HTC U11 review: a smartphone with flagship specifications, but not without its drawbacks. HTC U11 review: a smartphone with flagship specifications, but not without its shortcomings Quick review of HTC U11
Despite all the financial difficulties and a rather modest range of models, HTC still has a dedicated and loyal audience. Fellow journalists tirelessly write obituaries, analysts publish frightening forecasts, but despite all this, life is still in full swing at HTC headquarters, the company's factories continue to work, and management does not relax or fall into depression. In general, the company understands that they literally expect a miracle from it - and this miracle should be the HTC U11.
Two months ago I shared the first one, then I still didn’t know when it would go on sale in Russia and how much it would cost. Expectations, admittedly, were not the most rosy - all the company’s previous devices, including the recent one, turned out to be, to put it mildly, more expensive than they should have been. But now U11 has appeared in Russian retail for 45,000 rubles - cheaper than Samsung and Sony. And this time everything is fair: no Lifestyle version with “cut down” characteristics, no “special” games for Russia - we have exactly the same U11 that we expected to see.
The technical specifications are the same as other 2017 flagships, the design is fresh and cute, and the main camera claims to be the best this season. And of course, HTC simply could not do without some exotic feature, in this case it is a new control element - Edge Sense. In general, recently many manufacturers have offered an additional way to interact with the device. So far, Apple has done this best with its 3D Touch feature. But if the iPhone has all this implemented on the screen, then HTC was more original - in the U11, pressure sensors are located on the side faces. Well, let's find out how convenient it turned out to be in everyday life.
⇡ Technical specifications
| HTC U11 | Apple iPhone 7 Plus | Huawei P10 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5.5 inches, IPS, 1440 × 2560 pixels, 534 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
6.2 inches, Super AMOLED, 1440 × 2860 pixels, 529 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
5.7 inches, IPS, 1440 × 2560 pixels, 515 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
5.5 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 401 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
5.1 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 432 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
| Protective glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | No data | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835: eight cores (4 × 2.4 GHz Kryo + 4 × 1.9 GHz Kryo) | Samsung Exynos 8895: eight cores (4 × 2.5 GHz M1 + 4 × 1.69 GHz Cortex-A53) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820: quad core (2 × 2.15 GHz Kryo + 2 × 1.6 GHz Kryo) | Apple A10 Fusion: four cores, 2.23 GHz | HiSilicon Kirin 960: eight cores (4 × 2.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 + 4 × 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A53) |
| Graphics controller | Adreno 540 | ARM Mali-G71 MP20, 850 MHz | Adreno 530, 624 MHz | No data | ARM Mali-G71 MP8, 900 MHz |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| Flash memory | 64/128 GB | 64 GB | 32/64 GB | 32/128/256 GB | 32/64 GB |
| Connectors | 1 × USB Type-C | 1 × USB Type-C | 1 × USB-C | 1× Lightning | 1 × USB Type-C |
| 1 × nano-SIM; | 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; | 1 x nanoSIM | 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; | ||
| 1 × nano-SIM/microSD | 1 × nano-SIM; | 2 × nano-SIM | 1 × nano-SIM; | ||
| 1 × microSD | 1 × microSD | 1 × microSD | |||
| Cellular connection 2G | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | |
| Cellular 3G | DC-HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | DC-HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (84 Mbps) 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | DC-HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | |
| Cellular 4G | LTE Cat. 16 (up to 1024 Mbit/s, 150 Mbit/s), bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 16 (up to 1024 Mbit/s, 150 Mbit/s), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28 | LTE Cat. 12 (up to 600 Mbit/s), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 10 (450 Mbit/s), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 4 (150 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz, 2 × 2 MIMO (866 Mbps) | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| NFC | Eat | Eat | Eat | Yes (Apple Pay) | Eat |
| Navigation | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Sensors | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | |
| Fingerprint's scanner | Yes, in front | Yes, in the back | Yes, in the back | Yes, in front | Yes, in front |
| Main camera | 12 MP, ƒ/1.7, phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization, LED flash, 4K video recording | 12 MP, ƒ /1.7, phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization, LED flash, 4K video recording | Dual module, 16 MP ƒ /1.8 + 8 MP, ƒ /2.2, hybrid autofocus, optical stabilization, dual LED flash | 12 MP, ƒ /1.8, autofocus, quad-LED flash, optical stabilizer | Dual: 12 MP, ƒ /2.2, laser autofocus, LED flash, 4K video recording; black and white camera - 20 MP |
| Front-camera | 16 MP, phase and contrast autofocus, dual LED flash | 5 MP, fixed autofocus | 7 MP, no flash | 8 MP, contrast autofocus, no flash | |
| Nutrition | Non-removable battery: 11.4 Wh (3000 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 13.3 Wh (3500 mAh, 3.8 V) | Removable battery 12.16 Wh (3200 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 11.1 Wh (2900 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 12.6 Wh (3200 mAh, 3.8 V) |
| Size | 153.9 × 75.9 × 7.9 mm | 159.5 × 73.4 × 8.1 mm | 159.7 × 78.1 × 7.6 mm | 158.2 × 77.9 × 7.3 mm | 145.3 × 69.3 × 7 mm |
| Weight | 169 g | 173 g | 174 g | 158 g | 145 g |
| Water and dust protection | IP67 | IP68 | No | Yes, IP67 standard | No |
| operating system | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 7.0 Nougat, Grace UX shell | Android 7.0 Nougat, LG UX 5.0+ shell | iOS 10 | Android 7.0 Nougat, EMUI 5.1 shell |
| Current price | 44,990 rubles | 59,990 rubles | 39,000 rubles | from 62,990 rubles | 35,990 rubles |
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⇡ Design, ergonomics and software
HTC U11 is unlike any of the company's previous smartphones. Cases machined from solid pieces of aluminum without any painting are becoming a thing of the past. Large glass panels, smooth shapes and colors that cannot be described in one word are in fashion. Samsung, Sony, LG, Huawei - everyone, in one way or another, tried to work with glass, its shape and processing. So HTC's decision is taken for granted. Perhaps, there was one device from the Taiwanese that showed similar features - the HTC U Ultra, released a little earlier, tested the production and assembly technologies used in the U11.
