HTC U12+ Announced

[DocSwag]

Sauce: https://www.anandtech.com/show/12784/the-new-htc-u12-smartphone-hands-on

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After the latest deal with Google on personnel, the next flagship out from HTC is the U12+, succeeding the squeeze-focused U11 and U11+ from 2017. For this generation HTC will only launch a single model called the U12+, rather than a U12 now and another one later, with the company citing that it felt too many of its enthusiast users would wait for the plus model, so instead they have decided to just go with a singular unit with the upgraded name. The headlines on the U12+ include a quad camera design, an upgraded Edge Sense detection system, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, an IP68 ingress rating, and an upgraded BoomSound experience. We had the chance to get a hands-on with the device at a briefing last week.

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The two main cameras start with an f/1.75 aperture 12MP wide-angle sensor with 1.4 micron pixels using HTC UltraPixel 4 technology for faster focusing, paired with a 16MP telephoto sensor at 1.0 micron pixels and an f/2.6 aperture. The rear camera arrangement supports OIS and EIS, and with the two sensors the camera supports a bokeh effect in real time. Optical zoom up to 2x is supported, with an enhanced 10x digital zoom that adjusts the in-shot processing characteristics based on the level of zoom; HTC was quite happy to show the difference between a cropped 2x optical zoom and a 10x digital zoom, with the 10x digital zoom having a lot more detail. The rear cameras use HTC’s HDR Boost 2, which uses more inter-frame data with the aim of a better HDR experience. A Pro mode with manual controls is available, with RAW format and exposure times up to 32 seconds supported. Video is up to 4K60, and can take 8MP photographs during video, or 1080p240 in slow motion. HTC’s video recording mode also uses the Sonic Zoom technology that we saw on the U11, using the four inbuilt microphones to triangulate the focal sound of the frame and reduce background noise.

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The two front facing cameras are dual 8MP f/2.0 sensors with 1.12 micron pixels. They are set up to provide an 84º ‘wide-angle’ experience, and use the same tools as the rear cameras to implement a real-time bokeh effect. The front cameras also support the HDR Boost technology, and for low-light selfies the screen becomes super bright to compensate for an LED flash.

Boomsound

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HTC has focused a lot on audio over the years, focusing on volume and clarity through its BoomSound technology. For the U12+, the upgrade comes in HTC supporting a Hi-Fi edition of BoomSound, with aptX HD and Hi-Res Audio recording and certification. As mentioned above with the cameras, this allows for Sonic Zoom to home in on a focal audio source, allowing for 60% better audio capture range before clipping and HTC claims ‘33% better focus’. For playback, HTC puts the latest edition of BoomSound as 50% louder than the previous flagship smartphone, with the dual speakers acting independently as a woofer for low frequencies and a tweeter for higher frequencies, with each speaker having its own amplifier.

 

There is no 3.5mm audio jack, but HTC does bundle the smartphone with its Type-C USonic headphones that provide active noise cancellation as well as unique equalizer adjustments depending on the shape of an individual’s aural canals.

Edge Sense... 2?

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HTC stated that for the first generation, Edge Sense was more like a camera button, but the second generation now has the software stack to improve its utility. More gestures are supported, such as frame tapping, and the device can determine which hand is being used in order to adjust how buttons are arranged for using the phone with a single hand.

Quote

The new software stack also allows for in-app customization. Users can ‘train’ (a fancy word for configure) the different gesture methods with Edge Sense 2 to relate to specific actions on any app, as long as those actions relate to touching the screen in specific places. The example given is that in Pokémon Go, a short squeeze could open a required menu.

Quote

Alongside Edge Sense 2, HTC also adjusted the side buttons on the smartphone. Instead of physical buttons, these have turned into pressure sensitive buttons for power and volume, but with haptic feedback. The haptics are fixed (no options to enable/disable or change intensity), but there are physical raised parts to the frame such that the user can fumble in their pocket to turn the volume down. However, there is no physical depression of a button, which was initially quite unnerving.

