HTC One 2 Rumored to Crash Galaxy S5 Launch Window

The HTC One 2, or HTC M8, will reportedly launch in New York City in late March, marking the return of a heated rivalry as rumors also suggest Samsung is planning a Galaxy S5 launch event in a similar timeframe.

HTC beat Samsung to the launch game in 2013 with the HTC One and even crashed the press line at Samsung’s Galaxy S4 launch event in New York City to offer hot coffee and show off the HTC One to press and fans who descended on the Big Apple to see Samsung’s extravagant announcement.

A new leak from the well-known @evleaks shares HTC’s plans for a HTC M8 or HTC One 2 launch event that will take place in March in New York City. There is no specific date or launch venue, but it lines up with HTC’s actions last year for the HTC One launch.

Starting to look like a late March, NYC launch for HTC M8.

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 2, 2014

In 2013 HTC’s early launch was an attempt to get the device on store shelves before the competition, but delays pushed the HTC One release to April by which time the Galaxy S4 was nearly available. With a slightly later HTC One 2 launch event planned, HTC will likely go right up against the Samsung Galaxy S5 release in April or May.

The source did not suggest when the HTC One 2 release date is, but based on company history and timing of HTC launch to release windows, April is very likely, with a chance for an early May release if the company runs into any issues with manufacturing or hold ups with carrier partners and certifications.

While rumors suggested competitor Samsung would deliver the Samsung Galaxy S5 first, with a launch in February, the latest rumors suggest March as a timing for a Galaxy S5 launch. Both companies are reportedly hosting their own events to avoid being lost in the sea of announcements at trade shows like Mobile World Congress and CTIA, but stacking events too close could make things tough for underdog HTC.

An HTC One 2 launch event in NYC would help the company garner additional attention from U.S. news outlets who can more easily cover a launch in a major U.S. city than one in London or abroad, but it’s not a definite win. When Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 3 last fall a satellite event took place in NYC complete with new devices on display in Times Square.

For the 2014 smartphone wars HTC will need to step things up to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S5 at launch and with a quick release on major U.S. carriers. The HTC One release ran into trouble as Verizon did not offer the phone for months after the initial release.

This year we expect AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile will sell the Samsung Galaxy S5 within weeks of the release. With a HTC One 2 release shaping up to come in a similar window, HTC needs to secure carrier agreements that get the device on carriers as fast as possible.

HTC is reportedly planning a metal design again with a larger screen for the HTC One 2. The code name for this device is HTC M8, a jump from the HTC M7 used on the HTC One that launched last February. It looks like the HTC One display will offer a 1920 x 1080 resolution and we anticipate the return of HTC BoomSound front-facing speakers. On the software side, it looks like HTC Sense 6 is on board.

Read: HTC M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5 – Early Look 

The Samsung Galaxy S5 rumors suggest a 5.2-inch or 5.25-inch display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and while it is not definite a plastic design seems likely. The Galaxy S5 will reportedly sport an upgraded 16MP camera and include a new version of TouchWiz that looks flatter and offers revamped apps.