U Ultra could hardly be called a beautiful smartphone, U11 looks much more interesting and harmonious - for this it was only necessary to slightly reduce the body and “play” with the shape of its individual elements. The body itself is still made of aluminum, but the metal is visible only on the ends and side edges, while the front and back panels are completely covered with curved glass.
This is not the best choice in terms of practicality - the glass quickly becomes covered with fingerprints, but in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S8 this does not bother anyone, so it shouldn’t be here either. The problem is easily solved by a thin transparent case, which is initially included in the U11 package - the appearance of the smartphone does not suffer in any way. Yes, the glass is tempered on both sides - Gorilla Glass 5, it is not at all afraid of small scratches.
HTC U11 comes in five colors: red, blue-gray, blue, black and white. However, such a description will not give a complete picture of the true color of the device. For example, white has a slightly pearlescent tint, and depending on the color temperature of the lighting, it can have a pinkish or bluish tint. Red, under certain conditions, can become yellow or orange, but the dark blue smartphone, which we got for testing, changes color in the range from ash-gray to dark turquoise. It looks very cool, although, obviously, not everyone will appreciate such a bold approach.
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The fingerprint scanner is located under the screen, in the Home key. It is quite compact - about the same shape and size as the Sony Xperia /. There is no physical pressing - the panel responds to a short touch. To the left and right of it there are two more touch keys: the left one sends back, the right one displays a list of running applications. The buttons are beautifully illuminated and give clear vibration feedback.
On the top edge there is only a slot for SIM cards and microSD. And on the bottom there is a microphone and a USB Type-C connector. The HTC U11 does not have a mini-jack and this is perhaps the most controversial point. On the other hand, the basic kit includes an adapter made in the same style as the iPhone, and the included headphones are initially equipped with USB Type-C and sound unexpectedly great. I will tell you more about this below.
The lower parts of the side edges are sensitive to pressure, or rather to squeezing the smartphone from both sides. This is the same Edge Sense that is touted as the main feature of the HTC U11. Before starting use, you can adjust the compression strength, and I would immediately recommend setting it to maximum to eliminate false positives. And the essence is extremely simple - by default, compression turns on the camera application, and then allows you to take a photo without changing the position of your hand. If desired, you can assign another function for this, but only one. I assumed that there would be the ability to select different functions for different compression strengths, but this would only complicate a rather simple thing. I won’t say that Edge Sense radically changes the feel of the device, but it’s convenient to shoot in this way, perhaps even more convenient than with a dedicated button, like Sony smartphones.
2017 was the year of bezel-less smartphones and dual cameras, but the HTC U11 went its own way.
HTC U11 became the world's first smartphone with touch-sensitive edges that respond to pressure. This gave us a new experience when working with a smartphone. Does this concept look interesting? Definitely. But fancy features alone are clearly not enough to be among the top sellers. And HTC understood this, remembering its failed predecessor in the form of the HTC 10. Therefore, in 2017, it presented a flagship in all respects: premium parts and expensive cameras with laser autofocus, a high-quality display and top-end hardware, and finally, branded features.
On paper, everything looks perfect, but let's move on to the HTC U11 review to put all the i's in order.
HTC U11 Design: The Art of Glass
Aluminum has been something of a feature of HTC smartphones ever since the metal HTC One came out, and every big name company has followed suit. However, the U11 has more in common with the U line, aimed at stylish users who prefer flashiness and elegance over reliability and practicality.
Instead of metal, you get glass. Lots of glass. The entire back of the new HTC smartphone is covered with reflective Liquid Surface glass, which shines brightly from almost any angle. Looks really great.
HTC has put a lot of work into the design of the U11 to create a crazy effect that no other smartphone on the market has. Externally, HTC U11 can be compared to an expensive sports car that shimmers with crazy colors in the sun. Even photographs are not able to convey the extraordinary nature of the back panel of the smartphone.
Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black and Ice White, first introduced with HTC U Ultra, return with U11 and two more new shades: Amazing Silver and Solar Red.
At launch, the HTC U11 will only be available in silver, a mix of blue, purple and silver shades. A popular Solar Red version will be available later. As you can see, there are enough colors, and each of them seriously distinguishes the HTC U11 in a market ruled by gold and gray smartphones.
Of course, glass is more fragile than metal, so you will have to take care to protect the U11. In addition, the smartphone collects fingerprints like crazy. In just five minutes, the mirror surface turns into something dirty. The marks are especially noticeable on the back side, but this is not surprising. Therefore, the best companion for the HTC U11 is a cloth or a case. Well, at least you can show off your stylish smartphone to your friends... until it gets covered in greasy fingerprints.
From the front, however, the HTC U11 looks rather ordinary, seriously inferior in this regard to competitors presented by other companies this year. The 5.5-inch screen corresponds to the usual 16:9 aspect ratio. It did not turn out to be sophisticated and unusual, like the recent LG G6 or Samsung Galaxy S8, in addition, there are rather thick frames around the display, which, considering that the HTC U11 is still a flagship, do not look very good, to say the least. Ergonomics are fine. The smartphone fits well in the hand and is quite comfortable to use with one hand.
At the bottom of the bezel is a touch-sensitive Home button with a fingerprint scanner, as well as capacitive Back and Recent Apps keys—there are no on-screen buttons taking up precious real estate. The fingerprint sensor is very fast, unlocking the smartphone in a millisecond - just touch your fingertip.
The 2.5D glass is curved around the edges, both front and back, so the HTC U11 fits comfortably in your hand. Fortunately, there are no sharp edges. What really looks unusual and interesting is the sides of the smartphone that hide the most unique feature of the U11.
