14 DAY TRIAL // HTC One M8, the latest flagship Android-based handset from Taiwanese handset vendor HTC that landed on shelves around the world a couple of weeks ago, might be released in a cheaper, plastic variant as soon as the next month, rumor has it.
According to a recent report coming from tmtpost, HTC is considering the release of this device in China in May so as to attract more users to its high-end smartphone.
Apparently, the new handset would pack the device with the entire range of hardware capabilities that HTC One M8 features inside, as well as with the same looks, only that it will replace the aluminum case on the phone with a plastic one.
The main reason for this would be a decrease in pricing. At the moment, HTC One M8 is available in the country at 5,299 Yuan (around $850/€610), while the plastic variant would be launched at only 3,000 Yuan (roughly $480/€350), as GforGames notes.
Should the rumor pan out, it remains to be seen whether HTC will offer the new device model in China with the same 4G (TD-LTE) capabilities as the original, given that the phone’s hardware specs are said to remain untouched.
HTC One M8 was launched with a 5-inch screen, a 2.3GHz quad-core processor inside, 2GB of RAM, dual cameras on the back, and a 5MP front camera for making video calls. It runs under the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system.