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Verizon HTC One Mysteries: 6 Questions Remain

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Today, Sprint became the second U.S. carrier to start taking pre-orders for the HTC One, joining fellow carrier AT&T which started taking pre-orders for the highly anticipated device yesterday. T-Mobile will be announcing its plans soon. However, despite confirmations from all three of those carriers, we still have some question remaining about the HTC One, particularly, with the rumored Verizon HTC One.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One: How the U.S. Release Matches Up.

In February, HTC announced the HTC One and quickly confirmed that it would be coming to a host of mobile operators including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Missing from the launch was the nation’s largest 4G LTE carrier, Verizon Wireless, which has signed on to carry the Samsung Galaxy S4. Verizon is an optimal destination not only for new customers looking for a massive 4G LTE network but also to current Verizon users who are grandfathered into an unlimited plan and want to pair it with the best smartphone possible.

The 4.7-inch display features a 1080P HD resolution and is flanked by stereo speakers.

The HTC One might be heading to Verizon in the future.

Despite the lack of a Verizon HTC One announcement, the device hasn’t gone away quietly. Prior to the HTC One release, there had been rumors of a Verizon HTC One and after the launch of the HTC One back in February, those rumors have persisted.

Since February, we’ve seen HTC deny a Verizon HTC One, only to pull the offending tweet and start offering a more generic answer. We have seen rumored Verizon HTC One features leak to the surface. We saw AllThingsD confirm that a HTC One would be heading to Verizon, though it did not elaborate on much else. And we’ve also seen some odd goings on over at Verizon where the HTC One’s presumed predecessor, the Droid DNA, received a new SKU number after mysteriously vanishing from the website.

Certainly, there are quite a few questions, mysteries, swirling around about the Verizon HTC One and here, we take a look at what we feel are the six biggest.

Verizon HTC One Release Date

The Verizon HTC One release date is a complicated mystery.

The Verizon HTC One release date is a complicated mystery.

Obviously, one of the biggest questions that remains about the Verizon HTC One is its release date. Because Verizon hasn’t announced anything yet, we still have no idea when an HTC One or an HTC One-like device might be heading to Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

So far, we’ve heard two stories in regards to the timing of the Verizon HTC One release date. The first, which emerged at the beginning of March, was that it would be out in three to four months. If that timing is anywhere close to accurate, it means that the device would be out sometime in June or July.

The other is that the device would be arriving about a month or two after the other carriers – AT&T, Sprint and Verizon – got the device. At the time, it seemed like that could mean April or May. It still could.

The interesting thing here is that both rumored Verizon HTC One release dates came prior to the delay of the HTC One which drove U.S. release dates back into late April. So it’s unclear if Verizon’s timing was delayed because of this or if it was unaffected.

Another curious thing we’ve heard is that HTC is planning to introduce a new HTC Butterfly soon. The HTC Butterfly is Verizon’s Droid DNA, the device that Verizon’s HTC One is said to be replacing.

However, that just adds to the mystery.

Display Size

The HTC Butterfly and the Droid DNA both sport 5-inch displays. In fact, the Droid DNA was the first smartphone in the U.S. to arrive with a 1080p display back in November. The timing has been mentioned as a possible reason why Verizon passed on the HTC One, at least for now. It didn’t want them so close to each other, likely because it didn’t want Droid DNA owners to feel cheated.

So, like many, we have assumed that this new HTC Butterfly 2 could be the Droid DNA 2 aka Verizon’s HTC One. However, this theory has been thrown under the bus by a noted HTC insider who has leaked out supposed Verizon HTC One information in the past.

In response to a question about speculation regarding the possibility of a 5-inch Verizon HTC One display, @LlabTooFeR says that he believes the Verizon HTC One will have a 4.7-inch display.

Leaked specifications have suggested the same thing. So, the question remains: Is the Verizon HTC One coming with a 4.7-inch display like the current HTC One or will it be based on a 5-inch HTC Butterfly 2? It’s unclear.

