The HTC U11 is the new champion of cameras?

[Aquila]

Yep; it's true. Passed the Google Pixel for the top spot. So now the top 5 mainstream flagship phones*, excluding their own prior generations are:

1. HTC U11
2. Google Pixel
3. Samsung Galaxy S8
4. Moto Z Force
5. iPhone 7 Plus

Wow HTC, congrats. Didn't expect that this year; glad to see it!

*The LG G6 is unmeasured as of yet, so it's positioning is as of yet undetermined. The general consensus is that it is probably pretty close to the Moto Z Force.

https://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/HTC-U11-Mobile-review-The-new-DxOMark-leader

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I don't completely trust DxO scores, but this seems optimistic for overall camera performance.

 

[Aquila]

I don't completely trust DxO scores, but this seems optimistic for overall camera performance.

Are you aware of another unbiased site that uses tools instead of opinions to rate all the phones?

 

[Ry]

Too bad it won't be marketed strongly enough to compete with the Pixel, S8, and iPhone.

 

[Aquila]

Too bad it won't be marketed strongly enough to compete with the Pixel, S8, and iPhone.

That's true; and I'd even drop the Pixel from that list - the S8 and iPhone seem to be safe again this year.

 

[James E1]

Too bad it won't be marketed strongly enough to compete with the Pixel, S8, and iPhone.

Marketing or not HTC will never compete with the name brand devices.

 

[Eggmundo]

Marketing or not HTC will never compete with the name brand devices.

It's a boring world.

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

It's a boring world.

Exactly this...
Very unfortunate indeed. The choice between the U11 and the XZ Premium just got a whole lot harder though!

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Are you aware of another unbiased site that uses tools instead of opinions to rate all the phones?

Does Anandtech count?

 

[Aquila]

Does Anandtech count?

Not really for cameras, not enough phones covered and methodology isn't always identical. They're pretty close though.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Not really for cameras, not enough phones covered and methodology isn't always identical. They're pretty close though.

Well, the best type of test to me is to put it through its paces myself.

A DxO score of 90 would indicate a very capable camera, so I'm expecting to see excellent dynamic range, plenty of saturation without going over into severe inaccuracy, adequate noise reduction while retaining fine detail at night and smooth video recording.

Is it probably the best phone camera? Well, that's hard to say right now since we've only got one actual camera review, but it does paint an optimistic picture.

 

[Aquila]

Well, the best type of test to me is to put it through its paces myself.

That test will determine which one is best suited for you and/or which one you prefer most.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

That test will determine which one is best suited for you and/or which one you prefer most.

Yep.

So rounding up a list of objectively good photo cameras and then testing them yourself based on subjective preferences can help an individual choose a good camera based on their needs and quirks.

Although I should stress that this is for the buying public when they're shopping around.

 

[Aquila]

Yep.

So rounding up a list of objectively good photo cameras and then testing them yourself based on subjective preferences can help an individual choose a good camera based on their needs and quirks.

Although I should stress that this is for the buying public when they're shopping around.

Right, which one you should buy could easily be different than what has the best hardware. These cameras also come with phones attached, so sometimes it's other attributes could impact the decisions as well, right?

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Right, which one you should buy could easily be different than what has the best hardware. These cameras also come with phones attached, so sometimes it's other attributes could impact the decisions as well, right?

Bingo.

DxO provides a solid indication of what the hardware is capable of. However, the best camera DxO has rated might not be the best for that particular person.

 

[RaRa85]

This is great for people who will get the U 11. I'm still sticking with the manual options provided by LG in the V20.

 

[Aquila]

All these cameras are so close in quality that it's basically just "cool, it has a good camera".

 

[RaRa85]

I really hope HTC hits a home run with this device whether people use the squeeze functionality or not. I'm pulling for them. One of my favorite all time phones was made by HTC. The HTC HD2. I felt so proud getting thst phone almost day one. Came preloaded with the Transformers movie and first phone with a 4.5" screen. And hardware navigation buttons. The memories.

 

[popartist]

I got some time with the phone tonight and from the brief time I spent with the camera I was very impressed - it performed great in low light, and the outdoor shots I saw were crisp and had great color. The way the squeeze functionality was implemented it is definitely useful and accessible, and I think people will use it. HTC really did good with this one.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I really hope HTC hits a home run with this device whether people use the squeeze functionality or not. I'm pulling for them. One of my favorite all time phones was made by HTC. The HTC HD2. I felt so proud getting thst phone almost day one. Came preloaded with the Transformers movie and first phone with a 4.5" screen. And hardware navigation buttons. The memories.

Sadly, I don't think the phone would be a big hit.

Not because it's bad but because it's really only available on 2 carriers (that will likely shun it aside in favor of the Galaxy S8 in their promo materials) and how unlocked phones traditionally don't sell too well in the US.

The best HTC can hope for right now is that the device helps create a niche that they can build on in the future. Trying to get the mainstream market in their current state is futile.

It's quite a shame because despite my thoughts that USonic is not that good to warrant the removal of a headphone jack and how I feel that Edge Sense is not all that useful in its current state until HTC releases the APIs and expands on it, the U11 is a really solid device that's sold at a reasonable price considering its hardware.