HTC has launched a new HTC One model in the UK, this time sporting dual-SIM capabilities and a microSD card slot for additional memory.

Dual-SIM smartphones don't usually make it to the western world, but the HTC One seems to be one notable exception.

The HTC One is widely considered one of the best flagship smartphones of 2013, as it has an elegant aluminum unibody design, a gorgeous display and high-end specs all around. One notable absence, however, was the microSD card slot for expandable memory.

HTC has now launched a dual-SIM HTC One in the UK for £494.99 and it has also added a microSD card slot to this version, something the single-SIM model is missing.

Otherwise, the rest of the handset's specifications remain unchanged. The dual-SIM HTC One features the same 4.7-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz under the hood, as well as 2GB of RAM for a smooth and fluid user experience. The smartphone comes with 32GB of internal storage capacity, which UK users will be able to expand via microSD cards if they get the dual-SIM model.

Other specs of the HTC One include a 4-megapixel UltraPixel rear camera with LED flash, auto focus and the ability to record full HD video in 1080p, as well as a 2.1-megapixel front facing camera. The handset also features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Beats Audio, GPS+ GLONASS, and a 2,300 mAh battery.

While many consumers may not be particularly interested in the HTC One's dual-SIM support, the microSD card slot will definitely stir some interest. One of the few complaints about the HTC One was its lack of expandable memory, and the new model for the UK has now fixed this issue.

The HTC One Dual SIM is now available for pre-order from HTC's UK site, sporting a £494.99 price tag (about $809). This model is expected to become available from other retailers and carriers in the future. With the UK now getting this version, it may be possible for the U.S. to see a dual-SIM, microSD-packing HTC One as well, though HTC has not announced any plans in this direction.