HTC U11: The Squeeze Phone?!

The HTC U11 is presented as a strong comeback for HTC in 2017, building on the mixed reception of the U Ultra. The video runs through the core specs: Android 7.1.1 with HTC’s custom skin on top, a Snapdragon 835 paired with 4 GB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery. The device keeps a premium feel with a 5.5 inch 1440p LCD display, 64 GB of storage plus microSD expansion, and a 12 megapixel camera with an f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization. The reviewer emphasizes performance, noting fluid animations and smooth daily use, while acknowledging that battery life is solid for its size. While the U11 does not dramatically exceed its contemporaries on paper, the balance of hardware and software polish makes it one of the more capable Android phones of its time, with the potential for lasting software updates given its Android version. The standout feature is Edge Sense, HTC’s squeeze-activated shortcut system. Sensors embedded in the lower sides of the phone let users squeeze to launch apps, take screenshots, toggle the flashlight, or trigger a voice recording, with an option for advanced mode to map quick squeezes and long squeezes to separate actions. The host tests how calibration affects usability, suggesting a middle-ground squeeze level for natural use while noting issues with accidental launches when the sensitivity is too low and the need for a two-handed grip if set too high. The review concludes that Edge Sense adds an intriguing, potentially useful layer to interaction, but its practicality hinges on hand size and habit. Overall, the U11 is praised as a refined package that moves beyond the U Ultra’s shortcomings, though the presence of a headphone jack and other design choices remain points of critique, leaving room for user interpretation about its long-term adoption of the squeeze feature.

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