibility with the carrier’s 4GX network, support for both Wi-Fi calling (which it pegged it would launch back at Mobile World Congress) and Voice over LTE (VoLTE), all sitting in an Android device with a 5.0 inch display.
Telstra had already announced that it was working on a signature device with HTC, and looking at the specifications for the Telstra Signature Premium, it’s not hard to see that this is, in essence, the HTC One A9 with a little bit of tweaking. The HTC One A9 is actually a 2015-era smartphone, but one that never saw official release in Australia; our next official HTC phone will be the premium HTC 10.
Here’s how the baseline specifications for the Telstra Signature Premium and HTC One A9 handsets compare.
Smartphones | Telstra Signature Premium | HTC One A9 |
---|---|---|
Screen size | 5.0in | 5.0in |
Storage | 32gb | 16/32gb |
Weight | 143g | 143g |
Processor | Qualcomm MSM8952 Octa-Core | Qualcomm MSM8952 Octa-Core |
Rear camera | 13MP | 13MP |
Front camera | "Ultrapixel" | 4MP |
Battery | 2150mAh | 2150mAh |
Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Display density | 440ppi | 440ppi |
Price | $648 | N/A |
The only real difference there, beyond Telstra opting for the higher storage variant of the A9, is the stated camera quality. Telstra simply lists the front camera as an "Ultrapixel" camera; that’s an HTC-specific term in any case, and most Ultrapixel cameras have tended to have 4MP sensors in mid-range models.
Telstra has announced outright pricing for the Telstra Signature Premium at $648 if you wanted it off-contract.
Can you fit a larger battery?
Hi Ivan,
Thanks for your inquiry.
No, HTC A9 mobile phone has its own built battery model which has 2150mAh. You cannot insert any other battery.
Best regards,
Rench