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Will the U12+ be the phoenix to resurrect HTC? (results)

by Daniel Petrov / May 30, 2018, 7:33 AM

The U12+ is a multimedia powerhouse with innovative navigation gestures, great specs, camera and sound recording/playback abilities, and about the only thing we could desire to have more of on the U12+, is a twice larger battery, so we can always have it on us ready and willing. Would those true differentiators, and the fact that this is the only flagship that doesn't copy the iPhone X this season, mean that the U12+ may finally be the Phoenix to resurrect HTC from the ashes of its rough patch?

Well, more than 40% of our poll 1722 poll respondents think so, provided that HTC lowers the price a bit, while just a quarter of you consider the phone an effort that is too little, too late. This bodes fairly well for HTC when the inevitable price drop comes, but there are still plenty of stars to align before the U12+ passes the sufficient sales test.

HTC does plenty right with its fresh U12+ flagship. Apart from the top-shelf specs like a Snapdragon 845 chipset, QHD+ display, 6GB RAM and dual camera, it throws in many extra thoughtful features that are a rarity on other flagships, and omits stuff we can certainly do without (cough, wireless charging, cough).

For instance, a dual camera kit on the rear that does all the bells and whistles like telephoto zoom and live bokeh effects, is augmented by a dual one at the front, too, which aids in selfie portraits, and, let's face it, you will be using selfies a lot more often for snaps of your indispensable mug, than you would be using the rear camera to snap portraits of others.

Furthermore, perhaps the best new feature that the U12+ brings to the sea of huge 6-inchers this year, is an actual innovative way to navigate those large displays while holding the phone with one hand. Called Edge Sense 2, it allows you to go back with a simple tap on the side of the phone, zoom in by squeezing, or prevent inadvertent rotations by simply holding the phone, all without having to constantly stretch the limits of finger tendon, and risking to drop the big phone in the process. Smart.

Will the U12+ be the phoenix to resurrect HTC?

Nah, too little, too late

25.37%

Maybe at a lower price...

43.57%

Yes, the U12+ is up there with the best this season

31.06%

Options

21 Comments

1. Humanoid

Posts: 1226; Member since: Dec 11, 2017

Better than OP6, Mi 8, Z3 Force and P20 Pro

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:35 AM 3

6. tiara6918

Posts: 2263; Member since: Apr 26, 2012

True. In a camera comparison on youtube against the p20 pro, it destroyed the competition completely. Dxomark's scores are nothing. I do believe it could also be the fastest as it offers identical experience to stock android. I wish people would notice how amazing the u12+ is

posted on May 30, 2018, 8:09 AM 3

7. Humanoid

If you downscale P20 Pro to 12MP to match other, photo will be better. At first sight high res pics look worse after cropping, because you crop much far than 12MP

posted on May 30, 2018, 8:40 AM 1

17. uzimafioso

Posts: 469; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

When was the Z3 Force reviewed? This flagship is better than the Pixels and S devices and iPhones and the Sonys. For what I need from a phone. Camera, check, audio, check, speakers, check, Bluetooth 5, check, ingress protection, check, performance, check, expandable storage, check and above all, experience, double check!

posted on May 30, 2018, 2:42 PM 0

20. LionStone

Posts: 1048; Member since: Dec 10, 2010

...and LG and Moto and Samsung and Apple...

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:00 PM 0

2. killer7D

Posts: 550; Member since: Sep 18, 2014

I hope htc will return to profit .. We dont want to use an innovative android oem ..

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:36 AM 3

3. Acdc1a

Posts: 473; Member since: Jan 21, 2016

I think if they offered both an HTC optimized and stock Android experience and dropped their prices they'd stand a chance. As it is I don't believe so.

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:43 AM 0

13. izim1

Posts: 1595; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

They already tried that. It didnt work.

posted on May 30, 2018, 12:58 PM 0

11. bucknassty

Posts: 1318; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

if they just market it as a comeback and tell people they WANT this phone I think they can do it..... but if no one knows about it then no one will buy it

posted on May 30, 2018, 9:03 AM 0

4. BoiledCabbage

Posts: 8; Member since: Dec 29, 2016

Super LCD 6

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:45 AM 0

5. Cat97

Posts: 1804; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

Not with those looks...sorry. Phones should look "solid", not like ugly Chinese toys.

posted on May 30, 2018, 7:58 AM 1

8. Humanoid

I think HTC should do like Sony. Keep your own features while replacing some of apps for Google apps. Like calendar, sms, calculator, maybe photos... Apps require money to be made, also software updates.

posted on May 30, 2018, 8:43 AM 1

9. fyah_king unregistered

I didn't know the s9 has a notch too.lol

posted on May 30, 2018, 8:47 AM 2

10. bassembm

Posts: 143; Member since: Dec 27, 2015

may be at lower price tag

posted on May 30, 2018, 8:49 AM 1

12. Plasticsh1t

Posts: 3094; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

The king is back.

posted on May 30, 2018, 9:25 AM 2

14. chebner

Posts: 249; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

I really hope the U12+ can resurrect HTC. Since 2010 I've owned the OG EVO 4G, EVO 3D, EVO 4G LTE, One M8, and 10. Throughout these 8 years I've been extremely happy with all my HTC phones. Comparing each of these to their competitors (Samsung Galaxy S, LG G series, Moto flagships and others) IMO, the HTC phones offered the best overall experience. They weren't always the best in every aspect, most notably camera for several years, but they always had the best complete package, again IMO. For the last two years I've had the HTC 10 and my daughter had a GS7. I've never really liked Samsung phones, but using (helping) my daughter with her GS7 really solidified my distaste for Samsung phones; and my daughter too, she just switched back to iPhone. The HTC 10 was miles better in all aspects: better battery life, better camera, better fingerprint sensor, smoother user experience. I'm not intending to start an argument with anyone but IMO the GS7 was an absolute POS!! This year I was all excited for the U12, then got discouraged with the rumors there would only be a U12+. The + phones are just TOO BIG. I don't understand everyone's fascination with such big phones. Unless you have gargantuan hands they are just not practical. Because there will be no smaller/ish size U12 I ended up getting a GS9 over the weekend. I figured if I hated it I would return it within 14 days and get something different. I looked at the Sony XZ2 Compact (too thick, otherwise impressed) and Pixel 2 (no microSD support, deal breaker). Much to my surprise I am really liking the GS9. I'm not a fan of how the settings are laid out as compared to HTC and stock android, but other than that I am very happy/impressed with it so far. HTC has been a great phone maker, always well designed and good performing, and historically a great innovator. If HTC goes under we will ALL lose! Most of you probably don't care, but you should. The big manufacturers need always to be pushed to improve and keep their game at a high level. HTC always played this role well. I hope the U12+ helps to turn HTC around, but I won't be buying another HTC phone until they make a more normal (i.e. not plus) sized flagship. And that's if the GS9 doesn't completely convert me to a Samsung fan.

posted on May 30, 2018, 1:15 PM 2

16. Sparkxster

Posts: 1201; Member since: Mar 31, 2017

I'm starting to like the u12+ the more I read about it. The lack of wireless charging makes it hard for me to consider it as I love using wireless charging but I think this is HTC's best yet and hope it is successful for them. Also would like to see a smaller version of the U12.

posted on May 30, 2018, 1:30 PM 2

19. androiduser

Posts: 505; Member since: Jun 18, 2014

I dont get why ppl want wireless charging so badly, its slower, you can use your phone while charging and wastes a lot of electricity, whats the big deal about plugging a cable in? Its not that hard