Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus isn’t just sleek and stylish, it was also the most powerful phone around when it first debuted in September. Whether you’re an Android or iOS user, the fact remains that the iPhone is an impressive device. But how does the newly-unveiled U11 compare? Here, we take a closer look at both devices to find out.
Specs
Apple iPhone 7 Plus |
HTC U11 |
|
Size | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29-inches) | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 -inches) |
Weight | 188g (6.63 oz) | 169g (5.96 oz) |
Screen | 5.5-inch LED | 5.5-inch LCD |
Resolution | 1,080 x 1,920 pixels (401 pixels per inch) | 1,440 x 2,560 pixels (534 pixels per inch) |
OS | iOS 10.0.1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat |
Storage | 32/128/256GB | 64GB (U.S.), 64/128GB (International) |
MicroSD card slot | No | Yes |
NFC support | Yes | Yes |
Processor | A10 Fusion | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
RAM | 3GB | 4GB (U.S.) 4/6GB (International) |
Connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
Camera | Dual 12MP rear, 7MP front | 12MP rear, 16MP front |
Video | 4K | 4K |
Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.2 | Yes, version 4.2 |
Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
Other sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, magnetic |
Water resistant | IP67 | IP67 |
Battery | 2,900mAh | 3,000mAh |
Ports | Lightning | USB-C |
Marketplace | App Store | Google Play |
Color offerings | Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red | Blue, black, white, gray, red |
Availability | Apple, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile | Sprint, HTC.com, Amazon |
Price | Starts at $770 | $650 |
DT review | 4 out of 5 stars | Hands-on |
It’s normally easy to compare Android smartphones because they often use the same Qualcomm-built chips. When comparing an Android device with an iPhone, however, things become a little more complex.
The HTC U11 features Qualcomm’s latest chip, the Snapdragon 835, which has only been featured in a couple new phones since its launch. Now, pair that with 4GB of RAM — or 6GB, if you’re buying the more powerful international version — and you have a very powerful phone.
The
Now, there’s a few things to consider when comparing performance, including processor speed and RAM, but the most important thing is how that hardware works with software to deliver real-world performance. That’s where benchmarks can help in comparing the two devices. While we haven’t received any benchmarks since the launch of the phone, before launch the device was spotted scoring 1,912 on Geekbench’s single-core test, and 6,137 on the multi-core test. By comparison, the
In other words, it’s a little unclear who the winner is here. Most apps use only one thread at a time, meaning the single-core test is a better indicator of real-world use when one app is being used. However, if you start multitasking, the multi-core score becomes more important. Because of that, this one is a tie.
Winner: Tie
Design and display
The iPhone has long been hailed as the king of design, and the
While design is largely subjective, the quality of a display is not. Both of the phones feature a 5.5-inch display, with the iPhone display being LCD and the U11 display being S-LCD. On the iPhone, you’ll find a 1,080 x 1,920-pixel display, which offers a pixel density of 401 pixels-per-inch. The U11, on the other hand, boasts 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, with a density of 534ppi.
Again, while design is largely subjective, resolution is not. The HTC U11 is the winner here.
Winner: HTC U11
Battery life and charging
The HTC U11 and the
The HTC U11 also offers Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0, which allows you to get hours of use out of a couple minutes of charging. The
The longer battery life and the inclusion of Quick Charge 3.0 make the HTC U11 the winner here.
Winner: HTC U11
Camera
Apple has long been hailed as a leader in the mobile photography world, but the HTC U11 could be the phone to beat. The
While the
The front-facing camera on the U11 is also better. The
The U11 is the winner here, though, in some situations, the iPhone may offer a better shot thanks to its dual-lens and software.
Winner: HTC U11
Software, durability, and price
Software
This one will be a major point of difference for many people — and we’re going to be upfront and say that we won’t be awarding a winner here. After all, software largely comes down to personal preference.
We can, however, highlight some of the major differences between the two phones. While iOS is often considered the easier-to-use of the two mobile operating systems, Android is considered to be the OS that “does more.” That’s to say, if you know what you’re doing, you may get more out of Android. If you want things to “just work,” on the other hand, then iOS may be the mobile OS for you.
The HTC U11 runs pretty close to stock Android, but there are some major additions to the software. For example, HTC has included its digital assistant, called Sense Companion. Sense Companion is not a voice-based assistant, but rather an assistant that will pop up every now and then with suggestions based on your calendar and usual mobile use history. On top of Sense Companion, you’ll also be able to use Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa, where those assistants are available. The device also has Edge Sense, which gives the user the ability to touch and squeeze the edges of their phone to control different aspects of the user interface.
If you’re already plugged into either OS, then switching over to the other is going to be difficult. Still, if you think you’ll prefer one over the other, then don’t hesitate to make the switch.
Winner: Tie
Durability
Apple has stepped up its game this year in making the iPhone more durable, and it has paid off. For starters, the iPhone is largely built with metal, while the HTC U11 is almost completely coated in glass. This means that if you drop these two phones, the U11 is more likely to break. The design may look good, but it’s not great for durability.
Both the HTC U11 and the
Because of the fact that the iPhone’s design features more metal, it’s a more durable phone.
Winner:
Price and availability
The
The HTC U11 is a little less available, at least for now. The device will be officially available for purchase starting June 9, though you can pre-order it now. Unfortunately, in the United States, the only carrier you can get it from is Sprint, though you can get it on Amazon for the other carriers. The device costs $650 outright, or you can opt for a payment plan through Sprint, which will run you $29 a month for 24 months.
The iPhone is more expensive, however, at least for now, it’s also readily available. This one is a tie.
Winner: Tie
Overall winner: HTC U11
It’s a close battle here. The phones are relatively matched in terms of performance, but the HTC U11 edges out the iPhone when it comes to the camera, battery, and display. While the
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t consider the
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