HTC

HTC U11 Life: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.0 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Adreno 508
4 GB / 32 GB
5.2 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

HTC announced the launch of the U11 Life smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch Super LCD 5 display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The U11 Life series was launched with Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the HTC U11 Life 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 U11 Life / 1

HTC U11 Life specifications

BrandHTC
NameU11 Life
ModelU11L
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.22 oz
Colorsblack, blue, red, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of HTC U11 Life is about 5.22 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.0 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 630
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 508

The HTC U11 Life comes with Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper LCD 5
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

HTC U11 Life / 1

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The HTC U11 Life comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The U11 Life has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera16 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The U11 Life does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
Headphoneno

The HTC U11 Life supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The U11 Life smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The U11 Life smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2600 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2600 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of U11 Life isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity, side frame sensor
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Dual SIM, Fast charging, Quick Charge, Certified IP67 dustproof and waterproof, AndroidOne

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The U11 Life phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

The U11 Life is safe and durable. It is IP67-rated to be dustproof and waterproof. It is built for outdoor use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

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
  • Dual SIM support
  • IP67 certified protection
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
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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.
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