X

HTC head of smartphones resigns

Chialin Chang, who helmed HTC's phones and connected devices business, has left the company.

David Katzmaier Editorial Director -- Personal Tech
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
David Katzmaier
htc-u12-leak

A leaked image of HTC's upcoming U12 phone.

Amazon Japan

HTC will now have to find someone new to lead its smartphone division.

Today the company announced that its president in charge of smartphones, Chialin Chang, has tendered his resignation because of his "personal career plan." Currently the investor note announcing the news has "N/A" listed as Chang's replacement.

In a statement supplied to CNET, an HTC spokesperson said "We can confirm Chialin Chang has resigned from his position as President of the Smartphone and Connected Devices Business at HTC. We thank him for his dedication to the Company for the last six years and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Local reports from Taiwan indicate Chang left to found an AI startup. 

Chang leaves amid turmoil at struggling phone maker.  In its January earnings report, revenue fell 15 percent compared to December 2017, and year-over-year totals dropped 27 percent. Google recently closed its deal paying HTC $1.1 billion for hire certain HTC workers, many of whom were already working with Google on the Pixel line of phones. And recent rumors suggest HTC won't introduce a phone at the Mobile World Congress show later this month, in favor of debuting its flagship U12 later in April.