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The HTCA9’s price will jump to $500 after November 7th
June 03, 2025
HTCis very proud ofits A9handset, even going as far as to proclaim that Applecopied the company’s designlanguage which is now billed as “metalmorphics“. While the device may be divisive, interested parties are no doubt taken by its near-stock Android build, the generous warranty, solid specs, and the reasonable price. While the Taiwanese OEM has openly noted the $399 cost was only a limited time affair, today we know the full picture: from November 7th the A9 will cost $499.99.
Specifically, the company has provided the following statement to clarify this issue:
Pricing a problem?
On a global scale, the A9 seems to be replicating thesame pricing problemseen in thenew Nexus devices. Due to regional and/or exchange rate-related issues, Carphone Warehouse is listing it as £469 ($720). When considering that the MSRP for US customers is devoid of tax, even $399 becomes a slightly more costly creation. At $499 however, it’s roughly $50 cheaper than last year’s iPhone 6. In fact, a quick perusal on Amazon.com reveals that even US versions ofthis year’sGalaxy S6 can be had for roughly $50 more, withsome sellersoffering unlocked international variants for under $490.
A misstep?
Given the significant price hike about to take place next week, it begs the question as to if HTChas made a mistake with either the price itself, or else the manner in which it disclosed it. When the product was announced, the $399 cost was definitely a highlight for some. The product was basically presented as a viable alternative to products like the Moto X Pure Edition and the company’s promises of fast updates struck a cord.
Now, roughly a week later, the proposition suddenly seems less of one. At $499, theMoto X Pure Editionhas a lot of extra specs to boast for example, and even products like theOnePlus 2orAxon Phoneare worth considering. Meanwhile, customers who see the A9 in a store might find it nice, but more carefully compare it with the competition – including the company’sown M9– and choose either a cheaper option or a better one.
Keep in mind that a device of this is not a cheap proposition. HTC’s metallic phones have always cost a lot, and the company needs to improve its cash flow.
In a sense, the A9 has become HTC’s iPhone 5C: it was designed at a very specific market yet due to pricing practices, has become less viable. At $500 pre-tax, it is competing directly with some major rivals, many of which offer better specs or hardware for the same cost, slightly higher, orlower.
What do you think? Is the A9 still a good purchase at the FRP or was $399 really the most it could have feasibly charged for this device? Please take our survey below, and share your thoughts in the comments section!
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