HTC U11+ review

27 November 2017
HTC U11+ could have been the next big Pixel, but it just wasn't meant to be. Instead, it became the next squeezable HTC flagship fully equipped to compete with Google's XL sequel. Underdog or not, the HTC U11+ has the dog tags of a fighter.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • wHT
  • 30 Nov 2017

Or maybe could have just stuck with FHD res instead AND optimize things 1st BEFORE getting it out? That never killed the Huawei Mate 9 before. All you need is good color reproduction with that and you're set.

    Karas88, 30 Nov 2017Hi Kaloyan, thanks for your answers in the comments. I do... moreHi there,

    First when you are paying a lot to have a flagship, the screen should be on par with the competition. When it is not - it's a failure to deliver, simple as that. We will be retesting screen and battery once a software update arrives, that's for sure. But for now - it's the same software version running on the units on sale in Taiwan.

    And second, please find my first post here in the comments where I explain the SOT times.

    Best,
    -Kaloyan

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • p}h
      • 30 Nov 2017

      Thanks for your answer, I think i will buy it and I will see by myself.
      For people that comment here and ask for a change in the review process, I think the process they use allow for an objective evaluation of the device which can be used for a comparison.
      Of course it only is an item, consumers should check by themselves before to buy phones.
      Maybe the reviewer should add a little comment to say that despite the bad result in benchmarks, the screen looks good nevertheless but that is the only issue i have with this review.
      Anyway, thanks for both the review and your time spent answering our questions here.

        Kaloyan, 29 Nov 2017All tests on all devices are done at 200nits fixed brightne... moreThanks for your reply. I'm still puzzled how bad htc u11+ battery life and screen performance was. All reviews i saw say exactly th oposite. If this is true is a step back from the htc u11. Ive the htc u11 and is a great device. Right now i woud not trade it for any other device.

          • K
          • Karas88
          • Tqt
          • 30 Nov 2017

          Hi Kaloyan,
          thanks for your answers in the comments.
          I don`t quite understand if your review is based on numbers or user experience.
          In your reviews you wrote:
          "The U11+ fails in what many would consider the most important foundation of a good smartphone - the screen." that is a very bad statement for a flagship device.
          Then in the comments you said that the screen brightness seems to be above average (not definitely 300 nits) and that the screen is a really good unit with deep black, high contrast and so on (even in the preview nobody notice the low brightness and it was said the panel was really good).
          About battery life in the test during the review the device scored again very bad results (specially compared to other flagship with less mah) but it lasts more than a day or even 2 in a normal use (from your comment below). Other websites and reviewers (Tech zilla, High Tech Traveler, Android Central etc) reported a superb battery with more than 6 hours SOT with more than 20 hours standby (Tech zilla Twitter account for the results).
          Now.. I would like to have a review based on user experience and not on tests because at the end of the day that is what count. I mean nobody care about the nits test if when you use the device it seems brigther than average, and nobody care about the battery test if in a normal use you can have more than 1 day or even 2.
          You can use your tests as supporting documents but not to say that this device has a bad screen and battery because your tests say so. It`s like benchmarks, you can use it but you cannot say that a device has a better user experience because it has higher scores on benchmarks (or the opposite).
          So please in the future base your judgement on user experience and on your impressions, not on tests that don`t reflect the product quality.
          For example, if the HTC U11+ is so bad on the screen quality and battery life, post a screenshot showing the SOT during an average day (and all the statistics) or a picture showing the bad nits or a bad visibility on a sunny day.
          Thanks

            Anonymous, 30 Nov 2017Hi GSMArena, I pre-ordered this phone but I am starting to... moreHey,
            1. No you won't notice the low brightness. It's hard to explain, but the screen somehow looks brighter than it is, a few of our colleagues thought it had an above average brightness than our tools measures. So, no, I wouldn't be worried about this. Plus - the screen has great contrast and lovely colors, so I think you'll like it.
            2. The phone easily lasts at least a day, and even two days with a normal usage pattern - using the phone before and after work, lunch time, and before bedtime.

