Although we're still keenly awaiting the U12 flagship, HTC has announced new Desire phones for the mid-range. Here's everything you need to know about the HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ including release date, price and specs.
HTC might have chosen not to launch any new smartphones at MWC 2018, but nevertheless has new devices for its range now. Unveiling at the mobile focused show in Barcelona means vying with rivals for attention so now is perhaps a better time.
The firm calls the new phones "big to see and small to hold"
Release date and price
Although we've not been given any UK specific details, a German site claims the new Desire 12 phones will arrive in April.
Golem.de also says the Desire 12 will cost 200 Euro (Around £175/$245) while the Desire 12+ will be a little bit more at 250 Euro (Around £220/$310).
This seems very cheap considering the HTC U11 Life costs £349/$349 so we'll update you on price and release date as soon as we have it.
HTC has said you'll get "A whole lot of phone that's easy on your wallet."
Specs and features
Following on from the U11+, HTC is now bringing an 18:9 screens to lower tier phones with the Desire 12 and 12+.
They have 5.5- and 6in screens respectively but the firm says they are "surprisingly slim and comfortable to hold despite their big, 18:9 edge-to-edge screens." Each has an HD+ resolution (720x1440) and use an IPS LCD panel.
Although the Desire 12 phones get 18:9 screens like the U11+, HTC hasn't fitted its Edge Sense technology which uses pressure sensors to allow you to squeeze the device to do things.
What has come along is the flagship U-series Liquid Surface design so the Desire 12 handsets have a 'streamlined' look but aren't made of glass. Instead, they are crafted from acrylic like the U11 Life.
They will be available in Cool Black, Royal Gold and Warm Silver.
Under the hood, the phones use different processors with the Desire 12 using a MediaTek MT6739 while the Desire 12+ has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450.
Both offer 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage along with a microSD card slot, but it's worth noting the Desire 12 will also come in a lower spec model with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. This will vary by region.
Although you'll get a 13Mp camera with phase detection autofocus either way, the Desire 12+ has a second 2Mp camera so users can refocus a photo later for a bokeh effect. The larger phone also has a higher resolution front camera: 8Mp vs 5Mp.
It's also important to note that the Desire 12+ is the only one out of the two to get a fingerprint scanner.
Oddly, the Desire 12 phones don't have USB-C but they do have headphone jacks and they ship with Android 8.0 Oreo.
See the table below for full specs:
Tech Advisor