Edge Sense HTC U11: another toy or has the right
HTC U11 has touch panels (Edge Sense) built into the sides: squeeze your hand to quickly do something, for example, launch an application, turn on a flashlight, and so on. This feature may be especially useful in winter when you wear gloves. This way you can photograph winter landscapes while keeping your hands warm. Additionally, the touch sides of the HTC U11 can be used to launch Google Assistant by squeezing your hand instead of shouting "OK Google." The function works when the screen is off, so you can use it instantly.
When you take the HTC U11 out of the box, you need to squeeze it hard to get to the Edge Sense settings menu. Here you can adjust the sensitivity, set combinations of presses (you can use short and long), and some other settings are also available.
The touch sensors only cover the bottom of the HTC U11, so sometimes you have to hold the smartphone in your hands for it to register compressions. However, this rarely happens. Edge Sense has one drawback - there are few applications that fully support the feature. It’s clear that the developers will continue to work with the function, and third-party tools will appear, but I wanted to get it all out of the box. The main thing is that it doesn’t end up like with the modular LG G5, which a year ago offered a unique concept, but today everyone has forgotten about its features, and even about itself. Don't let us down, HTC.
During the review of HTC U11, its touch-sensitive edges failed to change the usual perception of smartphones. Edge Sense was not a feature that would make me wonder how I lived without it until now. We hope that in the future HTC will improve it with new features.
Screen and sound in HTC U11
A 5.5-inch LCD display is located on the front. It uses an IPS panel with QHD resolution. The screen is pretty much on par with a flagship in 2017, and while it leaves a good first impression (high brightness, rich colors, wide viewing angles and excellent oleophobic coating), it takes more time to judge its quality.
If you prefer good large displays, then here are ones that suit your needs.
For several years, HTC has paid great attention to the sound in its smartphones, and this has not changed with the U11. The company's new device is capable of processing 24-bit Hi-Res audio files, and the speakers produce excellent sound. Music tracks now have real bass, and when you turn the volume up to maximum, you can feel the vibration. From now on, you no longer need to connect your smartphone to speakers to enjoy music at home - the HTC U11 speakers have enough power.
What is missing? Take a closer look at the ends. To be fair, there is no 3.5mm jack. To output music we have USB-C or Bluetooth. At least HTC includes a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box, so you don't have to give up your usual headphones. By the way, HTC U11 has a built-in amplifier that will provide excellent sound in any headphones - not every other manufacturer equips their smartphones with a similar device.
The U11 is equipped with an impressive number of microphones. The smartphone has four of them, located at different points so that you can record 3D audio. HTC claims that this way they have achieved the best results that a smartphone can achieve. The microphones are always on, with a range of 1.5 m. Thanks to this, you can wake up your assistants with your voice. You heard right: we have not only Google Assistant, but also Alexa from Amazon. Or rather, the second one will appear as soon as the developers present a new update in July. Alexa is announced for the first time on a smartphone, which makes the HTC U11 even more interesting to buy.
Performance and battery life of HTC U11
Load up the HTC U11 with tons of home screens, widgets, apps and games and you won't notice any performance issues. The core hardware is Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835, which won't hold back when it comes to performance. It’s clear that the smartphone works perfectly even under heavy loads, launches the latest games and applications without problems, and simultaneously performs dozens of tasks.
4GB of RAM should satisfy all your multitasking needs. In addition, you may prefer the more expensive 6GB version of the HTC U11. The basic model of HTC U11 with 64 GB of permanent memory, the more expensive one with 128 GB. Either way, you get a microSD card slot to help expand your storage.
Do you know which company's smartphones are characterized by high performance at low cost? Xiaomi. And here you go.
On paper, the HTC U11's only major downside is its battery. HTC stuck with a 3,000mAh battery instead of trying to fit a larger cell inside. In practice, however, the U11 easily manages to last a full day on a single charge with heavy use. Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 will provide you with a fast charging function, but wireless charging, which you so expect when you see a glass case, is not provided.
HTC U11 camera: the old fashioned way
Flipping the U11 over reveals a single camera lens - there's no dual sensor here, just a single 12-megapixel sensor paired with an f/1.7 lens. This means you won't get the fantastic deep-sharp, wide-angle or black-and-white modes we're used to with the iPhone 7 Plus, LG G6 and Huawei P10 respectively.
However, HTC learned a thing or two during the development of the Pixel and Pixel XL for Google. Third-generation Ultrapixel technology enables laser autofocus, which uses the entire sensor for this purpose instead of a tiny part. Result? Lightning-fast autofocus that easily rivals the Galaxy S8.
The new Hybrid Image Stabilization system works in conjunction with the wider f/1.7 lens to keep your photos looking sharp and detailed, even in low-light conditions. Always-on automatic HDR will also result in brighter photos with less noise, better colors and higher quality. All this allows you to take good photos on the HTC U11.
In terms of overall photo quality, the U11 is on par with the Google Pixel, Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 Plus. Auto HDR is faster here than on the Pixel. Each shot is filled with detail and rich colors. The amount of noise is greater than that of the Galaxy S8 because the HTC U11 uses different shooting algorithms. Video on the U11 can be recorded in 4K at 30 frames per second. I'm very pleased with the 3D sound recording, which is simply the best in its class.
HTC U11: verdict
The HTC U11 is capable of almost everything you'd expect from a flagship smartphone, although the Galaxy S8 is capable of more.
The lack of a 3.5mm jack is an annoyance, but the included headphones are decent enough and the active noise cancellation is a nice addition. The shutter speed of the camera is not always pleasing. Battery life is decent, although the lack of wireless charging is somewhat disappointing.
Edge Sense looks interesting, although it is obvious that the functions have room for improvement. And it needs to grow if HTC plans to further promote and use this concept. Separately, one cannot fail to mention the two U11 virtual assistants. Google Assistant and Alexa in one smartphone is a tempting proposition, but you'll have to wait for the latter to launch. Amazon Assistant has finally reached the smartphone segment and, I must say, it is implemented in the best way in the HTC U11.
