HTC Bolt release date, specs, rumors: launch in October without a headphone jack?

Aside from a co-engineered Pixel and Pixel XL, HTC is also readying its own smartphone iteration, the Bolt. It is said that the new iteration will launch next month sans headphone jack.

A leaked image of the new HTC Bolt has surfaced online, thanks to perennial tipster Evan Blass. Interestingly, it is also revealed that the upcoming iteration will come out without a headphone jack. If proven true, then HTC will be one of the tech makers to make the leap. Just recently, Apple launched the iPhone 7 without the standard 3.5 mm audio port. Instead, the Cupertino-based tech giant has released wireless Air Pods. Those who preferred wired headphones will need Lightning port adapter. As for the Bolt, users may need to come out with USB Type-C headphones or adapters.

According to GSM Arena, the HTC Bolt will come as a Sprint-exclusive device and may even be a follow-up to the Thunderbolt which was released in 2011. Nonetheless, the new iteration has more in common to the HTC flagship, the HTC 10. In fact, the industry follower said that HTC may have thought to transfer the design of its flagship to the new Bolt, from the all-metal build down to the antenna lines. Based on the image, the upcoming Bolt may even be mistaken for the HTC 10 at first glance. It is said that the HTC Bolt will be launched next month, on Oct. 18.

Meanwhile, aside from the supposed leaked render, not much is known about the HTC Bolt's specs and features. Based on the render, the new iteration will have a fingerprint scanner as well as a decent camera setup, evidenced by a dual-flash feature on the back panel. As an Android device, the new iteration is expected to run on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1, even if Google has started rolling out the new Android Nougat 7.0 platform.

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