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HTC just used iPhone 6 parts to promote its next phone (update)

Hey, those pieces look pretty familar...

Sean Hollister Senior Editor / Reviews
When his parents denied him a Super NES, he got mad. When they traded a prize Sega Genesis for a 2400 baud modem, he got even. Years of Internet shareware, eBay'd possessions and video game testing jobs after that, he joined Engadget. He helped found The Verge, and later served as Gizmodo's reviews editor. When he's not madly testing laptops, apps, virtual reality experiences, and whatever new gadget will supposedly change the world, he likes to kick back with some games, a good Nerf blaster, and a bottle of Tejava.
Sean Hollister
2 min read
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Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET

The new HTC U12 Plus has been officially announced. It has squeezable sides like the U11 and four cameras. 

"A phone that is more than the sum of its parts." That's how HTC is teasing its latest flagship phone, set to be revealed on May 23.

But what if those parts were iPhone parts? As in -- did HTC just take a picture of a whole bunch of iPhone 6 components?

That's what an astute AnandTech reader appears to have noticed today. But thanks to handy images from iFixit's iPhone 6 teardown, you can judge for yourself:

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iFixit

iFixit co-founder Kyle Wiens tells CNET that they're not only Apple parts, but parts from more than one phone. He says there are two Apple Taptic Engines, two earpiece loudspeakers and maybe some  Samsung  components as well.  

Perhaps it's intentional, and HTC's suggesting that Apple's iPhone is merely the sum of its specs? Could be.  

Update, 3:19 p.m. PT: HTC tells CNET the parts are indeed being used intentionally. Here's a statement from the company:

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…

(Via Daring Fireball)

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