HTC U11 is a cheaper HTC U12 Plus alternative

The HTC U12 Plus may have replaced the HTC U11, but that doesn't mean you should give this phone the heave-ho. While the U12 Plus brings even more features to its squeezable sides, an updated processor and four cameras, the U11 remains a cheaper alternative with a stunning design and still-powerful performance.

In fact, we think the U11 is a damn fine phone in spite its squeezable sides, not because of them. Its price remains a steady $649, £649 and AU$999; HTC hasn't dropped it despite upgrading to the U12 Plus. That's still less than the U12 Plus, which starts at $799 and £649 -- there is no Australia price yet, but the US cost converts to AU$1,084.

We reviewed the HTC U11, below, on May 23, 2018, and added this note on June 20, 2018.

Water-resistant and liquid glass.
Josh Miller/CNET

It's getting harder and harder to make an impression when it feels like every major phone manufacturer is gunning for the super-powered, top-tier flagship title. The HTC U11 ($500 at Amazon.com) has tried to get you to sit up and take notice with features like squeezable sides that can launch an app and a virtual companion that promises to learn your preferences and make life easier. But the irony is that those bundled extras don't speak as loud as stunning design, a 2,560x1,440 resolution (QHD) screen to rival the Samsung Galaxy 8, quality of life perks like water resistance and an obscenely fast octa-core processor.

The trouble with the pressure-sensitive squeezable sides and the virtual assistant is that they feel like in-the-way gimmicks more than they feel like innovations. I relied more on Google Assistant than HTC's own Sense Companion, which offers up tailored recommendations for restaurants, smart alarms based on your calendar, reminders to charge (oh so important) and other tidbits. Much like the squeeze, it was fun to test out, but I found it getting in the way more than I found it handy to have around. With Amazon Alexa functionality also available now, it feels like HTC is banking on other virtual assistants, too.

At $649, £649 or AU$999, it's also doing everything for less than the other usual suspects like the Galaxy S8 ($600 at T-Mobile USA) or the LG G6 ($499 at Amazon.com). Even with those extra features turned off, you can't ignore performance like this at that price. The U11 is a good phone and a worthy buy, but not because of its forgettable "perks."

Feeling the squeeze

This is going to be the biggest point of contention with the U11. It's been billed as a new way to interface with your phone: a one-handed, pressure-sensitive squeeze of the sides can activate the camera, launch apps, turn on the flashlight, whatever basic function you program it with. There's short and long holds, and it's contextual. By default, squeeze once to launch the camera, again to snap a quick pick with one hand. HTC Edge Sense, as it's called will also work underwater, where regular capacitive touchscreens falter. And in a water-resistant phone, it's easy to snap submerged selfies without workarounds.

Some people are going to love the novelty. I was not one of those people. In my first week with the U11, I squeezed it to launch the camera accidentally more times than on purpose. The squeeze provides haptic feedback, but the sides themselves don't actually move and it felt a little strange on the higher pressure settings. That, and the rudimentary programming available meant the Edge Sense didn't quite live up to the hype. I would have loved to set a short squeeze to skip songs on Spotify, for instance, but that level of specificity just isn't there yet. I didn't keep the HTC squeeze switched on for long.