HTC U11+ unboxing

[nickmgray]

I made the leap and imported the HTC U11+ from Taiwan. I'm working on a full review and camera tests. For now, here's my unboxing video. If you have questions about the phone, please let me know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOjbFj3vFY&t=10s

 

[damigor]

I made the leap and imported the HTC U11+ from Taiwan. I'm working on a full review and camera tests. For now, here's my unboxing video. If you have questions about the phone, please let me know.

&t=10s

Can you share your RUU?

 

[sephstyler]

Hey mate!

Been watching your youtube videos and managed to get a U11+ for myself. it too isnt planned for release where I am in Australia.

Received mine yesterday. Mine is running 1.05.709.12

Taiwan stock, dual sim 6/128

https://imgur.com/ozMNefn

https://imgur.com/nE24eI4

https://imgur.com/xauwB3r

 

[wilpang]

Hi Nick

As you have both devices is it worth the upgrade from the U11 to the Plus? Apart from the almost edge to edge display which brings it in line with most of the current flagships, the rest are pretty similar and it'll be even closer one the U11 gets Oreo.

But I do like HTC and the pricing is competitive and it's a really nice phone.

 

[sephstyler]

Hi Nick

As you have both devices is it worth the upgrade from the U11 to the Plus? Apart from the almost edge to edge display which brings it in line with most of the current flagships, the rest are pretty similar and it'll be even closer one the U11 gets Oreo.

But I do like HTC and the pricing is competitive and it's a really nice phone.

Hi Wil,

I also look forward to Nick's comments, but i thought I'd jump in and give you my 2 cents, seeing as I also have both the U11 and U11+ now.

At the end of the day, value is a subjective thing, and, if you already own a U11, it is probably not going to be considered great value to upgrade to the U11+. That being said, I did it anyway. Here are my thoughts on the comparo.

Pros:
The U11+'s screen and speaker combination is a dream, especially if you watch a lot of videos. The colours on the SLCD are lovely and punchy, whilst being natural. The speakers are great, even shareable in moderately noisy environments
The U11+'s shape is much easier to handle than the U11, has the rounded back but straighter sides and a flatter front makes for a firmer hold.
Front camera is better. just is.
Oreo - Although U11 rollout is also starting, so many of the features are available soon.

Cons:
Oreo - there is a new notification for apps running in background. thats irking me.
Lack of accessories so far.

Its only my second full day, so jury is still out on batter performance, but it is better than U11. question is how much better.

 

[wilpang]

Yeah l agree it's definitely better overall but how much better and would it be an upgrade upwards or just a sideways upgrade.

 

[wingsfortheirsmiles]

Hi Wil,

I also look forward to Nick's comments, but i thought I'd jump in and give you my 2 cents, seeing as I also have both the U11 and U11+ now.

At the end of the day, value is a subjective thing, and, if you already own a U11, it is probably not going to be considered great value to upgrade to the U11+. That being said, I did it anyway. Here are my thoughts on the comparo.

Pros:
The U11+'s screen and speaker combination is a dream, especially if you watch a lot of videos. The colours on the SLCD are lovely and punchy, whilst being natural. The speakers are great, even shareable in moderately noisy environments
The U11+'s shape is much easier to handle than the U11, has the rounded back but straighter sides and a flatter front makes for a firmer hold.
Front camera is better. just is.
Oreo - Although U11 rollout is also starting, so many of the features are available soon.

Cons:
Oreo - there is a new notification for apps running in background. thats irking me.
Lack of accessories so far.

Its only my second full day, so jury is still out on batter performance, but it is better than U11. question is how much better.

What do you think of the battery vs the U11 now it's been a bit longer? I've got the 2 XL and am loving the phone despite the issues others have had but the huge battery on this phone (and cheaper price) make this very tempting

 

[sephstyler]

What do you think of the battery vs the U11 now it's been a bit longer? I've got the 2 XL and am loving the phone despite the issues others have had but the huge battery on this phone (and cheaper price) make this very tempting

Hey there,

So, for me, its not been an apples vs apples comparison, as my U11 was on LeeDroid, which had a lot of battery optimisations, plus enabled VoLTE on my network, which allowed the phone to stay on LTE rather than switch to 3G for calls, etc. So my U11 was "optimised" for a lack of a better expression.

Through long term monitoring on GSAM, my U11 would give 3.5 hours of SOT and 12.5 hours of standby on a full charge.

Using GSAM now, my + is lasting 4h45m SOT with 17h31m standby. So, significantly more, but I rekon there's more to gain when HTC updates the firmware with further optimisations or when Devs have good ROMS ready.

