The HTC U11 and U11+ represent a new direction for the Taiwanese company, featuring an all-glass build, great camera and squeeze input.
HTC has, to put it lightly, seen better days. And years. In 2017, the company is trying an all-new design language to entice customers. Gone are the solid metal builds from the HTC One lineup, replaced by slick, reflective glass. On the inside, the HTC U11 and U11+ feature standard flagship components for 2017, and the company can finally stand toe-to-toe with competitors’ cameras.
Here’s everything you need to know about the HTC U11 and U11+.
Read and watch our reviews
The U11 was released in spring of 2017, with the U11+ coming out in the fall. Both are similar enough on the inside, with the U11+ featuring a more modern, small-bezel design. Be sure to check out our review of the U11 and hands-on preview of the U11+.
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More: HTC U11 review: Back in the running
Check out the specs
Phones need something inside to make them go beep, and the U11 and U11+ both feature the best internals for 2017:
| Operating System | Android 7.1.1 with HTC Sense Android 8.0 upgrade rolling out | Android 8.0 with HTC Sense |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| Network | 4G LTE Cat. 16 | 4G LTE Cat. 16 |
| RAM | 4 / 6GB (Varies by region) | 4 / 6GB (Varies by region) |
| Storage | 64 / 128GB UFS microSD up to 2TB | 64 / 128GB (Varies by region)microSD up to 2TB |
| Dual SIM | Some regions. Hybrid SIM2/SD slot | Some regions. Hybrid SIM2/SD slot |
| Display | 5.5-inch Quad HD SuperLCD 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | 6-inch SuperLCD 6, 2880x1440Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Main Camera | 12MP, 1.4μm pixels, f/1.7 lens, OIS, EISUltraPixel 3, UltraSpeed AF, HDR Boost | 12MP UltraPixel 3, 1.4-micron pixels, f/1.7UltraSpeed Autofocus, BSI sensor, OIS, Dual LED flash |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 with UltraPixel mode | 8MP, f/2.0, 85-degree field of viewBSI sensor, HDR Boost |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 3,000mAhQuick Charge 3.0 | 3930mAhQuick Charge 3.0 |
| Audio | HTC BoomSound Hi-FiHTC USonicUSB-C + noise cancelling headphones | HTC BoomSound Hi-FiHTC USonicUSB-C + noise cancelling headphonesQualcomm aptX HD, LDAC 24-bit high resol |
| Colors | Ice white, brilliant black, sapphire blue, solar red, amazing silver | Brilliant black, translucent |
The U11+ has a sweet translucent variant
HTC isn’t one to shy away from exotic colors on its smartphones. The U11 has a fiery red version and I always wanted to pick up the awesome blue HTC One M7. For the U11+, HTC went in a slightly different direction. There’s the standard glossy black variant, but also a really intriguing translucent variant. It isn’t completely clear, but you’d be able to pick out the NFC antenna and other components on board.
More: HTC U11+ hands-on preview: More screen, more battery, translucent body
The squeeze feature is surprisingly useful
While squeezing the side of your phone may sound gimmicky, it’s actually quite practical. Users can map a short or long squeeze to two separate actions, including custom actions within applications. For example, you can set a short squeeze within Google Maps to zoom in on the map, while a long squeeze could start navigation home. Squeezes can also be used for system functions like launching the camera app, toggling the flashlight or taking a screenshot.
More: The HTC U11 is the most solid phone of 2017 so far
The U11+ is kinda, sorta related to the Pixel XL 2
Smartphones take about 18 months to develop from start to finish, and along the way, things can get complicated due to supply constraints or a different focus within the company. There were rumors earlier this year that we’d see three Pixel phones: what we now know as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, and a third device slotted somewhere in the middle. That rumored device had a lot of similarities to the Pixel 2 XL, with a 6-inch 18:9 screen, a rear fingerprint sensor, and the same general proportions. But some of that is table stakes: the Pixel 2 line and the U11+ use similar internal components because they’re using the standard 2017 flagship parts. It’s fun to think about, but it’s unlikely the U11+ was meant to wear the Google badge.
More: HTC U11+ started life as a Google Pixel 2 XL project — but the story isn’t that simple
Be sure to check out our forums!
Want to know more about the U11 and U11+? The Android Central forums are a treasure trove of information, so be sure to stop by there and ask any remaining questions you have!
More: HTC U11 on Android Central forums
HTC U11
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- HTC U11 review
- HTC U11 specs
- Manufacturing the U11: Behind the scenes
- Join our U11 forums
- HTC U11 vs Galaxy S8
- HTC U11 vs LG G6
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