HTC Vive smartphone release date, specs rumors: leaked video hints at arrival of VR-capable mobile device

Georgia Gana Wednesday, January 11, 2017

A leaked promotional video hints at the arrival of the HTC Vive smartphone. Just like the company's headset, the device could come with virtual reality compatibility. | Reuters/Tyrone Siu

It seems that HTC's goal for 2017 is to introduce products that not only stand out from the horde of devices populating the competitive mobile phone market but to also release smartphones that speak to the unique characteristics of consumers â€” starting with the HTC Vive smartphone.

The HTC Vive smartphone became the talk of the town after popular leaker evleaks posted a promotional video from HTC on Twitter a few days ago.

In the video, a narrator states that the market is inundated with similar-looking smartphones that do not necessarily reflect the differences of each individual. As consumers have grown dependent on their smartphones, it is becoming more imperative that the devices they carry be an extension of their unique styles and tastes. With this in mind, HTC is planning to erase the disconnect by providing consumers with options to customize their devices with different color combinations and materials.

The leaked promotional material seems harmless enough but at the latter part of the 90-second video, a device with HTC Vive branding is clearly seen. This has led tech enthusiasts to expect that the company's newest flagship smartphone for 2017 will be called the HTC Vive.

Unfortunately, apart from the quick preview of the back panel, not much is known about the upcoming smartphone. As the name suggests, the device is seemingly inspired by HTC's popular Vive virtual reality (VR) headset. It is then expected that the HTC Vive smartphone will feature VR capabilities when it is released to the market.

While HTC has not made any announcements about the rumored Vive smartphone, it is probable that the device is being developed to be compatible with Daydream, Google's new VR platform for Android-powered devices. If so, the HTC Vive will likely be preinstalled with the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system.

In order to run Daydream, the HTC Vive will also need to have at least a quad high-definition (QHD) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a capable processor and the right graphics card.

There is no release date for the HTC Vive smartphone but it could arrive as early as February via the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.