Actually Apple copied our phone design, says HTC exec

Now, HTC is firing back at the copycat comments: An executive said that the tables should be turned when it comes to design rip-off accusations. “We made a uni-body metal-clad phone in 2013”.

HTC is today being accused by a few corners of blatantly ripping off Apple’s design and then dangling a cheaper price tag just to curb its steep fall, especially in the US. Elsewhere on Twitter, HTC’s global communications manager Jeff Gordon said the iPhone 6 is the lovechild of an HTC One M7 and a Desire 816.

Taiwan’s HTC plans to introduce more high-end and mid-tier handsets with a design similar to the new One A9, pinning its hopes for survival on design changes to attract more customers. As for the flat back of the device, it is something new for HTC since the previous One models all featured curved backs to make way for added internal components, plus it provides a more comfortable hand grip. “(We’re) unveiling a phone that stands apart in a market increasingly dominated by a company which controls every aspect of your phone”, HTC’s CEO Cher Wang said in a statement. Back when the iPhone was made from plastic, HTC was using solid unibody metal chassis’ in its phones.

Do you think HTC pilfered Apple’s design language? Priced at $399.99 (approximately Rs. 26,000) for the unlocked version, the HTC One A9 is now available for pre-orders in the US. The HTC One A9 was described as “the most blatant and highest-profile iPhone ripoff since Samsung’s original Galaxy S”. On Twitter, Mackenzie has called those who claim it’s HTC copying Apple, “history revisionists”.

As for the A9 design, we’ve got ours and yes the skin-deep design definitely says iPhone knockoff. But for Jack Tong, HTC North Asia’s president, it’s actually the other way around. However, when “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” seems to be the official word on the HTC One A9’s controversial design, it may not stay that way for long.

HTC’s performance isn’t exactly stellar but the Taiwanese company remains positive.

The One A9 [has] a 5-inch screen with a curved-edge display, 13-megapixel rear-facing camera…Quick Charge 2.0 and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.