Samsung, HTC taking preorders Friday on new smartphones

NEW YORK—The latest flagship smartphones from Samsung and HTC can be preordered starting on Friday.

HTC's HTC One M9 will be available unlocked for $649 at htc.com, just after midnight. It will be sold in stores on April 10. All four major wireless carriers will have the handset in their portfolio and it will be available at other retailers as well. HTC is offering what it calls "UH OH Protection," a one-time replacement within the first 12 months of purchase for cracked screens or water damage.

Meantime, Samsung's Galaxy S6 and curved S6 Edge handsets will also be available in stores on April 10 and they too can be preordered Friday. Samsung has done away with the dimpled plastic on prior Galaxy models in favor of a more premium high-grade aluminum construction, and will be introducing Samsung Pay, the company's answer to Apple Pay on the rival iPhone. The new Galaxy's will also be available from all the major U.S. wireless providers.

Full pricing details are coming.

There's a lot of pressure on both companies to come up with a hit to compete not only against each other, but against Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

I am presently testing the new phones and will come back at you with a complete review.

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow @edbaig on Twitter