HTC U11 breaks stereotypes. The smartphone came out in a new case, with new features and new performance. We offer a review of the HTC U11 - we look at the design, display and performance in the main benchmarks! It will be interesting!
HTC has released a new smartphone in line with the latest trends in the mobile industry: the latest generation Snapdragon 835 processor, premium glass and metal design, improved sound and a perfect camera. The premium quality of the device can be seen in the price: the estimated cost of the smartphone is about $820. The manufacturer did not officially announce the price, but the brand's hotline replied that it would be very expensive :)
Quick review of HTC U11
Main advantages of HTC U11:
- Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back surfaces of the smartphone
- 5.5′ SuperLCD display with 1440 x 2560 resolution, standard aspect ratio and 543 PPI pixel density
- 12MP main camera with f/1.7 aperture, autofocus, optical image stabilization, Dual Pixel, HDR Boost, Acoustic Focus technologies. Pixel size - 1.4 microns.
- 16MP front camera with HDR Boost technology.
- 8-core Snapdragon 835 with 4 Kryo x 2.45 GHz and 4 Kryo x 1.9 GHz architecture, Adreno 540 GPU.
- Versions: 4GB RAM + 64GB internal memory. A 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage version will be available in some markets. Both versions support memory cards.
- Boom Sound technology, stereo speakers, headphones with active noise reduction technology (connected via USB Type-C).
- A new way to control through pressure-sensitive edges
Main disadvantages of HTC U11:
- 3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology
- Glass body, vulnerable to mechanical damage
- Lack of standard audio jack
- Dependence of memory capacity on the market
- Price
Many of you have already been able to appreciate the brand’s previous new product - HTC U Ulta. Here is a comparison between and:
| HTC U11 | HTC U Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $820 | $749 |
| release date | May 2017 | March 2017 |
| Housing materials | Gorilla Glass 5/3 | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Dimensions | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm | 162.4 x 79.8 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 169 g | 170 g |
| operating system | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Firmware | HTC Sense UI | HTC Sense UI |
| USB | Type-C USB 3.1 and Display Port | |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| FM radio | No | No |
| Audio jack 3.5 mm | No | No |
| NFC | There is | There is |
| Fingerprint scanner | in the Home button | in the Home button |
HTC 10 failed to become a worthy competitor to the top flagships of the mobile market. The company sees the main competitors of HTC U11 as the flagships of Samsung and Apple (therefore, we will make comparisons with representatives of these brands).
The main chips that the manufacturer bets on are sensitive edges and sound quality .
But one thing is clear: fans are not happy with the fragile glass, which has replaced durable and damage-resistant metal.
Full review of HTC U11
HTC U11 Package Contents
HTC U11 received a minimal set of accessories. The box contains the smartphone itself, a charger, a USB Type-C cable, an adapter for a standard mini-jack, headphones with a set of ear pads of different sizes. An additional bonus is the transparent plastic case (the manufacturer seems to be hinting that without a case and additional protection you can only look at this smartphone, and then from afar :). The user will also find a napkin (also a subtle hint that you will get tired of wiping fingerprints and dirt from the case :).
HTC U11 design
HTC U11 looks expensive. The photographs do not convey the impressiveness of the Liquid Surface panel. The smartphone is available in several color variations: Amazing Silver, Ice White, Solar Red, Sapphire Blue, and Brilliant Black (in other words, silver, white, red, blue and black).
What the manufacturer says:
The impressive glass surface with an iridescent design is created using multi-layer coating technology with a light refraction effect. During production, minerals with varying degrees of light reflection are introduced into the glass on the back surface of the device body at different depths. This is how we manage to achieve amazingly saturated colors, which are obtained by refraction of ambient light depending on the position of the smartphone body.
This technology guarantees color depth and protection from distortion, abrasion or fading over time. Moreover, it was possible to solve the problem with paint durability. Users of previous HTC models constantly complained about peeling paint on the case.
The manufacturer also indicates the reason for choosing materials for the HTC U11: it’s simply time to move away from the hackneyed all-metal body inherited by 4 previous generations of smartphones.
The smartphone has rounded edges. At the top end there is a speaker, proximity and light sensors, a microphone and a front camera, and an LED indicator for recent events.
The smartphone body is completely scratch-resistant. On the channel JerryRigEverything A device scratch resistance test has been published. Brief conclusions:
- the screen is not scratched by keys and coins, but ordinary sand can leave minor abrasions
- The fingerprint scanner gets scratched very easily, but still retains functionality
- The speaker is not protected by a metal mesh, and so it is very easy to damage it when cleaning
- The front camera is located behind the display glass
- The main camera is perfectly protected
- The flash is protected by plastic that is vulnerable to the slightest mechanical damage
- When bent, the HTC U11 fails: the display is the first to suffer, while the back surface remains unharmed
Below the screen is a fingerprint scanner that combines the functions of the Home button and owner identification. On the sides of the scanner there are standard control buttons - Back And Active applications.
HTC didn't bother with screen size, bezels or aspect ratio. Everything here is the old fashioned way: there are frames, there are top and bottom edges, there are buttons, the aspect ratio is standard.
On the right side there are three mechanical metal buttons (power and 2 volume buttons) with excellent movement, without backlash or squeaks.
HTC U11 display
The smartphone has a standard 5.5′ display made using SuperLCD technology with wide viewing angles, bright, realistic color reproduction and rich blacks.
