HTC U11+ Ultimate Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The HTC U11+ stands out with its elegant and sophisticated design. The smartphone is constructed with a premium glass front and back, using Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for enhanced durability, combined with an aluminum frame. Measuring 158.5 x 74.9 x 8.5 mm and weighing 188 grams, the U11+ has a sturdy feel without being cumbersome. The glossy finish is aesthetically pleasing, although it might require frequent cleaning to prevent fingerprint smudges. Available in Translucent Black, Ceramic Black, and Amazing Silver, the handset boasts a sleek and modern look.

Display

The HTC U11+ features a 6.0-inch Super LCD6 display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels, providing a rich pixel density of approximately 537 ppi. This ensures sharp, vibrant images and text, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. The 18:9 aspect ratio offers a modern viewing experience, especially when watching videos or playing games. For protection, the screen is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, adding resilience against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the HTC U11+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, which utilizes a 10 nm process technology. This is paired with an octa-core CPU, consisting of four Kryo cores running at 2.45 GHz and another four at 1.9 GHz, alongside the Adreno 540 GPU. This combination delivers excellent performance, capable of handling high-end gaming and multitasking with ease. Users have options between two memory configurations: 4GB RAM with 64GB storage, and 6GB RAM with 128GB storage. Additionally, storage can be expanded via a microSDXC card using the shared SIM slot in dual SIM models.

Camera Capabilities

The HTC U11+ is equipped with a 12 MP main camera featuring a f/1.7 aperture, dual pixel PDAF, and optical image stabilization (OIS). The camera is capable of capturing high-quality photos with great detail and minimal noise, even in low-light conditions. For video, the rear camera supports 4K recording at 30fps and 1080p recording at up to 120fps, with HDR and stereo sound recording capabilities. On the front, an 8 MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture offers good performance for video calls and selfies.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a 3930 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, which supports 18W fast charging through Quick Charge 3.0. This provides a talk time of up to 25 hours on 3G networks. The battery efficiency combined with the optimized hardware ensures the U11+ can easily last through a full day of heavy usage, offering an endurance rating of 73 hours.

Software and Features

The HTC U11+ runs on Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and is upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie, layered with HTC’s Sense UI for additional features and customization. This includes Edge Sense, allowing users to activate functions or apps by squeezing the edges of the phone. The phone features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and various sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the user experience.

Connectivity and Communications

The HTC U11+ supports a range of communication technologies including GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS with GLONASS and BDS support. For physical connectivity, the phone utilizes a USB Type-C 3.1 port. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, aligning with the trend towards wireless audio solutions.

Audio and Speakers

HTC has equipped the U11+ with stereo speakers, providing an immersive audio experience for its users. The BoomSound Hi-Fi edition speakers are designed to deliver loud and clear sound. While the absence of the 3.5mm jack might be inconvenient for some, the phone compensates by offering superior audio quality through USB Type-C and wireless earbuds.

Pricing and Availability

The HTC U11+ was officially announced in November 2017 and became available the same month. At launch, the phone was priced at approximately 450 EUR, placing it in the premium smartphone market segment. Despite strong competition, the device offers value through its premium build, robust performance, and unique features.

Conclusion

The HTC U11+ remains a compelling choice for users seeking a high-performance device with a strong design and a rich feature set. Its distinctive Edge Sense feature and high-quality audio system set it apart from many competitors. The robust specifications make it suitable for power users, while the enduring battery life ensures convenience and reliability. While it does miss out on some modern conveniences, such as an in-display fingerprint sensor, it remains a strong contender in its category.