Exiting news for the HTC crowd this morning: yet another phone has leaked its way out of the HTC headquarters. But this one is neither the often-spotted Ville or the drool-worthy Edge: it’s a currently nameless slate running Ice Cream Sandwich and looking awfully familiar. Get a load of that asymmetrical battery cover – that styling has unmistakable echoes of the HTC Incredible and Incredible 2. The phone in question may or may not be the Incredible 3, but it’s certainly real, and looks finished enough that it should show up in a more official capacity sometime in the next few months. Thanks to Phone Arena for the leaked photos.
As far as hardware goes, this one’s looking to fall on the top end of mid-range, with a 1.2 Ghz deal-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel camera. There’s no mention of screen size, but as an educated guess I’d say it’s between 4.0 and 4.3 inches. The good news is that it’s AMOLED, so it looks like those panel shortages have finally ended. The side-loaded USB port mirrors previous Incredible models, and the phone sports an LTE radio.
Take a gander at the software running on the screen: yup, that’s Sense 4.0 running on top of Ice Cream Sandwich. Barring some device-specific modification on HTC’s part, that might mean that the previous video of the Ville was running a very early build, as the interface seems noticeably different on the mystery device. It seems like HTC has decided against Ice Cream Sandwich’s on-screen navigation buttons for all of its new phones, as this one sticks with the tried and true capacitive buttons.
So, when will we see this device? HTC’s docket for Mobile World Congress is looking pretty full, and since this is the first we’ve heard of this phone, it could be a while before an official unveiling is scheduled. Early to mid summer would be a pretty good bet.
[via BGR]
ICS gives a better user experience with on-screen buttons. The only reason to stick with capacitive buttons is if you’re too cheap for the larger screen.
Mr. Crider I am not trying to be rude, but just want a point out you have a few misspelled words in your article, but thank you and very informative!
Good day!
Why no-onscreen buttons!?! I love the incredible line and the back of this phone looks so sick but why is it a 1.2 snapdragon with capacative buttons?!?
If it’s the Incredible 3 then sucks for me because I too, think the phone looks pretty nice, but aren’t the Incredible phones only for Verizon?
Yep. Which is fine by me. I love Verizon’s service. I just try not to think about how much I’m paying… I really think that HTC makes the best looking phones. But the Gnex has set the bar as far as on screen buttons. HTC has got to step up their game including the processor. I would hate to see the Incredible 3 released as a mid range phone.
there is a drawback for the on-screen buttons. if there is an issue with the software or if the phone hangs or the touch stops working. We can’t use the on-screen buttons.
nope…. in my country, we get it unlocked. works on all Indian GSM networks. you may get it from amazon or something like that.
on screen buttons are not that great. You do loose some screen space with them. So a 4.3″ phone may now only be 4- 4.1″
But with the nexus for example they adjusted the aspect ratios so when you’re in an app like youtube or netflix adn watching a video, those buttons disappear giving you a 16:9 aspect ratio which is better than 16:10 for movies. Although for typing(in portrait) and whatnot 16:10 makes sense. For now, on screen buttons are a toss-up for me. Semi-quoting one of my other comments, I’m torn between what looks good and what is most practical.
TOP FEATURE!! Dies within 6 hours! WOOOOH!
If all phones could have the RAZR MAXX battery life… That’s my dream right now.
MY guess is that, HTC Primo is the next HTC Wildfire while the Ville is the next Desire. the phone in the pic is the next Incredible. The Edge is probably, the next Sensation.
I will never purchase another HTC phone with sense. Not to mention the lame position of the charger port. Who ever thought this was a good idea? 99% of users never purchase a dock and the battery life is so bad you have to use it with the cable plugged in much of the time.
love my Dinc 2 my battery life is atleast a whole day with battery saver… when its time for an upgrade i will get Dinc 3 or Dinc 4g whatever they r calling it!!!