HTC U11 or Xperia XZ Premium

[Aneres11]

Hey guys.

Bit of a weird one, as both pretty different handsets and technically the U11 is the better phone on paper (camera, audio etc). But I like both of them.

I played with both in some shops at the weekend (I'm in the UK) and was fully expecting to get the U11, but then I had a quick go of the XZ Premium and was really impressed with that screen and even the design. Call me odd ha, but I liked the chrome chin and forehead even if they are way too big in 2017. Heck, they were too big in 2014 .

I did have an XZ last year and really liked it. But the screen got a defect and it ended up going for repair. They just flat out replaced it for a brand new one (CarPhoneWarehouse, not Sony) and I just sold it on as new but did miss it after.

I like Sony's version of Android the most out of all I have ever used. I haven't tried HTC yet, but I'm sure I'll get along fine with it.

The camera is important to me, hence why I originally wanted the U11, as is audio as I listen to a lot of music on my device. Whilst Sony isn't exactly bad in that regard, the camera could be better, but then it has that slow-mo which I think would be really cool.

Pretty torn. I think I like the look of the XZ more but the HTC would be a more sensible phone to buy I think. But in my experience and usage with phones, I always end up wanting the one that I find the more attractive rather than the one that looks pretty boring. Hence why I never got a Pixel despite it being the best Android experience you can get!

Any help be great if poss guys! Thanks

 

[bhatech]

I got the XZ premium last Friday and had the HTC U11 (sent back since it was defective and waiting for my solar red pre-order to ship).

Few issues I have with XZ premium.

1. Finger print sensor being on the power button. I prefer it on the front and back instead of on the side power button.

2. The size man, I don't mind bezels but the XZ premium is very uncomfortable to hold in the hand after few minutes of use.

3. No inbuilt night light/blue light filter. This is present in every other phone I use but for some reason Sony doesn't include this and you have to revert to using apps like twilight.

4. Price, this is region specific but in the US you can get the U11 or most flagship phones cheaper than the XZ premium.

5. Battery life is average.

Other than above, I do like the XZ premium but don't absolutely love it.

Things which I like over U11

1. Display on the XZ premium is just amazing, better than U11 IMO.

2. Google now integration on the left pane in the stock Sony launcher. I hope more OEMs do this.

3. Has an headphone jack, though not a deal breaker I do appreciate the presence of legacy 3.5mm jack.

Comparing directly U11 and XZ premium, if I have to choose one I would without doubt choose the U11 over XZ premium since it's more comfortable to use and feel like a much more complete phone (minus headphone jack) than XZ premium.

 

[Aneres11]

I got the XZ premium last Friday and had the HTC U11 (sent back since it was defective and waiting for my solar red pre-order to ship).

Few issues I have with XZ premium.

1. Finger print sensor being on the power button. I prefer it on the front and back instead of on the side power button.

2. The size man, I don't mind bezels but the XZ premium is very uncomfortable to hold in the hand after few minutes of use.

3. No inbuilt night light/blue light filter. This is present in every other phone I use but for some reason Sony doesn't include this and you have to revert to using apps like twilight.

4. Price, this is region specific but in the US you can get the U11 or most flagship phones cheaper than the XZ premium.

5. Battery life is average.

Other than above, I do like the XZ premium but don't absolutely love it.

Things which I like over U11

1. Display on the XZ premium is just amazing, better than U11 IMO.

2. Google now integration on the left pane in the stock Sony launcher. I hope more OEMs do this.

3. Has an headphone jack, though not a deal breaker I do appreciate the presence of legacy 3.5mm jack.

Comparing directly U11 and XZ premium, if I have to choose one I would without doubt choose the U11 over XZ premium since it's more comfortable to use and feel like a much more complete phone (minus headphone jack) than XZ premium.

This is a really helpful post. Thanks a lot for your input .

I have was nodding to a lot of what you wrote.
Completely agree re the slide left to right from home for Google Now. That's a great feature but it's kind if replicable with a Google search widget on the home screen I guess.

Regarding the holding of the device, that's something I couldn't actually get to do due to the phones being bolstered down so heavily. Same in all phone shops here due to people just stealing them. I imagine it's a difficult one to hold because of the square edges and overall size / heft. I hadn't really considered that.

