Leaked images have revealed two high-end smartphones which, although from rival manufacturers, could both command centre stage very soon.

HTC's HD2 was spied in O2's October magazine
Credit: Engadget

HTC’s device is a successor to its established Touch HD smartphone - reviewed here - called, rather unimaginatively, HD2. Motorola has designed a thin and sexy smartphone called Tao.

Neither firm has said anything official, but we can be much more certain about the HD2’s existence because images and details about the phone have been captured in what appears to be the October edition of O2’s product catalogue.

Said to feature “the largest screen yet on a mobile” – 4.3in - the smartphone is equipped with a 5Mp camera and twin LED flash. HD2 also runs the latest edition of Windows Mobile, version 6.5, the magazine added.

Motorola's Tao runs on Android
Credit: BGR

If the HD2 doesn’t take your fancy, then images of Motorola’s upcoming Tao may tickle your tech tastebuds because numerous sources have claimed that it runs on Android.

A Qwerty keypad slides out from one side of Tao, while the large display – which looks to be a full touchscreen – above features four touch-sensitive buttons.

Several shots show the phone connected to Google Maps, while another reveals the phone’s applications menu featuring channels for communication and entertainment-related apps.

Tao supports Google Maps and an App Store-style service

Very little is yet known about Tao’s technical features, however mention has been made of a 16GB internal storage capacity, a Micro SD card slot and Wi-Fi support.

Firm UK launch dates for either device haven’t appeared yet. ®