The HTC One Max is not very elusive for a yet-to-be-announced device. The One Max has surfaced in several photo leaks as of late, each clearer than the last and showing off what many believe is a fingerprint scanner.

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

The latest leaked photos recently surfaced on the Chinese social media website Weibo and featured several up-close shots of the supposed HTC One Max. According to the Weibo account, reportedly associated with the China Mobile network, the HTC One Max will feature a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, a 5.9-inch 1080p display, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.

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HTC One Max Weibo

Visually, One Max appears to have the same overall design as we've seen on the original HTC One, from its aluminum unibody to its HTC branding. But there are some striking differences between the two handsets: The HTC One Max has a large square component just below its camera module and flash.

Many have deduced that the square component may be a fingerprint scanner, considering that its placement on the back panel of the HTC One may give users easy access to press their finger against the pad in order to scan fingerprints.

In the midst of Apple unveiling it's iPhone 5S, which features a fingerprint scanner, the stakes are suddenly higher for several competitor manufactures for whom fingerprint scanner rumors have circulated for months. Notably, many other rumored fingerprint scanners appear to be in different locations on their devices. The fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5S can be found superimposed into the power button on the device, while the supposed fingerprint scanner on the HTC One is located on the back panel.

Pundits have noted that leaked FCC images of the unreleased Nexus 5 show an open space at the top right of the device, which some consider may be where a fingerprint scanner will be located. Prior to its unveiling, many saw the volume rocker and power button on the back panel of the LG G2 and wondered if it was a fingerprint scanner.

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HTC One Max wireless charging component? Weibo

Gotta Be Mobile also considers than the HTC One Max may include wireless charging capability, noting three small dots at the bottom right of the chassis, which resemble charging features on other devices such as the Nokia Lumia 925. Due to the aluminum exterior of the HTC One Max, the device probably would need a special charging case with a companion charging pad in order to have such an ability, again similar to the Nokia Lumia 925.

Fingerprint scanner rumors have long followed the HTC One Max. Other recent reports indicate that we will see the HTC One Max on such mobile carriers as Sprint. Other rumors suggest a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor for the HTC One Max, which may be more plausible considering that the current HTC One contains a 1.7GHz quad-core processor in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600. Additionally, according to rumors we may see a removable back on the HTC One Max, allowing for MicroSD support, as well as the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Operating system with the updated HTC Sense 5.5 UI.

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HTC One Max Weibo

Do you the square pad on the leaked HTC One Max is a fingerprint scanner? Let us know in the comments below.

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