HTC U11 hands-on: First look

16 May 2017
Just when we thought HTC was through with this generation's flagship announcement in the U Ultra, the Taiwanese manufacturer decided it can squeeze one more release in. But before we get to explain the terrible pun we just made, let us introduce the HTC U11 - the company's true 2017 flagship offer.

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  • K
  • Killer-0
  • 9LA
  • 19 May 2017

AnonD-652369, 18 May 2017Having had some hands on time with the U11, I have to say t... moreI envy you bro! I wish I could put my hands on such device.

    • D
    • AnonD-670375
    • rRT
    • 18 May 2017

    How good is the HTC U 11 just asking

      • D
      • AnonD-145316
      • fnc
      • 18 May 2017

      Vic, 18 May 2017Apple removed 3.5 mm and made more money through licensing ... moreHTC had a reason too! They wanted to give you an audio experience you've never witness before in a smartphone through the usb- c cable output and they nailed it!! Not for show like other companies like xiomi and Apple.

        • D
        • AnonD-652369
        • Yas
        • 18 May 2017

        Having had some hands on time with the U11, I have to say that HTC really has refined the process of making a premium handset again. Everyone laughs at the glass vs. metal thing, but with the strength of the glass and the colors that are possible, they pretty well nailed the look. I may also be in the minority of not liking "bezeless" displays due to the false touch thing, but that's just me. I like the look of the U11 - though that red/gold finish is beyond amazing. Overall, there's three key features that will make me put the 11 in my pocket over anything else right now...

        1) Camera - it's fast, it's clear and it's truly the best camera I have ever used in a smartphone. Hands down. Accurate colors, speedy focus and very low noise. Works amazingly well.

        2) Sound - I know it might sound weird to say that losing a headphone jack isn't that bad once you listen to the audio through the USB-C port. The noise cancelling earbuds that come with it sound as good as any premium headphone on the planet and the adapter even makes lower quality analog headphones sound better. Overall, I'll put up with the adapter if I don't use the included buds without any problem.

        3) The look - No really, the U11's color choices are fantastic. The red/gold mix and the silver/blue mix are gorgeous. The sapphire blue is just as cool as it looked with the Ultra and the black/green has even more green tint to it this time. The white even works in a bit more pink/yellow tones to give it more depth as well. Toss a clear case on it and you are golden for the most gorgeous handset available.

        Oh, and a side note, the top notch performance of this thing - and I know that it was new so it wasn't loaded down yet - was beyond amazing. It seemed faster than TouchWiz did on the S8/S8+, so it's going to get a space in my pocket as my next phone.

          • V
          • Vic
          • 35j
          • 18 May 2017

          ziad1, 17 May 2017First of all, htc is not idiot, it knows what it does. Seco... moreApple removed 3.5 mm and made more money through licensing third party accessory manufacturers for using lightning port. In Apple they definitely knew why they are removing 3.5 mm and what they are going to get in return. Companies like HTC and Xiaomi removed 3.5 mm jack and what? Started to lose customers :)) It's so obvious how blindly companies coping Apple without even thinking if it going to be good or bad for them...

            • V
            • Vic
            • 35j
            • 18 May 2017

            FinestBezels, 18 May 2017Samsung S8 is a S7 with less bezels, that technology is own... moreNo need to talk about Samsung or Apple. These companies are different. They can do (especially Apple) what HTC can't afford. We are talking about HTC and their future. What Samsung and Apple are doing wrong can't be excuse for HTC or help them to survive.

              • D
              • AnonD-669792
              • iwp
              • 18 May 2017

              Anonymous, 18 May 2017Ha haTotally my friend,,, no more HTC hd2's and HTC one's anymore it seems like.
              But they don't even listen..

                • D
                • AnonD-669792
                • iwp
                • 18 May 2017

                AnonD-129076, 18 May 2017But sd835 + better camera (front and back) + design + bette... moreSeriously!!
                By the way squeeze feature is kinda cool.

                  • D
                  • AnonD-129076
                  • 7tU
                  • 18 May 2017

                  AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017Fingerprint sensor might be bad. ( even my s7 egde's sensor... moreBut sd835 + better camera (front and back) + design + better audio + hdr support,, etc

                  Keep Dreaming Bro :) Keep Dreaming.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-129076
                    • 7tU
                    • 18 May 2017

                    AnonD-145316, 18 May 2017Because for a fact they really are! Any sane tech person wi... moreBro, Just ignore him. He is just bashing & Trolling other companies. Which is exactly Against the rule of commenting. GMSAreana will remove him and block him.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-129076
                      • 7tU
                      • 18 May 2017

                      AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017Is their any reason to get mad??? Come on, that was my per... moreThere is no point to talk to you bro. You're doing a great job, must say you're doing more than what you get paid frm samsung. hahahah.

