HTC Tiara: First Windows Phone 8 GDR2 Handset Tipped for May 2013 Launch

HTC grabbed some headlines last year, for its vivid Windows Phone 8 offerings - HTC 8X and 8S. However, after that the Taiwan-based phone maker has not released any other WP8 handsets so far, while its counterpart Nokia is expanding its basket of WP8 range aggressively.

At the ongoing MWC event, Nokia, in a typical fashion, announced two budget centric WP8 smartphones. Samsung, at this point, seems uncomfortable with its half baked Ativ effort.

However, recent reports are pointing that HTC will announce a new affordable WP8 handset, possibly, this year around May. If going by the latest, UnwiredView citing Evleaks, HTC looks to be secretly prepping a mid- to-high range WP8 handset - HTC Tiara - the first handset which is expected to be powered by Windows Phone 8 GDR2 mobile operating system.

Clcik Here For More HTC Smartphone Images

At the same time a CNET report also claimed that HTC will come out with more Windows Phone devices this year. Tai Ito, HTC's VP for Global Product Planning, was quoted in the report stating, "We are actually fully committed to our Windows Phone business. We do have good collaboration with Microsoft for a future release this year."

HTC Tiara - What Features to Expect?

As per the reports, HTC Tiara will land on shelves with possible specs including a 4.3-inch WVGA Super LCD 2 display, 1GHz Dual Core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, an 8-mega pixel rear camera and 1.6-mega pixel front facing camera, 1800mAh battery, and lastly WP8 GDR2(second generation update since its inception, sort of ).

While there is no clue on the look and build of the handset, however, reportedly it is said to take the looks from HTC One SV or the recently launched HTC One.

For a struggling maker like HTC, the second option should be open. This year, the company has already announced its crème offering - HTC One.

It is touted as an arch rival to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Sony Xperia Z. HTC expects its first quarter to be on a lower side. The company sees potential in India and China. The Taiwanese giant needs to come up with cheaper Android and WP8 devices.

Nokia has already taken the first bold step by announcing cheap, really cheap WP8 smartphones at this years MWC e show. Late last year ,the makers behind famed HTC One shook the world by announcing India's most expensive Android handset. The HTC Butterfly is a great handset, but chances are little that it will have a longer retail shelf value, at least in India.