The HTC One T6 Phablet Could be a Liquidmetal Device

Rumors have surfaced regarding a phablet-sized version of the HTC One, the codename of which is reported to be the ‘T6’. Interestingly, we’re also hearing some simultaneous chatter about HTC working with Liquidmetal technologies. Can we expect an enormous Liquidmetal phablet from HTC soon? The rumored HTC T6 phablet is said to be somewhere between 5 and 6 inches in size. Most opinions tend to side with the 6 inch theory due to the ‘T6’ moniker. If this was anyone else but HTC we’d agree, but if you’ll recall the HTC One was called the ‘M7’ prior to its announcement and it only rocks a 4.7 inch display. Judging by its most recent release, we’d also expect HTC to continue with its One series branding. Maybe it could be the HTC Big One? Actual specifics about the T6 are sketchy, so far. Other than evleaks posting on twitter that “The upcoming HTC phablet goes by codename T6” and revealing linux code discovered by HTC Soku, suggesting at multi-market support, there’s been very little actual information. Normally we wouldn’t have paid much attention until an article on DigiTimes started talking about HTC considering Liquidmetal in their new smartphones.

Not the droid you’re looking for

Liquidmetal is a pretty misleading name. It’s not liquid at room temperature, nor will it give you a fighting chance in a fist-fight against a T-1000. In fact, it’s unlikely that customers would really notice any difference unless they were looking for it. Liquidmetal, simply, is a kind of metal alloy. It’s stronger than titanium and aluminum alloys of similar composition, boasting superior resistance to stress. It’s also more elastic than titanium alloys; it can be bend out of shape to a fairly impressive degree before retaking its shape once pressure has alleviated. It’s resistive to corrosion and wear. Its smooth surface means less manual smoothing and finishing on behalf of the manufacturer and it’s just as shiny as the current popular aluminum alloys. Basically, it’s a bit better at everything you’d want from a smartphone case.

So what?

So everything. We’ve already talked about how durability is going to be the next big thing with a specific focus on indestructible bendy screens. A metal alloy capable of bending out of and back in to shape with negligible permanent damage would compliment this new screen tech beautifully. Bring on the age of indestructibility.

When will we see it?

In all likelihood, it won’t be too soon. The Digitimes article we referenced earlier even quoted an HTC rep as having said “full adoption of Liquidmetal is unlikely to occur in the short term”. Based on the current market infatuation with aluminum phones – an infatuation that HTC has long sought to cultivate – there’ll be a lack of demand for something better for a little while yet. If we are to see Liquidmetal in the near future, it’ll more likely be from Apple. A Liquidmetal iPhone has been rumored for some time now and Apple has less to lose by switching the market focus from aluminum to a new alloy-based buzzword. Even so, we’ll probably see it in bits and pieces before a full-body Liquidmetal smartphone arrives – if the market’s failures and successes with aluminum are anything to go by.