The headphone jack is of no issue to me as I have wireless headphones so all is good there, but get why it's important for a lot of users.

I definitely think what you say is correct re the U11 being the more complete phone. It's true and I know that without actually owning either. But that XZ screeeeeen dude.
Why couldn't the camera actually be decent, then I wouldn't have this dilemma ha.

 

[Eggmundo]

HTC U11 is going to be less frustrating. I really think it's the best phone so far this year, dated fascia aside.

I'm always torn between these two brands too, but like you say Sony for some reason cannot nail the camera. plus the size of this Premium is ridiculous, without even having a particularly big screen.

Both are awesome, but if you must go for one now, get the HTC.

I am going to wait till Autumn, when hopefully the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact as well as Pixel 2 are released.

Whichever is the most bezelless and has the best audio, plus waterproofing, will get my money!!

 

[Aneres11]

Yep that makes sense. The XZ just has a nice design / look to me which is odd given how huge the bezels are. I just like it. Been researching all night and still no further forward at all. Doh.

 

[Andrew72501]

The left pane Google Now feed integration works pretty well with the Nova Launcher beta on the U11.

 

[Fred98TJ]

Actually the XZP camera is pretty darn good. The whole XZ, XZs and XZP cameras (and I know of the camera change) has some of the best white balanced shots out of any phone that I've used or seen lately. Colors are great also. The two main things that I don't like about the Sony's cameras are the amount of sharpening (thus introduced artifacts) and the lack of raw support. The oversharping is just visible on large crops though. Overall the XZ series produces some very good photos

 

[Eggmundo]

Yep that makes sense. The XZ just has a nice design / look to me which is odd given how huge the bezels are. I just like it. Been researching all night and still no further forward at all. Doh.

I get you, haha. The Sony is weirdly beautiful and alluring despite those bezels.

It's probably because no other phone has that boxy design language, so it really does appeal.

Go for it if that's what the heart wants!

 

[Aneres11]

I'm still no further forward really. Part of me just thinks it's a safer bet to get the HTC and have done with it. I have a KEYone currently which I will use alongside this other device and I love the BB so might just carry on with that. Temptation just gets me every now and again!

 

[Eggmundo]

I love BB, always! How do you find the performance and screen of the KEYone?

 

[Aneres11]

I love BB, always! How do you find the performance and screen of the KEYone?

The performance generally is very good.
The only time I see a 'lag' in performance is if I'm using something like Chrome (which I personally fine laggy anyway).

The screen is great, although I personally find it doesn't go low enough for my liking. So in bed at night when the lights are off its blinding.

But day to day very good indeed.
I love the keypad, the build feels phenomenal with the materials used and camera is capable of very good things, surprisingly.

All in all I love it.

 

[Eggmundo]

The performance generally is very good.
The only time I see a 'lag' in performance is if I'm using something like Chrome (which I personally fine laggy anyway).

The screen is great, although I personally find it doesn't go low enough for my liking. So in bed at night when the lights are off its blinding.

But day to day very good indeed.
I love the keypad, the build feels phenomenal with the materials used and camera is capable of very good things, surprisingly.

All in all I love it.

Great to hear.

BTW download Blue Light Filter - Night Mode from Google Play, fantastic for the eyes at night.

 

[Aneres11]

Great to hear.

BTW download Blue Light Filter - Night Mode from Google Play, fantastic for the eyes at night.

Oh great, I'll look into it thanks.

I know a lot of Android's have this built in now? KEYone lacking in that area!

I think I've decided to go for the XZ Premium...

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I tried both.

TBH, they're really good smartphones that feature 16:9 displays. The U11 wins out for audio while the XZ Premium's display does seem to be the better performer in a broader range of situations.

Both are zippy performers day to day (even if the XZ Premium is a little throttled due to being a store device under constant heavy use) and both are indeed capable of snapping great photos with a little effort (the U11 probably needs spot metering to be enabled via "Touch Autoexposure" in the settings while the XZ Premium would probably be best left in manual mode to curb the oversharpening in Superior Auto).

