HTC began what they hope will be turnaround for their mobile division today by announcing the third smartphone in the new ‘U‘ series for 2017. HTC U 11 is the first of its kind, but adopts traits from the HTC U Ultra, which launched earlier in the year, as well as last year’s HTC 10 flagship device. It starts up front with the device’s name, which combines both the ‘U’ moniker from HTC’s 2017 lineup of smartphones, as well as the numbering from HTC’s flagship line which has consisted of One M7, One M8, One M9, and HTC 10 before it. Of all the companies, HTC has definitely become the most unpredictable in the naming it chooses for its handsets. Here’s everything to know about the HTC U 11.

HTC announced perhaps would could mark a turning point for the company today at an event in Taipei, Taiwan. HTC U 11 seems like it will be the company’s 2017 flagship smartphone, which will succeed last year’s HTC 10 and coexist alongside HTC U Ultra and HTC U Play. The three ‘U’ smartphones are part of a new series for 2017 that HTC has delivered. The trio is part of a new strategy the company has employed, fewer low-end smartphones and more of what “You” want, so the company says. So far, the strategy used for marketing purposes that is supposed to indicate a shift for a company that has been struggling, hasn’t quite resonated well with consumers and has left many unsettled only wanting more. Earlier this year, we held a poll concerning HTC’s recent moves and asked you if the U Ultra was good enough to succeed the HTC 10 from last year. We wanted to know whether or not you thought HTC’s altered strategy has been good or bad, and if the company should go back to its old self. The public opinion we received was overwhelming split.

After months of conflicting reports, rumors and leaks, we finally have HTC’s mysterious handset. The company held a private event in its homeland on May 16th at 2:00PM local time, which translated over to mid-way through the night for many of us here in the states. This is typical of HTC, who as of late has held events on their own. The company teased the event as “Squeeze for the Brilliant,” which refers to the new and outlandish design of HTC’s latest handset. Some of which we got was already known, but there’s quite a bit of new information HTC kept good lock on until its unveiling. The company has taken a bold stance in many areas, as it will try to set itself apart from rivals once reaching the consumer market. If they don’t, this could very well be the last flagship smartphone from HTC.

The HTC U 11 packs mostly high-end internals starting off with Gorilla Glass 5 protected 5.5-inch Quad HD display that curves around the edges. It’s of a Super Clear LCD 5 screen type that nearly resembles what we get on AMOLED displays, meaning vibrant colors and high brightness for improved outdoor visibility. Unlike the HTC U Ultra, this model comes without the tinker-like display that housed shortcuts to many apps. Though, HTC has gone with squeeze edge functions instead, which we’ll soon explain in greater detail. HTC has also improved its screen-to-body ratio over previous smartphones, but has retained the 16:9 aspect ratio for its display. This means that the dimensions will be slightly wider and less tall compared with the newest arrivals in the space from Samsung and LG. Therefore, using the phone in one-hand may be of struggle to some. The good news is, the phone is made for the moment, and the truth is, the advantages of 18:9 or 2:1 haven’t yet outpaced the negatives to having it.

When it comes to hardware specifications, the HTC U 11 should perform like a champ with its simplified interface and Snapdragon 835 processor. This is the later high-end chipset from Qualcomm. Included at the core will be 4GB of RAM and 64GB on internal storage. A built-in microSD card slot will also let you expand out the storage to include up to 2TB of additional space if you desire. The phone incorporates a 3,000mAh battery, the same that is inside HTC’s larger counterpart, the U Ultra. We would have liked to see more mAh, but 3,000mAh for a phone of this size isn’t much to complain about. Owners of the device will also get Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 through a wired USB Type-C charging connection located at the bottom of the phone. We also have support for dual SIM and NFC (for payments).

For cameras, we have both front and rear-facing lenses, and each has been improved to provide crisper picture quality, even when in low-light. HTC isn’t well-known for their camera tech, so we’ll make sure to put this model through its paces before declaring anything special. The rear contains a 12MP UltraPixel sensor with a f/1.7 aperture and dual-LED flash. The front camera is of an even larger 16MP sensor with f/2.0, which could very well be capable of taking some of the best selfies out there especially in combination with a new selfie panorama mode that is on board. HTC noted in its announcement that the selfie camera on HTC U 11 received a score of 90 on DxOMark, which is the highest rating for a smartphone to date. Both front and rear cameras are equipped with OIS.

