How this for a surprise? HTC is rumored to be planning a, wait for it, Mini version of the brand new HTC One M8. Shocking, we know. Rumors have been gathering since the launch of its big brother, so it's time to bring them all together for a complete look at what we think we know about HTC's next major release.
Updated on 05-05-2014 by Andy: We've added a leaked picture of the One Mini 2, along with news on the phone's specification, design, and release.
It may not wear the M8 name
HTC decided to keep the M8 codename for the newest One smartphone, using it to avoid adding the number two, or a plus sign, to the final name. This left it with a dilemma for the new Mini, because presumably, it's referred to internally under its own codename, which almost certainly isn't the M8. It's less likely we'll be getting the One M8 Mini, then, and more likely that we'll be seeing the One Mini 2.
What will it look like, and how about the specs?
According to a rumor report from a UK smartphone retailer, HTC isn't going to drastically change the formula which made the original so popular, but we should prepare ourselves for a mixture of positive and negative alterations. Apparently, HTC will increase the screen size for the One M8 Mini from 4.3-inches on the old model, to 4.5-inches. This brings it into line with the popular Motorola Moto G, and keeps a similar size difference between it and the full-size model. There's no information on the resolution, but we expect HTC to stick with 720p.
Back in February, @evleaks also revealed a set of specs linked to the One Mini 2, referred to as the M8 Mini at the time. The tweet also mentioned a 4.5-inch screen with a 720 resolution, along with a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal memory. A MicroSD card slot may be included. The operating system should be Android 4.4 KitKat with HTC's Sense 6 user interface.
A leaked picture published by @evleaks on Twitter suggests the device's shape will be very similar to the One M8, although it looks slightly thicker when viewed from the side, plus the sensor layout above the screen is closer to the original. There's no Beats Audio branding on the rear either. We won't know until the phone is announced if this is the real thing, but if it is, we can expect three different colors to be offered, including gold.
In a picture leaked to PhoneArena.com, the plastic antenna covers running around the One Mini 2′s body are shown in a bright accent color, suggesting HTC will make these more of a feature this time around. The garish greeny yellow isn't to our taste, but judging by HTC's previous colorful efforts, it'll probably look much better in real life. However, the bright accents don't appear in @evleaks picture, so it's not certain this will happen.
No Duo Camera on the One Mini 2
The slight increase in screen size is welcome, but the other potential difference between the two phones probably won't be seen in such a positive light. Apparently, the Duo Camera introduced on the One M8 won't be a feature on the Mini. This could leave the new phone with the same UltraPixel camera seen on the last phone, unless HTC has something else up its sleeve to make the smaller device standout. The February leak stated the rear camera would have 13-megapixels, and the front camera 5-megapixels.
The claim HTC won't add the Duo Camera to the Mini is backed up by the leaked image above. It shows a single camera lens on the rear of the device, accompanied by an LED flash, which has been moved from above the lens to the side. There's no sign of the second sensor, which is essential to the Duo Camera's operation.
When will the One Mini 2 be announced?
A report from the UK indicates we should expect the phone to go on sale in May, which if accurate, means the launch could come any day. Despite this probably being a UK date, we'd expect the same to apply to America. It would also arrive less than a year into the existing One Mini's life. Should this come true, perhaps we should look out for an HTC One M8 Max shortly after the summer.
We'll be updating this report when new information on the One M8 Mini (or the One Mini 2) is revealed, so make sure you check back.
Article first published on 04-01-2014
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