Design

And that leads us to the three mystery, the Verizon HTC One design. The only thing that we’ve heard about the design is that it will have Verizon branding. Other than that, there is nothing.

What it will come down to is whether or not the HTC One for Verizon is the Butterfly 2 or the actual HTC One. If it’s the Butterfly 2, expect a different design. We saw the Droid DNA/HTC Butterfly arrive with a plastic design rather than the full metal ZeroGap design that the HTC One has so it could be that the Verizon HTC One has something different. We also saw an HTC One variant in China, or what appeared to be one, emerge with a microSD card slot and a removable back.

So, unfortunately, there are a lot of possible clues, just no concrete answers.

Storage Options

At the HTC launch event, the company did not mention that the HTC One would be getting a carrier exclusive. Sadly, consumers had to find out the hard way in the form of an AT&T teaser video for the device which revealed that the 64GB HTC One would be an exclusive to AT&T’s network.

For many devices, this wouldn’t be an issue. However, for a smartphone like the HTC One that doesn’t have a microSD card slot, it is an issue as it means that Sprint and T-Mobile customers will only have access to 32GB of on board storage and the cloud.

The HTC One features an all metal design that is solid and great-looking.

There is no microSD card slot on the AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile models.

So what does this mean for the Verizon HTC One? Well, it could mean a couple of things. It could mean that Verizon will only offer the 32GB model, plain and simple.

But what if Verizon releases its HTC One under a different brand name? Say, the Droid DNA 2? Perhaps that would allow it to offer both a 32GB and a 64GB model. It’s unclear at this point.

Wireless Charging

HTC’s One doesn’t built-in wireless charging and it doesn’t feature a removable back which means that owners won’t be able to charge their device without wires. Oddly enough, HTC’s Droid DNA does have wireless charging on board, built-in wireless charging in fact. That is an extremely rare quality for a smartphone.

So again, if the HTC One for Verizon is actually the HTC Butterfly 2, could it mean that the Verizon model will have wireless charging on board? It would certainly be odd to see Verizon offer the first Droid DNA with wireless charging and then take it away with the next-gen device.

Or maybe, even if it is indeed the HTC One, could Verizon’s model have wireless charging? We know HTC is capable so it could happen.

Operating System

Finally, the last question about the Verizon HTC One is what operating system it will have on board. Rumors have suggested that Verizon’s HTC One will be coming with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The other HTC One devices don’t have Android 4.2 and instead, sport Sense 5 and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Unless HTC were to update its HTC One soon, and we know that can take forever in the U.S., this would give Verizon’s model a distinct advantage over the other devices, something that would be strange to see considering Verizon wasn’t even a part of the launch event.

What’s more is that Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is likely going to be introduced in May and there is a possibility that we could see it on board Verizon’s model if it doesn’t arrive until the summer.

At this point, Android 4.2 seems more likely, but again, we don’t know for sure.

17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. Marco Pérez

    04/05/2013 at 9:19 pm

    I just hope it’s in may. *crossing fingers!*

  2. buckykane

    04/06/2013 at 5:54 am

    If you think Dennis`s story is exceptional…, 4 weaks-ago my son in-law basically recieved a check for $9431 workin eleven hours a week from their apartment and the’re best friend’s mother-in-law`s neighbour has done this for four months and recieved a check for more than $9431 part time at there labtop. the tips on this page………. https://m3mi.com/3523

  3. spamhater

    04/06/2013 at 8:34 am

    buckykane, may you die a slow and miserable death, you miserable spammer

  4. Timothy

    04/06/2013 at 5:25 pm

    I haven’t been able to log on to this site for days.. Enough calls to the IT dept. of Verizon might have helped!

    I spoke with someone in the know at Verizon. However, in order to keep his job, he wouldn’t tell me what he knows..

    But, he said that a lot of the things he reads on here are very true, but many falsehoods are printed, as well.

    I tried to drag any info out of the guy, and it was hard to get him to budge. He doesn’t want to start any trouble.