The HTC U 11 also gets it right when it comes to software. Google’s Android 7.1 Nougat (MR1) will run the house from the very packaging. It will also be first among those waiting in line for Android O, as well as new security patches. We should hear more on this soon at Google I/O 2017. But for now, stay tuned to our Droid Updates Weekly Series, as we post information about the latest Android device updates each week.

Google’s latest software will bring about a range of new features including doze on the go, bundled notifications, split-screen multitasking, enhanced security, new emojis, and a new Vulkan API for better overall graphics performance. You’ll also have some Android 7.1 Nougat exclusive features like app shortcuts, GIF touch keyboard support, live wallpaper metadata, and more. And of course, the Google Assistant will be present, which uses AI and machine learning to improve over time. On top will be a new version of HTC Sense in version 9.0 that will bring a much-needed refresh with useful features and minimal bloat. This is probably the most slimmed down skin out there next to Motorola’s, and should as a result give off smooth and fluent performance for years to come. Perhaps best of all, owners will get the latest Google applications pre-loaded, which have replaced many of the stock apps.

Thanks to the curved edges of the HTC U 11, we have something HTC is calling ‘Edge Sense’, which is part of the company’s overlay on top of Android, Sense version 9.0. This is a collection of features from HTC that make good use of the curved screen. Users will be able to squeeze long or short on the phone to activate apps and take different actions. For example, users can activate the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa (available on the handset in select markets) from anywhere. HTC claims that squeezing your phone will even work if your hands are wet or have gloves on, and promises that the pressure sensitivity won’t deteriorate over time nor consume much battery. There are also some squeeze gestures built into the interface. Take the camera app for example, where users can squeeze to take shots. This will be customizable from the device’s settings menu. The functionality is similar to what we get on Samsung’s Edge smartphone models, but way cooler in the way it operates. You’ll have to try it to see how interesting it really is. Let’s hope buyers take advantage of it unlike the tinker-like display on HTC U Ultra.

Present on the HTC U 11 are HTC’s signature Boomsound Hi-Fi stereo speakers, which have improved over the last generation. Though, unlike some previous flagship iterations from HTC, the HTC U 11 follows suite with the U Ultra and U Play, boarding the speakers at the bottom of the phone rather than out front. One benefit of having the speakers lower-mounted is HTC’s addition of water resistance (IP67), meaning that the phone will be able to withstand some rain or a splash of water.

Making the experience that much better will be 3D audio recording and high-res audio. This allows users to capture rich audio from all directions using 4x included microphones, and even pin-point where they want to boost reception. Many of the remaining design elements are in line with HTC’s U class, meaning glass back with a high gloss finish and shiny look that’ll show all your lovely fingerprints. Taking a look around the device there are side-mounted volume controls, a power key, and fingerprint scanner which doubles as a non-tactile home button. HTC will have some grumbling about the chosen set up for navigation that also includes two capacitive keys rather than software programmable buttons. And that 3.5mm headphone jack you like so much; it’s not here either.

Pre-orders for HTC U 11 have already gone up for an unlocked model on HTC.com and Amazon, as well as U.S. carrier Sprint, who will sell a carrier oriented version of the handset exclusively in the states. The unlocked model will work on T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. Every unit will come with a pair of USonic tech earbuds, which feature active noise cancellation and adjust to fit your style. Color choices will include White, Black, Blue, Red, and Silver, though HTC has its own names for them, and may vary on the basis of location and carrier since there are so many of them. Pricing will go for $649 unlocked. Sprint’s version will be sold at $29 per month for 24 months, or if you prefer to pay up front, $696. They’ll sell only the Blue and Black models. Pre-orders will ship out June 9th when the handset becomes available to the masses. The product links are below.

[HTC] [Amazon] [Sprint]

UPDATE: Save $50 for a limited time by applying the coupon code ONLY4U11 at checkout when buying the HTC U 11 unlocked on HTC.com.

Full details and specs can be read over at the source link to HTC’s website down below. You can also view our full spec list overview, which has been written by a talented member of our team. If you want to be notified right away of its availability, register for updates using your email as input over at HTC.com. Also be sure to let us know whether or not you think HTC will have something going for it with this model by leaving a comment below this article.

See the full HTC U 11 spec sheet here or head here for more of the latest HTC U 11 coverage.

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SOURCE [HTC]