What's that coming over the hill? Another monster smartphone, you say? Well, you may just be right as word continues to spread about the HTC M7.
The HTC One X and One X+ look to be on their way out at the top of the Taiwanese firm's tree, with the M7 the hotly-tipped successor.
HTC is looking to break the dominance enjoyed by Samsung and Apple over the past year and recapture the success it had with the original Desire.
Although not officially announced, HTC boss Peter Chou has already flashed us the M7 briefly during an appearance at the firm's end of year party in Taipei.
HTC M7 release date
Originally the HTC M7 was rumoured to make an appearance at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, but alas those reports didn't come to fruition.
It now looks like the HTC M7 launch has been set in stone with the Taiwanese firm sending out invitations to events in both London and New York scheduled for February 19.
Although the invite itself gives nothing away, TechRadar sources have said that this is indeed the HTC M7 launch event and the handset will be the firm's next flagship smartphone.
It's interesting that HTC has decided to announce the M7 before MWC 2013 begins in Barcelona later in the month… clearly the Taiwanese firm is worried about being lost in the noise by revealing the handset amid the fervour in Spain.
As far as the M7 release date is concerned it looks like we'll only have to wait a couple of weeks for the handset to land in stores, with the latest rumours suggesting it will touch down on March 8.
HTC M7 price
The HTC M7 is going to be a flagship smartphone and therefore will carry a flagship (read: expensive) price tag.
Expect the M7 to set you back a similar amount to the Sony Xperia Z, Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 and co, so you may want to start saving now.
HTC M7 screen
Early rumours suggested that the HTC M7 would roll up with a 5-inch display, which would have put it firmly in competition with the Xperia Z, Huawei Ascend D2 and ZTE Grand S.
This no longer seems to be the case with a number of subsequent reports all pointing towards a 4.7-inch display - which is the same size as the screen on the One X and One X+.
The key difference is that the M7 display will have a full HD 1080p resolution, which still makes as, if not more, attractive compared with the three 5-inch handsets mentioned above.
HTC M7 operating system
Leaked images of the HTC M7 along with various rumours all point towards the handset running Android Jelly Bean, which certainly is no great surprise - although we're not sure if it will be version 4.1 or 4.2.
More interestingly some reports suggest that the arrival of the HTC M7 will also see the launch of a new version of HTC's famed Android overlay - Sense 5.0.
The current iteration of Sense is version 4+ which arrived alongside One X+ (see what they did there), so we wouldn't be surprised if a more major overhaul was on the cards.
This thinking was then backed up a few days later when screenshots appeared online claiming to show off Sense 5.0, sporting a more streamlined homescreen and cleaner approach.
HTC M7 processor
No surprise in the power department as we hear the HTC M7 processor will be a Qualcomm 1.7GHz quad-core offering, which will provide more than enough get up and go for Android Jelly Bean.
It looks set to be a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 PRo offering with 2GB of RAM behind it to ensure everything keeps ticking over nicely.
HTC M7 specifications
As well as the hotly tipped full HD display, quad-core processor and Jelly Bean platform the HTC M7 is also expected to pack some other treats.
According to HTCSource and UnviewedView round the back you'll probably find a 13MP with modes such as HDR and slow-motion, while the front of the M7 will play home to a 2MP snapper.
UnwiredView goes on to claim the HTC M7 will feature 4G connectivity, next-gen Wi-Fi technology and Beats Audio from Dr. Dre.
In terms of storage the M7 is looking set to pack 32GB and follow in the footsteps of the flagship One X, One X+ and 8X with no expandable storage option.
Battery life in HTC's flagship smartphones has come under scrutiny recently and we hope the rumoured 2,300mAh power pack, which would be the biggest battery the firm has put in a smartphone to date, will be able to cut the mustard.
The high resolution display and powerful processor of the M7 does leave us a little worried, so fingers crossed the Taiwanese firm has done it power consumption sums if this is true.
HTC M7 case
We've seen a few images pop up online claiming to be the HTC M7 and while none of them can be taken as gospel, it looks like the new flagship will follow in the design footsteps of the HTC 8X.
The first snap of the M7 came from Unwired and claims to be a render taken from a short instructional video - although if you look at the later images this design looks to be off the mark.
Next up was a more official looking press shot claiming to be for the HTC M7, with the design of its Windows Phone 8 touting brother the 8X apparent.
The smooth curved back, less flamboyant camera and squarer finish is one we're fond of, and if this shot turns out to be legit the M7 could be one fine looking smartphone.
A video apparently showing the rear case of the HTC M7 then popped up a week later, comparing the supposed shell to that of the One X and the newer Droid DNA with the M7 sporting the most similarities with the latter.
Source : techradar[dot]com
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