Today HTC introduced the U11+, a new high-end phone with a 6-inch display and slim bezels. But there's one detail that's now come out that makes the U11+ even more interesting.

The HTC U11+ was originally the the Google Pixel 2 XL, according to a source speaking to The Verge. While the U11+ that we met today isn't exactly what the Pixel 2 XL was going to be at first, the core design was meant to be used for the Pixel 2 XL.

The HTC-made Pixel 2 XL is said to have been codenamed "muskie", a name that we heard way back in March. It's unclear why Google made the last-minute switch to the LG-made Pixel 2 XL, which is codenamed "taimen."

While this news is unconfirmed, it does make some sense. Both the Pixel 2 XL and U11+ have 6-inch displays with 18:9 aspect ratios and 2880x1440 resolutions, both have slim bezels, and both have rear fingerprint readers, even while the majority of HTC's recent phones have their fingerprint readers on the front of their bodies.

It's unlikely that we'll ever get official confirmation on this rumor, but it's fun to think about what the Pixel 2 XL might've been if Google had stuck with HTC and its U11+ design. Since the U11+ uses an LCD screen, it's possible that Google could've avoided the headaches that it's having due to issues with the Pixel 2 XL display, which is an OLED panel.

What do you think of this news? Would you be interested in the HTC U11+ if it were a member of Google's Pixel family?