HTC

HTC U12 Life: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
Adreno 509
4 GB / 64 GB
6 inch (1080 x 2160 px)
16 + 5 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

HTC announced the launch of the U12 Life smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box, and a Li-Po 3600 mAh, non-removable battery. This phone features a high resolution 1080 x 2160 px IPS display. The size of screen is 6 inch. The U12 Life has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the HTC U12 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 U12 Life / 1

HTC U12 Life specifications

BrandHTC
NameU12 Life
ModelU12LIFE
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.17 oz
Dimensions6.24 x 3.02 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblue, purple
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of HTC U12 Life is about 6.17 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 v8.1 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 636
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 509

The HTC U12 Life comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. It's a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 octa-core processor. It can handle complex tasks and run many applications. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size6 inch
Resolution1080 x 2160 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 6 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 6 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

HTC U12 Life / 1

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The HTC U12 Life comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 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 (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 + 5 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera13 MP

The U12 Life has a multi-camera setup. It lets you adapt to different photography situations. You can achieve various perspectives and compositions. The U12 Life comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

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
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The U12 Life smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The U12 Life has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3600 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3600 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 U12 Life isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The U12 Life smartphone has an accelerometer. The U12 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.

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

  • appropriate screen size
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • 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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