Throughout the early years of Android, HTC released a series of devices that helped make it one of the top competitors in the smartphone space.
However, within the last few of years, HTC’s smartphones have had trouble standing out against competing devices from Samsung, LG, Apple and Google. The HTC 10, for instance, was a solid smartphone that unfortunately got overshadowed by the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 7.
Similarly, HTC’s most recent phone, the HTC U Ultra, failed to differentiate itself against more appealing devices like the LG G6 and the ‘bezel-less’ Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Hoping to change its fortunes, later this week HTC will announce a new smartphone, the HTC U11. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming device.
The HTC U11
Natural. Intuitive. Effortless. A new way to interact with your smartphone is coming. May 16, 2017 #BrilliantU pic.twitter.com/GhPg3cxVLB
— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) April 28, 2017
Since Evan Blass first leaked the device several months ago, HTC U11 rumours have trickled out at a steady pace, coming from various sources, including GFXBench, GeekBench and Gear.
So far, the only thing we know for sure is that the HTC U11 will feature a squeezable frame, allowing users to activate some of its features in a unique new way.
According to Android Headlines, The U11 lets users either short or long squeeze its frame, even while it’s in sleep mode. This functionality is reportedly called ‘Edge Sense’ and is rumoured to launch Google Assistant and HTC Sense Companion with a simple squeeze.
The Taiwanese smartphone makers also announced that the HTC U11 will feature a reflective and fluid surface. Although it’s hard to know exactly what HTC means when it says this, it’s likely the HTC U11 will feature a similar shiny exterior like the HTC U Ultra.
Fluid and reflective; designed to be quiet no more. 05.16.17 #BrilliantU pic.twitter.com/LETqlEBpc7
— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 2, 2017
Furthermore, leaks from a variety of different sources have revealed that the U11 will feature a 5.5-inch 1440 x 2560 pixel Gorilla Glass 5 display and a Qualcomm octa-core 835 Snapdragon chipset.
In terms of other specs, the device will feature a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with an UltraPixel 3 image sensor and a 16-megapixel selfie camera — similar to the HTC U Ultra. Sources also reveal the device is set to include Bluetooth 5.0, 3D Audio recording, HTC Usonic and will be IP57 water and dust resistant.
Leaks from GeekBench and GFXBench reveal the U11 to feature 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while rumours from Gear reveal the HTC U11 to have 6GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
Although it’s unknown which rumours are accurate, both sources reveal the U11 will include expandable storage. The extra two gigabytes of RAM could make a noticeable difference in performance, so let’s hope for the latter.
New HTC Re device
HTC will also likely announce a new device, called the HTC Re, that will be able to record 360-degree video like the Samsung Gear 360. Not much else is known about the device, though HTC did release a short teaser on the device.
360 real-life recording. 05.16.17 #BrilliantU pic.twitter.com/2lpipWCcZN
— HTC (@htc) May 11, 2017
HTC’s Brilliant U event is only hours away and is set to go down at 2am ET/ 11pm PT.
The device has appeared to have leaked again and a live hands-on was recorded and uploaded to Android Crunch’s YouTube page. The video seems to have confirmed everything the rumours about the ‘Edge Sense’ feature.
Sources: Android Crunch, Evan Blass, GFXBench, GeekBench, Gear, Android Headlines & HTC.
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