HTC U11 The Full Spectrum Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The HTC U11 strikes a remarkable balance between aesthetics and durability. It features a glass front and back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, coupled with a sturdy aluminum frame. The device measures 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm and weighs 169 grams, giving it a solid yet sleek form factor. The back panel, crafted with Liquid Surface technology, provides a glossy and reflective finish that changes color as you tilt the phone, creating dynamic and beautiful visual effects.

Display

The HTC U11 is equipped with a 5.5-inch Super LCD5 display that offers vibrant colors and deep contrasts. The screen boasts a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels with a pixel density of ~534 ppi, ensuring sharp and crisp visuals. The 16:9 aspect ratio might seem conventional now, but back in its day, it was ideal for consuming multimedia content. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the screen is well-guarded against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the HTC U11 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 chipset. This octa-core processor is divided into two quad-core clusters, with speeds of 2.45 GHz and 1.9 GHz, which manage high performance and efficient tasks, respectively. Coupled with the Adreno 540 GPU, the HTC U11 offers impressive graphics performance for mobile gaming and high-definition video playback. The phone is available in two variants, with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and provides ample storage options of 64GB or 128GB, expandable via microSDXC slot.

Camera

The HTC U11 excels in photography with its 12 MP rear camera, featuring a large f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.55" sensor size, 1.4µm pixel size, dual-pixel PDAF, and five-axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This combination ensures stunning shots, even in low-light conditions. The camera supports dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama mode, while video enthusiasts can enjoy recording capabilities of 4K@30fps and various slow-motion options. The front-facing camera, on the other hand, offers 16 MP resolution and supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, perfect for selfies and video calls.

Audio

Sound is one of the standout features of the HTC U11. The device comes with stereo speakers that deliver rich and loud audio output. However, it lacks a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, encouraging users to adapt to Bluetooth headphones or use the included USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter. Audio quality during calls and media playback is enhanced by HTC's BoomSound technology, offering an immersive listening experience.

Battery and Charging

The HTC U11 is powered by a 3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, which is on the modest side compared to modern standards but adequate for a day’s use. The device supports Quick Charge 3.0 (18W), ensuring you spend less time plugged in and more time on the go. In terms of real-world performance, the phone offers up to 336 hours of standby time on 3G and around 24 hours and 30 minutes of talk time.

Connectivity and Network

The HTC U11 offers extensive network compatibility, supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies. It provides excellent speed with HSPA at 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat16 up to 1024/75 Mbps. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band capabilities, Bluetooth 4.2 (upgradable to 5.0 via software update), NFC, and a USB Type-C 3.1 port. Global positioning is handled through GPS, GLONASS, and BDS, whereas the lack of an FM radio is notable.

Sensors and Additional Features

The HTC U11 houses a range of sensors including a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and a compass. The HTC Sense UI integrates effectively with Android 7.1 (upgradable to Android 9.0), providing a seamless user experience with additional HTC-exclusive features such as Edge Sense that lets you perform specific tasks by squeezing the sides of the phone.

Colors and Pricing

The device is available in a variety of attractive color options, including Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, and Solar Red. Upon launch, the HTC U11 was priced at approximately 300 EUR, offering a competitive package for the features and performance it delivered.

Conclusion

The HTC U11 was a flagship smartphone designed to cater to performance aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike. Despite being released in 2017, the device's focus on design, camera capabilities, and overall user experience has left a lasting impression in the smartphone market. While it may not boast features such as bezel-less displays or extreme battery capacities, the U11 remains a testament to HTC's prowess in crafting a device that marries function with elegance.