HTC has an event scheduled for March 25th where it will announce its very leaky flagship device for 2014. According to a press release from UK retailer Carphone Warehouse, the new HTC One (M8) will be on sale immediately following the announcement. That's one way to head off Samsung.

The new HTC One has been leaked repeatedly in almost every way imaginable. There have been press renders, videos, backgrounds, ads, and more. People will have a pretty good idea what the device is like even before the announcement, so perhaps just getting it out the door wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is set to launch on April 11th, so a March 25th date would at least give HTC a few weeks to convince consumers not to order Samsung's new device. Of course, Carphone Warehouse is a UK retailer. There's no word from any US-based phone sellers about a release date. Full PR is below.

All new HTC One available from Carphone Warehouse from 25th March announcement day

London, 18.03.14: In a retail first, Carphone Warehouse has revealed that the new HTC One (M8) handset will be available from selected stores from around 4pm on Tuesday 25th March – just minutes after it is officially announced.

The new HTC flagship device will be officially unveiled by the manufacturer at special events in London and New York earlier that afternoon. Shortly after, the new HTC One (M8) handsets will be transported directly from the venue of the launch announcement to six Carphone Warehouse stores in London. Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City, Oxford Circus, Centrepoint and Tottenham Court Road stores will all be hosting special events celebrating the HTC launch with entertainment and giveaways as well as the first chance for customers to get their hands on the new device. Carphone Warehouse at Selfridges will also be stocking the handset from the same time.

Full information including videos of the new handset will be shared on www.carphonewarehouse.com and customers will be able to order the HTC One (M8) over the phone from the same afternoon, before it is available from all 770 Carphone Warehouse stores and to order online shortly afterwards.

A Carphone Warehouse spokesperson comments, "The HTC One is an award winning handset that set the bar for design during 2013 and made many sit up and take notice – the new HTC One M8 is likely to continue that trend and will cement HTC's future as a heavy-hitting smartphone manufacturer. We know how keen customers are to get hold of the latest tech as soon as possible and that is why we are so excited to be able to offer the new HTC One so quickly after it is unveiled."

Customers can pre-register their interest in the new HTC One (M8) now at http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/help-support/advice-and-news/news/launchpad-rumours/htc-rumours

[Engadget]