            Hope that helps,
            - Kaloyan

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • p}h
              • 30 Nov 2017

              Hi GSMArena,
              I pre-ordered this phone but I am starting to doubt my choice.
              I have 2 questions if you would be so kind to answer them.
              - The first one is about the screen that is average at best judging by your review.
              Nothing was said about it in the preview you did a few days back. So is it possible that, apart from intense testing like you do during your reviews, a "normal consumer" would not complain about the screen ?
              - The second question is both about the screen and battery (the 2 main issues with this phone it seems). In your experience, is it possible to correct those issues with updates or is it hardware issues that can not be corrected ?

              I hope you will find the time to help me on this matter and chose wether to buy this phone or change my mind and chose another one.
              Thanks guys for your amazing work !

                • D
                • AnonD-709343
                • f}x
                • 30 Nov 2017

                They should have known it`s a defective unit& redo the test before posting the review. How come only GSAarena get subpar battery life results on U11+ while others report great battery life and a nice screen?
                Personally, I think it`s important to get a review right the first time especially this is such an reputable site.

                ps. seldom comment but this is my third on this review lol

                  • D
                  • AnonD-709343
                  • f}x
                  • 30 Nov 2017

                  Kaloyan, 29 Nov 2017Yes, we always check the battery stats after a test. If it'... morePLEASE do a retest. I believe the unit u got has a defective screen. All(hundreds) U11+ users on Taiwanese forums& all other reviews (except yours) reported great battery life and a screen that can get quite bright/ very dim.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-709343
                    • f}x
                    • 30 Nov 2017

                    table, 29 Nov 2017I pre-ordered the U11+ when it went on sale for black frida... morethey have a defective unit, all other reviewers and U11+ users in Taiwan(where i live& where the U11+ are sold the most) report noticable better bettery life over the U11.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-632062
                      • 3Ye
                      • 29 Nov 2017

                      Poor brightness. Bad sunlight contrast ratio. No 3.5 mm jack. Average battery life. Apart from the camera, it is a disappointing performance.

                        acemang, 29 Nov 2017Are your tests done at the max brightness? because battery ... moreAll tests on all devices are done at 200nits fixed brightness for consistency and comparable results.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-603644
                          • JaI
                          • 29 Nov 2017

                          AnonD-249626, 29 Nov 2017"We can't argue with the choice of CPU or the amount of RAM... moreYeah no, HTC doesn't have a cheating algorithm for benchmark tests.

                            • t
                            • table
                            • mXK
                            • 29 Nov 2017

                            I pre-ordered the U11+ when it went on sale for black friday but if the battery and screen are as bad as reported here I guess i'll have to send it back when it arrives and get an LG V30 instead :|

                              Kaloyan, 29 Nov 2017Yes, we always check the battery stats after a test. If it'... moreAre your tests done at the max brightness? because battery life is exponential when you pump the brightness. lcds screen are awfull at 100% brightness, in a screen of this size it would be normal that kinda of drain. if you can test it at 50% or 80%, please. 80% of the battery life comes from the screen. maybe their lcd 6 is immature and sucks, thats why they put a buffed battery, to compensate it.

                                • L
                                • Love the Community
                                • Fv4
                                • 29 Nov 2017

                                That didn't stop the Nokia 8. Though HTC didn't perfect their new Super LCD6 since it's new and they've been using Super LCD5 for years.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-719242
                                  • 3jK
                                  • 29 Nov 2017

                                  QHD and LCD, bad choices for the battery life.

                                    AnonD-719197, 29 Nov 2017I bought this phone a week ago with high expectations, as a... moreBy the way - we had the same huge light bleed from the bottom right corner when in Smart Display. But we thought the uneven illumination might be just an issue with our unit.

                                      • R
                                      • Rhydas
                                      • iC1
                                      • 29 Nov 2017

                                      AnonD-719197, 29 Nov 2017I bought this phone a week ago with high expectations, as a... moreDear Nyc9120, your first message here to report that you bought a new HTC U11+....where ?
                                      china import ? ebay ? and you already returned it ? Wow you must be a real mage.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-719197
                                        • k1p
                                        • 29 Nov 2017

                                        I bought this phone a week ago with high expectations, as a previous HTC U11 owner thought this phone was gonna be great man i was wrong. I completely agree with this review. The screen is sub par to todays flagships ie iPhone X, galaxy note 8, even Oneplus 5T...its dull not bright and all around not good imo. With always on display on i had terrible light bleed on screen from bottom right corner. Finally for a phone with this big of battery the battery life was awful...my phone was RETURNED and i will not be getting another. Poor job HTC