The rumored HTC Runnymede just got some official-looking product shots, courtesy of the Chinese website ePrice.  As you can tell from the image, this is no shabby render buy a blogger -- it looks like the same thing that will come with press releases when HTC does announce the phone.

The most notable part of all this is the Beats Audio branding in the back, which likely makes this the first recipient of that $309 million purchase from last month.  We're not sure if having the logo means this will deliver a highly-improved audio experience, be ridiculously expensive (like those similarly-branded headphones) or both, however.

Leaked details of the HTC Runnymede include a 4.7-inch capacitive display (480 x 800 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module with dual LED flash, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel video cam, a 1.5Ghz single-core processor,768MB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage. Of course, you can expect the usual wireless connectivity features, along with other modern smartphone standards.

If this sounds like the HTC Titan, it probably is -- except with Android (instead of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango) and HTC Beats onboard.  Hopefully, the Beats integration means something that's more than just a cosmetic addition, though.

The ePrice post seems to suggest that the HTC Runnymede will be announced on September 20 during an HTC event in the US (the big media outfits have already gotten their invites).  We're guessing it will get a name change, too, since Runnymede just sounds like a word a four year old will make up.

[via ePrice China]

At the IFA last week, HTC showed off two upcoming handsets that both run Windows Phone 7.5.  The Mango-running duo consists of the HTC Titan and the HTC Radar.

As you've probably heard, Mango will come with over 500 new additions to the platform, making for an overall more solid mobile OS.   Like the previous iteration, though, the new version comes with no microSD support, so you'll be living in an iPhone-like "transfer files regularly" existence.

HTC Titan

HTC's largest phone to date, the Titan's highlight has to be the 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 800 pixels).  While it was definitely outshone by the Galaxy Note's 5.3-inch frame, this is is definitely not something to sneer at, especially with the solid hardware, brushed aluminum shell and clean slim lines  (5.18 x 2.78 x 0.39 inches).

Details of the handset include an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with dual LED flash), a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, 16GB of built-in storage and a 1,600 mAh battery module.  Muscle is delivered by a 1.5GHz processor, paired with 512MB of RAM.

HTC Radar

The more modest of the duo, the Radar is also smaller, packing a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 800 resolution).  Details include a 5.0 megapixel camera module, a VGA front-facing camera, aGPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, 5.1 channel surround sound and 8GB of internal storage.  A 1GHz processor powers the thing.

Release Details

Both the HTC Radar and the HTC Titan will hit European and Asian markets beginning October. Listed pricing on Amazon UK has the Titan for £489.99 (around $790) and the Radar for £349.99 (around $560), although HTC hasn’t announced anything official.

[HTC TITAN, HTC Radar]

T-Mobile just announced one of their most awaited smartphones.  That will the HTC-made MyTouch 4G Slide, a beast of a handset with some serious hardware onboard.

Like the previous 3G Slide, this one packs a full QWERTY keyboard that you can slide out from the side.  It shares some similarities in design with the 4G-less predecessor, but it's an entirely new phone with slightly better aesthetics in tow.

Details of the MyTouch 4G Slide include a  3.7-inch Super LCD screen (840 x 450 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module, a front-facing webcam, aGPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G and all the usual smartphone jazz.  Muscle is provided by a dual-core 1.2 Ghz processor.   Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the OS of choice, with HTC Sense 3.0 running on top.  Naturally, you get the usual Google suite of apps, along with a collection of software to take advantage of that high-speed broadband access it comes with.

HTC appears to be pimping the handset's 8.0 megapixel camera, which boasts dual LED flash, 1080p video recording and, according to the company, zero shutter lag.  While we doubt they'll kick Nokia's ass when it comes to phone cameras any time soon, we don't see many smartphone users rocking the Finnish company's products either.

The MyTouch 4G Slide will be available beginning July, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement.

[T-Mobile]

If you loved the HTC EVO 3D but couldn't care less for the 3D gimmick, this is probably the phone you'll want next: the HTC EVO 4G+.  Too bad it's only announced for Korea.

Sporting a design that's a near-twin to its sweet-looking 3D brother, the handset ditches the stereoscopic talents both on the display and the rear camera.  It retains, pretty much, everything else, though.

Details for the HTC EVO 4G+ include a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen 9540 x 960),  an 8.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with dual LED flash and 1080p video recording), a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front, aGPS, WiFi with tethering, 3G, WiMax, DLNA, SRS virtual surround, 1GB of onboard storage, microSD card expansion and a 1730 mAh battery.  Muscle is provided by  a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, paired with 1GB of RAM.

The version of Android running at the helm is unspecified, so is the version of HTC Sense over it.  We're surprised there's no digital TV, though -- this is Korea we're talking about.

Some folks are saying the US version of this will be the HTC Kingdom, toting Sprint radios and, we're guessing, exactly the same thing everywhere else.  No pricing or release dates were given.

