After weeks of rumors, the HTC U11 Plus has finally been unveiled. As expected, the U11 Plus is HTC’s first phone with close to no bezels, diving right into the competition that already has the likes of LG G6, Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, LG V30 and Google Pixel 2 XL.
Speaking of the Google Pixel 2 XL, the now-unveiled HTC U11 Plus was at some point expected to be the Pixel 2 XL, but somehow, LG took over the task of making the phone, leaving HTC to handle the manufacturing of the smaller Pixel 2. We’ve seen quite a lot with respect to the issues surrounding the Pixel 2 XL, but that aside, the phone is as great as you’d expect any Google phone to be.
Still, when compared to the HTC U11 Plus, the Pixel 2 XL seems to be losing the battle in several key areas, which makes us argue that the U11 Plus would have made a more than perfect Pixel 2 XL as opposed to what we have. To give you a sneak preview of what the phone brings to the table, let’s take a look at the specs and features.
For starters, the HTC U11 Plus is an improvement over the standard U11, which was unveiled a few months ago with a ground-breaking feature that Google eventually borrowed – squeezable edges. Like the Google Pixel 2 XL, you get a 6-inch display screen, but this one is a Super LCD panel with a QHD+ resolution, 18:9 aspect ratio and Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 on top.
As a result of the design change, the HTC U11 Plus has its fingerprint scanner on the back, but unlike Samsung, the position is great, just like on the Pixel 2. Being a 2017 flagship, the U11 Plus also ships with flagship hardware specs that include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4/6GB RAM, 64/128GB storage, a 12MP camera on the back and an 8MP unit on the front.
Even though the Google Pixel 2 XL has a water-resistant body, the HTC U11 Plus has a better quality in the shape of IP68. You also get a bigger 3930mAh battery unit, the size that truly matches the monstrous 6-inch panel used on the phone.
Oh, the Edge Sense is also present and the phone runs Android Oreo out of the box and just like the Pixel 2 XL, you don’t get wireless charging, but the phone comes in a niftier kinda see-through color known as Translucent Black, which is cool.
One unfortunate thing about the HTC U11 Plus is that it won’t be sold in the U.S., but those in Europe, Asia and other markets will still be able to get it. Of course, there will be room to ship the phone to the U.S., but you might be limited when it comes to carrier compatibility. For those in the UK, the U11 Plus (6GB RAM and 128GB storage) will start selling on the 20th of this month priced at £699 and even though those in other parts of Europe will have to part with €799 to get their hands on the same phone, the exact dates of availability remain unknown.
Looking at the HTC U11 Plus and Google Pixel 2 XL, there are lots of similarities between the two. But for a power user, the U11 Plus is a better choice just because of the monstrous 3930mAh battery unit alongside 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage and guess what? This package is way cheaper than the close to $1000 you need for the 128GB variant of the Pixel 2 XL.