    So, I brought up a scenerio that’s been discussed here… where they would keep the DNA as the flagship until June and then replace it with the ONE. There was a long pause.. and all he said was, “Umm..well, that certainly does sound like a sound and fair assessment of what’s going to happen.” So, I asked, does that mean that you will launch it in June?
    He said, “Let’s just put it this way.. after the 6 months of the DNA marketing is done, we will be replacing it with another HTC flagship device..”
    So, what does that mean? Nothing, really. But those initial reports about them putting the phone out a couple of months after AT&T (perhaps my new home..we’ll see in June) may be true.

    I tried to drag it out of him! That’s all I could get.
    Anyway, I’m just glad I’m able to get on the site again!!

  5. Redskinsfan

    04/07/2013 at 2:28 pm

    As a long time fan of HTC devices and with Verizon (currently have the Droid Incredible) i was set to replace it with the DNA come May when my time to upgrade arrives. But the HTC One has me hooked. Samsung got my eye for a bit until this. Really praying and hoping it arrives in May or soon after as im dying to get my hands on the latest and greatest. All these “what ifs” are all possible and makes sense. I would think that as the largest carrier in the US, Verizon has a bit of an edge against the others and it would serve HTC to listen to their concerns. I just hope HTC doesn’t screw up it’s comeback by a marketing blunder and leave us Verizon customers disgusted.

  6. Ryan Miller

    04/08/2013 at 9:53 am

    The other unanswered question: Given how impossibly difficult it is to open up the HTC One, what happens when the battery has reached it’s maximum number of recharging cycles? Do you simply throw the phone away? Verizon or otherwise, the answer to that question may be the dealbreaker for me.

    • Patrick Leo

      04/08/2013 at 12:42 pm

      Yes. You throw the phone away.

  7. Your Buddy

    04/09/2013 at 5:48 pm

    HTC One! Um, actually, . I don’t want to rain on HTC’s parade, but for crying out loud – no wireless charging? No SD? Can’t open it? Looks like an iPhone? Well, then I guess I should get an iPhone – at least they are available now. Oh, wait, I hate iOS, so back to Samsung. I have the GS3 and have absolutely no compelling reason to upgrade to S4. However, S3 is so smooth, slick and responsive, I convinced my wife to take it so I can get the S4! Woot!

  8. Marco Pérez

    04/09/2013 at 5:53 pm

    Well played sir…well played..

  9. Chalres Blade

    04/24/2013 at 5:47 pm

    What Verizon users are “grandfathered” into unlimited data?
    I’ve had Verizon for 8 years now and the only way they are willing to let me keep my unlimited data is if I don’t upgrade my phone.
    Is there a way that Verizon is letting people stay on the unlimited plan?

    • Go_Hawks

      04/24/2013 at 10:10 pm

      Nope…thats how they get you…unless you suck off someone high up within Verizon..don’t upgrade to keep your unlimited data!

    • G Allen

      04/24/2013 at 10:48 pm

      Only way to keep your Unlimited Data is to buy your next phone either used off craigslist or for full price from verizon. I’d recommend buying a lightly used phone off craigslist. Definitely worth keeping the unlimited data. It’s common for people to buy a new phone on upgrade than sell if for a markup online and keep their previous device.
      Good Luck!

    • Rfour Runner

      05/06/2013 at 5:44 am

      From what I understand, if you buy a new phone at full price you get to keep unlimited.

  10. Meh

    04/24/2013 at 10:04 pm

    You’d have to buy the phone out right, or out of contract. You would have to pay full retail price but you would retain your unlimited data. A choice I too am faced with.

  11. Go_Hawks

    04/24/2013 at 10:14 pm

    Have an upgrade coming..Can’t decide what next device I want..S3, S4, Note2,when its released later Note3…but now this HTC One has definitely piqued my interest!

  12. angas

    05/01/2013 at 11:19 am

    “HTC’s One doesn’t built-in wireless charging” ? Right.

  13. joe

    05/04/2013 at 7:46 am

    well, im due for my upgrade, and if this isnt avail on may 30th like the s4 is, i wont be getting it

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