Launched within months of each other, the HTC U11 and U11+ represent a fascinating refinement of HTC’s flagship strategy. While both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, the U11+ introduces a larger display and a focus on maximizing screen real estate. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two models, helping you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the HTC U11+ offers a more compelling package. While both phones deliver identical performance thanks to the Snapdragon 835, the U11+'s superior display contrast and larger screen provide a noticeably more immersive experience. The U11 remains a viable option if budget is a primary concern.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, May 16. Released 2017, June 10 | 2017, November 02. Released 2017, November 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 74.9 x 8.5 mm (6.24 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD5 | Super LCD6 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Sense UI | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE (5.0 after SW update) | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 25 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, Solar Red | Translucent Black, Ceramic Black, Amazing Silver |
| Models | U11, HTV33, 2PZC100, 2PZC5, 601HT | U11 plus, htc_2q4d100 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.1 / Crosstalk -94.5 |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.0dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 73h
| Endurance rating 73h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1626:1 (nominal), 2.556 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 91dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 90dB |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 6393 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GeekBench: 6654 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC U11
- More compact form factor for easier one-handed use.
- Potentially lower price point due to being an older model.
- Identical Snapdragon 835 performance to the U11+
- Inferior display contrast ratio.
- Smaller screen size for media consumption.
- Less modern design with larger bezels.
HTC U11+
- Superior display contrast for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Larger screen size ideal for multimedia and gaming.
- Nearly bezel-less design for a more modern aesthetic.
- Larger size may be less comfortable for some users.
- Potentially higher price compared to the U11.
- Identical Snapdragon 835 performance to the U11.
Display Comparison
The most significant difference between the U11 and U11+ lies in their displays. While both utilize LCD panels, the U11+ boasts a notably improved contrast ratio of 1626:1 (nominal) and 2.556 (sunlight) compared to the U11’s unspecified ratio. This translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, particularly visible in bright ambient conditions. The U11+’s larger screen size further enhances the viewing experience, making it ideal for video playback and gaming. While both likely share similar color accuracy profiles, the U11+'s superior contrast provides a more visually striking image.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable photo and video cameras, but detailed specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are absent. Assuming similar sensor sizes and lens apertures, image quality will likely be comparable. The Snapdragon 835’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) handles the bulk of image processing, and any differences in final image output will likely stem from software tuning rather than hardware limitations. Without specific details on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner. The absence of information on features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) further complicates the comparison.
Performance
Both the HTC U11 and U11+ are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.45 GHz Kryo cores and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo cores. This means identical CPU and GPU performance. Given the identical thermal design power (TDP) of the Snapdragon 835 in both devices, sustained performance under heavy load will be virtually indistinguishable. The 10nm manufacturing process ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but neither phone is likely to avoid some throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM configurations are not specified, but are likely similar, further minimizing performance differences.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the HTC U11 and U11+ share an identical Endurance rating of 73h. Despite the U11+'s larger display, the battery life remains comparable, suggesting efficient power management. Both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 (QC3) technology, offering similar charging speeds. A full 0-100% charge is expected to take approximately 90-120 minutes on both devices. The U11+'s larger screen *could* draw more power during intensive use, but the overall efficiency appears to be well-balanced.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U11 if you prioritize a slightly more compact form factor and are seeking the lowest possible price for a Snapdragon 835-powered device. Buy the HTC U11+ if you value a larger, higher-contrast display for media consumption and a more modern, nearly bezel-less design. Both offer the same core performance, so the decision hinges on display preference and size.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in gaming performance between the U11 and U11+?
No. Both phones utilize the same Snapdragon 835 chipset and likely have similar RAM configurations. You won't experience any noticeable difference in frame rates or graphical fidelity during gaming. However, the U11+'s larger display may provide a more immersive gaming experience.
❓ Does the U11+’s larger screen significantly impact battery life?
Despite the larger display, both phones achieve the same 73h Endurance rating. This suggests that HTC optimized power management on the U11+ to compensate for the increased screen size. Real-world battery life will likely be comparable under similar usage scenarios.
❓ Is the difference in display contrast on the U11+ noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the U11+'s significantly higher contrast ratio (1626:1) will be noticeable, especially when viewing content with dark blacks. Colors will appear more vibrant and images will have greater depth, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
