We already know that HTC will be announcing a new flagship phone at MWC this year, but until now we thought it would be focusing solely on its One M8 successor, the tentatively named One M9 (also known as Project Hima). However, new images posted by Evan Blass (formerly @evleaks, a well-known source for smartphone leaks) on Twitter suggest that HTC may be launching two new flagship phones at its press event on March 1st instead of one.
The image shows two brand-new HTC smartphones that appear to have metal chassis (or at the very least a metal frame) and a centrally positioned front-facing camera. HTC's unique BoomSound speakers are also just about visible on the top and bottom of each handset. More importantly, the larger phone on the right has a dedicated home button, which could potentially be a fingerprint sensor as well, below the HTC logo. The smaller one, however, looks as though it will have onscreen buttons.
Old habits die hard... pic.twitter.com/eQ81vxQl2S
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 28, 2015
While Blass suggests this is the M9 in his tweet showing all of HTC's flagship smartphones so far, previous rumours suggested that the One M9 would look very similar to the current One M8, as leaked pictures showing the front and back of the phone point to very few design changes in the overall handset. Elsewhere, the phone is rumoured to have a 20-megapixel rear camera, one of HTC's UltraPixel cameras on the front of the handset and an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor.
However, the presence of two handsets may clear up the current confusion over what the One M9's screen size will be, as we've seen conflicting reports of both a 5in and 5.2in screen. Taken together, it could mean that HTC might be launching two variations of its latest flagship handset in a similar style to Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - although here there would be a much smaller difference in overall screen size.
Alternatively, HTC might be launching a new Desire handset with the One M9 which follows in the style of the Desire Eye, which had all the same internals as the One M8, but had a plastic chassis and was less expensive as a result. We'll know for sure come March, but for now we'll bring you all the latest news as it's confirmed.