HTC Unveils Fingerprint-Reading One Max Phablet, Says Coming Later This Year to Verizon, Sprint

HTC on Monday is confirming its much-leaked One Max, a large-screen addition to the One family.

The device is similar to the HTC One, with the addition of a fingerprint reader on the back and, of course, the 5.9-inch screen and bigger overall size. The One Max also packs a larger 3,300mAh battery. A new version of HTC’s Sense software allows One Max owners to save an offline copy of items from their BlinkFeed social slideshow for later reading. HTC also used the extra space in the device to include a microSD card reader.

The device will start shipping globally as early as the middle of the month, and is expected to be available this holiday season at both Sprint and Verizon.

As for the fingerprint reader, it is on the back of the device and requires a swipe of the finger. It can store up to three separate fingerprint-based algorithms, each of which can be used to perform a different function, such as launching the camera or unlocking the phone.

HTC said that, for now, the fingerprint reader can only be used to unlock the device and launch apps, but that it plans to open up the possibility for developers to use it as a means of authentication.

Information about the One Max has already been widely leaked, and HTC itself hinted at its arrival last week with an infographic on great trios in history. HTC is hoping that it has a powerful trio of its own with the One Max, One and One Mini — its lineup for the holidays.