HTC today sent out emails and updated its website with a teaser image for an upcoming event that will see the launch of its next flagship device.

The image in question features smartphone components overlaid with a date, and given that HTC is teasing a new smartphone, it would be logical to assume these are HTC components, but as AnandTech points out, HTC's image features iPhone 6 parts.

htcteaserimage

HTC's teaser image

It is not clear why HTC is teasing its next-generation smartphone with components from an Apple device that's four years old rather than the upcoming device or at least an HTC smartphone, but it's an embarrassing mistake for the company to make.

ifixitiphone6components

iPhone 6 components, via iFixit

HTC's May 23 event will likely see the debut of the HTC U12, the successor to the HTC U11.

Update: HTC told CNET that it intentionally used parts from other smartphones to represent the "jumble" of parts that HTC competitors "inelegantly cram into their phones."

"We're glad people are studying our teaser so closely. The fact people have noticed parts from different phone models is exactly right - they represent the jumble of parts (specs) that our competitors inelegantly cram into their phones, while the space in the middle outlining HTC's next phone represents 'a phone that is more than the sum of its specs.'

To be clear, none of the parts illustrated in the teaser came from the phone we're announcing May 23rd; people will have to tune in to htc.com that day to find out more..."

Tag: HTC

Top Rated Comments

Millah Avatar
101 months ago
Oh god, the response from HTCs marketing is absolutely RICH. “Inelegantly cram,” is how I would describe HTC (or Samsung) engineering. I can’t think of a single person who opens up an iPhone X and says that the internal layout is anything but elegant and precise.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiseAJ Avatar
101 months ago
When you have to explain your marketing you’re doing it wrong.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
826317 Avatar
101 months ago
Lazy marketing
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarHeadz Avatar
101 months ago
Is their CEO for effing real? Inelegantly? Let me tell you something...iPhones are a pleasure to service and repair. Changing a battery or charging port or screen are easily done by a professional or even a gutsy user. HTC devices are beautiful on the outside, but they’re a jumbled mess of an abomination on the inside. Try changing the battery on the HTC M10 without destroying the LCD. Even Samsung phones are pretty elegant on the inside. HTC’s are nightmare phones for any repair technician. What a frickin joke.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1050792 Avatar
101 months ago
So is HTC going to make a foldable phone like the iPhone 6?

#Courage

Attachment Image
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMando Avatar
101 months ago
This is brilliant. Quietly Brilliant. HTC is on every tech page now because of this picture. They even have two pages of Replys on MacRumors. MAC. RUMORS.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...