Replacement for our "10"

PyroSporker · May 21, 2017

PyroSporker said:
I've never heard of mysmartprice / Gear. Are they a reputable source of leaks? What is their track record with leak info vs. actual product? Has the mysmartprice / Gear leak been de-bunked yet? Any "Tom, Dick, or Sally" with Photoshop could have created that fake back of box.

Well, I was wrong

I've never been afraid to admit when I am wrong.
I wanted and hoped for more from this device than was leaked, but it turns out there is really nothing more offered than had been speculated (really sad about this)

Legitimate unboxing videos of the U11 (review units) are hitting the web. Checking the video for the back of the box shows that the leak image was fairly close to being real. I thought that the mis-alignement of the columns of logos was a dead giveaway to a fake job, but the actual U11 box has the same mis-aligned logo formation which is quite odd to see. Anyone with art, design, or marketing background could and probably would catch and fix that. The eye and brain love symmetry and perfect alignment.
Even though the leak was mostly right, I see a few errors with the leak. The storage capacity (ROM) size is different and the amount of RAM is different (these will vary by region) The fingerprint sensor logo and Hi-Res Audio logo are swapped around, and the dust and water resistance rating says IP57 on the leak but on the final/review unit, it is IP67.

markdoc · May 23, 2017

Here is are the facts about the U11 with HTC propaganda added in. It is, by far, the best sounding information I've read. It even makes me think a second time about buying it when my 10's time is up.
Here it is:
http://www.htc.com/us/smartphones/h...849&keyword=&gclid=CMKlrvzphtQCFdlWDQodP8EKIA

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

For those considering to replace their "10" with the U11, I just read a new review. It isn't by anyone I know, but it seems good to me. The title is, "
The 5 Biggest Problems with the HTC U11". The link is:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/the-5-biggest-problems-with-the-htc-u11.html
I believe it makes some valid points.

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

The only problem I see is the carrier limitations in the US. The phone is drop dead gorgeous. Headphone audio is what you'd expect from the top Android audio innovator. It's a little wide for my taste but damn it looks good.

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

dontpanicbobby said:
The only problem I see is the carrier limitations in the US. The phone is drop dead gorgeous. Headphone audio is what you'd expect from the top Android audio innovator. It's a little wide for my taste but damn it looks good.

I agree that its beautiful, but I worry about the fragility of the glass. I know a case would help, but that would defeat the beauty. It will work on all US carriers, even though they don't sell it. (I just found out that Verizon no longer uses CDMA. Its obsolete. Boy do I feel dumb) My main concern is the audio with earphones. Does it have a similar earphone setup app as the "10" and is the sound as good or better?

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

Yes on the setup and a clear case for the back is in the box. I didn't get one with my 10 but HTC sent me one later for free!

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

Wow, I am pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the information. I may have to buy it to replace my "10". Does the squeeze do anything meaningful, or is it just a gimmick?

PyroSporker · Jun 10, 2017

markdoc said:
My main concern is the audio with earphones. Does it have a similar earphone setup app as the "10" and is the sound as good or better?

This might be a bad idea or temptation:
Pack up your 1More-s and head to a Sprint store. You should be able to test the U11 side by side with your 10 and make up your mind about the sound.

I haven't been there yet to confirm they have floor displays out, but I don't know why they would not at this point since retail orders are going out. I'll probably go check out the phone in the next few days.

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

PyroSporker said:
This might be a bad idea or temptation:
Pack up your 1More-s and head to a Sprint store. You should be able to test the U11 side by side with your 10 and make up your mind about the sound.

I haven't been there yet to confirm they have floor displays out, but I don't know why they would not at this point since retail orders are going out. I'll probably go check out the phone in the next few days.

You're probably right, since the sound is real important to me. I also had the HTC case for the "10" and I wasn't real impressed with its ability to protect. I've used clear Spigen or Casemate cases on my 10. They've both provided protection without covering too much. (But then the "10" isn't beautiful) Didn't someone preorder the U11?

