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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  • D
  • AnonD-669792
  • f}I
  • 16 May 2017

AnonD-669542, 16 May 2017Of all the phones you listed only the S8, Mi6 and U11 can c... moreNo offence my friend, personally I don't need a fantastically sounding device.
But I would certainly like a eye-catching design. For the price I think s8 is a better deal.
True specs wise u11 is great ( specially 6gb ram version ).
But I don't believe much in dxomark ( for the record my hobby is photography and I have d810) because their scores have become sort of an advertisement. So can't much comment on the camera department, but I'm pretty sure there won't be any drastic improvements because for the last few there won't any major improvements in camera sensors except for Sony's new flagship.
But price wise neither of those are comparable with the mi6.
Honestly I haven't used any HTC flagships but two of friends had and they some major issues (one was a motherboard issue in which he had nothing but to throw away the phone).
I have used flagships from Sony, apple , lg , Samsung , mi. From all of those phone I still love my mi4 and mi5. They are still very useable and faster than other phones, so always recommend mi phones, because for the little price they are great.
Almost all flagships slowdown drastically when new phones come to the market, lool.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • Jb$
    • 16 May 2017

    Looks like a Honor 8

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

      AnonD-669792, 16 May 2017Global price is £650 ( mi6 is £280 ) loooool! ... moreOf all the phones you listed only the S8, Mi6 and U11 can compete performance-wise. And from what I was able to find the Mi6 runs about $470-$500 (looking at the shopping tab on google).

      From what I have read about the U11 and my experience with HTC is that the this phone ranks at the top of the list for stereo sound. It is very important to me (i used to sleep through my Samsung S4 alarm/vibrate combo). And the U11 camera tested at the top. I can only go by that until proven otherwise.

      And if bezels make or break the flagship design in your opinion, then so be it. I'm digging the look of this HTC. The S8 looks phenomenal. I think the Mi Mix is what the future looks like. Beauty comes in different forms. (I hate the way the G6 looks, idk why)

        • D
        • AnonD-669792
        • f}I
        • 16 May 2017

        AnonD-145316, 16 May 2017So what's your point really?? My friend there are many smar... moreMy point is one should either buy a expensive flagship worthy it's price or go for budget flagship depending on their finances.
        And most importantly no one should spend a bulk of money on a flagship not up to the competition.
        Because most people are fooled buy advertisements (ex:- oppo phone are mostly having low to mid range chips and sold overpriced) and specially Nokia 6 - lol.
        I think reviews should highlight pros and cons clearly, which in this review i can't see gsmarena highlighting any cons as they does with mi6.
        So clearly people should be told about ;
        1.no head phone jack
        2.bluetooth v4.2
        3.3000mah battery,,,etc.

          • D
          • AnonD-669792
          • f}I
          • 16 May 2017

          Killer-0, 16 May 2017The best phone of the year. Obviously!Do you work in HTC???
          If you do, hurry up and apply for some jobs;-)
          Friendly advice bro:-D:-D:-D

            • D
            • AnonD-145316
            • NYu
            • 16 May 2017

            AnonD-669792, 16 May 2017Global price is £650 ( mi6 is £280 ) loooool! ... moreSo what's your point really?? My friend there are many smartphone options out there! And I assure you many people will love this phone.

              • D
              • AnonD-669792
              • f}I
              • 16 May 2017

              AnonD-669542, 16 May 2017Mi6 is only splash resistant, has an inferior camera, infer... moreGlobal price is £650 ( mi6 is £280 ) loooool!
              When HTC 10 came to the market it was said to be having a supreme camera.
              ( I have compared it with my s7edge and mi5 twice,,,😂😂😂 don't even talk about it).
              Mi6 might not have the greatest speakers on paper but it has stereo speakers and sounds great according to many reviews in YouTube.
              Please don't be a fanboy. I have used several phones but mi5 is an amazing phone (much better than my s7 edge ). Even comparing cameras daylight photos are almost the same, sometimes mi5 manages to produce much plesent colours. In low light definitely s7edge is a champ.
              S8,g6 and mi mix are only three 2017 flagship level designs.
              iPhone 7, huawei p10, mi6 are all out dated designs just like this u11.
              Mi6 is budget flagship so practically they can't make a bezel less design for $360,right?
              Surely they will bring up the mi mix 2 which will be expensive and on par with the competition.
              U11 is beautiful from the back but not worth at all my friend.sorry!!