HTC U-Series
AnandTech		HTC U11		HTC U11+		HTC U12+
SoC		Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 4x Kryo 280 Gold @ 2.45 GHz 4x Kryo 280 Silver @ 1.90 GHz Adreno 540 @ 653 MHz				Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 4x Kryo 385 Gold 4x Kryo 385 Silver Adreno 630
Display		5.5-inch SLCD5 2560x1440		6.0-inch SLCD6  2880x1440		6.0-inch SLCD6 2880x1440
Dimensions	mm	153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9		158.5 x 74.9 x 8.5		156.6 x 73.9 x 9.2
	g	169 g		188 g		188 g
Ingress Protection		Yes (IP67)		Yes (IP68)		Yes (IP68)
RAM		4 GB	6 GB	4 GB	6 GB	6 GB
NAND		64 GB UFS 2.1	128 GB UFS 2.1	64 GB UFS 2.1	128 GB UFS 2.1	64 GB UFS 2.1	128 GB UFS 2.1
MicroSD		Yes		Yes		Yes
Rear Camera 1		12MP "UltraPixel 3" OIS, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixels				12MP "UltraPixel 4" OIS, f/1.75, 1.4µm
Rear Camera 2		-				16MP Telephoto f/2.6, 1.0µm
Front Camera 1		16MP		8MP, f/2.0, 85º wide angle		2 x 8MP, f/2.0 84º wide angle 1.12 micron
Battery		3000 mAh non-replaceable		3930 mAh non-replaceable		3500 mAh non-replaceable
Modem		Qualcomm X16 2G / 3G / 4G LTE				Qualcomm X20 2G / 3G / 4G LTE
LTE Bands (FDD)		1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28 (U11+), 32, 38, 39, 40, 41				1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 66
LTE Bands (TDD)		38, 39, 40, 41				38, 39, 40, 41
SIM Size		1x or 2x NanoSIM				1x or 2x NanoSIM
Wireless		802.11ac, BT 4.2, NFC, GPS / GLONASS				802.11ac, BT5.0, NFC GPS / GLONASS
Connectivity		USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) Type-C Quick Charge 3.0				USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) Type-C Quick Charge 4.0
3.5mm TRRS		No		No		No
Launch OS		Android 7.1 HTC Sense		Android 8.0 HTC Sense		Android 8.0 HTC Sense Android P Confirmed
Cost		4 + 64GB: £649		From £699 (~$770)		799 EUR 699 GBP

 

Quote

HTC will initially launch the U12+ in two colors, Translucent Blue and Ceramic Black, with the Flame Red model to be confirmed at a later date. As with the U11, there will be a semi-transparent version, which will be the Translucent Blue model – according to HTC, the semi-transparent U11 had a much higher demand than they were expecting, so this time they have made it part of the main colors available rather than a secondary color. The added effect of the transparency technique is that fingerprints are less likely to show up on the rear of the smartphone as well.

 

Overall the U12+ looks to be pretty cool... but I don't think it'll be enough. The specs are all flagship level. The camera system sounds like it could be really cool. Dual cameras on the front will be cool for fokeh, and, as usual, I'd expect the speakers to be great. It's also really cool that they made the blue quite translucent. However, HTC have priced it at $799 USD for the 64gb model, which is right in line with the S9+. The S9+ has an (arguably) better display due to it being OLED, thinner bezels, and Samsung's brand recognition. While HTC has Edge Sense and, perhaps, a better camera, I don't think it'll be enough to steal sales from giants like Samsung.

 

Just like the G7, this is another cool phone that unfortunately doesn't have the brand recognition to succeed.

[AlTech]

Not gonna lie. That looks really sick .

 

Hopefully HTC Phone Division owned by Google (what a mouthful lol ) promises 3 years of updates just like what Google did for Pixel 2nd Gen.

Also ouch, £699 is a tad expensive.

[Doobeedoo]

Pretty awesome phone. Also no dreaded notch. 

I just like that it's not an edge display and rounded display corners as well.

[GOTSpectrum]

5 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

Not gonna lie. That looks really sick .

 

Hopefully HTC Phone Division owned by Google (what a mouthful lol ) promises 3 years of updates just like what Google did for Pixel 2nd Gen.

Also ouch, £699 is a tad expensive.

I thought Google didn't buy the brand, just took on the staff? I'm confused... PS Google really needs to make high quality mid range devices under the Nexus brand for affordable prices.

[AlTech]

14 minutes ago, Ben Quigley said:

I thought Google didn't buy the brand, just took on the staff? I'm confused... PS Google really needs to make high quality mid range devices under the Nexus brand for affordable prices.

Google bought the phone division from HTC.

[GOTSpectrum]

5 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Google bought the phone division from HTC.

So Google is making HTC branded phones... Interesting...

[D13H4RD]

I quite like it actually 

 

Just a shame it has no headphone jack, but since the HTC Bolt, I guess that's to be expected 

[DocSwag]

1 hour ago, Ben Quigley said:

I thought Google didn't buy the brand, just took on the staff? I'm confused... PS Google really needs to make high quality mid range devices under the Nexus brand for affordable prices.

 

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Google bought the phone division from HTC.

My understanding is that Google didn't completely buy out HTC's phone divison... rather, they bought a lot of their employees as well as the ability to use all of HTC's smartphone products.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-21/google-buys-htc-engineers-for-1-1-billion-to-aid-hardware-push

[Rune]

No headphone jaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

[D13H4RD]

4 hours ago, Rune said:

No headphone jaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

To no one's surprise, honestly 

[Mooshi]

Gloss, gross. Glossy finishes turn a product worth hundreds into something resembling a kids toy.

