HTC may launch a new version of its U11 flagship smartphone to go against Google, Apple, and Samsung (GOOG, HTCXF)

pulse

October 17, 2017 12:06 PM

There might be two versions of the handset come November.

HTC may soon announce a new flagship smartphone to compete with top devices from Google, Apple, and Samsung, as first reported by The Verge.

The Taiwanese company has reportedly sent out invitations for an upcoming event, which will take place on November 2 (presumably in Taipei).

The invitation contains a big "U" in it, suggesting that the firm's U line will be the focus.

HTC currently has three smartphones in the U lineup: The U Play, U Ultra, and the critically acclaimed (and yet somewhat doomed) U11.

According to the report, the Taiwanese has two follow-up devices in the pipeline, which may appear on November 2.

The first one is a slimmed-down, budget version of the U11: It will reportedly have a lower-end Snapdragon 630 system-on-a-chip, a smaller 5.2-inch display, and keep the shiny blue coloration of its predecessor.

It will also apparently come with Google's Android One operating system, an entry-level OS which focuses on less data-demanding and power-hungry apps.

The device, tipped to be priced at $400 (£300), will likely be a focus in India, Taiwan, and other markets in South-East Asia; however, a more premium device — provisionally called HTC U11 Plus — may also make its appearance at the event.

As per The Verge's report, the U11 Plus would come in as a six-inch, QuadHD+ (that's 2880x1440 with the elongated 18:9 aspect ratio) monster, which may or may not come with a design that cuts down on the original U11's notable bezels.

It would be equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 processor, backed by either 4 or 6GB of RAM (and either 64 or 128GB of onboard storage, accordingly), IP67 certification for water and dust resistance, and a 12MP rear camera.

There is no word on price and availability, but chances are that with this spec sheet, HTC will want to market the phone worldwide and right up there in the same neighbourhood where Google's Pixel 2 XL, Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 and Apple's iPhone X live.

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