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

                The best phone of the year. Obviously!

                  Not a fan of glass backs but i have to say reading this, i got excited. So much to love. Congratulations HTC, you have a done a great job on this new phone.

                    • A
                    • Aadrian
                    • 3YQ
                    • 16 May 2017

                    Gorgeous phone, HTC once again comes up with a great design.

                      So many people fooled by some 3rd party corrupt website like DXO. Unbelievable.

                        AnonD-39937, 16 May 2017http://www.htc.com/us/smartphones/htc-u11/ "BlueTooth® 4.2"I just saw that and its just... WTF!

                        BTW is that has something to do with the lack of the headphone jack?

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

                          AnonD-669792, 16 May 2017Compared to mi6; Where is mi6 benchmarks(only antutu)?? A... moreMi6 is only splash resistant, has an inferior camera, inferior sound, and is NOT almost half the price. Its $150ish dollars cheaper or 3/4 the price. Get your math right. (side note and not intended to be a swipe at Xiaomi, but how is the customer service on one of those? How often are bugs updated? If you crack your screen can you get it replaced in the US? Asking because it is one of the phones I'm looking to purchase soon).

                          The S8 is not some Goliath either. It's Goliathly priced, and looks pretty. Otherwise it's a Mi6 with an IP67 rating and a 3.5mm jack. They didn't update their camera, and my experience with Samsung is that it will stop functioning at a high rate within the year, and the sound quality is quiet garbage.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-26314
                            • mxI
                            • 16 May 2017

                            Rear FP sensor please. Also, are they seriously still using capacitive buttons? 2010 called and wants its outdated interface back.

                              Some the edge stuff can be done on other phones easily. On my OP3T I can turn on/off flashlight without turning phone on and without looking at it, in fact this is what I do almost every evening. Same goes for camera - I can turn it on and take pictures on auto without specifically turning phone on or even moving my hand that holds it.
                              Intelligent gestures and customizable buttons are great :)

                                • D
                                • AnonD-72356
                                • U@b
                                • 16 May 2017

                                It's highly inspired by S6 and S7.

                                  It's a bit bizarre that GSM arena mentions digital noise cancellation for Music, movies and games on this phone, but Fail to mention this feature on Sony flagship phones since Xperia z2 as standard feature (still on current flagship xzs and xz premium), however, the earphones are optional extra(MDR-nc750) and the dual microphone is on the earphones

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

                                    Rafe Firmani, 16 May 2017Thank you GSM Arena... your hands on article especially th... moreAre you serious???
                                    Come on this is not a proper 2k17 flagship, nope. Not at all.
                                    Honestly!!!

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

                                      Compared to mi6;
                                      Where is mi6 benchmarks(only antutu)??
                                      All the reviews highlighted mi6 has ;
                                      1. No headphone jack (mi6 was criticised heavily)
                                      2. large bezels (very large)
                                      U11 begin a 5.5' inch phone has both of the cons.
                                      Also; 3. 3000mah battery (mi6-3350)
                                      4. Bluetooth 4.2 (mi6- version 5)
                                      5. Mi6 is almost half the price
                                      6. Mi6 has dual cameras (optical zoom+ portrait mode)
                                      This thing is not even closer to be said a great phone even compared to mi6, compared to s8 this is nothing.
                                      So again HTC has failed. LOL
                                      If someone tells this a great phone mi6 is a killer phone.LOL

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-168288
                                        • ucs
                                        • 16 May 2017

                                        Too much noise and as a consequence they have gone heavy on the post processing artifacts. The camera is pretty much meh on the software side. The sensor+ aperture should be capable of much more.