HTC allegedly preps high-res R7 and R12 Windows RT Blue tablets for Q3 launch

It turns out that HTC might issue at least two slates with Microsoft's OS on them, codenamed R7 and R12, in accordance with their respective screen sizes. The "R" in the titles perhaps marks that these are running the new Windows RT Blue edition Microsoft confirmed, but whether there will be "W" tablets with full-blown Win 8, too, is anyone's guess at this point, or whether RT will be rolled into Windows Blue as rumored, for that matter.

The HTC R7 is supposed to be one of the smaller Windows tablets that Win Blue is aiming to introduce, with a 7" Full HD screen, so if the rumor holds true it won't be exactly an answer to cheap Android 7-inchers with that resolution. It will allegedly be powered by a 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, so performance should not be an issue, and feature 2 GB of RAM. 

The rest of the specs we were tipped about include 16 GB of internal memory with a microSD slot for expansion, plus a healthy 13 MP autofocus camera on the back. As far as connectivity goes, the smaller Win RT Blue tablet might not include HDMI, DLNA or NFC, says the source, but a version with LTE/HSPA+ connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS will be there.

The larger HTC R12 should be a sight to behold, with the same specs as the R7, but an alleged 12" 2048×1536 pixels screen panel, and eventually more connectivity options.

Exact dimensions, battery capacities, as well as the suggested retail prices for the HTC R7 and R12 aren't present, but October 13 is listed as the tentative launch date, which would jibe with the Windows Blue release timeframe, and the onslaught of various slates running it, including Microsoft's own Surface line, that will hit in time for the holiday shopping craze.

Thanks for the tip!