HTC to launch own-branded tablet next year, won't be ultra-cheap

By manufacturing the Nexus 9 (pictured above) for Google, HTC has returned to making tablets after more than three years. The company’s previous tablet, the HTC Flyer from early 2011, wasn’t exactly a success. However, now that almost everyone seems to be praising the Nexus 9, HTC is reportedly getting ready to release an own-branded tablet once again.

According to Focus Taiwan, HTC CFO Chang Chia-lin recently confirmed that the company is planning to introduce its own new tablet sometime next year. The HTC exec also said that the company is open towards considering other co-branding opportunities after the Nexus 9.

While it’s not clear what kind of tablet the HTC-branded one will be, we know what it won’t be. HTC North Asia President Jack Tong told Focus Taiwan that the market for ultra-cheap slates (under $160) is not profitable - thus, HTC has no plans of releasing such devices. Jack Tong further mentioned that the importance of 7-inch tablets is now blurred by the popularity of extra-large smartphones.

All in all, we should expect HTC’s own-branded tablet to be a high-end or mid-range one with a screen larger than 7 inches. Of course, since nothing’s confirmed at this point, anything can happen. We’ll be here to let you know more details as soon as they arrive.