HTC Ocean Note Follows Apple iPhone 7 Lead In Ditching Headphone Jack; New Phablet Slated To Be Unveiled Next Month

For its next smartphone offering, HTC is planning on following Apple iPhone 7’s lead while also outclassing Google’s Pixel handsets. Before this year officially ends, new information has surfaced to reveal that HTC intends to omit the headphone jack from its upcoming Ocean Note phablet.

On Friday, Pocketnow learned that HTC is starting 2017 with the introduction of its Ocean Note handset on Jan. 12. New insider information from China has also revealed that the phablet is launching without a headphone jack as the company follows the trend that Apple started. This isn’t a first for HTC, however, as it already launched the HTC 10 or HTC Bolt sans the headphone jack.

The omission of the universal headphone jack is certainly not the main selling point of the device. Instead, sources have said that HTC is focusing on boosting screen proficiency and audio performance in hopes of outclassing Google’s Pixel handsets. It can be noted that HTC helped in building the Pixel smartphones. Thus, it won’t be that difficult for the company to surpass the specs and features of the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Renders believed to be for the Ocean Note have previously leaked online. Based on the renders, the device could sport a screen estate between 5.5 and 5.7 inches. The smartphone also appears to not have any physical keys on the front, as reported by GSM Arena. There are also rumors claiming that the HTC Ocean Note is sporting a curved screen similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. There is also mention of an outstanding camera technology, but the specifics of which remain undisclosed.

HTC is going to introduce the Ocean Note alongside the Ocean Master and Ocean Smart on Jan. 12. The phablet will come in black, white and blue color options. Sales are expected to commence on Jan. 28.