HTC U11 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8+: Pixel Duel

24 May 2017
In this follow-up to the pick-a-flagship shootout from the weekend we take a close look at how the prominent absentee in that three-way contest - the HTC U11 - stacks up to the Galaxy S8+ camera.

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  • A
  • Anonymous
  • nDD
  • 31 May 2017

While the still photo shooting is similar, the video sample related to stabilization in low light show a clear winner for video: S8+. There is no doubt about it, the video of HTC U11 is almost unusable while panning. But the Samsung's is ok.

I still think the HTC U11 is more beautiful. However, at 750EUR (no tax included) it is quite dear for a Taiwanese (Chinese) phone and even more expensive than the basic Galaxy S8, with which it compares more closely in terms of display width (700EUR before taxes).

Samsung offers more in almost any aspect: display, audio and video recording bitrate and for some aspects also the camera video performance, Samsung Pay, sensors (a lot more sensors, including iris scanner), wireless charging and so on.

So HTC'd better get to its senses and sell this phone around 600-650EUR all taxes included, otherwise nobody is crazy enough to pay more for significantly less.

And from the design point of view, yes, I would like to buy the U11. So that is why I fear the price. Or at least I hope for the price drop along time to be steeper than that of S8's. Otherwise, even if more uglier, I may go with the cheaper one.

    No matter what GSM Arena has tried hard to make you think otherwise,
    HTC U11 is clear winner especially on low light

    Bravo HTC!

      Fantastic solid job HTC. What a great device. Beautifully crafted. It's different. Can't wait.

        • D
        • AnonD-669542
        • 7Lt
        • 30 May 2017

        AnonD-90109, 27 May 2017Here you go. https://youtu.be/n59TpHm1b8QKinda hard for me to watch videos at work. I've just seen that lag complaint mentioned a few different places. It's funny to me that the people reviewing this phone would mention it as an issue when the lag so blatantly serves a purpose.

          • A
          • ADI
          • 4Av
          • 30 May 2017

          AnonD-673115, 30 May 2017Nobody comes close Nokia 808 pureview camera quality, my ga... moreLol... Htc's Better than both :)

            • R
            • Ryan
            • I4V
            • 30 May 2017

            Did everyone miss that the U11 is the only the 2nd Android flagship with 1080p 120fps slow motion??? I don't how this has been miss by all reviewer!

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • XPp
              • 30 May 2017

              Hudinited, 29 May 2017No sry you dont understand i think...personally i dont need... moreThose are mostly casual daylight situation though. I guess I do understand a bit. A phone that could replace a camera. A Better advice for those guys good cameras cost like 500$ and get a cheap phone. Less worries about being stolen plus you get a camera which will blow any phone camera out of the pool (get a waterproof case though) you can't have it all. If someone made a perfect phone why will consumers but another phone forever

                • D
                • AnonD-673115
                • srP
                • 30 May 2017

                Nobody comes close Nokia 808 pureview camera quality, my galaxy s8 very sharpening shots, zoom very bad, funny DxOMark shit., raw shots good but very noisy.

                  Anonymous, 29 May 2017In low budget videos you're gonna use a 650$ phone? Might a... moreNo sry you dont understand i think...personally i dont need it but there are some examples for what you need and yeah here ppl do that as well... i didnt say replace cameras or even anything like that but what i say actually was give us an alternative for low budget cameras if you can ... reasons: Compactnes,you can use it in any situations,or something like this if you have kids and go for example in spain on sea why to go with cameras on the beach? if phones can catch it all and personally i will go in the pool or sea if phone is waterproof so noone can steal it :) it happens my g4 was stolen in greece

                    rooting for HTC u11 for sure. this is definitely a cheaper bargain but not a cheaper choice.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • XQQ
                      • 29 May 2017

                      Hudinited, 28 May 2017I argree in 95% things but if you are in small country like... moreIn low budget videos you're gonna use a 650$ phone? Might as well save some and get a camera and enjoy

