HTC U11 review: Squeeze U

09 June 2017
For the past four iterations, HTC had been touting an all metal unibody design in its flagships. This year, HTC's arrives with a fresh, new, and more fragile look. Tuned with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 CPU, top-notch audio experience , and a water resistant glass sandwich design, will the new HTC U11 be able to swoon loyal Samsung or Apple customers to HTC?

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • Ki}
  • 12 Jun 2017

Took HTC a long while to utilize the side pressure sensors... Sharp incorporated those in 2014 in the SHV-31 in 2014, and somehow Dopod (which is now HTC) did seemed wanting to utilize those but it's just rumors... Now in 2017 finally they had it... :(

    • L
    • LLL
    • PA7
    • 12 Jun 2017

    AnonD-137518, 12 Jun 2017That's all about the camera? where are low light samples, a... moreI surmise they are afraid that U11 is gonna put some other smartphones to further shame.

      • i
      • ithehippie
      • K3e
      • 12 Jun 2017

      great review! and yes some night shoot would have been appreciated I personally love the new design from htc it provides a different option regarding the colors availability. And also the overall phone performance and UI seem to be in par with the rest of the phones sporting the 835 chipset.

        • l
        • lendir
        • t@g
        • 12 Jun 2017

        sadly, i dont like glass design, that's why i stick to my HTC10... and now everything almost glass design.

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          • AnonD-137518
          • RBb
          • 12 Jun 2017

          That's all about the camera? where are low light samples, as this phone seems to be very good in low light photography????

            Good review, but some things are plain wrong. Like it says in the end:

            "As humans we like shiny things"

            No, simply NO. I mean yes, if you are into tacky taste or something.

            This glossy design, is the only flaw of this phone. HTC should definitely have continued with their aluminium unibody design, not only it was more practical, it looked significantly more classy than this is shiny mirror nonsense.

            Other than the design, loved everything, especially the audio section and the camera too. This kills S8 hands down, from basically all angles. Should remain as the best phone of the year until Pixel 2 comes out, even then this should remain on top. Good job HTC.

              • S
              • SH.T
              • St}
              • 11 Jun 2017

              AnonD-510975, 10 Jun 2017Thanks gsmarena for good review i think htc comeback with t... moreit is really good phone and if it was not for HTC 10 i already own i would defiantly go for it.(by the way HTC 10 camera(especially front facing one) after so many updates outperforms even S8 _i tested this_(except super fast AF and saving pics + still has panorama problems) and i know U11 has done really nice work with liquid surface, boomsound and other things but Samsung GS8 also is not just about Specs. its design is even more spectacular than U11 and Samsung has done better marketing even when it had not a really competitive phone. I really do not think U11 sells even a quarter of S8s but HTC 10 and HTC U11 are beginnings for HTC to refine its place.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 4Js
                • 11 Jun 2017

                ADI, 11 Jun 2017So true rafe... I agree with you, he doesn't even know how ... moreI was going along until you actually tried to be one of those...HTC has good audio. But they are not the best ever and they had advantages ...nor better in every way. And USB is not as high quality.
                Even the harmon Koden edition with their special hardware software and ear buds were not very inspiring. ..granted I never got to check one out after some hacks with some boosts and enhancements

                  • A
                  • ADI
                  • 4Av
                  • 11 Jun 2017

                  Thank you Htc for the all new stunning device of 2017. It's in neck to neck competition with all other smartphones. Good to see u back in the game. Love U11

                    • A
                    • ADI
                    • 4Av
                    • 11 Jun 2017

                    AnonD-514012, 11 Jun 2017https://www.dxomark.com/MobilesSo true, Oven ... HAHA ;)

                      • A
                      • ADI
                      • 4Av
                      • 11 Jun 2017

                      Rafe Firmani, 11 Jun 2017what funny is, juan bagnel from pocketnow said review is a ... moreSo true rafe... I agree with you, he doesn't even know how to review a smartphone... He even declared that Htc's audio is inferior than other smartphones. Imagine that! And thats impossible, no one can beat Htc in Audio department and now even camera too ... :)

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • tCV
                        • 11 Jun 2017

                        Is that nexus with glassback?

                          • D
                          • AnonD-481725
                          • X1E
                          • 11 Jun 2017

                          Best smartphone beside the xz premium, Galaxy s8 meh.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • Js{
                            • 11 Jun 2017

                            AnonD-664474, 11 Jun 201716.1mp 1/2" sensor, f1.4 lens, 26mm sensor, manipulatable O... morePixel size is according to resolution and sensor size.
                            1/2" + 16MP.
                            Pixel will be way bigger than 1.4

                            This sensor would be 50% bigger than the ones on Pixel or Z5. They have 7.87 mm diagonal.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-510975
                              • fkW
                              • 11 Jun 2017

                              Anonymous, 11 Jun 2017I have a U11, amazing phone in every way.Please how is battery life with you because I'm worry about battery life in this device

                                • D
                                • AnonD-195762
                                • Hqa
                                • 11 Jun 2017

                                Rafe Firmani, 11 Jun 2017what funny is, juan bagnel from pocketnow said review is a ... moreI've noticed a lot of his reviews have become biased towards Samsung lately. I guess he knows who butters his bread.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • StU
                                  • 11 Jun 2017

                                  I have a U11, amazing phone in every way.

                                    • h
                                    • harwey
                                    • JbV
                                    • 11 Jun 2017

                                    Very nice piece of phone,as GSM guys said people love shiny things.Just ordered Mi6 for half the price of U11.After summer it'll be 500$.Htc have better camera&sound for twice the money,it's up to your pocket depth although i praise sound quality more then pixels,glass,squeeze and assistants..anyway it's nice to see HTC is properly back to mess with Samsung,LG,Sony and Apple.

                                      Rafe Firmani, 11 Jun 2017Watch high Tech Traveler camera comparison: HTC U11 vs Sams... morewhat funny is, juan bagnel from pocketnow said review is a review and shouldn't be any image comparisons. Because a review should only talk about itself, U11 in this case.

                                      YET, on his 'review' many times he said samsung is better, faster auto speed, etc and what worse is, he actually TALK COMPARISON which he stand against, but without compared images to proof. Lol that's ironic, how inconsistent is that?

                                      if bagnel doing review of U11 stop praising Samsung s8 on his review. Or, if he wish to say which better, then be consistent and show photos comparison to back it up!

                                      Why he doesn't want to show photos comparation?

                                      His biased agenda hurts pocketnow good reputation imo.

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                                        • AnonD-658688
                                        • Iam
                                        • 11 Jun 2017

                                        htc is becoming stupid. I really hate glass phones. Never durable at all.
                                        For that matter, am buying htc 10 or lg v20.