 

[Hemant]

Good Thread and i am hoping to jump on HTC wagon again after touch pro and Mate HD (forgot the name) Been using Sammy after that note 2 and now S6. Question i have is it too big or hand feel ratio feels better. I know from S6 it would be feel big hopefully similar or smaller than S8+. Note 8 is too big and pricey for my liking.

Second and most importantly would be battery. I know its early days but i just want it to last me a day at least. I generally use for work and clash of clan games. Mostly indoors but at times i am travelling thats when i want it to hopefully last 1 full day. I would be interesting to know more about the battery tests.

TIA.

 

[wingsfortheirsmiles]

Hey there,

So, for me, its not been an apples vs apples comparison, as my U11 was on LeeDroid, which had a lot of battery optimisations, plus enabled VoLTE on my network, which allowed the phone to stay on LTE rather than switch to 3G for calls, etc. So my U11 was "optimised" for a lack of a better expression.

Through long term monitoring on GSAM, my U11 would give 3.5 hours of SOT and 12.5 hours of standby on a full charge.

Using GSAM now, my + is lasting 4h45m SOT with 17h31m standby. So, significantly more, but I rekon there's more to gain when HTC updates the firmware with further optimisations or when Devs have good ROMS ready.

Cheers mate! I would say I'm a little disappointed but I'm guessing you leave everything on (Wifi, LTE, BT, etc) given that you only get 3.5hrs with the U11? Just reading around the subforum for that phone, it seems others can get pretty impressive battery life for a 3Ah battery.

 

[Cinner]

When the phone is sleeping, can you double tap it to wake it without picking it up? That means without triggering the motion sensors. This worked wonderfully well when I had a pixel XL earlier this year and I would love to see it on the u11+ as I already pre-ordered it.

 

[tbalden]

Cheers mate! I would say I'm a little disappointed but I'm guessing you leave everything on (Wifi, LTE, BT, etc) given that you only get 3.5hrs with the U11? Just reading around the subforum for that phone, it seems others can get pretty impressive battery life for a 3Ah battery.

Yeah, depends on usage pattern, but mine on u11 is ~6hrs of SOT and ~1d 9h standby.
This is without games and such, but a 6-7 social media sync, 2 mail accounts sync.

 

[GordonTGopher]

Cons:
Oreo - there is a new notification for apps running in background. thats irking me.

Have a look at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iboalali.sysnotifsnooze I think it might solve that issue for you.

Gordon

 

[sephstyler]

Have a look at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iboalali.sysnotifsnooze I think it might solve that issue for you.

Gordon

Hey Gordon, thanks, i'll check it out, but after a day or so, the notification stopped. lol

 

[Prot02018]

When the phone is sleeping, can you double tap it to wake it without picking it up? That means without triggering the motion sensors. This worked wonderfully well when I had a pixel XL earlier this year and I would love to see it on the u11+ as I already pre-ordered it.

I got the phone today and I can confirm that you cannot do this You have to move the phone first.

 

[Cinner]

I got the phone today and I can confirm that you cannot do this You have to move the phone first.

That's really too bad, especially without the fingerprint scanner on the front. Hopefully a custom kernel will add it in the future, although I don't expect there will be a lot of development for this device.

 

[damigor]

Cheers mate! I would say I'm a little disappointed but I'm guessing you leave everything on (Wifi, LTE, BT, etc) given that you only get 3.5hrs with the U11? Just reading around the subforum for that phone, it seems others can get pretty impressive battery life for a 3Ah battery.

True that. Me with everything ON reach regularly 5h screen on at least

 

[Silver.Shadow]

That's really too bad, especially without the fingerprint scanner on the front. Hopefully a custom kernel will add it in the future, although I don't expect there will be a lot of development for this device.

Double tap to wake works on htc devices w/o motion sensing from htc 10 times. The other person is wrong. It worked on my U11 too whilst I had it. I'm sure it's present.

You don't need any custom rom. And you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Cinner]

Double tap to wake works on htc devices w/o motion sensing from htc 10 times. The other person is wrong. It worked on my U11 too whilst I had it. I'm sure it's present.

You don't need any custom rom. And you have nothing to worry about.

Your screenshot calls it a motion launch gesture and it tells you to pick up the phone first before you double tap to wake it. Doesn't leave much room for doubt does it? Hope you're right though ?

 

[Silver.Shadow]

Your screenshot calls it a motion launch gesture and it tells you to pick up the phone first before you double tap to wake it. Doesn't leave much room for doubt does it? Hope you're right though ?

Like I said, I've used it. It works if the device is flat on any surface. Just need that option checked. I'd think the double tap is read as motion?

If you see other options in that setting, it's things like swipe down twice to launch camera. I'm pretty sure you don't need to lift the device to do that. So yeah.