[HTC]

While far from a frontrunner in terms of hardware, the HTC Merge is likely to carve a small niche in the market simply for being one of the few CDMA world phones released in the US.  So how well does it stack up in today's smartphone landscape?

Physically, it has an attractive look and premium feel, courtesy of the brushed aluminum on both the edges and the back cover.  It also brings quite a bit of heft, which is great when you've got it in hand but could be troublesome in your pocket.  Display is a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, with 800 x 480 resolution.  While sufficiently bright and sharp, it's nowhere near the AMOLED displays you can find on today's premium devices.  It also has a slide-out landscape QWERTY keyboard, which did well enough (although notably small and less snappy than many keyboards in the market).

As a phone, the HTC Merge makes for good calls.  Voices sounded muted at times, but they were always clear enough to understand.  Those on the other reported the same problem as we experienced.  Speakerphone, on the other hand, was very good, with plenty of volume reported on both ends of the call.   Battery is rated at 6.8 hours of talk time.

Android 2.2 Froyo is onboard, along with Sense UI, although it uses an older version (1.6, the most recent is 2.3).  As such, it's got all the usual Google services and HTC widgets, along with a variety of third-party apps (Quickoffice, Peep, City ID and more).  Processor is a paltry 800Mhz, though, so make sure to consider that if you're thinking of running some of the heavier games on this.

You get all the usual Android smartphone features: a variety of voice options, some PIM tools, basic and advanced messaging, support for multiple social networking accounts, and the usual  wireless connectivity set (3G, WiFi with mobile hotspot, Bluetooth, aGPS).  Like we said, this is CDMA world phone, which means you can use it with a GSM SIM card elsewhere in the world.  It won't work with GSM carriers within the US, but it should work well for local networks when you're out of the country.

The 5.0 megapixel camera takes bright, sharp and colorful outdoor shots, although indoor snaps left a bit much to ask for (even with flash and autofocus).  It takes good 720p videos, too, although the audio parts run a little low on volume.

Overall, the HTC Merge is a solid smartphone and should be one of the best options in US Cellular's range.  The world phone support is the star feature, though -- all others are pretty standard fare for current mid- to high-end releases.   Price is $149.99 with a new two-year agreement.

After leaks upon leaks, Verizon has finally put an official stamp on the HTC Droid Incredible 2.   While the specs aren't quite as incredible-sounding in light of oncoming Android hardware, it's still quite the muscle-packin' smartphone.

The follow-up to last year's Droid Incredible S, the new handset doesn't stray too far from the original both in looks and internals.  As such, it isn't the top-of-the-class device that the Incredible was when it first rolled out, although it does cram a few new niceties.

The Droid Incredible 2 gets a bump up in screen size (4 inches compared to its predecessor's 3.7 inches), apart from adding a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and DLNA compatibility.  It retains the same 1GHz processor, 8 megapixel camera (with 720p video) and OS, though (Android 2.2 Froyo), so it could feel a bit underwhelming as an upgrade.  Other details include your usual smartphone favors, like aGPS, WiFi, 3G with HSPA, mobile hotspot (up to 5 devices), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.

One big differentiator could be international support, as Verizon claims that the new device is global-ready, capable of utilizing voice and data services in over 200 countries.  Availability begins this Thursday, April 28, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement.

[Verizon]

The HTC Pyramid superphone has been rumored to be coming for months.  Today, it finally goes official under the moniker of HTC Sensation 4G.

As previous leaks have noted, the handset matches many of the HTC Evo 3D's features, beefing it up even more on some of the hardware specs.  Being the company's new flagship Android handset, it gets a premium look, courtesy of the aluminum unibody, rounded edges, slender proportions and a contoured screen protecting the touchscreen surface.

Details of the HTC Sensation 4G include a 4.3-inch Super LCD touchscreen (540 x 960 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with dual LED flash and 1080p video recording), a front-facing VGA webcam, the usual assembly of sensors, aGPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, HSPA+ connectivity, DLNA, 1GB of onboard memory and microSD card expansion.  Core hardware consists of a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM 8260, paired with 768MB of RAM.  Phone dimensions are 4.96 x 2.57 x 0.44 inches, with a weight of 5.22 ounces, while battery is rated at just a little under 7 hours of talk time.

It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense 3.0 running on top.  The latest version of the company's proprietary UI now includes  customizable lock screens, 3D transitions, various improved apps and HTC Watch (a DRM-protected movie download service).

The HTC Sensation 4G will be released in the US exclusively under T-Mobile during the summer.  No pricing yet, but you can expect it to go for the normally acceptable maximum of $199.99 on a two-year agreement with the carrier.

[T-Mobile]

Sprint just announced its new superphone at CTIA.  Called the HTC Evo 3D, it pairs a glasses-free stereoscopic display similar to the Optimus 3D and WiMax connectivity on Sprint's 4G network.