The HTC U11's screen is not the brightest in its class. While the brightness of the screens of the main competitors (Samsung and Apple) confidently exceeds 600 nits, the maximum brightness of the HTC U11 screen is only 583 nits. Maximum brightness is activated in emergency mode in very bright lighting conditions. The normal screen brightness is 483 nits.
| Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | Contrast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTC U11 | 0.308 | 483 | 1568 |
| HTC U11 (max auto) | 0.373 | 583 | 1568 |
| HTC U Ultra | 0.539 | 428 | 794 |
| HTC U Ultra (max auto) | 0.564 | 507 | 899 |
| HTC 10 | 0.29 | 428 | 1543 |
| HTC 10 evo | 0.387 | 525 | 1357 |
| Huawei P10 | 0.416 | 592 | 1423 |
| LG G6 | 0.228 | 468 | 2053 |
| LG G6 (max auto) | 0.277 | 564 | 2036 |
| Galaxy S8 | 0.00 | 440 | ~ |
| Galaxy S8 max auto | 0.00 | 618 | ~ |
| iPhone 7 Plus | 0.41 | 573 | 1398 |
| iPhone 7 Plus (max auto) | 0.50 | 681 | 1362 |
| iPhone 7 | 0.35 | 561 | 1603 |
| Xiaomi Mi 6 | 0.462 | 603 | 1305 |
| Xperia XZs | 0.461 | 564 | 1223 |
With the HTC U11's minimum screen brightness of 6 nits, the display remains clear and readable enough to answer a call or text at night.
Sun contrast ratio
Autonomy HTC U11
The battery capacity of the HTC U11 is only 3000 mAh, the same as in the HTC 10. However, the developer has optimized the software, and the user will not notice a drop in battery life.
According to GSMArena tests, HTC U11 is inferior only in 3G mode, lasting 3.5 hours less, while in all other modes the user will notice a significant increase in autonomy.
| HTC U11 | HTC U Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 3000 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Fast charging | Quick Charge 3.0 | Quick Charge 3.0 |
| Autonomy rating | 73 hours | 81 hours |
| 3G calls | 19:22 | 22:57 |
| Internet | 10:28 | 08:39 |
| Video | 11:04 | 07:44 |
Fast charging replenishes 52% of the charge in 30 minutes (under ideal conditions - the smartphone is not used while charging).
Performance
It must be admitted that HTC has optimized the smartphone well for the new processor, using the chipset's power to its fullest.
| HTC U11 | HTC U Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821(AB) |
| Technical process | 10 nm | 14 nm |
| Number of Cores | 8 | 4 |
| Processor architecture | 8x Kryo 280 CPU | 4x Kryo |
| Clock frequency | 4x 2.45 GHz + 4x 1.9 GHz | 2x 2.15 GHz + 2x 1.6 GHz |
| Graphics accelerator | Adreno 540 | Adreno 530 |
| RAM | 4 / 6 GB LPDDR4 1866 MHz | 4 GB LPDDR4 1866 MHz |
| Built-in memory | 64 / 128 GB | 64 GB hybrid microSD slot (up to 256 GB) |
| Battery capacity | 3000 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Fast charging | Quick Charge 3.0 | Quick Charge 3.0 |
In the multi-core test, Exynos remains in the lead.
GeekBench 4 (multi-core)
In the single-core test, HTC U11 outperforms, S8 with Exynos and SD 835. Only the
However, the emergence of the current trend of (almost) frameless displays, which was set by Xiaomi (with Mi Mix) and, above all, by Samsung, HTC slept a little. Despite the fact that the HTC U11 is an excellent smartphone with still unsurpassed photo quality in twilight lighting, the appearance of the device when directly compared with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Huawei Mate 10 Pro is much less impressive. This shortcoming is largely eliminated in the HTC U11 Plus.
HTC U11 Plus with modern display design
HTC U11 Plus is equipped with a 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. It's slightly narrower and longer than the regular one, and offers about 10 percent more screen real estate. The U11 Plus does not boast a curved display, and the bezels on the top and bottom sides, although quite thin, are not so meager. Huawei Mate 10 Pro, for example, with the same screen diagonal, is two millimeters shorter. Despite all this, we like the final result.
According to HTC, it needed additional space to accommodate stereo speakers, which should sound louder than in the regular U11. We find the sound labeled “Boomsound” to be decent, but not amazing. Impressions from the HTC One were better. However, the screen has a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels, so the image clarity is about the same as the U11. We can subject some criticism to the rather insufficient maximum brightness of the display, but this may well be the fault of the pre-production status of the software. At the same time, U11 is rather average in this area.
The space on the top and bottom of the front side is occupied by stereo speakers Great quality, great colors
The workmanship is at an excellent level. HTC is once again relying on glass on the back, which looks great when polished, but unfortunately becomes susceptible to fingerprints and smudges very quickly. On the back side, under the camera, there is a fingerprint scanner, where it is quite convenient to touch it. Of course, unlike the U11, users will have to pick up the smartphone to unlock it.
The stylish and sophisticated version in the color “Ceramic Black”, which is rather a very dark gray metallic or anthracite, looks attractive to our taste. More extravagant is the “Translucent Black” version: this version is equipped with a translucent back side, under which you can see a large NFC “coil”. We could call this look a successful techno-chic look, but it probably won't be to everyone's taste. There should also be a silver version.
The back is gorgeous, highly shiny and susceptible to fingerprints. HTC U11 Plus comes in black and translucent color options Mobile Phone to Squeeze: Here's What Edge Sense Can Do
With Edge Sense, HTC has developed a technology in which, apparently, even Google saw such great functional and marketing potential that it has found its way into the Pixel 2 family of smartphones. Edge Sense allows you to access various functions by squeezing the frames of the case. HTC is trying (unlike Google) to offer as much choice as possible here, making Edge Sense, while fun, definitely useful.
New is, for example, a crescent-shaped mini-launcher of the most popular applications by the user, which is displayed on top of the content on the display.
Alternatively, users can also launch the camera app and take pictures, activate the flashlight, or bring up any other app. You can even customize actions within the application, for example, turning pages when reading e-books. HTC offers a lot of possibilities here - however, we don’t see much of a revolution in this.
