I want this HTC One feature to make a comeback on Pixel phones

HTC One (M7) was released back in 2013 and is best android phone I’ve had it. It was gorgeous, powerful, and a joy to use, and really stood out at the time, thanks to HTC’s Sense Android skin.

While there are many gorgeous and well-made phones on the market today that are more powerful than I need, not many of them have the signature feature I loved on the old HTC One – dual front-facing speakers. as a Pixel Users, this is a feature I would like to see on the upcoming Google phones, but what are the chances of it actually happening?

I wouldn’t really call myself an audiophile, but sound quality is important to me. HTC’s dual front-facing speakers provided a great audio experience, as the sound was projected directly onto me while using the phone. My Pixel, on the other hand, has a front-facing speaker on top and a speaker on the bottom, so the sound isn’t pointed entirely at me when watching movies. This makes a big difference audio-wise, as the front-facing speakers deliver fuller sound and a more immersive experience.

I was also less likely to have the sound muted on the old HTC One because of the speaker’s position. I tend to lower the sound on the Pixel because my palms cover the bottom speakers when holding the phone in landscape mode, so I have to make sure to avoid this in a slightly different way than I’m used to. I also tend to hold the phone in portrait mode on my lap when I’m lying in bed or on the couch, which also muffles the sound from the bottom speaker and ruins the audio experience.

But better sound isn’t everything. Design also plays a role here. The metal speaker grilles below and above the screen look great. They gave the HTC One a unique look that many others copied during that era. They give the phone features you won’t find on most flagship phones today, which look more or less the same from the front.

Of course, the two speakers make the phone taller, but I don’t mind that. I’d be willing to go with a slightly taller phone if it meant a better sound experience and a cool design. However, not many people today are willing to make this compromise.

Front-facing speakers are still around, but they’re not as common as they were a decade ago. Although you won’t find them on the latest Pixel, galaxyLike most other mobile phones, they still exist on e.g. Sony Xperia VI and some others.

While I want front-facing speakers, I’m not willing to give up the Pixel line for them. I’d really like to see them on upcoming phones from Google and Samsung, two of my favorite brands. However, for some reason, the chances of this happening anytime soon are not high.

Since the release of the HTC One, phones have gotten better and better. While phone displays in 2013 had an aspect ratio of 16:9, most manufacturers today (including Google) use displays with an aspect ratio of around 19:9, which means phones are designed to be taller. When you pair it with larger and larger displays, adding dual speakers on the front makes the phone taller and uncomfortable to use for some people.

Then there are design considerations. Modern smartphones all flaunt ultra-thin bezels for a sleek look, and cramming in two front-facing speakers definitely makes them bigger (just look at the Sony Xperia 1 V pictured above). If we’re talking about a speaker the size of the HTC One M7, we’d see thicker bezels, which might clash with today’s minimalist aesthetics. Of course, some people – like me – might appreciate the retro and extra personality it brings, but I think most users these days prefer this sleek, modern look. This may be a big reason why phone manufacturers are hesitant to bring back dual front-facing speakers.

Unfortunately, front-facing speakers are also a feature that smartphone fans primarily want, rather than a feature that average smartphone users care much about, so manufacturers like Google don’t have much incentive to start using them again. So while Google did release phones with dual front-facing speakers (the last one being the Pixel 3 series), I don’t think it’s bringing this feature back from the dead. But if it were, the Pixel line would become more attractive to me.

And you? Would you like to see dual front speakers make a comeback? Let me know in the poll above and share your reasons in the comments section.