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

There's a sync to 3.5 headphone converter in the box with the US 11 as well. I don't like dongles and I was looking for a slimmer body so I went with the LG G6.

I'm searching for the in boxing video to confirm...

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

dontpanicbobby said:
There's a sync to 3.5 headphone converter in the box with the US 11 as well. I don't like dongles and I was looking for a slimmer body so I went with the LG G6.

So, do you like it, or was it a mistake?

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

Found it

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

I was looking for thinner markdoc.

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

dontpanicbobby said:
I was looking for thinner markdoc.

Thanks for the link. I've still got a year or so on my "10" so I'll wait and see what developes with the U11.

dontpanicbobby · Jun 10, 2017

Why they left out a headone jack with all that space I'll never know.

Hadron · Jun 10, 2017

I read them claim that they used extra space for a resonating chamber for the bottom speaker.

The width is a deal breaker for me. I've handled one and it's too wide. Not a surprise as I've never had any interest in phablets, but I do regret it.

markdoc · Jun 10, 2017

I think the "10" has a chamber with the earphone jack. Its the only phone speaker I've felt that actually moves air differently than all others. Even the grill looks different. You can see the space behind it. As for the size, I like it larger. My eyes aren't what they used to be so a little larger is easier to read. But a fault with the U11 is the display. It has the same resolution as the "10" with a larger screen. So it has a smaller DPI and not as sharp. IMO, another goof by HTC.

PyroSporker · Jun 11, 2017

markdoc said:
My eyes aren't what they used to be so a little larger is easier to read. But a fault with the U11 is the display. It has the same resolution as the "10" with a larger screen. So it has a smaller DPI and not as sharp. IMO, another goof by HTC.

Have you looked at the devices side by side in front of you yet?
DPI ≠ PPI

You can change the Font size as you wish within the Display settings

HTC One (M7) - 468 PPI
HTC One M8 - 441 PPI
HTC One M9 - 441 PPI
HTC 10 - 565 PPI
HTC Bolt - 534 PPI
Google Pixel - 441 PPI (AMOLED)
Google Pixel XL- 534 PPI (AMOLED)
HTC U Play - 428 PPI
HTC U Ultra - 513 PPI
HTC U11 - 534 PPI

The One M8 and M9 both have slightly lower PPI than the predecessor One (M7) (keep in mind, there was a size change and technology change)
The Bolt, Pixel, and Pixel XL (keep in mind, Pixel=AMOLED and various size differences) all have a slightly lower PPI than their predecessor the HTC 10.

I haven't seen the U11. I'm not ready to call the display a fault, or a goof, having not seen it myself.
A change in PPI of around 20-30 "backwards" is not unheard of in the past. Would we rather see this number ever increasing, yes! In the near future there is going to be a high water mark which will signify a point of negligible returns regarding PPI, as our eyes and brain will not be able to process the overly high density pixels any better.

markdoc · Jun 11, 2017

PyroSporker said:
Have you looked at the devices side by side in front of you yet?
DPI ≠ PPI

You can change the Font size as you wish within the Display settings

HTC One (M7) - 468 PPI
HTC One M8 - 441 PPI
HTC One M9 - 441 PPI
HTC 10 - 565 PPI
HTC Bolt - 534 PPI
Google Pixel - 441 PPI (AMOLED)
Google Pixel XL- 534 PPI (AMOLED)
HTC U Play - 428 PPI
HTC U Ultra - 513 PPI
HTC U11 - 534 PPI

The One M8 and M9 both have slightly lower PPI than the predecessor One (M7) (keep in mind, there was a size change and technology change)
The Bolt, Pixel, and Pixel XL (keep in mind, Pixel=AMOLED and various size differences) all have a slightly lower PPI than their predecessor the HTC 10.

