Mr Mobile U 11 review

[Habiib]

Samsung is likely to be the only one to get glowing reviews this year. Once it was made clear that the bezel-free craze had infected everyone, I knew the U11 was toast for this review and nearly every other one. Whatever Samsung does is the defacto standard that everyone else needs to follow, else they'll get hammered for it. This will repeat itself next year and the year after that.

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

I agree. The bezels plus the capacitive keys makes the front of the device look like it came out of 2015.

Please post an effing picture of a phone that looked like the 11 in 2015. Show me what you got.

 

[Habiib]

What I find funny about the bezel-free trend is that manufacturers have painted themselves into a corner. They have nowhere else to go now in the design for the front. Next year is going to be hilarious to see how every phone is going to look the same from the front.

 

[gendo667]

Samsung is likely to be the only one to get glowing reviews this year. Once it was made clear that the bezel-free craze had infected everyone, I knew the U11 was toast for this review and nearly every other one. Whatever Samsung does is the defacto standard that everyone else needs to follow, else they'll get hammered for it. This will repeat itself next year and the year after that.

Pretty sure the G6 received fantastic reviews as well. And they control 20% of the market in the US which, all things considered, is kinda substantial. I know a lot of those phones are mid-range and not flagship, but still.

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

What I find funny about the bezel-free trend is that manufacturers have painted themselves into a corner. They have nowhere else to go now in the design for the front. Next year is going to be hilarious to see how every phone is going to look the same from the front.

Yep, and personally, I hate bezel-less phones. I use the 10(personal) and an S7e(work) everyday, these edges **** me off. I'm always accidentally calling people because the option extend to the edge of the screen. I can never get an email typed properly and trying to browse is near impossible without an accidental press into an ad or link 5 times a minute(exaggerating a little). I like my bezels.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

Lol it's amazing how ppl were complaining that HTC had on-screen buttons when it did and now that it doesn't ppl are complaining because it doesn't... I never wanted to agree when I saw ppl say HTC can't win but I think I'm starting to see that they can't win with ppl

This phone having capacitive buttons is one of the great things about it. I really don't understand why anyone would want on-screen buttons taking up screen real estate. That's why I like the new screen ratio that phones with on-screen buttons are switching to.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Here's my personal take.

The Galaxy S8 is my personal favorite. I love bleeding edge design and I actually do like some of Samsung's add-ons. It's by no means perfect, but I really like it.

But of course, not everyone feels the same way, and that's why we have 2 great alternatives. The LG G6 would come to mind because it also has a high screen:body ratio and similar general design but with dual cameras and a flat display.

But maybe you want an 835 and a 16:9 aspect-ratio and don't mind adding bezel for that. Well, the U11 should definitely be on your buy list, and not just for that reason. It's also a well-built, solid and speedy device.

 

[gendo667]

Here's my personal take.

The Galaxy S8 is my personal favorite. I love bleeding edge design and I actually do like some of Samsung's add-ons. It's by no means perfect, but I really like it.

But of course, not everyone feels the same way, and that's why we have 2 great alternatives. The LG G6 would come to mind because it also has a high screen:body ratio and similar general design but with dual cameras and a flat display.

But maybe you want an 835 and a 16:9 aspect-ratio and don't mind adding bezel for that. Well, the U11 should definitely be on your buy list, and not just for that reason. It's also a well-built, solid and speedy device.

This!

Also, I think HTC could've​ cornered a certain market had they gone front facing speakers. Pretty much the only reason for bezel on a flagship in 2017 and going forward. But that's my opinion. I appreciate others may feel differently.

 

[anon(5630457)]

Please post an effing picture of a phone that looked like the 11 in 2015. Show me what you got.

Woah. Chill out. Just because the front of the U11's phone looks like it came out of the past doesn't mean anyone should get so hot and bothered over it.

See: Every one of Samsung's devices that came out in 2015 with capacitive buttons.

 

[bhatech]

HTC would have won with people if the front of the U11 would have matched with the awesome back of the U11. Imagine how nice the front would have looked with an AMOLED and curved, nearly bezelless display.

For me I don't prefer curved screen, so it would have been great if the front looks like G6 and everything else from HTC U 11. That's why I reserved the essential phone as well

I'll see how the HTC U 11 goes for me, personally I prioritize software over anything and that's why Pixel XL is still my favorite even with the great looks of S8+ and all it's great features.

 

[Habiib]

What I've noticed is that most upper echelon reviewers and tech writers and sites all have the same negative ho-hum tone to their reviews of the U11. When speaking, they sound like they resent even having to do the review and can't wait to hurry up and get it over with. PhoneArena has already damned the U11 and I'm sure GSMArena, theVerge, PhoneDog, Android Authority, MKBHD, etc. are all going to rake it over broken glass when they review it. I never thought I'd see the day when a manufacturer is dinged on its looks for not following Samsung's design trend (which was implemented by Sharp and Xiaomi prior to). Notice that just like wireless charging (Droid DNA anyone?) and water resistance, it wasn't a negative for a manufacturer to not have it, until Samsung started pushing it to the forefront. Now we're seeing the exact same thing happen with the slim bezels, which again were being done before Samsung brought it to market.

