Ever heard of the HTC Proto? We haven't either, but thanks to a new report from The Verge, it's now a name we'll be keeping in the back of our minds. According to the site, the Proto (which is a codename) is going to be coming to market with a 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display on its face and a 5-megapixel camera on its backside. Inside its 9.62mm body, we're told to expect a 1GHz dual-core MSM8225 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB built-in storage, Beats Audio and support for 7.2Mbps HSPA. What isn't quite clear yet is exactly when the Proto will actually hit the market, as the only release information that's available so far is that it's expected some time in the fall.

While the HTC Proto likely isn't going to convince any One X owners to switch phones, this mystery handset sounds like a respectable mid-range model. If these specs for the Proto hold true, it sounds like the handset will slot in nicely between the 3.7-inch One V and 4.3-inch One S, though The Verge notes that it's not yet clear if the Proto will actually feature the One branding. Regardless, for folks that find a 4-inch display to be the smartphone sweet spot, the Proto and its Super LCD screen may be worth keeping an eye on. Stay tuned for more.

Via The Verge