I haven't seen the U11. I'm not ready to call the display a fault, or a goof, having not seen it myself.
A change in PPI of around 20-30 "backwards" is not unheard of in the past. Would we rather see this number ever increasing, yes! In the near future there is going to be a high water mark which will signify a point of negligible returns regarding PPI, as our eyes and brain will not be able to process the overly high density pixels any better.

Unfortunately I don't get out much so I can't compare them side by side. I do agree that the difference in dpi is indistinguishable by most people. However, with HTC's history, I don't like to see them going backwards in any amount. The 10 and U11 have the same display technology. I think HTC took the easy way out by just enlarging the display without addressing the resolution. This is more a discussion of numbers rather than practical sharpness. I agree that in distinguishable sharpness, its immaterial.

dontpanicbobby · Jun 11, 2017

@Hadron I saw some tear down pics of the 10 and the first thing I thought when I saw the back plate was Bose Soundwave tech writ small. Haven't seen an pics of the U11 back plate close up but I'm willing to bet HTC used it again. Very nice sound with the front speaker as a tweeter and the bottom firing speaker for bass. I miss the stereo from the One series though.

markdoc · Jun 11, 2017

That explains the air push I feel at the bottom speaker, but I agree with dontpanicbobby. I miss the two forward facing speakers. HTC came a long way to get to those speakers. (My Thunderbolt had one speaker, on the back, under the stand. I hated to see them loose it.

Hadron · Jun 11, 2017

markdoc said:
I think the "10" has a chamber with the earphone jack. Its the only phone speaker I've felt that actually moves air differently than all others. Even the grill looks different. You can see the space behind it. As for the size, I like it larger. My eyes aren't what they used to be so a little larger is easier to read. But a fault with the U11 is the display. It has the same resolution as the "10" with a larger screen. So it has a smaller DPI and not as sharp. IMO, another goof by HTC.

My understanding is that the 11's chamber is larger - I expect we'll see a teardown soon.

Yes, the 11's dpi is lower than the 10s, but as a QHD 5.5" 16:9 display it still has a higher dpi than the S8+ (even if we overlook the fact that that phone doesn't use an RGB grid and so has a lower effective resolution), or the 4.7" 1080p panel on my M7. So I don't see the resolution as a problem. Certainly makes more sense to me than 4k does at that size of screen - nobody will see the difference, but it would work the gpu much harder, increasing heat and power consumption and risking responsiveness. So personally I'd say it was the right call.

If we look at the others, remember that Samsung set the S8/S8+ to emulate 1080p by default - which means that's what most people will use because they'll never discover the setting.

markdoc · Jun 11, 2017

Hadron said:
My understanding is that the 11's chamber is larger - I expect we'll see a teardown soon.

Yes, the 11's dpi is lower than the 10s, but as a QHD 5.5" 16:9 display it still has a higher dpi than the S8+ (even if we overlook the fact that that phone doesn't use an RGB grid and so has a lower effective resolution), or the 4.7" 1080p panel on my M7. So I don't see the resolution as a problem. Certainly makes more sense to me than 4k does at that size of screen - nobody will see the difference, but it would work the gpu much harder, increasing heat and power consumption and risking responsiveness. So personally I'd say it was the right call.

If we look at the others, remember that Samsung set the S8/S8+ to emulate 1080p by default - which means that's what most people will use because they'll never discover the setting.

Listening to what's been said, I withdraw my display criticism. As was said before, I'm not above admitting I was wrong. Thanks for all the information to convince me.

markdoc · Jun 17, 2017

Once again, I'll admit I was wrong or at least in the minority. From the recent articles I've read, the U11 is outselling both the "10" and M9 in the same time period. People are going for the glass and squeeze over the front facing speakers of the M9 and the metal strength of the "10". I guess I won't be working for the development team at HTC any time soon! Lol I am happy that HTC's finances are improving.

dontpanicbobby · Jun 17, 2017

Front facing speakers are the "niche". A high spending "niche". The soundscape can make an OEM rich if they're not greedy.

Replacement for our "10"

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