Meet HTC’s New Squeezable Phone

HTC has unveiled what appears to be their true flagship phone for 2017, the HTC U11. The unusual name aside (it sounds like a kids soccer league), the U11 is a beast of a handset packing an octa-core Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB (expandable) storage, 12 megapixel rear facing camera, 3000 mAh battery and an IP67 rating.

These are all in line with current flagship Android handsets on the market, but HTC hopes that the U11 will differentiate itself with one unique feature, Edge Sense.

Edge Sense lets you perform certain functions with by performing either a long or short squeeze on the sides of the handset. You could configure Sense Edge to perform things like opening the camera app and then taking a picture with another squeeze.

Other notable features of the HTC U11 are:

• Liquid Surface, a stunning, unique design that reflects you.
• USonic, which HTC calls their most advanced headset ever built for personal audio, now including Active Noise Cancellation.
• Amazing cameras with the highest independent rating ever awarded to a smartphone camera
• HTC Sense Companion, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa for a smarter, more helpful smartphone

HTC has been known for great design with their previous handsets, but one thing they haven’t quite gotten right is the camera. With the U11, HTC is hoping to change that.

The HTC U11 has achieved the highest ever rating for a smartphone camera for both photo and video by independent metric DxOMark. The 12MP rear-facing shooter has a multi-axis optical stabilisation system and super-fast autofocus “in all lighting conditions” according to HTC. The company has also introduced “Auto HDR Boost” to give you all the benefits of HDR without the lag. HTC says that HDR Boost will offer clearer, more balanced pictures by taking multiple shots that measure the darkest shadows and brightest highlights without any slowdown.

The U11 also incorporates the new UltraSpeed AutoFocus with same full sensor auto-focus technology that’s found in top DSLR cameras.

The new front camera now combines high-resolution 16MP detail and HTC’s UltraPixel light sensitivity for those much loved selfies. It also utilises the same powerful HDR Boost and noise reduction as the main camera.

When it comes to shooting video, HTC’s Temporal Noise Reduction will supposedly use information from the previous and next frames to remove unwanted noise and deliver the clearest video.

What HTC is trying to say is that they think they’ve finally delivered their best smartphone camera.

When it comes to sound quality, HTC has touted lofty specs and features on previous handsets. The U11 comes with a slew of audio features including:

• HTC USonic, which now combines Active Noise Cancellation with the ability to tune audio to your unique hearing. By leveraging built-in microphones on the headset and USB-C data connectivity, USonic earbuds map your inner ear with an advanced sonar-like technology and then adapt the sound profile to your unique biology. This creates an incredibly personal and optimized listening experience with vibrant audio shaped specifically for you.
• Active Noise Cancellation, which reduces disruptions and distractions around you, so you can stay focused on your music. Active Noise Cancellation continuously monitors environmental sound levels, and quickly adjusts to any new noises or disturbances. You’re free to stay focused on your music, videos, or games.
• HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition speakers have been upgraded. The company says that they’ve improved the speaker design to deliver more loudness and better Dynamic Range Audio. On top, the tweeter now offers an acoustic chamber that allows the highs and mids to sound richer. While below, the woofer sports a new speaker and improved magnetic circuit design for louder, clearer and deeper bass tones.
• Acoustic Focus technology. HTC has upgraded the microphones on the U11 and now have four “optimally positioned” omni-directional microphones. HTC says that the U11’s microphones work together to record audio from all directions, and when shooting video with Acoustic Focus, you can visually zoom in to target your subject and amplify their specific sounds.
• Hit the road jack. The 3.5mm headphone jack is no more on the U11, however HTC has included a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with a built-in DAC in the box.

Specifications

• Dimensions and Weight

  153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9, 169g

• Platform Android

  Android™ 7.1 with HTC Sense™

• Main Camera

  • 12MP (HTC UltraPixel™ 3 with 1.4μm pixel)
  • UltraSpeed Autofocus
  • BSI sensor
  • Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
  • ƒ/1.7 aperture
  • Dual LED flash
  • Self timer up to 10 seconds
  • Face detection
  • Pro mode with manual control, 32 sec. long exposure, and RAW format support
  • HDR Boost
  • Panorama
  • Hyperlapse
  • Slow motion video (1080P@120 fps)
  • 4K video recording with 3D Audio, Hi-Res audio, Acoustic Focus
  • Video Pic

• Front Camera

  • 16MP
  • BSI sensor
  • ƒ/2.0 aperture
  • Live make-up
  • Auto Selfie (keep still or smile)
  • Voice Selfie
  • Self timer up to 10 seconds
  • HDR Boost
  • Selfie Panorama
  • Full HD 1080p video recording

• Display

  • 5.5 inch, Quad HD  (2560 x 1440 pixels)
  • Super LCD 5
  • 3D Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass 5
  • Display color personalization

• Sound

  • HTC USonic with Active Noise Cancellation
  • HTC BoomSound™ Hi-Fi edition
  • 3D Audio recording with 4 microphones
  • Hi-Res audio stereo recording
  • Hi-Res audio certified

• Gesture and Others

  • Always on voice commands
  • Motion Launch
  • Sensor Hub for activity tracking
  • HTC Connect
  • Quiet ring on pick up
  • Pocket mode
  • Flip to Mute

• Water Protection

  IP67