Crazy-fast mystery HTC handset benchmarked over 36K

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Whenever an unannounced smartphone takes a spin on popular benchmark apps, someone is bound to take notice and play connect the dots with other rumors making the rounds.

PhoneArena reported today that a new Android handset of HTC origin has made an appearance on AnTuTu, a popular app used to benchmark the speed and performance of smartphones and tablets.

Identified only as "HTC 0P6B120," the device raised a few eyebrows over the weekend by racking up a performance score of 36,532 - the kind of digits usually reserved for top-tier performers like the LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 or Sony Xperia Z1.

In order to achieve such results, the mystery HTC handset likely appears to be running one of the coveted Snapdragon 800 chips, presumably a newer variety such as the MSM8974 model capable of 2.3GHz speeds.

M8 could be great

All signs point to the handset bearing the HTC M8 name, a device which popped up on the radar less than two weeks ago from the typically reliable Twitter account of @evleaks.

Tipped to debut in early 2014, insiders speculate that the M8 will be the manufacturer's follow-up to this year's HTC One, a smartphone expected to bear more than a passing exterior resemblance to the handset that's kept HTC on life support throughout an otherwise rocky 2013.

Other leaked details include a slightly larger five-inch, 1080p HD display powered by the latest Android 4.4 KitKat with HTC Sense 6.0 ladled over it for good measure.

There's still plenty of time for the HTC M8 to offer up further leaks before 2014 arrives, so firmer details are likely to solidify in the days and weeks ahead.

• Gee whiz, check out our extensive review of the new Motorola Moto G!