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Like the HTC One? We sure did. But did you ever think its 4.7-inch display is just a bit too minute for your mobile needs? HTC is betting that there's a lot of people out there who do. The company will hold a pair of events next week in Hong Kong and Taiwan that are largely expected to unveil the supersized HTC One Max.
According to translations by Engadget, the event tagline is "One finger opens up a big view / You are invited to immerse in the sound with us." That vaguely poetic language nearly all but confirms the rumors that have been swirling around the tech blogosphere about a 5.9-inch display'd device that will, like the Apple 5S, sport a fingerprint sensor.
The souped-up version of the HTC One will go up against massive phones like Samsung's 5.3-inch Galaxy Note 3, or its Marfan-affected cousin, the 6.3-inch Galaxy Mega. While LG has dipped into the "phablet" market with its 5.2-inch LG G2 phone, Samsung has had the not-quite-a-tablet territory largely to itself. The HTC One Max may upset this balance by marking the first real competition from an elite manufacturer. If the rumored fingerprint sensor works with the efficiency of the 5S and the device is as robust as its flagship cousin, the Taiwanese manufacturer may be able to make a dent in Samsung's hold.
Not only has HTC followed Samsung into the girthy device territory, it seems to be taking direct cues from the Korean manufacturer's business model. As Samsung has exploited its popular Galaxy brand with an endless parade of iterations, HTC seems to be pivoting its business plan on releasing a slew of versions of its key One brand. In July, the company introduced the diminutive HTC One Mini as well as numerous color options including a still-rumored gold version.
