HTC Droid DNA release possibly set for Dec. 6, shows up at FCC

Droid DNA
Complicated Droid

Just like an incessant bug, rumors surrounding the HTC Droid DNA - aka the HTC DLX, aka the J Butterfly - are only getting more fervent the more attention it's paid.

A new report surfaced Monday (plus a blown up Twitter image) that the Droid DNA, a rumored 5-inch 1080p phablet that bears a striking spec resemblance to the Japanese-only J Butterfly, will hit Verizon stores Dec. 6.

According to tips picked up by Android Community, the phone will sell for $249, not $199.99 as previously reported.

Most signs point to it as the J Butterfly, just clothed for Verizon and possibly other carriers.

DNA's strange tale

By all accounts, the DNA is a pretty powerful phone/tablet that should give customers a big bang for their buck.

However, whether by design or not, the phablet has already had its fair share of confusion - and it hasn't even been announced yet.

The first whiff of a 5-inch phablet from HTC manifested in late-September, with rumors swirling around a phone called the One X 5 or Droid Incredible X, which could possibly be the Google Nexus 5.

Those rumors were replaced with the thought that something called the HTC DLX (pronounced "deluxe") was the 5-inch HTC Android in waiting.

A few days later, a Minimum Advertised Price listing gave the first inkling of a device called the HTC Droid DNA.

That leads to today, where we have the distinct possibility the DNA will run Android 4.1, house a 440 ppi display, quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

What's more, the phone should come in either 16GB and 32GB internal storage variants and power up with a 2,500mAh battery.

Fast times at the FCC

If all this wasn't enough, another Monday report has a phone, model number HTC6435LVW, making its way through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

That's the same model number, by the way, that followed a LTE band 13 handset through the Global Certification Forum last month.

LTE band 13 belongs to Verizon, and at the time it appeared there was a connection between the HTC6435LVW phone and the Droid Incredible X.

The FCC approved the HTC6435LVW, meaning it might not be too long before a 5-inch phablet by HTC under some name shows up on Big Red.

If this all seems like overkill, there's a good chance the HTC DNA will be the Taiwanese manufacturer's latest flagship Android device, meaning it wants all the build up it can get.

Via Android Community, Engadget

Michelle Fitzsimmons

Michelle was previously a news editor at TechRadar, leading consumer tech news and reviews. Michelle is now a Content Strategist at Facebook.  A versatile, highly effective content writer and skilled editor with a keen eye for detail, Michelle is a collaborative problem solver and covered everything from smartwatches and microprocessors to VR and self-driving cars.