HTC U11
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“Despite the fact that HTC didn't modify the design too much, the U11 looks distinctly different than the HTC 10 and other competitors thanks to different materials and the extraordinary color choices. From a technical standpoint, the smartphone is at very high level, as it comes equipped with an up-to-date high-end processor and a class- appropriate amount of storage. The MSRP price increase of 50 Euro (~$58) is pretty steep, but follows the yearly trend.”
“The U11 marks a new chapter for HTC. Its sleek and shiny new design along with top-notch audio should be enough to sway over some Galaxy customers who are tired of poorly optimized software and slow Android updates. The HTC U11's camera is every bit as good as the Galaxy S8's - in fact, we find them to be identical in most aspects. This could shape up to be a really great year for HTC.”
“HTC gave customers many reasons to forgo the HTC 10 and opt for the U11. The new handset is an upgrade from last year's device in nearly every crucial way: it performs better, has a longer battery life, keeps Android's adoptable storage feature, and supports dual, always-on wake words with OK Google and Alexa.”
“HTC didn't get everything right with the U11, but it nailed a whole lot more than I ever expected it to. That's a big deal. After the mess that was the U Ultra, I was honestly unsure whether the company would ever drag itself out of its doldrums. The U11 is proof that, yes, there is still hope for this company. While gimmicks like Edge Sense and the stylishly fragile glass back make the U11 seem too eager to be different, underneath all that is a very good, very fast phone that's worthy of your attention.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
It’s no secret that HTC hasn’t kept up with bigger names in the flagship Android market. With the HTC U11, they’re hoping to reverse this trend. While the phone is eye-catching, will it be the hit that HTC needs?
Reviews for this colorful new phone are in and we’re bringing you the best (and worst) of what reviewers are saying.
Let’s dig in!
While the physical design of the phone is nothing out of the ordinary, reviewers raved about the color treatment on the phone’s glass back panel. Even the reviewers with the white model loved the subtle sheen of the “liquid surface” glass treatment HTC used on the U11.
And the phone isn’t just pretty—it also offers IP67 water and dust resistance. The Guardian noted, “HTC’s build quality is legendary and the U11 does not disappoint. It is rock solid with no give or flex in the body.”
The only complaints found regarded fingerprints. Unfortunately, all that shiny glass means lots of cleaning to keep the appearance flawless.
Heading around front, you’re greeted with a 5.5-inch QuadHD LCD screen. Reviewers loved the color and sharpness but some wished it were brighter for better outdoor use. ChipChick said, “[It] looks fantastic in most conditions, with vibrant but accurate colors, great contrast, and decent viewing angles.”
You’ll find a 2.45Ghz octa-core Snapdragon 835 paired with 4GB of RAM to keep things running snappy behind the scenes. As this is one of the most powerful chips in 2017, performance is near the top of the charts. GSM Arena benchmarked the phone and said, “The UI is fluid and there’s zero stutter, no matter how many apps you’re using. Loading larger apps like heavy games doesn’t even make this thing sweat.”
With 64GB of internal storage, you shouldn’t have much to worry about when it comes to keeping your favorite apps and media on hand. Should you need more space, a microSD card makes expanding your storage cheap and simple.
The phone ships with Android 7.1 Nougat. HTC has added their Sense 7.0 UI. Reviewers liked their changes and there were no complaints of bloatware or duplicated apps. Greenbot noted, “HTC treads pretty lightly on top of stock Nougat, adding a few useful features and settings, but mostly keeping things as Google intended.”
When you look at the camera specifications, you might get confused. However, they’re right. The rear camera is 12MP while the front-facing lens is a beefy 16MP. This is because both cameras have different aperture and pixel sizes. While the front camera is great for selfies and video chat, it lacks the optical image stabilization and phase change auto focus of the rear camera. So you’ll still want to stick to the rear camera for daily snapping.
ChipChick ran the camera through its paces and noted, “Pictures taken with the main shooter are sharp and properly exposed, with excellent color rendition. Dynamic range is helped by the auto-HDR mode, which does some very clever image processing.”
The phone’s 3,000mAh internal battery appears to keep things running with no problems throughout a full day of use. Should you find yourself low on juice, Quick Charge 3.0 means you can top off your charge in around 30 minutes to get through the rest of the day. The Guardian tested their phone and said, “The U11 lasted around 24 hours between charges without activating any power saving modes. That was while using it as my primary device, browsing and using apps for four hours with hundreds of push emails, 60 minutes of gaming, and listening to around five hours of music via Bluetooth headphones.”
One of the phone’s most hyped features is its pressure-sensitive sides. Squeezing the phone allows you to launch apps or activate shortcuts. While reviewers found the feature worked fine, they often had trouble remembering to use it.
HTC has built a name within the audio community for a stellar listening experience. Unfortunately, the U11 missed the bar for some. While the BoomSound speakers were a hit with reviewers, the phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone port. While they include a USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter, many reviewers found the USonic headphones and adapter lacked the punch and clarity of earlier HTC offerings.
Overall, the U11 might be just what HTC needs to return to the top. Reviewers all agree that it offers a convincing package of performance, looks and camera quality. If you’re bothered by fingerprints or you have a habit of dropping your phone, steer clear of the amount of glass on this phone. Otherwise, it seems a stellar buy.
What people actually want to know
When was the HTC U11 released?
The HTC U11 was released on June 9, 2017.
How long does the battery last on the HTC U11?
The HTC U11 has a 3,000 mAh battery.
Is the HTC U11 water resistant?
The HTC U11 carries an IP67 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the HTC U11 support wireless charging?
No, the HTC U11 does not support wireless charging.
Does the HTC U11 have NFC?
Yes, the HTC U11 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the HTC U11?
Visit HTC's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the HTC U11 manual?
You can view and download the HTC U11 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Hi Stacey. Did the receive of the picture get a bad quality? Open the Messages app and check it's settings if there's a way to adjust MMS quality. In case there isn't try other text messaging apps like Go SMS Pro and Textra.
Also, you may want to consider using apps like WhatsApp and Viber when sending photos to family and friends.