HTC touts “compelling camera” for its next flagship and importance of Vive headset

A day after their Twitter tease of what is presumably the One M10, HTC executives sat down with CNET for a wide-ranging talk. In the interview, CEO Cher Wang and CFO Chialin Chang said that the company’s next phone will have a better camera while noting the importance of the new Vive VR.

In reference to their next smartphone, Chang said “HTC will have a very, very compelling camera experience.” Of course, the company believed the same thing when they went to a 4MP UltraPixel camera for the One M7 and later One M8. However, their course correction to a more conventional camera in the One M9 was still not enough.

According to rumors, the camera experience of HTC’s next flagship will use the same Sony imaging sensor found in the Nexus 6P, but with the addition of OIS. HTC is also rumored to be returning to an UltraPixel setup. The device is expected to have a similar rear to the One M7 and a similar front to the One A9.

While having a good flagship smartphone will be important, HTC is also diversifying its product lineup with the Vive virtual reality headset. At MWC, the company announced a price and a preorder date with shipments arriving in early April.

Specifically, Wang touts the wireless controllers that the Vive will ship with as the key to providing a better experience than the cheaper Oculus Rift. HTC is working with major retailers to get Vive demos in stores and in front of consumers. Interestingly, retailers were willing to donate space to HTC as they believe VR will get more consumers in to stores.