Carphone Warehouse just announced the next HTC One smartphone.
The HTC One (M8) will be announced at HTC's event on 25 March, the retailer said in a press statement.
It said in an email:
"In a retail first, Carphone Warehouse has revealed that the new HTC One (M8) handset will be available from selected stores from around 4pm on Tuesday 25th March – just minutes after it is officially announced."
The much-rumoured device had been heavily trailed by HTC but not officially pre-announced.
It is expected to feature a thinner form factor, bigger screen, improved dual-camera for shots with adjustable depth-of-field and an upgraded front camera.
Carphone Warehouse's email said that the HTC "flagship device" (later referred to as the HTC One M8) would be sent directly from the launch venue to six stores in London -- Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City, Oxford Circus, Centrepoint and Tottenham Court Road.
These stores "will all be hosting special events celebrating the HTC launch with entertainment and giveaways as well as the first chance for customers to get their hands on the new device. Carphone Warehouse at Selfridges will also be stocking the handset from the same time" it said.
Carphone Warehouse is currently directing customers to an "HTC Rumours" page which does not feature an image of the phone, but carries varies rumours posts from different sites about the device.
No pictures of the device have so far been officially released by HTC or Carphone Warehouse.
A Carphone Warehouse spokesperson added in the same release:
"The HTC One is an award winning handset that set the bar for design during 2013 and made many sit up and take notice – the new HTC One M8 is likely to continue that trend and will cement HTC’s future as a heavy-hitting smartphone manufacturer. We know how keen customers are to get hold of the latest tech as soon as possible and that is why we are so excited to be able to offer the new HTC One so quickly after it is unveiled.'