HTC U11 review: Plans | Pricing | Specs

-
- Battery Score
3.5
- Camera Score
3.5
- Design Score
4
- Performance Score
3.5
- Battery Score
3.5
Summary
HTC seriously needed a hit on its hands with the HTC U11 and that's just what it's delivered, with a powerful and stylish handset that incorporates an industry-leading camera and water-resistance features.
Details
Pricing & Availability
Launch price (RRP) | $999 |
Launch date | 2017-06 |
The good
- Fast and accurate camera
- High performance
- Water resistance
- Superb battery life
- Edge sense is customisable and quick
- Aggressive asking price
Could be better
- Limited colour choice
- Bezel-heavy design
- No headphone jack
- Squeezing isn't an ideal way to take photos
HTC was responsible for two of the best phones of 2016 by way of the exceptional Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL handsets. The problem for HTC was that they weren't in-house efforts, even if HTC was doing the actual legwork of producing the hardware. So expectations were high for its own in-house followup device, the HTC U Ultra.
Despite having many of the same specifications as the Pixel XL, the U Ultra was ultimately a disappointing device compared to its immediate competition, and it's a comparison that's only widened with the release of many competitor handsets through the year.
As such, when the HTC U11 was announced, I was cautious but not terribly optimistic. HTC can produce great phones and has done so in the past, but it's had more misses that hits when compared against true flagships. Thankfully for HTC, the U11 marks the point where the Taiwanese manufacturer appears to have actually turned a corner, because it's a genuinely great handset in almost every respect.
Design
- Liquid design looks gorgeous
- Squeezy Edge Sense sides.
- No headphone socket.

Camera
- Good low-light performance
- Single lens only
Performance
- Snapdragon 660 provides exactly the performance you'd expect
- Android One gives the HTC U11 more longevity than most mid-range handsets
- More open Edge Sense than on Google's own Pixel phones
Battery life
- Good but not great battery life
- Quick Charge 3.0 compatible
Verdict
- Like most older flagships, it's only worth it at a bargain price.
Pricing and availability
- Price: RRP $999
- Where to buy: Amazon Australia | eBay | Kogan
Compare SIM-only plans for the HTC U11
HTC U11 specs
Display
Camera
Physical Dimensions
Connectivity
Power, storage and battery
Device features
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Alex Finder
Senior editor
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