However, Edge Sense controls work well. We did not notice any erroneous activations of the function, and those who think that they need to press too hard on the frames can adjust the sensitivity in the corresponding menu.
Whoever squeezes the frames can, among other things, call a mini-launcher The camera with the best photo quality?
The HTC U11 camera still holds the record in the corresponding category of our mobile phone rating. In daylight, a fairly large number of smartphones now take excellent photographs. The real problems begin when lighting conditions deteriorate, when too little light reaches the often tiny pixels of the sensor, resulting in high levels of noise and loss of detail.
The HTC U11 practically does not have this problem, and during our camera testing in twilight lighting, this smartphone performed better than all other devices. Only Google Pixel 2 reaches approximately the same level. Although the U11's white display is a bit cold (meaning the camera is still not "perfect"), the hair and thread detail here is remarkable.
Since the camera from U11 migrated to U11 Plus without changes, and the matrix again has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels with a relatively good distance between pixels of 1.4 microns and a particularly large F1.7 aperture, which lets in quite a lot of light, we do not have There's no reason to expect the camera to degrade in quality. There is also an optical image stabilizer. However, our comprehensive laboratory tests will ultimately tell the story.
The U11 Plus shoots video in 4K (at an expected 30 frames per second) or in Full-HD resolution at speeds up to 120 fps. HTC integrates four microphones into the body, which can be used as directional microphones if the user is approaching a specific target while shooting, for example, a stage during concerts.
The U11's camera is top-notch. Can the Plus model's camera beat it? Huge battery promises long battery life
HTC U11 Plus is protected from prolonged immersion in fresh water in accordance with the IP-68 standard. Despite this, at the bottom of the device there is an open USB 3 Type-C port, which, when connected to the included adapter, serves as an audio jack. Unfortunately, there is no classic 3.5 mm audio jack here. HTC also includes a pair of USB-C-compatible in-ear headphones in the box, which feature active noise cancellation and measure the ear canal using ultrasound to optimize sound.
We also have high hopes for battery life, as HTC has increased the battery by 30 percent compared to the regular U11, bringing its capacity to 3930 mAh. The similarly equipped Huawei Mate 10 Pro achieved almost 12 hours of battery life on a single charge during our endurance tests. Thus, the HTC U11 Plus has enough potential to deliver at least as great results. The device does not support wireless charging technologies.
The U11 Plus transfers data (and music) via USB Type-C Android 8 with top performance and good equipment
Inside the smartphone there is a very fast Snapdragon 835 processor, which gives the device top-level performance. We have not yet had time to conduct tests that are demanding on system resources, but during the first test the device responded to commands smoothly and quickly. Since a similarly equipped one is one of the fastest smartphones available at the moment, we don’t expect any unpleasant surprises in this area. Moreover, the size of RAM has been increased from 4 GB to 6 GB.
Also worthy of praise: the large built-in storage, with a nominal capacity of 128 GB, can be further expanded using a Micro-SD memory card. Alternatively, U11 Plus users can access the network from a second card in Dual-SIM mode. Unlike the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, which has LTE speeds available on both cards, the U11 Plus only offers 4G/3G. This means first of all that the second card will not support Voice-over-LTE. There are also modules on board for gigabit LTE, WLAN ac and Bluetooth 5.0 - this is the first time this is supported via .
Users can choose between using a SIM card and a Micro-SD card, or two SIM cards The HTC U11 Plus runs the Android operating system in the current version 8 Oreo under a user interface modified by HTC. We consider the ability to call the info center from anywhere on the desktop by swiping down to be quite practical. With such large display diagonals, this seems especially useful. HTC wants to provide this smartphone with security and operating system updates for at least 2 years. That's great, but for an expensive top-of-the-line model, we'd like at least a three-year delivery period for updates, as promised with the .
HTC U11 Plus will go on sale at the end of November or early December at a price of about 56 thousand rubles. Thus, it will be approximately as expensive as a similarly equipped one. The cost is high, but within the market environment.
The fingerprint scanner is located on the back side and can be easily reached with your index finger Output Chip
The new HTC U11 Plus looks great, still feels good in the hand and is top-notch equipped. We have already tried out the new top-class smartphone and are more than satisfied. HTC has not only retained all the strengths of the U11 here, including its excellent camera, build quality and performance, but also packaged it all into an even more aesthetically pleasing solution.
The HTC U11 Plus has very thin display bezels, an easy-to-reach fingerprint scanner on the back, and an even larger screen. However, there are also pressure-sensitive frames on the case, which are called Edge Sense and are useful fun. The HTC U11 Plus is a very clear contender to be placed at the very top of our mobile phone rankings.
Advantages and disadvantages
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premium design with thin bezels
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The highest level of photo quality is expected
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Android 8 and top performance
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extra large battery promises long battery life
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no classic headphone jack
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no wireless charging
HTC decided to rethink the look of its smartphones and began experimenting. The company's new trend is a glass case with an “irridescent” design. The color of the back cover changes at different angles and depends on the lighting, and the glass reflects and distorts everything around.
It sounds promising, but in person the HTC U11 looks like a Chinese Christmas tree decoration or glossy Samsung smartphones from five years ago. In this form, U11 does not deserve the title of flagship of 2017. After the original metallic HTC One M7 and HTC 10, it’s strange to see tasteless, vulgar gloss.
Clean HTC U11
In 5 minutes
The glass body gets dirty instantly and prints are difficult to erase. Greasy stains and stains look depressing, especially on blue and blue colors. Black, white and red models will also be on sale. We had the HTC U Ultra in black, you can take a look at it.
Something also went wrong with the front panel of the U11. The design seems to be stuck in the past, this is what smartphones looked like in 2014-2015. Thick frames along the edges of the display, impressive “gaps” at the top and bottom - it’s as if HTC engineers deliberately tried to make it different from the Galaxy S8 and LG G6.
