HTC’s latest and greatest–HTC U11 flagship smartphone–has officially landed in Malaysia, after its global reveal in Taiwan just weeks before. The sleek, glossy number aims to please, boasting top-spec hardware, a top-rated camera and “revolutionary new squeeze interaction.”
The “One” as you may have noticed is no more, making way for “U.” Because, a smartphone, after all, is a highly personal device and an extension of you. HTC first kicked off its fresh new, reinvented product line with the HTC U Play and U Ultra.
It’s all about U
As part of the new “U” experience and look, HTC has ditched the much-loved all-metal unibody of old. I know, I miss it too (I feel you), but it’s time to move forward.
The HTC U11 features a Liquid Glass surface–a fluid, transformative design language. It’s a clever blend of metal and glass, which undoubtedly looks good. If you’re a little OCD and freak out at smudges and fingerprints, you’ll need a cleaning cloth nearby, though.
HTC hasn’t lost its penchant for product design, to give credit where credit is due. The new flagship exudes elegance and feels great in the hands thanks to its seamless curves. It’s pretty mesmerising to look at, especially if you’re in an environment with lights.
It’s also water-resistant, with a certified IP67. Splashes and spills? No problemo.
HTC’s new trick is something called HTC Edge Sense. It lets you interact with the phone using a squeeze action. It’s supposedly natural, letting you launch apps, and fire up the camera with a squeeze.
Thankfully, the gimmickry ends there. Because the HTC U11 is really a worthy flagship from the get go.
On the front of the device is a 5.5-inch Quad HD Super LCD5 display, HTC’s best display yet.
Another of HTC’s bread-and-butter features is audio. While it doesn’t have the front-facing awesomeness of previous generation One’s, the HTC U11 does have HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition speakers.
There’s also enhanced HTC USonic, which combines Active Noise Cancellation to tune audio to your unique hearing. By using built-in mics in the bundled headset, it cancels out distractions to enable you to focus better.
Additionally, four optimally positioned omni-directional mics work with HTC’s new Acoustic Focus tech to give you “3D audio.” It literally lets you “zoom in” on your subject to get the best sound.
You’ll likely scoff at the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, but rest assured HTC has a solution to that. The phone comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with a built-in DAC.
You have to hear it to believe it. It’s great.
In the camera department, the HTC U11 can stand tall, having the highest rated score on DxOMark for Mobile tests. Its 90-point score tops the highly-rated Google Pixel, Galaxy S8, Xperia X Performance and Huawei P10.
Check out DxOMark’s review of the HTC U11 here.
The main shooter is a 12MP f/1.75 aperture lens with a large 1/2.55-inch sensor. It features multi-axis OIS and superfast UltraSpeed dual-PDAF autofocus.
On the front is a 16MP UltraPixel selfie snapper with HDR Boost and noise reduction. Impressive stuff.
The HTC U11 doesn’t skimp on the hardware either. It packs the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor coupled with a whopping 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Malaysians are lucky to get the beefier option, compared to other markets.
Keeping things juiced is a reasonably large 3,000mAh battery with charges via USB Type-C with QuickCharge 3.0 fast charge technology.
For more detailed specs, read the previous post on the HTC U11.
Pricing and availability
HTC U11 retails for MYR3,099 and will be available at the end of June 2017. It is offered in three colour options–Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black. HTC is said to consider offering the Solar Red variant at a later date.
Maxis will be the exclusive telco partner for the HTC U11 locally. Pre-orders can be done via Lazada, 11street, Maxis and HTC Malaysia.
Pre-order customers will get an exclusive U11ltimate box set that comes with HTC merchandise (whilst stocks last).
More HTC-related stuff here.
Header pic cred: Alexander Wong | Soyacincau.com #TeamMindBlow
