CBS Interactive

It's no secret that the last few quarters have been rocky for HTC. If this fresh batch of rumors prove true, the unannounced HTC M7 could get them back on track.>

The Droid DNA and its Japanese counterpart, the J Butterfly, may have just launched, but HTC is allegedly hard at work on its next big thing. Known only by its M7 code name, the smartphone could be exactly what HTC needs to jump-start its comeback. Again.

Details so far point to a 5-inch HD display with a 1920x1080-pixel resolution, a quad-core Qualcomm S4 Pro processor, and a 13-megapixel camera, according to "sources" cited at HTC Source. Presumably running the latest version of Android possible, the M7 is said to feature a uni-body aluminum shell.

So when might we see the M7 materialize? Apparently, HTC is working with partners to ready the smartphone for early 2013. Rumors have HTC preparing distribution of 4 to 5 million units for the first quarter alone.

HTC has traditionally skipped CES for its major flagship announcements in favor of the larger Mobile World Congress venue. Last year, for instance, saw the debut of the One series.

However, if HTC wants to move millions of the M7 in Q1, it'll need to hit the ground running, and CES, running from January 8th to the 11th, is the perfect opportunity. Yet since HTC isn't set up with a CES exhibitor booth, chances look slim.

Personally, I like the idea of HTC departing from previous strategies and getting aggressive against the titan that is Samsung sales. The early 2013 release of an M7 could offer just the injection that the weakened HTC needs.