There’s been some whispering concerning a larger version of the HTC One, to be released later on in the year. There’s not too much known about the device but, the infamous @evleaks Twitter account tweeted that the codename for the device is “T6”, which is different to the M7 and M4 names we’ve heard before. What’s a little more interesting is that the device’s codename has been spotted in a Linux string, alluding to numerous carrier variants, which could suggest that HTC are looking to roll out this device almost as far and wide as they have done with the One.
The following codename, “T6” matches up with the variants like this:
- T6_UL: cassiopeia Communication system: GSM / WCDMA / LTE
- T6_U: columba Communication system: GSM / WCDMA
- T6_ULA: delphinus Communication system: GSM / WCDMA / LTE
- T6_WL: crater Communication method: GSM/WCDMA/CDMA2000/LTE
- T6_WHL: eridanus Communication method: GSM/WCDMA/CDMA2000/LTE
If HTC have named this device “T6” internally, then it could have something to do with the device’s display size. Rumor has it the device will be somewhere in the 5-6-inch range but, it’s likely that the device will be more of a 5.5-incher or even a 5.99-incher. HTC already have a device at 5-inches in the Droid DNA and they’re not exactly in a position to release a number of variants that are very similar. This leads us to think that HTC are going to go with a bigger device, if they feel like they have to compete with the Galaxy Note III and other large-screened devices that are hitting the market – like the Optimus G Pro – then there’s only one thing they can do; go big, or go home.
The One is a great device but, at 4.7-inches there’s an argument to be made that it’s a device just like any other, when the Galaxy Note III hits later in the year, HTC’s One might look like an aging device. Is producing a larger smartphone for the sake of it a good move? Or will HTC need to come up with something special to compete?