HTC isn’t an organization afraid to attempt new issues. In the previous couple of years a number of of those haven’t panned out too properly, just like the HTC U Ultra’s second touchscreen, however the HTC U11 Life is a cellphone with an idea we are able to admire instantly.
It’s a mid-range cellphone with an accessible worth that makes use of Google’s new Android One program. This implies you get an nearly untouched model of Android, with the goal of getting a lot quicker updates than different mobiles. That’s, until you are within the US, through which case you get HTC’s Sense pores and skin on prime.
There are notable shortfalls to match the cut-down price ticket, like poor low gentle picture high quality, comparatively weak audio system and a physique fabricated from plastic. Nevertheless it’s a strong alternative for these on a mid-size funds.
HTC U11 Life worth and availability
The HTC U11 Life prices $349/£349 (round AU$460), half the worth of top-end alternate options and loads lower than the full-fat HTC U11.
It sees it rub shoulders with the likes of the Honor 9, Moto X4, Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact and Samsung Galaxy A5. These are some significantly robust mid-range contenders which make sure the U11 Life will not have a simple trip.
Key options
- Strain-sensitive sides assist it stand out
- Good compromises aside from the battery
There are two foremost methods to view the HTC U11 Life. It’s a less expensive various to the unique HTC U11 that will get you a roughly comparable expertise, with some components minimize right down to decrease prices.
It’s additionally an Android One cellphone in most areas, that means it makes use of the usual Android interface, making it somewhat like a Google Pixel cellphone not made by Google.
Core components it inherits from its larger, dearer brother embrace a shiny, curved rear and pressure-sensitive sides that allow gestures not seen in different telephones.
That is HTC’s try to face out. It might not change how you employ a cellphone, however HTC has made it customizable sufficient to allow you to dig deep and make the characteristic your individual.
Price compromises are, for probably the most half, not too obvious. The display is 1080p somewhat than ultra-high decision, and the HTC U11 Life’s chipset is a mid-range Snapdragon 630 somewhat than a top-tier chipset. Main enchancment within the graphics chip means it performs properly in actual life, although.
As is frequent amongst mid-range telephones, the digital camera can’t fairly compete with the perfect in all conditions. Nice picture processing makes day-lit images typically look incredible, but it surely falters at evening and high quality element isn’t as sharp or clear as that of a higher-quality, lower-resolution sensor.
The construct isn’t fairly on-par with the HTC U11 both. That cellphone has a glass again, the U11 Life an acrylic/plastic one. The largest distinction in really feel is that whereas glass is chilly to the contact when there’s the slightest chill within the air, plastic isn’t.
You’ll should determine whether or not that issues to you or not.
After utilizing the cellphone for some time the one compromise that we predict would possibly annoy some is battery life. Whereas not flat-out poor, the Moto X4 and Honor 9 last more between prices. The HTC U11 Life’s 2,600mAh battery is simply not all that massive.
Design
- Clean plastic/acrylic again
- Fingerprint scanner
- Squeezable pressure-sensitive sides
From arm’s size the HTC U11 Life appears to be like loads like the conventional U11, which is a dearer cellphone. The again is curved and glossy, reacting to gentle as if the stuff will get it excited.
Nonetheless, the HTC U11 Life’s again is fabricated from “acrylic glass” somewhat than precise glass. And what’s acrylic glass? Plastic.
There’s not one of the cool hardness that comes with steel or glass, and in consequence the HTC U11 Life doesn’t really feel notably costly. The Moto G5S Plus, Moto X4 and Honor 9 all really feel extra spectacular.
The HTC U11 Life’s construct is nice sufficient, although. HTC has made positive there aren’t any laborious, flat surfaces. All the things is clean and curvy, whereas the ultra-accessible 5.2-inch display welcomes palms of all sizes.
This isn’t, nevertheless, one of many new breed of telephones with an ultra-narrow display encompass. There are a few clean millimeters to every aspect, and about an inch above and under the display.
It appears petty to make an excessive amount of of a problem of this proper now, although, when the development is just growing, not fairly the norm but. Let your eyes determine whether or not you’re bothered or not.
Different components of the HTC U11 Life are sound too. The cellphone has IP67 water resistance, that means it may take being submerged, and there’s a superb fingerprint scanner on the entrance.
Some variations of the HTC U11 Life have a superb 64GB storage too. Ours has “simply” 32GB, however purchase from HTC and also you get 64GB. Ours is the European mannequin, the place the US and UK get the 4GB RAM/64GB version.
The characteristic that units the HTC U11 Life aside, although, is Edge Sense. This makes use of stress sensors on the perimeters of the cellphone to allow gestures when these sides are squeezed. As customary, a fast squeeze launches the digital camera and an extended one fires-up the Google digital assistant.
Nonetheless, Edge Sense might be personalized too. It will possibly zoom in Google Maps or Google Images, snooze alarms, or reply calls. These are sensibly disabled as customary as a result of HTC doesn’t need you to by chance fireplace off these options and begin pondering your cellphone is haunted.
You possibly can even create your individual macros by going into an app and “recording” instructions. We doubt whether or not many HTC U11 Life patrons will put the hassle in, however HTC is clearly making an attempt laborious to squeeze probably the most out of Edge Sense.
HTC launched Edge Sense with the U11: it’s not an outdated characteristic.
One omission could kill the enchantment of the HTC U11 Life for a few of you, although. It doesn’t have a headphone jack, only a USB-C port. An inexpensive pair of USB-C earphones is included, however there’s no three.5mm adaptor.
Display screen
- 5.2-inch Full HD LCD display
- Good picture high quality
The HTC U11 Life has a smaller, lower-resolution display than the U11. Nonetheless, it’s a punchy show that, in most circumstances, doesn’t look a lot worse than any cellphone on the market.
It’s a 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 Tremendous LCD. There’s not an excessive amount of brightness loss at an angle, and shade is well-saturated with out trying overdone. The picture additionally seems very near the highest floor, an indication of a sophisticated super-thin display structure.
You need to take the HTC U11 Life right into a extra excessive surroundings to see its limits. We’re not speaking Bear Grylls fodder, simply that you simply’ll see very barely raised blacks in a darkened room, and the brightness is vibrant however not fairly the 1000 nits of the brightest. That mentioned, we took the cellphone out on a reasonably vibrant day and the display was nonetheless clearly seen.
HTC’s web site claims there’s a characteristic that permits you to customise the show shade profile, but it surely’s not within the software program of our mannequin.