                        AnonD-672524, 27 May 2017What are you going to film with a camera phone that really ... moreI argree in 95% things but if you are in small country like me and see how ppl try to make low budget official videos and phone reviews you will understand for what you need 4K 60fps in mobile device... also why anyone want some cheap DSLR + 800$ phone when in case of 4k 60 fps capitable camera u will also get and simillar quallity of pics ... (i'm not a guy who says no flagship untill 4k 60 fps ) but if we can why not ... im person with about 1000$ per month sallary but in my country 80% of ppl are paid about 300$ for example my mother have 250$ per month so you really think that she can afford LUMIX 5? + flagship? ok my mom is older and she dont need it but ppl with 20-25 years dont have money for both thats why ppl pray for best possible smartphone camera cmon we dont need soc upgrade at least 2 years with 835 speakers are decent on all mobile devices nowdays signal too but what we really want is camera and battery improvement alongside with design language

                          • A
                          • ADI
                          • 4Av
                          • 28 May 2017

                          Htc U11 wins for sure... The pictures are more natural than the S8, which i love about Htc... Thats the device for 2017 :)

                            • D
                            • AnonD-672629
                            • 7kf
                            • 27 May 2017

                            AnonD-90109, 27 May 2017Have you heard of youtube, there are plenty of videos expla... moreReally ????

                              • D
                              • AnonD-672629
                              • 7kf
                              • 27 May 2017

                              Samsung is stil in market and giving though competition to other brands (Chinese market ) well done ;)

                                It seems that U11 has a brighter images to an extent where the source of the light loses it's details. Not really a bad thing by itself, but some tweaking will help. Several pictures proved color is better on S8+. Selfies colors on S8+ seems better. Selfies are still under treated in phones which is a shame since we rely lot on them, maybe more the rear cameras.
                                In low light pictures U11 wins for sure, although colors might not really be that true

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • pk{
                                  • 27 May 2017

                                  i will take the u11.
                                  look at the pictures,u11 is far better and cant understand why gsm expert said the difference is low and 2 are tie together!!!!!
                                  look at the stairs pictures.s8+ tree and left side in the shadow is not clear and u11 shots it great and far better.in the next picture the cross way look at the yellow strips color and right side building for sure U11 is better and the others are same.also s8+ has yellowish tint but htc has real color and perfect.and dont ignore that s8 family has reddish or magenta color on its screen many weeks ago .....
                                  for sure htc U11 is better and i will take it with no doubt

                                    • S
                                    • SmartTech
                                    • sw%
                                    • 27 May 2017

                                    SGS8/ 8+ overrated
                                    HTC U11 underrated
                                    That's all.
                                    Quality, Durability, sounds, camera, software, sense these are few things which HTC keeps always solid .

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-625786
                                      • nYS
                                      • 27 May 2017

                                      Hey, fanboys, don't get mad, but I'd take the U11 over the S8. No joke :)

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-672524
                                        • 7sd
                                        • 27 May 2017

                                        Umbrella, 26 May 2017Still not gonna buy flagship phones until they can record 4... moreWhat are you going to film with a camera phone that really needs 4k anyway, especially in 60fps? Are you going to work on a new film with Peter Jackson or J.J. Abrams or something? With a mobile phone?

                                        What programs are you going to use to edit these recordings? I take it that if you are so serious about 4k video you would want to edit these in some sort of program, and have it view'd on a big 2.5 meter screen.

                                        If one was really serious about filming things in 4k for anything they would never use a phone at all, they would be using at least something like a Panasonic Lumix G5 or more.

                                        If not than 4k video recording is a waste of space that would be better used for normal full HD recordings.

                                        There is a reason why professional 4k cameras are larger. Gimmick marketing makes anyone believe anything nowadays.

                                        I understand the need for progressing and getting better, and 4k is a part of that but in general do you really need 4k for everything you film for the everyday casual person, I say no you don't at all especially if all your viewing it on is a 5" to 7" display.

                                        Should you buy a phone over another phone that has better specs and features in nearly every other category for another that can record in 4k especially in 60fps when the other can't? Think realistically.