The HTC M8 isn’t even official yet, but there’s already talk of a spinoff. HTC will launch a mini version of the M8 alongside the flagship handset, according to a renowned leaker.
@evleaks claims the serial number of the M8 is 0P6B, while the M8 Mini — as I assume it’ll be called — is 0P8B. The M8 has previously popped up in a benchmark test, where it was referred to as the HTC 0P6B120, so logically the M8 Mini’s full model number would be 0P8B120. But as with all tech rumours, I advise taking it with a pinch of salt.
There’s no word on where @evleaks has sourced his information from, but he has a pretty good track record of coming up with the goods when it comes to mobile leaks.
I’ve contacted HTC for comment and will update this story if I hear back.
The latest rumours concerning the M8 say it’ll have a 5-inch, 1080p screen. That would be 0.3 inches bigger than the HTC One (pictured), which it succeeds. The HTC One Mini is 4.3 inches big, so theoretically speaking, the M8 Mini could be the same size. 4.3 inches is a popular size for the mini versions of bigger blowers — Sony’s outstanding Xperia Z1 Compact has a 4.3-inch screen, for example.
A UK judge let slip the M8’s release date in a court case before Christmas, pegging it for a February or March reveal. I reckon we’ll see it make its debut at Mobile World Congress in February.
Last year, HTC also launched a bigger spinoff of the One, known as the One Max, so who knows, we could see an M8 Max too. Watch this space…
What do you want to see from the M8? Would you like a mini version alongside it? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
Update: A spokesperson for HTC told me they do not comment on rumour and speculation.