HTC U11 avoided another trend - an elongated screen. Samsung fits 5.8 inches into a 6.8 cm wide case. Here the screen diagonal is smaller - 5.5 inches - but due to the standard 16:9 aspect ratio and thick frames we get 7.6 cm. This is a lot to use on a smartphone one hand is uncomfortable. Add here a slippery cover, and the likelihood of an expensive device falling onto the asphalt increases sharply.
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The previous flagship HTC 10 lacked water protection. In U11, justice and common sense have triumphed: the gadget is protected according to the IP67 standard, it can be dipped into water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes and sprinkled with sand. So HTC U11 is ready for the beach season.
Squeeze me completely
Smartphones have become something commonplace, and manufacturers have to lure buyers with unique features. The Samsung Galaxy S8 has no bezels, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium shoots 960fps video, and the LG G6 is military-grade protected. HTC has its own way, and it's called Edge Sense.
Edge Sense - pressure recognition technology. Only the sensors are built into the side edges rather than into the screen. You squeeze the edges of the smartphone and a certain application opens, the camera starts, or a screenshot is taken. The force to which the edges will react can be adjusted.
When compressed, these blue zones appear on the screen.
Edge Sense lets you run any app. There are a lot of options: turning on the camera, calling a voice assistant, launching a voice recorder, browser, flashlight, etc. One action occurs with a quick “squeeze”, the other with a long hold. For example, I used Edge Sense to turn on the flashlight and camera - fast and convenient.
On the other hand, Edge Sense is not a panacea. The camera can be opened by double-clicking the lock button, and the assistant can be called with the phrase “Okay, Google.” This is just another way to get started quickly. If you know how to apply it, you will squeeze it. No - Edge Sense will hang like a dead weight in the settings and hide in thick frames.
The idea of Edge Sense looks far-fetched: all the same things could be placed on a separate physical key, as in the Galaxy S8.
Edge Sense is a thing in itself. As long as HTC supports the technology - adds new features, improves recognition - it is alive. Third-party application developers will not waste time and effort for the sake of one phone. Although compressible edges are an interesting and sometimes useful idea.
One of the best cameras in the world
And these are not big words. HTC has seriously worked with the camera software, and now the U11 shoots at the same level as the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8. According to the rating of the DxOMark website, which evaluates the quality of photos from different devices, this is the best camera among smartphones: 90 points. The previous record belonged to Google Pixel - 89 points.
The main module contains a 12-megapixel UltraPixel 3 sensor with a pixel size of 1.4 microns, optics with an f/1.7 aperture and optical stabilization. The UltraSpeed Autofocus system, in which every pixel is involved, is responsible for focusing. The U11 aims at the target instantly, without missing a beat, even in low light.
I was impressed by the software's performance. You take 10 frames in a row - and all 10 will be the same. That is, the exposure, shutter speed, and ISO settings are not lost at the slightest movement of the phone, and the built-in algorithms do not recognize this as a change in composition. This is often found in Chinese smartphones, and even in some flagships, for example, Google Pixel or LG G6. There, two photographs can differ in brightness or graininess - as the automation wishes.
When shooting against the sun or a bright sky, HDR Boost pulls out detail even in the darkest areas. The dynamic range is as wide as in Google Pixel images. There is some logic to this: the companies collaborated to develop the Pixel. Perhaps HTC provided the capacity of its factories, and in return Google shared its secret HDR+ algorithms.
In good lighting, the photo quality is reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy S8: correct exposure, cool detail. At the same time, the Galaxy S8 has a slight oversharpening (artificial sharpness), colors are oversaturated and shades are cooler.
There is no curvature of the image at the edges of the frame, that is, distortion, in the HTC U11 photographs. Macro is obtained with “ringing” clarity and gorgeous bokeh, this is where the f/1.7 aperture has an effect. Although the king of macro is still the Galaxy S8: it can be brought close to the object.
When shooting at night, HTC takes a little away from the Galaxy S8 and Pixel. The first one benefits from correct work with light sources - no glare, lights do not interfere with the frame. If there is very little light, the HTC U11 raises the ISO for the sake of brightness - like the Pixel - which causes a lot of noise. But at the same time, the darkest corners are visible, and even the sky “shows through.”
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Video is recorded in resolution up to 4K, there is a slow-motion video mode 1080p 120 frames/sec. The trick of video recording is acoustic focus. When you zoom in on an image, the sound volume increases. The user seems to be approaching the object himself. There are four microphones in total on the U11 body, so the sound is recorded at 360 degrees.
Foreign colleagues loudly praise the new HTC U11 camera. They say that in terms of photo quality it is on par with the Galaxy S8 Plus. However, the HTC flagship took only penultimate place in readers, and second in the editorial rating, on a par with Honor 8 Pro and LG G6. A more comprehensive test showed that the HTC U11 is capable of more.
HTC flagships have always produced mediocre images, but with the U11 everything has changed. Either the collaboration with Google helped, or it was pride. But undoubtedly we got one of the best mobile cameras.
The front camera works well in terms of exposure and color reproduction in any conditions - day, night or indoors. Sharpness is a little lacking; HDR+ from Pixel would be useful here. Resolution 16 MP, aperture f2.0, video recorded in 1080p. The grip angle is not ultra-wide, but it will fit a group of friends. In the latter case, the panoramic selfie mode is useful, when you need to move the phone from left to right, and the software stitches the frames together into one wide photo.
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In room
Move the slider left and right to compare photos.Two things are annoying about the HTC U11's camera: slow shooting and an obnoxious shutter sound. At least you can turn off the sound. But in terms of speed, the U11 is slightly inferior to the flagships; it’s difficult to get clear photos on the go. For example, the Galaxy S8 takes and processes a frame in 1.2 seconds, and the HTC U11 takes 1.8 seconds. In practice, the difference is noticeable.
Famous sound quality made even better
Ever since the days of the HTC One M7, the company has been famous for its excellent sound. Fans are still sad about the BoomSound stereo speakers.
