HTC One Release Date: Verizon Could Be Getting HTC One Clone Branded As Droid DNA Successor

While HTC previously tweeted that Verizon wouldn't be carrying the HTC One flagship smartphone, it's possible the One could debut on Verizon under a different name.

In response to a query about the HTC One on Verizon, HTC USA said it wouldn't be available and suggested the Droid DNA instead, tweeting, "@cizzlen The HTC One will not be available on the Verizon network, but have you seen the awesome, #DROIDDNA? s.htc.com/12Tl1kj"

But after the media picked up the tweet (guilty!), HTC deleted the tweet, and speculation ran rampant.

HTC has hinted several times before on Twitter that the One won't make it to Verizon, and it hasn't deleted those tweets, but why not?

Could it be that the guts of the One will be available under a different name on Verizon? "A device made by HTC with identical specs to the One is headed to Verizon. It's currently carrying the codename 'DLXPLUS,' model number HTC6445LVW, and has already passed through Bluetooth SIG. It's coming, it's in testing, and it'll likely be incredibly similar to the One," Droid Life writes.

The Droid DNA's moniker behind the scenes is the DLX, so the HTC One could rebranded as a Droid DNA+, a common convention for HTC. Or the One could debut as the Verizon Droid One.

"Over the weekend, a device under the model number HTC6445LVW stopped by Bluetooth SIG to pick up a certification. While there isn't a mention of the codename "DLXPLUS," we're sort of assuming here that it's the same device. The DROID DNA runs under the model number HTC6435LVW and codename 'DLX,' so it would make a lot of sense for 6445 to be the next in line. Also, the 'VW' in the model number stands for Verizon Wireless, in case you were wondering."

And the specs for the DLXPLUS match up precisely with the HTC One. Have Verizon and HTC just gotten tangled up in a PR faux pas while trying to keep the surprise under wraps? Whatever the case, AllThingsD is absolutely positive Verizon will get the One in some capacity or another, citing unnamed inside sources.

"As we said, Verizon is getting the HTC One, but it won't be for a little while. Expect Verizon to start shipping the HTC One about one to two months after the first U.S. carrier starts shipping the device."

We'll see.

The HTC One features a 1.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 4.7-inch 1920x1080 pixel widescreen Super LCD 3 display, a 4 megapixel "Ultrapixel" camera with enhanced low-light sensitivity with 1080p HD video, up to 64 GB of internal storage and runs Android 4.1.2.

Check back for the latest updates on the HTC One as they become available.