HTC HD7 moniker for HD2 successor?

The HTC HD3 Windows Phone 7 smartphone – successor to the HD2 – is likely to be renamed HD7

Remember the HTC HD2 – a phone that Engadget called tragic, as the phone OS (Windows Mobile) could not do justice to the great hardware? HD2 owners were quite furious to hear that the phone would not get an upgrade to Windows Phone 7, the successor OS to the aging Windows Mobile. It was widely believed believed that the next version would be called HD3. But latest rumors indicate that the phone is likely to be named HD7 – because it would go with Windows Phone 7, we guess.

The HTC HD7 will be launched some time in October 2010, when Microsoft would officially launch Windows Phone 7.

The HTC HD7 will be bundled with an O2 connection in the UK. The HD2 is available in the US with T-Mobile, but it is believed that the HD7 would go to Verizon. At this point, there are no leaked photos of the HD7. We have seen some photos of an HTC device running Windows Phone 7, but those were just renderings, we think. Pricing is expected to be very similar to high-end smartphones on contract in US.

It is likely that HD3, HD7 and HTC Shubert are different names for the same phone, which will run on different networks. HTC Shubert, for instance, might launch with T-Mobile. There’s also the HTC Mozart and HTC Modrian – all of which will run on Windows Phone 7, and are very likely the same device with different names. Related: Dell Lightning

August and September will likely see lots of information about Windows Phone 7, as Microsoft prepares for its biggest launch after Windows 7. It is said that the company has earmarked close to half a billion dollars for promoting Windows Phone 7 smartphones. HTC, despite their very successful range of Android smartphones, will continue their association with Microsoft. The HTC HD2 was probably the most successful Windows Mobile phone in 2010. Since it was revealed that the HD2 would not get an upgrade to Windows Phone 7, speculation has been rife about what shape its successor would take.

Although the precise specifications of the HTC HD7 are yet unknown, other Windows Phone 7 smartphones from HTC have been discussed in some detail, and Windows Phone 7 requires some minimum hardware requirements that any phone running on it must have. Related: LG Optimus E900 Windows Phone 7 device

Hardware requirements for Windows Phone 7

Mandatory hardware for running Windows Phone 7 includes a capacitive 4 point multitouch screen, and 5 megapixel or better camera with flash. The processor must be an ARM 7 Cortex, or Scorpion, or better. The graphic card must be able to render DirectX9. The phone must have 256MB of RAM with at least 8GB of flash memory. It must have an accelerometer with compass, assisted GPS, proximity and light sensor. Phones running Windows Phone 7 must also have an FM radio, 6 dedicated hardware buttons: start, back, search, camera, power/sleep, volume up and down.

Both the HTC Mozart and HTC Mondrian are likely to have 480×800 pixel touchscreen displays and run Internet Explorer Mobile 7. They will also support A2DP Bluetooth, and it’s possible that the HTC Mondrian, like the iPhone, won’t have a physical keyboard.

HTC Mondrian

The Mondrian could have a 4.3 inch touch screen and a Qualcomm QSD8650A/B Snapdragon processor with a clock speed of 1.3GHz. This is a faster processor than the one in the iPhone or most Android phones. Mondrian, incidentally is a codename – the real name could be HTC Gold in the UK but HTC hasn’t said anything about this so far.

The Mondrian is likely to be WiFi enabled in the new N mode, which is five times as fast as the G mode. Surfing, playing online games and using web apps should be a smooth experience on the Mondrian. Windows 7 has apparently some neat social networking features and these might work well on both, the HTC Mondrian as well as on the HTC Mozart.

The HTC Mozart will probably be a budget Windows 7 mobile and will be bundled with T-Mobile connections in the USA. It’s likely to be out in October.

Other Windows Phone 7 devices

The Samsung Cetus i917, which will launch with AT&T, would run Windows Phone 7. The LG C900 is another candidate for Windows phone 7.