HTC’s unreleased One X9 handset has been leaked by Chinese regulator TENAA ahead of its official unveiling. Images confirm the handset’s front-facing speakers, signalling the return of BoomSound — as well as what appears to be a microSD card slot.

We first caught a glimpse of the One X9 last week, at which point we thought it would be a One A9 successor with a larger display and better specifications. However, more recent reports have suggested that although the handset will be larger, it will actually be a midrange offering.

Reliable leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) claims the One X9 will be powered by a MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a 3,000mAh battery. The device is also expected to carry a 5.5-inch Full HD (1080p) display, and a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera.

In the TENAA image above, the One X9 is revealed in more detail. Its design is similar to that of the One A9, with an iPhone-like aluminum unibody, but it appears to have front-facing BoomSound speakers, which are missing on HTC’s latest device.

There also appear to be two card trays on either side of the device, all but confirming support for expandable storage. The TENAA filing reveals the One X9 will measure 153.2mm tall, 75.9mm wide, and 7.99mm thick. It will weigh 174 grams.

It’s still unclear when the One X9 will make its official debut, but a regulatory filing like this one suggests it is fairly close. Previous rumors suggested the device will go on sale early next year, several months before HTC announces a high-end One M10.

• SourceTENAA