It's hard for me to decide between either, but I'd probably spring for the XZ, which is actually kind of a surprise since I would usually spring for anything but a Sony after the Z3+ debacle. That's how much I liked the XZ Premium. The U11 is actually better than I thought it would be, and aside from no jack and my disdain for glass phones, it's an extremely well-thought out HTC flagship, but the XZP has some weird charm that makes me want to keep using it.

 

[Eggmundo]

Oh great, I'll look into it thanks.

I know a lot of Android's have this built in now? KEYone lacking in that area!

I think I've decided to go for the XZ Premium...

Let us know if you decide to get it! Also from where, I'm in the UK too

 

[Aneres11]

I tried both.

TBH, they're really good smartphones that feature 16:9 displays. The U11 wins out for audio while the XZ Premium's display does seem to be the better performer in a broader range of situations.

Both are zippy performers day to day (even if the XZ Premium is a little throttled due to being a store device under constant heavy use) and both are indeed capable of snapping great photos with a little effort (the U11 probably needs spot metering to be enabled via "Touch Autoexposure" in the settings while the XZ Premium would probably be best left in manual mode to curb the oversharpening in Superior Auto).

It's hard for me to decide between either, but I'd probably spring for the XZ, which is actually kind of a surprise since I would usually spring for anything but a Sony after the Z3+ debacle. That's how much I liked the XZ Premium. The U11 is actually better than I thought it would be, and aside from no jack and my disdain for glass phones, it's an extremely well-thought out HTC flagship, but the XZP has some weird charm that makes me want to keep using it.

Thanks for that, really helpful post.
I totally agree with what you're saying too about there being something strangely charming about the XZ Premium. It wasn't even a phone that was on my radar until I just happened to see it in the shop and have a little play on it. That was it then I just really wanted it.

I think I have the option to return it if I don't get along with it through Carphonewarehouses Vodafone contracts, but will double check. At least if I don't like it I can opt for the HTC instead.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Thanks for that, really helpful post.
I totally agree with what you're saying too about there being something strangely charming about the XZ Premium. It wasn't even a phone that was on my radar until I just happened to see it in the shop and have a little play on it. That was it then I just really wanted it.

I think I have the option to return it if I don't get along with it through Carphonewarehouses Vodafone contracts, but will double check. At least if I don't like it I can opt for the HTC instead.

In a strictly objective standpoint, the U11 would likely be the better overall choice.

But I just liked my time using the XZP. I don't know what it is, but it was nice to use. I know the display isn't as bright or contrasty as OLED, that the camera has great hardware but iffy Superior Auto processing and the chunky bezels, but it somehow just felt nice to use for some reason.

 

[Aneres11]

In a strictly objective standpoint, the U11 would likely be the better overall choice.

But I just liked my time using the XZP. I don't know what it is, but it was nice to use. I know the display isn't as bright or contrasty as OLED, that the camera has great hardware but iffy Superior Auto processing and the chunky bezels, but it somehow just felt nice to use for some reason.

Are you no longer using the XZ Premium then? What device have you opted to use currently if you don't mind my asking

 

[Fred98TJ]

I tried both.

TBH, they're really good smartphones that feature 16:9 displays. The U11 wins out for audio while the XZ Premium's display does seem to be the better performer in a broader range of situations.

Both are zippy performers day to day (even if the XZ Premium is a little throttled due to being a store device under constant heavy use) and both are indeed capable of snapping great photos with a little effort (the U11 probably needs spot metering to be enabled via "Touch Autoexposure" in the settings while the XZ Premium would probably be best left in manual mode to curb the oversharpening in Superior Auto).

It's hard for me to decide between either, but I'd probably spring for the XZ, which is actually kind of a surprise since I would usually spring for anything but a Sony after the Z3+ debacle. That's how much I liked the XZ Premium. The U11 is actually better than I thought it would be, and aside from no jack and my disdain for glass phones, it's an extremely well-thought out HTC flagship, but the XZP has some weird charm that makes me want to keep using it.

As far as I and others can tell, manual mode does not affect the amount of oversharping. It allows you to adjust white balance, shutter speed, ISO, etc., but still sharpens the jpg the same (too much). Since there is no raw available there isn't much that can be done about those oversharpened jpg's.

 

[Fred98TJ]

The oversharping and lack of raw availability has been a problem with Sony phones for a long time. I currently own a XZ.