 

[gendo667]

What I've noticed is that most upper echelon reviewers and tech writers and sites all have the same negative ho-hum tone to their reviews of the U11. When speaking, they sound like they resent even having to do the review and can't wait to hurry up and get it over with. PhoneArena has already damned the U11 and I'm sure GSMArena, theVerge, PhoneDog, Android Authority, MKBHD, etc. are all going to rake it over broken glass when they review it. I never thought I'd see the day when a manufacturer is dinged on its looks for not following Samsung's design trend (which was implemented by Sharp and Xiaomi prior to). Notice that just like wireless charging (Droid DNA anyone?) and water resistance, it wasn't a negative for a manufacturer to not have it, until Samsung started pushing it to the forefront. Now we're seeing the exact same thing happen with the slim bezels, which again were being done before Samsung brought it to market.

If memory serves, wasn't HTC credited for design innovation with the M7? Wasn't HTC credited for forcing OEMs to step their game up regarding hardware design/premium build?

The slim bezel is regarded by many as advancement. We all like what we like and we all have our opinions (and yours is not wrong), but these things can't be denied.

 

[Habiib]

If memory serves, wasn't HTC credited for design innovation with the M7? Wasn't HTC credited for forcing OEMs to step their game up regarding hardware design/premium build?

The slim bezel is regarded by many as advancement. We all like what we like and we all have our opinions (and yours or not wrong), but these things can't be denied.

They were given credit and awards for the M7 indeed. As for the design and build quality trend, Apple was given more credit for that than HTC. Slim bezels are an aesthetic advancement at best. As the reviews continue to come out, it seems like Samsung is the standard that all other manufacturers must live up to, if they want to be viewed favorably (with Blackberry being an exception). The U11 is now being called a inferior option to mid-rangers because of its price, yet the S8 and others (which cost even more) don't get judged in the same manner... Haha!

Side Note: So why weren't slim bezels a trend or expectation when other OEMs did it prior to Samsung? Same for wireless charging and water resistance. I'd love for someone to answer that.

 

[anon(8648115)]

This was also the first review of his that I did not care for at all. It lacked the personality Michael is known for.

But really I don't understand this; it's like now that Samsung has its infinity display, every single other display that is not bezel-less is a piece of ****? "Oh it looks like the phone came out in 2015" literally no one was saying this last year when all the phone designs on the front looked the same. But now Samsung does something cool and everyone has to do it or your phone is obsolete?

I'm starting to think that HTC just won't be able to win. Michael's review was also the first review that I've ever heard anything less than 'spectacular' for the camera. Even the commenters on the review don't agree with him either.

In the end, I'm just salty that Samsung gets a free pass for all their misgivings; double standards.

 

[gendo667]

They were given credit and awards for the M7 indeed. As for the design and build quality trend, Apple was given more credit for that than HTC. Slim bezels are an aesthetic advancement at best. As the reviews continue to come out, it seems like Samsung is the standard that all other manufacturers must live up to, if they want to be viewed favorably (with Blackberry being an exception). The U11 is now being called a inferior option to mid-rangers because of its price, yet the S8 and others (which cost even more) don't get judged in the same manner... Haha!

Side Note: So why weren't slim bezels a trend or expectation when other OEMs did it prior to Samsung? Same for wireless charging and water resistance. I'd love for someone to answer that.

Samsung continued to make plastic flagship after the iPhone 4. A number of them actually. And yes, other OEMs had the slim bezel before, but who has Samsung's resources? Who has Samsung's marketing power? (Marketing is the real discussion we should be having.) Who has Samsung's research and development?

I'm not defending Samsung. I've been an LG guys for years. Samsung went software nav so I gave it a go. I'm just saying, it's obvious since HTCs design team fell apart and went to different companies they've struggled​. It's fine if you like the phone. Just understand that some/most don't. Dude, I had the G5 last year. Really good phone that got bad reviews because of design/modularity. I feel your pain, trust me.

 

[davidb423]

The thing about the review which really annoys me--HTC locking down their USB-C adapter and headphones to HTC phones.


Will a generic USB-c audio to 3.5 adapter work?
I'm going to wait and see what the real world battery life is.

 

[Stevenmc8602]

I don't mind him not caring for the phone as much as I do the negative tone he had throughout the entire review... It would've just been better if he just did a written review

 

[Stevenmc8602]

And why y'all saying the headphones won't work on other phones? I thought HTC said it'll work just not the noise cancelling aspect...

It's ok for ppl to not like this phone because no phone is perfect and no phone is gonna be the right phone for everybody but c'mon

 

[anon(5630457)]

For me I don't prefer curved screen, so it would have been great if the front looks like G6 and everything else from HTC U 11. That's why I reserved the essential phone as well ??????

I'll see how the HTC U 11 goes for me, personally I prioritize software over anything and that's why Pixel XL is still my favorite even with the great looks of S8+ and all it's great features.

I agree. Maybe a display like the LG G6, but AMOLED, would've been great on the U11.

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

I agree. Maybe a display like the LG G6, but AMOLED, would've been great on the U11.

Every reveiwer is saying the screen is fantastic... Even the biased ones.