Part 4/8:
However, the triumph of 2011 was fleeting. HTC faced serious legal challenges from tech giants Microsoft and Apple, resulting in costly patent infringement lawsuits. HTC struggled to navigate this legal landscape, spending vast amounts acquiring patents to defend its designs but ultimately losing the dispute. The resulting settlements required them to pay substantial fees to Microsoft and Apple for each phone sold, significantly impacting their profit margins.
In a desperate bid to recover, HTC began venturing into the budget phone market, introducing models like the Wildfire and Chacha. Unfortunately, these devices failed to resonate with consumers, lacking the distinct qualities and innovations that had previously defined HTC phones.