HTC U11 Life: Pros and Cons
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
- HTC U11 Life specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
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 specifications
Brand | HTC |
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Name | U11 Life |
Model | U11L |
Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 5.22 oz |
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Colors | black, blue, red, white |
SIM type | Nano 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 version | Android OS v8.0 (Oreo) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 |
CPU | Octa-core, Quad-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Adreno 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 type | Super LCD 5 |
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Screen size | 5.2 inch |
Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 4 GB |
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Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
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 camera | 16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus |
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Flash | Dual LED |
Selfie camera | 16 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 bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v5.0, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | no |
USB | USB Type-C |
Headphone | no |
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
Type | Li-Po 2600 mAh, non-removable |
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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
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity, side frame sensor |
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Specials | Corning 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
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.