HTC U Ultra 64GB Review

Description

An Android-based smartphone made and marketed by HTC is the HTC U Ultra. Along with the HTC U Play, it was made available in February 2017 as a part of the new HTC U series.

Hardware

The HTC U Ultra weighs 170 grams and has a glass body. Similar to the LG V20, it has a 5.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display and a secondary 2.05-inch display. A 12-megapixel rear camera on the phone has optical image stabilization, a twin LED flash, and an f/1.8 aperture to allow HDR. Additionally, it boasts a 16-megapixel front camera with a 1080p auto-HDR capability. The device has an inbuilt storage capacity of 64 or 128 gigabytes, which is extensible to 256 GB via microSD cards.

Reception

Critics' evaluations of the HTC U Ultra ranged from neutral to unfavorable. It received plaudits for its sizable size, high-gloss glass build, and lighter touch of HTC's Sense layer with helpful software modifications, but it also drew criticism for several factors. Its lack of a headphone jack, short battery life caused by the screen-to-battery ratio, lack of carrier compatibility, and lack of ruggedization features were all criticized by critics. The device's $749 price tag was also criticized by reviewers as being excessive.

Conclusion

The 2017 release of the HTC U Ultra had noteworthy features such as its glass body, dual display, and high-resolution cameras. However, because of its shortcomings, such as a lack of specific features and a high price, it garnered negative reviews.

Reviews

The HTC U Ultra is introduced in the review, which emphasizes its release as an unexpected departure from the company's usual flagship models. It talks about the phone's importance to the business, which has been trying to stand out in the cutthroat smartphone industry. The study investigates if HTC's U Ultra is a shift in strategy or merely a band-aid before the arrival of a real flagship device for 2017. The evaluation aims to ascertain whether the U Ultra can deliver as a breath of fresh air or if it will be considered a mere novelty because HTC desperately needs a successful product.

Build and Design

With a glossy, colored glass back that is offered in Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black, the HTC U Ultra's design stands out. The phone has a high-end appearance and feels from having a glass back, much like a gem. The glass is a fingerprint magnet and extremely slippery, which makes the phone vulnerable to unintentional drops, the review notes. The device's metal casing enhances its appeal and harmonizes with the overall design. There are conflicting opinions about the placement of the power and volume buttons and the addition of the second screen. The phone's distinctive look is admirable, but its weight and slick back raise questions about its usefulness.

Specifications

The 5.7-inch display on the HTC U Ultra has a clear resolution of 1440x2560 pixels. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage power are also there. Up to a 2TB microSD card can be added to the phone, although doing so requires using a second SIM.

Although a strong processor, the study adds that the Snapdragon 821 was last year's top chip because supply concerns with the newer Snapdragon 835 prompted numerous manufacturers to make stand-in variants. This decision accounts for the U Ultra's very lightweight despite its reduced battery capacity of 3000mAh. The phone still has stereo front-firing BoomSound speakers that produce high-quality sound. However, some users could find it problematic as there isn't a 3.5mm audio connector.

Software

Although Android 7.0 Nougat's presence is welcomed, opinions on HTC's Sense UI skin are divided. Because of the text and icons that can be seen on the additional strip above the Android status bar, the reviewers found the home screen to be cluttered. The BlinkFeed news reader is criticized for being spammy because it exclusively uses the News Republic as a source. The AI-powered voice assistant known as Sense Companion is seen as a hyped feature, but given its present limited capability and delayed release, it might use some improvement. Basic information is provided using Google Now-style cards. However, they are unnecessary because current tools already have similar functions. The secondary screen approach lacks an always-on option and is less user-friendly than LG's, which restricts app usage.

Camera

The HTC U Ultra boasts a front camera with a 16-megapixel resolution and a 12-megapixel primary camera with Ultrapixel 2 technology. The review highlights the overall photo quality of the rear camera, noting how optical image stabilization and laser autofocus help produce clear, detailed shots. Particularly impressive is how nicely images in low light can be captured with little noise. The front camera's Ultrapixel mode improves exposure control in low light. But this mode's setting is difficult to find because it's hidden in a side menu. The U Ultra lacks twin camera sensors, a feature HTC pioneered but left out, despite the rear camera's amazing results, according to the review.

Performance and Battery Life

The HTC U Ultra boasts impressive benchmark results and handles everyday tasks and games with ease. With its personalized sound profile, the USonic headset, which uses a USB Type-C connector, provides high-quality audio. The only supported HTC phones, however, limit its applicability. The battery life is average, surviving during moderate to heavy usage. However, it falls short when compared to other phones in the same price range on the HD video loop test. This problem is mitigated by the quick charging option, which allows customers to charge their batteries to 70% in just one hour.

Conclusion

The HTC U Ultra has some solid aspects, like its distinctive appearance and excellent camera. However, the assessment emphasizes that when compared to other flagship smartphones on the market, its exorbitant price tag raises questions. Customers might discover competing products to be more cost-effective or wait for the next HTC flagship model with more modern features.