HTC Explorer official shots leak, out November

Those boys at HTC, eh? What are they like? Apart from perhaps BlackBerry, HTC seems to have more leaks than any other phone maker going, and here's one more to add to the pile.

Previously papped in some blurry hands-on pics, the HTC Explorer is looking much more dapper in these official press shots, which have leaked, rather unofficially, to Pocketnow. It's a rugged little number that'll look right at home at the budget end of HTC's range.

With its rubberised body, the Explorer looks like it'll live up to its name, able to take a knock or two in the most inclement of climes. And it comes in black or blue, like a bruise.

If it looks familiar at all, it was previously known as the HTC Pico. It'll run Android Gingerbread, with the cool HTC Sense UI lathered on top that's standard on the company's Android handsets. Hardware-wise you've got a 600MHz processor, so it looks like a budget offering, rather than competing with these dual-core powerhouses. The touchscreen is 3.2-inches, and on the back the Explorer sports a 5-megapixel camera.

Clove.co.uk confirmed to Recombu that the Explorer will be available in the UK in black or blue from November. It'll even have a data-control app, helping you keep an eye on your 3G usage, so you don't go over your allowance and incur a monster bill. Handy.

HTC is also holding an event in London on 6 October, so expect an official announcement then. Yesterday it announced the HTC Rhyme -- the purple phone complete with glowing accessory you attach to your handbag or manbag -- will be coming to the UK on 17 October courtesy of O2. So, something for everyone.

Will you be picking up an Explorer for Christmas? Or a Rhyme? Let us know on our Facebook page or down in the comments section.