                        • D
                        • AnonD-145316
                        • rru
                        • 18 May 2017

                        AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017Fingerprint sensor might be bad. ( even my s7 egde's sensor... moreI didn't mean the badness of the fingeprint rather awkward placement that ruined the back design, and to add on that in months to come the lag will always be there.
                        For your information U ultra has 5.7" display (secondary screen included) SD 821, 12megapixels camera, Liquid design:-

                        On the other hand U11 has 5.5" display, SD 835, 12 megapixels ultra pixels 3 which is more advanced, improved Boom sound really awesome improved liquid design, better software management, and edge sense. Really is there even much similarities between U Ultra and U 11, it's for a fact U11 is much an improvement over U Ultra, and I believe the U11 is durable phone just waiting for durability test.

                        And buy the way I appreciate S8 innovation as someone who gives credit where it's due, but that
                        finger print reader placement just ruined the good design, and Bytheway am not a fan of bezeless design i always like a phone with some space to grab the phone. What I really like about HTC is that they are always unique in what they do with their phones, am telling you that squeeze feature is going to be the bomb in months and years to come.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-145316
                          • rru
                          • 18 May 2017

                          AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017So in that case I was a fan of samsung, mi, apple, one plu... moreBecause for a fact they really are! Any sane tech person will tell you that.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-669792
                            • teX
                            • 18 May 2017

                            AnonD-145316, 18 May 2017I get you are a Samsung fun, we can excuse you on that! Do ... moreSo in that case I was a fan of samsung, mi, apple, one
                            plus. loooooooool!!!!!!!
                            You were so modest and honest.( I wonder why you only mention htc as the better brand,,, lool)

                              • D
                              • AnonD-669792
                              • teX
                              • 18 May 2017

                              AnonD-145316, 18 May 2017With that ugly finger print setup, what I can give the S8 i... moreFingerprint sensor might be bad. ( even my s7 egde's sensor is bad )
                              But sd835 + better camera (front and back) + design + better audio + hdr support,, etc
                              Definitely different from the s7's design. But htc u11 is probably quit like the u ultra.

                                • D
                                • AnonD-145316
                                • rru
                                • 18 May 2017

                                AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017Is their any reason to get mad??? Come on, that was my per... moreI get you are a Samsung fun, we can excuse you on that! Do you know why many people cant agree with you, it's because you are so blinded by Samsung phones until you can't appreciate another phone which is solid. I appreciate people who give credit where it's due not just protecting your preferred brand blindly, high school kids are the ones who do that.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-669792
                                  • teX
                                  • 18 May 2017

                                  AnonD-523334, 18 May 2017Bro, I think that Mi6 and U11 should not be compared. That ... moreDefinetly, that was what I trying to tell.
                                  Thank you for proving my point.:-)

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-145316
                                    • rru
                                    • 18 May 2017

                                    AnonD-669792, 18 May 2017Is their any reason to get mad??? Come on, that was my per... moreWith that ugly finger print setup, what I can give the S8 is just the display only! Apart from that it's just another S7 edge ultra.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-669792
                                      • teX
                                      • 18 May 2017

                                      Is their any reason to get mad???
                                      Come on, that was my personal view. Can't I post my experience??
                                      Did htc hire you?? Because 80% of the people would agree with me on, s8 being a better design and mi6/op3T being worth deal.
                                      Also if htc designs are great ( htc boasted high of htc 10 begin a great design ), why didn't it give huge sales numbers as s7 series did? ( even htc beign a reliable brand )
                                      My friend I was trying to tell everyone that, in my view s8 is better today.
                                      If htc bring up a revolutionary design ( as they did with htc hd2 and htc one ) certainly I would love it!!
                                      So no offense my friend, s8 is better for now. ( if it doesn't blowup,, lool )

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-145316
                                        • r0x
                                        • 18 May 2017

                                        AnonD-653268, 18 May 2017And I'm finding it almost the best: Not worst design 5.5 ... moreDude what are you saying? Camera out of focus??!! The camera that has been ranked highest amongst all flagships! Do you think Dxo mark professionals didn't know what they were doing? They ranked google pixel the best camera and it just turned out to be true, so I believe U11 has the best camera!! And Bytheway I didn't notice any out of focus images i guess you have a problem with your eyes.