HTC-One-Max-006
The HTC One Max will reportedly sport a fingerprint scanner on its rear shell. Weibo

Citing multiple sources, the Wall Street Journal reports HTC will officially unveil the One Max on Oct. 15, and that the device will release with a fingerprint sensor, much like the iPhone 5S from Apple.

The HTC One Max will sport a 5.9-inch screen size when measured diagonally, compared to the 4.7-inch HTC One, released in February. The HTC One Max will run on a customized version of the Android operating system from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG).

Update 10/10/13: The HTC One Max has leaked in a filing with a Chinese regulator, click here for pictures and specs.

The report mentioned the HTC One Mini in passing -- the HTC One Mini is a less expensive version of the Taiwanese manufacturer’s flagship released this past July and sold exclusively to AT&T customers. However, WSJ made no mention of whether the HTC One Max would be carrier-exclusive or how HTC would price the device. News about the HTC One Max was originally leaked by an anonymous person claiming to be a Verizon Wireless employee, saying the phablet would have a removable back and a fingerprint sensor.

Smartphone users might appreciate the removable back on the HTC One Max, allowing for easy swaps of the phone’s rechargeable battery. The design feature also means that the HTC One Max’s body will be manufactured more like the low-cost HTC One Mini, incorporating plastic and eschewing the HTC One’s aluminum unibody construction. The International Business Times praised the HTC One's sound quality, design and construction in a review.

HTC recently announced its first quarterly loss in over 10 years. The company hopes that consumers will prefer the fingerprint sensor, larger screen and aluminum body of the HTC One Max over competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone 5S.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to HTC as a Korean manufacturer.