HTC gathered the press for an event in a busy September to introduce its new Windows Phone products, the Windows Phone 8X and Windows Phone 8S. However, even though both devices were unveiled together, it looks like only one of them may actually see a release here in the U.S. In a statement given to Engadget, HTC has said that the Windows Phone 8S "is not currently planned for distribution in the U.S. market" due to its focus on the Windows Phone 8X. The company's full statement reads as follows:

"The Windows Phone 8X by HTC is our signature Windows Phone available at AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in the U.S. With our focus on the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, the Windows Phone 8S is not currently planned for distribution in the U.S. market."

That's definitely a bit of a bummer, as the Windows Phone 8S and its mid-range spec list would give U.S. smartphone buyers a chance to pick up a new device with an 8X-like design for what would likely be a more affordable price tag. Of course, we've previously had a manufacturer tell us that it had no plans to bring new hardware in the U.S., only to do exactly that a few months later. So even though HTC is saying today that it's got no plans to distribute the 8S stateside, anyone that's interested in it may not want to totally give up hope quite yet. Would any of you be interested in picking up an HTC Windows Phone 8S if it ever did make its way to a U.S. carrier?

Via Engadget