The sharp edges of the BoomSound speakers are well-defined, and while it's heavy at 157g, especially compared to contemporaries like the iPhone 6 or Galaxy S6, Apple's is the only device that can come close to beating the attractive packaging here – and I prefer the weight and balance HTC has created. The two-tone finish is superb and still quite distinctive more than a year on, the weight and balance is even better than before, and the precision I spoke of earlier is the overriding feeling. While the decisions HTC has made to improve the One M9's design don't seem to have hit the mark, there's no doubt this is a finely crafted phone, and was probably the best on the market at launch in that respect. The grey and gold versions will look less impressive, given they've lost the two-tone appeal, but that doesn't mean they won't be as nice to hold. The one-piece fascia is complemented beautifully by the two tone metallic rim (on my review unit, the silver and gold variant). HTC is calling it 'jewellery-grade,' with each one hand-finished by craftsmen, and it certainly shows. Let's get this out the way at the start – the design is, by far, the most amazing part of the HTC One M9. However, the key question remains: is this package still good enough to warrant the extra cash when you can get the likes of the OnePlus 3 for a similar price? Have the improvements added more to the mix or is the HTC One M9 a sign of the company treading water, adding nuance rather than innovation? Design

It's a two tone design (well, the Silver/Gold and Gold/Pink versions have a contrasting band around the side, whereas the Gunmetal Grey and Gold on Gold versions don't) that uses a single piece of metal for the entire phone – it really feels better packaged than previous HTC phones. The metallic chassis is back and is bolder than ever. The resolution is 'only' 1080p, but again, some still question whether the pin-sharp QHD resolution is needed unless you're intent on using your phone in a VR headset, especially as it's harder on battery life. There are some things that haven't been improved over 2014's HTC One M8 though: the screen is still 'only' 5 inches, which could be too big or too small depending on your opinion on the subject.

Htc one m9 review gsmarena