HTC, once a pioneer in the early days of Android, appears to be staging an unexpected comeback. After years of near silence in the smartphone market, the company resurfaced at GITEX 2025 in Dubai, where images of several new HTC Wildfire models leaked — suggesting a renewed, if somewhat unconventional, attempt to re-enter the mobile space.
The leak, shared by mobile industry researcher Yasuhiro Yamane, shows up to six different HTC Wildfire devices, including a standout “budget gaming phone” and a rugged model. It’s a surprising move for a brand that has been largely absent from mainstream smartphone discussions for nearly half a decade. Once synonymous with premium design and the early days of Android innovation, HTC now seems to be focusing on affordability and niche appeal.
The most eye-catching model from the lineup is the gaming-themed Wildfire variant. The device sports a flashy red-accented design and is powered by a Unisoc T765 chipset — an unusual choice in a segment typically dominated by Qualcomm and MediaTek processors. Paired with a 5,600mAh battery, the phone seems designed for endurance rather than raw performance. It also features a 50MP main rear camera and a 16MP front camera. While full specifications remain under wraps, the idea of a “budget gaming phone” raises eyebrows: it’s a curious play for a company known in the past for performance-heavy flagships like the HTC One M8 and HTC 10.
Beyond the gaming model, Yamane’s photos show several other Wildfire variants, each with different camera module designs — a sign that HTC might be experimenting with a diverse product range under a single brand name. Among them is a rugged model, a category that’s seen limited attention from major smartphone makers in recent years. This inclusion suggests HTC may be targeting practical and enterprise users rather than competing directly with mainstream flagships.
While there’s no official release information yet, the reemergence of the Wildfire name is a clear nod to HTC’s legacy of mid-range phones from the 2010s. However, industry observers note that these new devices may not necessarily be developed by HTC’s original engineering teams. It’s possible the brand is being licensed or revived under new management — a common strategy for legacy names trying to regain relevance in emerging markets.
For long-time Android enthusiasts, the sight of new HTC-branded phones is a dose of nostalgia. The company once produced some of the platform’s most iconic devices, including the first-ever Android phone, the T-Mobile G1, and the widely praised HTC One series. But whether this new wave of Wildfire devices can reignite consumer interest or simply capitalize on brand recognition remains to be seen.
If nothing else, GITEX 2025 has proven one thing: HTC is not completely gone. Its name still carries enough weight to make people look twice — even if the phones themselves may mark the start of a very different chapter for the once-dominant smartphone maker.
