HTC U11 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking longevity and a more polished experience, the Samsung Galaxy S8 emerges as the winner. Its superior battery endurance (84h vs 73h) and wireless charging capabilities, coupled with a consistently excellent display, provide a more complete package. However, the U11's unique features and strong performance make it a compelling alternative.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC U11 | Samsung Galaxy S8 |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, May 16. Released 2017, June 10 | 2017, March 29. Released 2017, April 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 155 g (5.47 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 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~570 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 84.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD5 | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| - | 3D Touch (home button only) Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose M2 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) - EMEAOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) - USA & China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Exynos 8895 (10 nm) - EMEAQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) - USA & China |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Mali-G71 MP20 - EMEAAdreno 540 - USA & China |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Sense UI | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One 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 |
| - | UFS 2.0 or UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 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@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF 2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE (5.0 after SW update) | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 15W wired, QC2 Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 67 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable (11.55 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, Solar Red | Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold, Rose Pink, Burgundy Red |
| Models | U11, HTV33, 2PZC100, 2PZC5, 601HT | SM-G950FD, SM-G950W, SM-G950S, SM-G950K, SM-G950L, SM-G9500, SM-G950A, SM-G950P, SM-G950T, SM-G950U, SM-G950V, SM-G950F, SM-G950U1, SM-G950N, SC-02J, SCV36, SM-G950, G950F |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -94.1 / Crosstalk -94.5 | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 73h | Endurance rating 84h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.768 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB | Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6393 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 199022 (v7) GeekBench: 6656 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC U11
- Unique squeeze sensors for customizable actions
- Excellent audio quality with Hi-Res Audio support
- Strong and consistent Snapdragon 835 performance
- Shorter battery life compared to the Galaxy S8
- Lacks wireless charging support
- Less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy S8
- Stunning Super AMOLED display with immersive design
- Longer battery life and wireless charging support
- More polished and user-friendly software
- Exynos variant prone to thermal throttling
- Saturated color profile may not appeal to all
- Bixby assistant was intrusive for some users
Display Comparison
Both the HTC U11 and Samsung Galaxy S8 boast displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), achieving 4.768 contrast in sunlight. However, the S8’s curved Super AMOLED panel offers a more visually immersive experience, maximizing screen real estate. While both offer excellent color accuracy, the S8’s display technology is generally considered superior for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The U11’s display, while good, doesn’t quite match the S8’s visual punch.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable photo and video cameras, but differ in their approach. Detailed sensor sizes and apertures aren't provided, but both capture excellent images in good lighting conditions. The U11 gained recognition for its exceptional low-light performance and video stabilization. The S8’s camera, while excellent, leaned towards more saturated colors, a signature Samsung trait. The lack of detailed sensor information makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the U11’s reputation for video quality gives it a slight advantage.
Performance
The performance battle is nuanced. The Galaxy S8 shipped with either the Exynos 8895 (EMEA) or the Snapdragon 835 (USA & China), while the U11 exclusively used the Snapdragon 835. Both chipsets are built on a 10nm process, offering comparable efficiency. The Exynos 8895, with its custom Mongoose M2 cores, theoretically offered higher peak performance, but was often criticized for thermal throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 835 in the U11 generally provided more consistent performance, avoiding the overheating issues sometimes seen in the Exynos variant. Both phones feature octa-core CPUs, but the U11’s Kryo cores are optimized for Qualcomm’s architecture, potentially offering a slight edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S8 holds a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 84 hours compared to the U11’s 73 hours. This translates to a noticeable difference in real-world usage. The S8 also supports 15W wired charging with QC2 and, crucially, wireless charging (Qi), a feature absent on the U11. While the U11 supports faster 18W wired charging with QC3, the lack of wireless charging limits its convenience. The S8’s larger battery capacity and charging versatility make it the more practical choice for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U11 if you prioritize a unique, squeezable design with customizable actions and value strong audio performance. It's ideal for users who enjoy tinkering and want a phone that stands out. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S8 if you prefer a more refined, mainstream experience with a stunning, immersive display, reliable battery life, and the convenience of wireless charging. It’s the better choice for users who prioritize ease of use and a premium aesthetic.