Like the Optimus 3D, the stereoscopic support doesn't just end with watching 3D videos and playing 3D games on the handset.  The device also features dual 5.0 megapixel cameras (with flash) around the rear, allowing you to record 3D 720p video content right on your handset.

Details of the HTC Evo 3D include a 4.1-inch QHD capacitive touchscreen (with glasses-free 3D output), a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chats, 3G with HSPA, 4G connectivity, WiFi (with mobile hotspot for up to 8 connections), aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, DLNA, 4GB of internal storage, microSD card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,730 mAh battery.  A dual-core 1.2 MHz processor powers the action, paired with 1GB of RAM.  There's also an HDMI slot for outputting 1080p and 720p 3D content.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the OS of choice, with Sense UI, the usual roster of Google mobile services, Android Market access and the platform's robust messaging talents.  Oh yeah, it comes with Sprint's unique version of Google Voice, which lets you use the service while keeping your Sprint number.

Availability for the HTC Evo 3D is slated for sometime in the summer, with no word on pricing plans.   Expect it to fetch at the top-end, though, given that the specs run-down seems to spare no expense -- dual cameras, a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU and 4G can't possibly be cheap.

[Sprint]

The HTC Freestyle is not a smartphone, even if it does look like one (especially with HTC's branding).   With that said, it does offer budget-conscious users a smartphone-like experience without all the accompanying costs that usually entails.

Physically, the handset takes on a touchscreen candybar form factor that both looks sleek and feels good in the hand.  The metal skin, rounded corners and smooth edges give it a nice premium feel, despite the fact that it's marketed as a "quick messaging device."  Display is a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, with 430 x 320 resolution.  Text and images look fine, with good touch response, although there's no accelerometer, so don't expect to be able to get any results out of tilting and turning.

As a phone, the HTC Freestyle makes for serviceable call quality, although there were occasional problems with voice clarity.  Those on the other end didn't experience a similar issue, but they did note that calls were clearly coming from a cellphone.  Speakerphone performance wasn't great, either, with a tinny sound and distorted background noise.  Battery is rated at 6.4 hours of talk time.

It runs BREW with HTC Sense running on top.  As you may have expected, the overall UI resembles the company's Android phones -- something that appears they intentionally went after.  We like it, although the phone's lack of muscle is apparent with occasional lags when accessing certain features.

All the basic communication features you need are onboard, along with some PIM tools, Bluetooth and GPS.  You get basic SMS and MMS, as well as IM and AT&T Mobile Email for messaging.  The phone has 3G with a full HTML browser, so it makes for a good web-connected device.  There's no WiFi, though.

Released by AT&T, it gets a boatload of apps preloaded.  We guess that's a good thing when looking to extend an erstwhile feature phone's...uhm...features, but the mass of trial versions is a bit disconcerting (hrm...bloatware).  The music player is decent, but nothing special.

The 3-megapixel camera offers a good amount of editing options and a user-friendly interface.  It takes generally good photos, with just a little more image noise than I'd actually like, though.

Overall, the HTC Freestyle is a decent feature phone, especially if you're a fan of HTC's design aesthetic and Sense Ui software.  While it's pretty affordable at $99.99 on a two year contract with AT&T, Android phones have been out for a lot less in initial cash-out, so that's a point you might want to consider.

The HTC Mozart has two primary selling points: audio performance and a high-resolution camera.  Can those two premium features do enough to set it apart from the crowd?

Physically, this is one sleek-looking phone.  Sporting a brushed solid aluminum body and plenty of premium details, it's arguably one of the most attractive smartphone designs today.  Display is a  3.7 inch capacitive touchscreen, which manages bright images, sharp lines and excellent touch response.

As a phone, the HTC Mozart makes for great call quality, with clear voices and very little distortion.   Those on the other end reported the same positive response.  Speakerphone had plenty of volume to spare and sounded clear, with just a tinge of a hollow tone.  Expect to get around 7 hours of talk time from the 1,300 mAh battery.

Do note that this phone is designed for European and Asian markets, so it doesn't support US 3G bands (in case you're thinking of getting one from abroad).  As for the platform, we have a review of Windows Phone 7 that should clue you in on how the software part of the equation performs.

Audio quality is one of the main features here and it steps up on that end. With Dolby Mobile and SRS enhancing sound, this is a great phone for audiophiles -- provided you're using a good pair of headphones or a sweet set of external speakers (the ones on the phone are good, but nothing too special).

The HTC Mozart gets all of the usual smartphone favors, including basic and advanced messaging, a variety of calling options and all standard connectivity options (WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, aGPS).  As for the camera, the 8.0 megapixel shooter comes with Xenon flash, 720p video recording and various editing settings.  Unfortunately, picture quality isn't as great as some of the better high-res phone cameras we’ve seen before, such as those from Nokia and Sony Ericsson.  It's good -- just not as good as you probably expect.

Despite the less-than-awesome camera, the HTC Mozart is still a great phone.  Price could be a bit limiting, though -- Amazon has it for around $600 unlocked.