HTC

HTC U Ultra: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro
Adreno 530
4 GB / 64 GB
5.7 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
12 MP, 4048 x 3036 px, laser autofocus, optical image stabilization

HTC announced the launch of the U Ultra smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.7 inch Super LCD 5 display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The U Ultra comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) pre-installed. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4048 x 3036 px, laser autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the HTC U Ultra smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

HTC U Ultra / 1

HTC U Ultra specifications

BrandHTC
NameU Ultra
ModelUULTRA
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6 oz
Dimensions6.39 x 3.14 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, blue, pink, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the HTC U Ultra is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

HTC U Ultra / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro
CPUQuad-core, Dual-core 2.15 GHz Kryo, Dual-core 1.6 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 530

The HTC U Ultra comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

HTC U Ultra / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper LCD 5
Screen size5.7 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.7 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

HTC U Ultra / 3

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The HTC U Ultra comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage of the U Ultra (64 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

HTC U Ultra / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4048 x 3036 px, laser autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera16 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The U Ultra offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

HTC U Ultra / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The U Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your U Ultra smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The U Ultra has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The U Ultra comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The U Ultra does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Dual SIM, Quick Charge

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in U Ultra smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this HTC phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
Add HTC U Ultra to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
Phone42.com / Smartphones / HTC / HTC U Ultra