In fact, the technology has not disappeared, but has evolved into the BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition. This is a system of two different speakers: one is located above the display and reproduces only high frequencies, and the second is on the bottom edge. It is responsible for mid and low frequencies.
Compared to HTC 10, the sound has become louder, more powerful, with a clear frequency separation. It's easy to cover the bottom speaker, the top one is more difficult, but when at least one is covered, the sound becomes indistinct and dull. It is best to place the HTC U11 on a flat surface - it will replace a budget speaker.
HTC USonic selects a sound profile for a specific user.
Following fashion, HTC removed the 3.5 mm audio jack. The reason is this: the phone comes with headphones that have an active noise reduction system and a sound adjustment system for each ear - USonic. This whole thing does not work through the outdated mini-jack, only through USB Type-C.
As a result, we only have one connector left, and, for example, it won’t be possible to charge a smartphone and listen to music at the same time. It’s good that the kit included an adapter from Type-C to 3.5 mm: you don’t have to give up your favorite old headphones.
It’s a shame for the “jack” until you listen to music in the included headphones. In short, HTC U11 produces very cool sound. Harman also did its best for Samsung, releasing special AKGs for the Galaxy S8 Plus, but they are noticeably inferior in quality to HTC. Only the volume reserve is a little more.
HTC U11 primarily impresses with its bass and surround sound. USonic technology adjusts the equalizer for a specific user and depending on the external noise: subway, street or room. All this can be done manually, but the automation will take care of itself, and quite well. The sound reveals itself when listening to uncompressed tracks, for example, in FLAC or DSD format. Fortunately, there is support for Hi-Res Audio.
The U11 case is replete with microphones - 4 of them, directed in different directions. In addition to recording surround sound, this also affects the quality of calls. The interlocutor heard me perfectly, including from the subway. All extraneous noise is cut off, leaving only the voice.
Sound in smartphones is the last thing people talk about. This is one of the main features of HTC U11: powerful, detailed - music lovers will be happy. If the lack of an audio jack doesn't stop them.
By the way, Bluetooth 5.0 was not delivered to HTC U11, which means you cannot stream sound to two wireless speakers or a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Most people don’t care about this “superpower,” but since HTC decided to make it a flagship in everything, it had to go all the way.
Large and bright screen
HTC didn't bother with elongated displays and installed a 5.5-inch screen with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. This is a SuperLCD 5 IPS panel with Quad HD resolution (1440x2560 pixels). Such a screen “eats” a lot of energy, and it is impossible to reduce the detail to Full HD, as in the Galaxy S8.
And, yes, comparisons with Samsung’s flagship cannot be avoided either: the Galaxy S8’s screen is recognized as the best in the world: it displays the most colors, and peak brightness reaches 1020 nits. Everyone should strive for this.
The maximum brightness of the HTC U11 is not that high, but the image remains readable even under the sun. But the minimum is as much as 7 nits. This is quite a lot, which is not good: in the dark the screen “hurts” the eyes, especially when you are awake. The same Galaxy S8 Plus and G6 have a minimum brightness of 1 and 4 nits, respectively.
The color rendering is in order. Delta E color deviation here is 4.37, in the Galaxy S8 - 5.06, and in the LG G6 - 5.68. The lower this value, the more accurately the screen reproduces the color. The white balance is calibrated correctly, but if the shades seem too yellow or blue to some, you can “do some magic” in the settings.
To protect your eyes there is a blue filter, also known as night mode. And in severe frost, the “With gloves” mode will help: the sensor becomes more sensitive and reacts even through fabric.
Unlike the Galaxy S8, the HTC U11 does not support Mobile HDR Premium. This technology seems to confirm: the display can show HDR content, that is, video and photos with extended dynamic range. So far, few deliver such content in Russia - for example, Amazon Prime - but HDR support will soon become a requirement for all flagships.
If we ignore the numbers, the display in the HTC U11 is bright and juicy. It doesn't impress like the Galaxy S8's screen, but it doesn't disappoint either. Just lower the minimum brightness.
The display is covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 5. The glass is rounded at the edges, this visually reduces the size of the smartphone. Based on the experience of the Galaxy S8, I will say this: small scratches will still appear, but the likelihood of getting deep “scars” is small. And, theoretically, Gorilla Glass 5 is twice as good at protecting against falls as the fourth generation.
Top performance
In terms of hardware, HTC U11 falls into the cohort of the most powerful flagships: the eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and the Adreno 540 video accelerator score 176,000 points in Antutu. Let's look at the comparison of other tests:
There will be two versions of HTC U11 on sale: with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of physical memory, or 6/128 GB. Instead of a second SIM card, you can install a memory card in the hybrid tray, the maximum capacity is 256 GB. I don’t see anything criminal in the “hybrid”: in the era of cloud services, even the built-in 64 GB is enough.
The games are in perfect order. WoT: Blitz runs at maximum settings, with anti-aliasing and processing of all textures. The smartphone can also handle “heavy” titles like Dead Effect 2 and Asphalt: Extreme without any problems. The interface works smoothly and quickly, switching between running applications is instant.
However, after 30 minutes of gaming, the case becomes noticeably warm. The same goes for intensive application downloads over Wi-Fi. Performance does not drop at the same time: we ran the AnTuTu test several times in a row, and the result differed by a couple of hundred points. This means that there is no throttling - a forced reduction in processor power due to overheating. True, a hot glass lid can crack in the cold. But it is not exactly.
Three from the casket
Currently, HTC U11 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and in the future it will receive Android O. The “clean” system is veiled by a shell - HTC Sense UI. Those who are familiar with it will hardly notice any innovations: compared to HTC 10, there are few changes. Others will like the design close to stock Android and flexible settings.
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The fashion for virtual assistants has not been spared either. The HTC U11 has three of them: the branded HTC Companion, the voice-activated Google Assistant and its overseas alternative, Amazon Alexa. The latter does not work in Russia, so Assistant will be launched by default.
