The HTC One X+ is one of the leakiest handsets in recent memory, appearing three times in as many days at the end of September, but today the leaks can finally stop because the new One family member has made the leap into official-dom. As expected, HTC's One X+ looks pretty much the same as the original One X on the surface, but it packs a handful of hardware upgrades underneath. That includes a bump to a 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3 AP37 processor, 64GB of internal storage and a 2,100mAh battery. The remainder of the One X+'s spec sheet includes a 4.7-inch 1280x720 Super LCD 2 display, 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.6-megapixel front shooter and 1GB RAM.

On the software side of things, the One X+ will ship with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean beneath HTC's Sense 4+ overlay. HTC says that Sense 4+ includes tweaks like a Self Portait mode for the front-facing camera that adds "subtle enhancements" to a user's skin and eyes as well as two new ways to view photos and images in the Gallery. There's also a new HTC Get Started mode to help users set up their new handset through the browser on their main computer.

So when can you get your hands on all of this? The HTC One X+ is slated to begin arriving in Europe and North Asia in October. There's no word on a U.S. launch just yet, though HTC does promise that a separate announcement concerning North American availability is coming.

Finally, HTC dropped some good news for some folks that are already members of the One family. The company announced that it plans to begin rolling out an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and Sense 4+ to the HTC One X and One S starting in October. However, no U.S.-specific rollout details are available quite yet.

HTC's announcement of the One X+ this morning doesn't contain many surprises thanks to the fact that the phone leaked more times than most of us care to count, but the phone still looks like a worthwhile option for folks in the hunt for a high-end Android smartphone. Meanwhile, I'm sure that folks that already have a One X or One S are happy to hear that their Jelly Bean updates are finally nearly ready to start rolling out, though it's a mystery as to when those updates will make it through the carrier approval process and hit the AT&T One X and T-Mobile One S. Here's to hoping for some speedy testing. HTC's full announcement of the One X+ is available below for your early morning reading pleasure.

HTC Introduces The HTC One™ X+. More Speed, More Storage And More Battery Life Make HTC's Best Rated Android Phone, Even Better

HTC also announces Sense™ 4+ with Android Jelly Bean upgrades for HTC One X and HTC One S coming soon

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled the HTC One™ X+, a refreshed version of its award winning HTC One™ X smartphone, running the HTC Sense™ 4+ experience on Android™ Jelly Bean. The HTC One™ X+ combines the iconic design, amazing camera and authentic audio experience of the HTC One series, with increased performance, longer battery life and expanded internal storage. 

"We are taking the HTC One™ X to a new level with the introduction of the new HTC One™ X+," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "Our customers will have super-fast browsing, an even better camera and more immersive entertainment with Beats Audio."

Performance, Endurance and Storage

Featuring a 1.7 GHz quad-core NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 AP37 processor and 64GB of internal storage, the HTC One™ X+ LTE version is up to 67% faster than the HTC One™ X[1] LTE, making the HTC One™ X+ the best rated Android phone on the market. Developed to be lightning fast, the HTC One™ X+ enables quicker web browsing, fluid gaming and graphic rendering, and speedy downloads, providing effortless usage on the go.

In addition to its increased performance speeds, the HTC One™ X+ introduces extended performance with the inclusion of a 2100 mAh battery, giving you up to 50% (6 hours) more talk time, and longer to browse the web and enjoy your favorite music and videos[2].

Imaging, Music and Movies

Combining the amazing camera capabilities of its predecessor[3]* with a series of intelligent features, powered by Sense™ 4+, the HTC One™ X+ has been designed to deliver the most premium mobile experience. The newly launched Self Portrait mode on the front camera helps you capture high quality photos by intuitively detecting the human face at various angles and applying subtle enhancements to skin and eyes. Sightseeing mode makes sure you'll always be ready to capture the moment - one touch of the power button bypasses the lock screen and launches directly into the camera. Two new views in the Gallery display images and videos and group them according to where and when they were taken.

Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio™ provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the most immersive sound experience with an enhanced audio profile, crisper vocals and detailed high notes for your music, games, movies and videos. Making it easier to listen to music out loud, and through Sense™ 4+, the HTC One™ X+ introduces a new Tap and Go function, which allows you to connect the phone and your music to Beats speakers[4] when you tap them. To disconnect, it is just another quick tap.

Providing exclusive access to thousands of movies through HTC Watch 2.0, the HTC One™ X+ will appeal to both the avid film fan and the casual movie-goer. Combined with the introduction of video hub, another benefit of Sense™ 4+, for the first time you will be able to put all your video entertainment in a single place.

Easy Set Up

A new feature in the HTC One™ X+ is HTC Get Started, a new web service that guides the user painlessly through the set-up and personalisation process from a desktop web browser.  Designed to enhance the experience of setting up a phone for the first time, this feature ensures that users will get the most out of their new phone from the beginning.  With the touch of a button, the user's phone will reflect the settings and apps that were chosen on the Web.  Visit start.htc.com for more details.

Availability

The HTC One™ X+ will be available in Europe and North Asia from October and in South Asia from November 2012. North America will make a separate announcement regarding availability of the HTC One™ X+. The Android Jelly Bean with HTC™ Sense 4+ update is scheduled to begin rolling out for the HTC One™ S and HTC One™ X from October.

About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC's portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense®, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com. 

The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

[1] HTC One™ X+ (non LTE) is up to 27% faster than the HTC One™ X (non LTE). Source: HTC internal testing

[2] HTC One™ X+ has up to 37% more talk time than the HTC One™ X (up to 50% for LTE version). 6 hours more talk time (LTE version) and 4.7 hours more talk time (non LTE) when compared to the HTC One™ X. Source: HTC internal testing

[3] 8MP camera with an f/2.0 wide aperture lens, backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor, Video Pic, HDR and one-press Continuous Shooting

[4] Tap and Go only works on selected Beats speakers, which are sold separately to the handset