HTC has just released its latest addition to its smartphone lineup. At first glance, the new HTC One A9 looks very much similar to another competitor's flagship. According to industry observers, the new HTC flagship looks a lot like Apple's iPhone 4s.

The comparison has been on a number of review sites that even Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia, had to announce that, "We're not copying. We made a uni-body metal-clad phone in 2013. It's Apple that copies us in terms of the antenna design on the back."

What makes the new One A9 different from its supposed "look-alike," and other recent flagship releases?

In terms of body design, the One A9 has the signature all-metal chassis of all recent HTC flagships like the M9 and M8. However, the tapered body, rounded corners, and even the placement of the LED flash and camera at the back remind people of an iPhone.

As a flagship, the One A9 is also one of the current devices that balance practical design and premium aesthetics. The brushed metal finish is accented by a crisp and vibrant 5.0-inch AMOLED display.

Under the hood, the One A9 is run on a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor. Although considered a midrange chipset, HTC says that an optimized Snapdragon 617 with an adequate memory can take on much-powerful processors. A Tech Times review mentions the One A9 being able to perform as well as premium flagships such as the newly released iPhone 6s.

Meanwhile, in terms of memory and storage, the new One A9 comes in two versions. Apparently, the U.K. version will come with a 2-GB RAM and 16-GB pairings, while North American fans will get the 3-GB RAM and 32-GB storage variant. Both models are expandable via microSD.

Other features of the new One A9 include a 13-MP main camera with OIS and LED flash, and a mid-range price of around $400.