What I think HTC needs to consider with the U

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Well, it would seem that the HTC U Ultra (and U Play) have received less-than-stellar reviews from nearly every tech critic out there. Aside from a small group of customers who seem to be quite satisfied with their device, a lot of people have almost nothing good overall to say about the U-line. That means HTC would have to make a truly compelling handset with its proper 2017 flagship, the HTC U (sometimes called the HTC 11 to avoid confusion with the product line).

Personally, these are what I think HTC should consider for the U;

• Design: I don't think HTC has to adopt the "bezel-less" trend that LG and Samsung have embraced, but if the rumor that the U will feature a 5.5" display pans out, HTC should consider making the bezels thinner by just a small margin to aid in ergonomics.
• Audio: Both U devices were widely criticized for their removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and its seemingly-proprietary form of audio transmission via USB-C. HTC is known for stellar audio, and the 10 was widely regarded as one of the best phones for audio-snobs, so HTC should consider making most of that reputation and retain a 3.5mm jack while adding beefy audio hardware.
• Battery: I think it's about time HTC try to stuff in a slightly larger powered as the bigger HTC U Ultra had a pretty anemic battery capacity for its relative size.
• Water-resistance: Kind of a no-brainer in 2017, as it is going to be a standard flagship feature.
• Price: Arguably the most critical factor. The U Ultra's main criticism was its $749 price and how it doesn't offer much justification points for that price tag. HTC needs to rethink how it does pricing because if the U ends up being more expensive than the Ultra, it will be DOA because it will go straight-up against the Galaxy S8, a phone that arguably will have much more mainstream appeal. If HTC can price it well, like maybe somewhere around the LG G6, it will be much more competitive.

What do you think? Agree or disagree? Sound off below!

 

[Aquila]

Are you referring to the ocean or a totally different device?

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Are you referring to the ocean or a totally different device?

The HTC Ocean

Apparently, it will be called the HTC U.

 

[Aquila]

I agree with most of your points on what HTC should strive for, but I'm afraid we're too late for the U.

Next year, if there is a new phone, it's time to drop all this 5 versions of two phones nonsense that they previously promised to avoid, make 1 device and don't skimp on the most important stuff.

 

[kct1975]

Personally I sort of gave up on HTC about 2 years ago. Don't get me wrong, HTC still makes some great products, but I am just not as enamoured with their products as I used to be.

A couple of years ago I got a Nexus 6, and so far I it is the best phone I have owned.

It's not to say that I will never go back to a HTC phone, but so far, recently none of their products excited me.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I agree with most of your points on what HTC should strive for, but I'm afraid we're too late for the U.

Next year, if there is a new phone, it's time to drop all this 5 versions of two phones nonsense that they previously promised to avoid, make 1 device and don't skimp on the most important stuff.

HTC has been limping for far too long.

They've just been like running around like a headless chicken as they just seem to be throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks the longest.

HTC makes undeniably great phones, but they keep repeating the same mistake of pricing them right in Samsung/Apple territory but not give them either good marketing or a competitive point to have a chance.

 

[Morty2264]

I agree with every point you've made. I love HTC and have always wanted to try out an HTC device; but have never found a phone or option that would work for me. Hopefully their ensuing flagship turns things around for them!

 

[RaRa85]

They need to go back to what made them great and stand out which is to bring back BoomSound front firing stereo speakers. Secondly, get the camera hardware and software right. I mean like really right to where its a 1a 1b race for the top spot in camera performance. Lastly, really good marketing. They need to spend the money to make some really good ads and remind people why HTC is for them. HTC does most of the other things right outside of these last couple devices. Great hardware builds. The best Android skin IMO if you don't prefer launchers. They just need to get back to great audio and do the other things I just mentioned.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

They need to go back to what made them great and stand out which is to bring back BoomSound front firing stereo speakers. Secondly, get the camera hardware and software right. I mean like really right to where its a 1a 1b race for the top spot in camera performance. Lastly, really good marketing. They need to spend the money to make some really good ads and remind people why HTC is for them. HTC does most of the other things right outside of these last couple devices. Great hardware builds. The best Android skin IMO if you don't prefer launchers. They just need to get back to great audio and do the other things I just mentioned.

Camera-wise, I think they got the hardware just right.

The U Ultra has the same IMX378 from the Google Pixel, but with OIS and a wider aperture.

It's their software processing that needs tweaking.

 

[RaRa85]

Camera-wise, I think they got the hardware just right.

The U Ultra has the same IMX378 from the Google Pixel, but with OIS and a wider aperture.

It's their software processing that needs tweaking.

Well that's great then. If they can fix that it should be great. Now that I think about it, I'm waiting on Pocket Now's real camera review for the HTC U Ultra.

 

[RaRa85]

Guess which phone has ads during tonight's nationally televised NCAA championship game? Samsung knows how to pick their spots. This is exactly what HTC needs to be doing.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Guess which phone has ads during tonight's nationally televised NCAA championship game? Samsung knows how to pick their spots. This is exactly what HTC needs to be doing.

Samsung has billions to spend on marketing.

Sadly, HTC doesn't have that same luxury, but they should adequately market their devices. Not with a plethora of ads but with some really good ones.

 

[RaRa85]

Samsung has billions to spend on marketing.

Sadly, HTC doesn't have that same luxury, but they should adequately market their devices. Not with a plethora of ads but with some really good ones.

Anything that is better than the plan they currently have should do them well.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Anything that is better than the plan they currently have should do them well.

I feel that HTC should function more like a startup.

Sell a small range of inexpensive but excellent smartphones and build a dedicated fanbase that will wholeheartedly support the company if they continue to make great products.

OnePlus, while without a significant number of missteps, did carve out a nice little niche. It's something that I feel HTC would do nicely in.

 

[RaRa85]

I feel that HTC should function more like a startup.

Sell a small range of inexpensive but excellent smartphones and build a dedicated fanbase that will wholeheartedly support the company if they continue to make great products.

OnePlus, while without a significant number of missteps, did carve out a nice little niche. It's something that I feel HTC would do nicely in.

They may have to unfortunately. They were such a great OEM just a few years ago and devices like the HTC HD2(which I owned at one point) and the original HTC One M7 were just timeless devices. HTC is capable of really innovating and Samsung fans should thank them for leading the charge in premium made phones which Samsung adopted and nearly perfected now.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

They may have to unfortunately. They were such a great OEM just a few years ago and devices like the HTC HD2(which I owned at one point) and the original HTC One M7 were just timeless devices. HTC is capable of really innovating and Samsung fans should thank them for leading the charge in premium made phones which Samsung adopted and nearly perfected now.

That's precisely the reason why HTC has a special spot in my heart.

They were capable of making some truly great devices, with legends like the aforementioned HD2 and One M7. We also shouldn't forget the T-Mobile G1 and Nexus One.

HTC was a central player in the role of constant smartphone innovation. Seeing them act like this (copying other established players without putting their own spin on it and playing catch-up at exorbitant prices) is really heartbreaking.

The HTC today is not the HTC that relentlessly innovated.

 

[RaRa85]

That's precisely the reason why HTC has a special spot in my heart.

They were capable of making some truly great devices, with legends like the aforementioned HD2 and One M7. We also shouldn't forget the T-Mobile G1 and Nexus One.

HTC was a central player in the role of constant smartphone innovation. Seeing them act like this (copying other established players without putting their own spin on it and playing catch-up at exorbitant prices) is really heartbreaking.

The HTC today is not the HTC that relentlessly innovated.

Very true. The "quietly brilliant" company is mostly quiet. I think the tech reviewers kinda slight HTC just a tad as well since its not the most popular right now.