U11
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HTC resurfaces with info on Android Pie for U11, U11+ and U12+
After selling some of its operations to Google, HTC isn't quite the player in the phone business that we remember, but it still has some impressive hardware that could use a software update. Back in August the company announced several phones in line for an upgrade to Android 9 Pie, but since then things have been pretty quiet, even as other flagship phones slowly ticked themselves off of the list. While its Android One U11 Life model is already operating on Google's latest software, the company tweeted Monday that it "anticipates" updates for the U11, U11+ and U12+ in Q2. That could vary based on countries and operators, but there's at least a chance users could see Pie before the likely reveal of Android Q at Google's I/O developer event in early May.
HTC U11 Eyes' dual cameras bring bokeh to your selfies
Well, that was quick: HTC's promised return to a dual-camera smartphone is already here. Meet the U11 Eyes which, as the name implies, is a selfie-centric smartphone featuring a pair of cameras on the front. These deliver live bokeh effect which supports re-focus after capture -- just like the good old days with previous dual-camera HTC phones. And yes, the U11 Eyes reuses the same shiny "Liquid Design" as the flagship U11+, but swapping out a few flagship-level features for a more affordable price. You'll find an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chipset (which is approaching two years old), a 2,160 x 1,080 LCD instead of QHD, just three microphones instead of four (so no acoustic focus when using zoom in video recording) and no BoomSound speakers (so no stereo nor "Hi-Fi" output).
HTC's U11 is one of the first non-Google phones to get Android Oreo
Unless you have a Google-branded phone or are willing to jump into a beta test, you probably haven't had an easy upgrade path to Android Oreo. However, it seems like they're starting to trickle out: HTC is releasing an Oreo update for the unlocked U11 on November 26th (that's today, if you're reading this when it's fresh). There's no timetable for carrier-locked models just yet, but the company's Mo Versi has promised that Sprint's U11 will get a taste of Google's cookie-branded OS "soon."
The HTC U11 Life crams flagship features into a cheaper body
HTC's U11 was proof that the company still has some fight left in it, and now it's building new phones to pick up where the U11 left off earlier this year. The sweet new U11+ sadly isn't coming to the US, but its smaller sibling, the $349/£349 U11 Life, is set to land here this Friday. Now, HTC's more modest devices have had a hard time finding their footing in America, but the surprisingly capable U11 Life just might help with that.
Leaked HTC U11 Plus video reveals a bigger battery and screen
A hands-on video featuring the upcoming HTC U11 Plus has been leaked to Facebook, showing that the flagship phone will be available in a translucent option, as well as black and silver. Evan Bass, who's known for leaking tech specs, also confirmed the translucent option in a tweet. The video has since been taken down, but the inevitable copies still available online show the U11 Plus will have a six-inch display, 4,000 mAh battery and 128GB of storage (other storage options, if any, are yet to be confirmed). A closer look also reveals a coil beneath the shell, which could indicate wireless charging capabilities.
The iPhone X vs. the competition: Beautiful screens and more
It's been a decade since the first iPhone was introduced, so today's big announcement from Apple marks the occasion with an "X." However, the mobile scene has changed a lot since 2007, with rival companies like Samsung, LG and HTC releasing devices that can compete with the iPhone on power, features and design. We've sized up the new iPhone X against some of the more outstanding handsets out there, including a few with edge-to-edge screens, like the LG V30. See how the X's specs compare now, and check back later this month to see how it holds up in our full review.
Squeezing your HTC U11 will do a lot more soon
One of my biggest gripes about HTC's U11 is that its Edge Sense gimmick -- which lets you squeeze the phone to activate shortcuts -- didn't actually let you do very much. Well, that's about to change. The company is going to push a software update tonight that adds new default actions for Edge Sense and (more importantly) the ability to create your own shortcuts for any app installed on your phone.
The Galaxy Note 8 vs. the competition: More than just a stylus
With phone screens getting bigger and bigger, the Galaxy Note doesn't quite stand out the way it used to. The Note 8's 6.3-inch screen is only a tad larger than the 6.2 inches boasted by the Galaxy S8+, and both devices share the same Snapdragon 835 processor. Still, the Note 8 has a few things to set itself apart, including a new dual camera setup like the one on the soon-to-replaced iPhone 7 Plus. Check out the table below to see what Samsung's latest large-screen handset is packing under the hood versus other notable flagships, and check back for our full review of the Galaxy Note 8 in a few weeks.
HTC's U11 will support Bluetooth 5.0 when Android O arrives
HTC's U11 surprised us when we reviewed it -- most of the company's phones have been hit-or-miss for a few years now. But the U11 is a solid Android option, and HTC just announced it'll be a little more future-proof now, as the device just received certification for Bluetooth 5.0. It's one of only a few phones on the market with the feature (including the Galaxy S8), so it's worth noting that the U11 will be able to take advantage of the much faster speeds the standard offers.
HTC U11 review: More than just gimmicks
Even die-hard fans have been ready to write off HTC for years now, and I can't blame them. The company's phones have fluctuated between greatness and mediocrity, while its competitors have improved by leaps and bounds. So, what's a company in a kind of existential peril supposed to do? Well, making a phone like the new U11, for starters. It's shiny, laden with gimmicks, and -- spoiler alert -- the whole thing falls short of perfect for a few reasons. Even so, HTC has gotten enough right in this ostentatious package that you should definitely start (or restart) paying attention.
Amazon's Alexa lands on the HTC U11, and it works like it should
As promised, HTC is finally making it possible for owners of its U11 smartphone to install Amazon's Alexa. Starting today, those in the US who need yet another voice interface can download the HTC Alexa app from the Google Play Store -- we're told localized versions of Alexa are coming to other countries in the coming weeks. For those keeping count, that brings the U11's virtual assistant count to three: Google Assistant is also on-board, along with HTC's non-chatty Sense Companion.
Where to buy HTC's U11 and Sony's Xperia XZ Premium in the UK
Over the past couple of days, two new flagship smartphones have landed on UK shores -- HTC's U11 and Sony's Xperia XZ Premium -- and both have their merits. HTC's latest marries powerful innards with elegant looks, all the AI assistants and quirky edge pressure sensors that let you interact with the device in new and interesting ways. Sony's Xperia XZ Premium, on the other hand, is all about top-tier specs and couple of stand-out features, including a 4K HDR display and 960FPS slow-motion video capture. As you'll discover, one has proven far more popular with carriers and retailers than the other, but if you're interested in either handset, we've got the low-down on where to pick it up.
HTC’s squeezable U11 is its true 2017 flagship phone
Trekkies used to (and might still) believe that only every other Star Trek movie was actually good, and I'd argue that applies to HTC's flagship releases, too. The One M7? Excellent. The M8? Meh. The M9 was an improvement over its predecessor, but the A9 didn't thrill. HTC hit its stride with 2016's 10 while the subsequent U Ultra... well, it was kind of a mess. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait too long before the Taiwanese phone maker took another stab at a flagship. Say hello to the $649/£649 HTC U11, a smartphone that blends high-end power with a striking aesthetic, a slew of pressure sensors and a truly awful name.
