Nine real-life images depicting what’s said to be the HTC U12 Plus leaked online on Saturday, having originally emerged on Facebook. The photographs that can be seen in the gallery below are largely in line with previous reports about what’s believed to be HTC’s only Android flagship of the year, revealing a device with an 18:9 (2:1) display panel and two dual-camera setups, one on each side of the phablet. While many original equipment manufacturers are now employing display notches to maximize screen real estate, HTC’s isn’t going down that polarizing design route and its next high-end offering will lack such a cutout, as per the new leak.
The HTC U12 Plus will be equipped with a circular fingerprint reader on its back, as well as a heart rate monitor, though only its rear-facing camera setup will be accompanied by a dual-LED flash unit, the images suggest. The Taiwanese tech giant appears to have opted for a metal unibody design, with the overall look of the phablet’s back being somewhat reminiscent of the LG G6. While the company’s next flagship is expected to be advertised as the HTC U12 Plus, a “regular” HTC U12 won’t be happening, industry sources said earlier this year. By condensing its Android flagship efforts into a single device, HTC may be able to maximize sales in the best mobile segment for doing business margin-wise.
The overall state of HTC’s smartphone business is still grim, with the company just enduring its worst fiscal year to date, having lost $580 million in 2017. Its virtual reality business is doing much better on its own and is being supported by the firm as its road toward long-term sustainability, though it’s presently unclear whether HTC will be looking for a complete smartphone exit in the near future so as to cut its losses and continue pursuing emerging technologies in sectors it’s still able to pioneer.