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

If the logo wasn't there i would have mistaken it for a v30 from afar

[GoldenLag]

7 hours ago, Rune said:

No headphone jaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

couldnt they at least make the USB C thunderbolt enabled. that way it is actually a dongle device instead of some wannabe-dongle device

[Ginger_]

36 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

couldnt they at least make the USB C thunderbolt enabled. that way it is actually a dongle device instead of some wannabe-dongle device

Thunderbolt uses pcie lanes. Snapdragon SOCs don't have a single pcie lane. 

[AlTech]

3 hours ago, D13H4RD2L1V3 said:

To no one's surprise, honestly 

I'm surprised they had the balls to remove it anyway since it'll turn off some amount of people.

[GoldenLag]

2 minutes ago, Ginger_ said:

Thunderbolt uses pcie lanes. Snapdragon SOCs don't have a single pcie lane. 

the Apple SOC uses i believe Nvme storage. shouldnt ARM SOC have PCIe lanes?. i am aware that Thunderbolt uses PCIe lanes, but so does many other connectors, but often only 1 or 2 for many ports

[Ginger_]

2 hours ago, GoldenLag said:

the Apple SOC uses i believe Nvme storage. shouldnt ARM SOC have PCIe lanes?. i am aware that Thunderbolt uses PCIe lanes, but so does many other connectors, but often only 1 or 2 for many ports

Huh, I didn't know about Apple using nvme. Started with the 6s apparently. 

 

Until like last year thunderbolt was an Intel exclusive though, so maybe now that they've made it open source well see it in phones. Really though I don't see much use for it. Usb c hubs work, no real need for a wired connection, and Samsung already makes docks for monitors

[DocSwag]

3 hours ago, GoldenLag said:

couldnt they at least make the USB C thunderbolt enabled. that way it is actually a dongle device instead of some wannabe-dongle device

I think the reasons are cost, practical-ness, and (I'm not sure about this one) maybe power consumption. The TB3 controllers definitely cost more and I can't see the extra bandwidth being used that well in phones. USB 3.1 GEN 2 is already way more than enough for smartphone storage. I also can't verify this but it's possible TB3 controllers use more power.

 

It just seems to be there's way more risk that reward.

[GoldenLag]

1 hour ago, DocSwag said:

I think the reasons are cost, practical-ness, and (I'm not sure about this one) maybe power consumption. The TB3 controllers definitely cost more and I can't see the extra bandwidth being used that well in phones. USB 3.1 GEN 2 is already way more than enough for smartphone storage. I also can't verify this but it's possible TB3 controllers use more power.

 

It just seems to be there's way more risk that reward.

Might become a thing on hybrid devices or larger phones. That way you can dualboot into windows and use a powered thunderbolt-hub to do everything. 

 

That is partially why i want thunderbolt on phones. 

[D13H4RD]

4 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

I'm surprised they had the balls to remove it anyway since it'll turn off some amount of people.

They did it back in 2016 with the Bolt, and it doesn't look like it's coming back.

 

I don't know WHY they did it, but it's gone and it doesn't look like HTC wants to put it back. Oh well, their loss

[ObilvionNizer]

13 hours ago, Rune said:

No headphone jaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

 

4 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

I'm surprised they had the balls to remove it anyway since it'll turn off some amount of people.

Even the U11 has no headphone jack. 

[LAwLz]

2 hours ago, DocSwag said:

I think the reasons are cost, practical-ness, and (I'm not sure about this one) maybe power consumption. The TB3 controllers definitely cost more and I can't see the extra bandwidth being used that well in phones. USB 3.1 GEN 2 is already way more than enough for smartphone storage. I also can't verify this but it's possible TB3 controllers use more power.

 

It just seems to be there's way more risk that reward.

There is also size to take into consideration. The Thunderbolt controllers are quite large. Large as in, you could probably fit an entire extra SoC in the space a TB controller takes up. 

 

So it's expensive, probably uses quite a lot of power and takes up a fair amount of room. And for what purpose? Barely anyone uses TB. 

[DocSwag]

1 hour ago, GoldenLag said:

Might become a thing on hybrid devices or larger phones. That way you can dualboot into windows and use a powered thunderbolt-hub to do everything. 

 

That is partially why i want thunderbolt on phones. 

Such a small amount of people actually want such a thing though.

 

At any rate, there's already stuff like Samsung Dex that does a similar thing.

[Blademaster91]

8 hours ago, Mooshi said:

Gloss, gross. Glossy finishes turn a product worth hundreds into something resembling a kids toy.

Exactly, and why use a glossy finish on the back that is slippery and will attract finger prints or most will just cover with a protective case anyway.

[Misanthrope]

HT who?