HTC is one of the smartphonefabrikanten that this year present at the technology fair IFA 2018. The manufacturer comes with the HTC U12-Life, a midranger with a 6-inch screen, speedy hardware, and unique design. We went already with the smartphone to get started.
HTC U12-Life preview
HTC introduced earlier this year the U12 Plus, a high-end smartphone, which – as you in our HTC U12 Plus review can read – quite a few stitches dropped. A big downside had to do with the main ‘innovation’ of HTC: the omission of physical buttons. Instead, it gave the existing buttons with haptic feedback. Because of this, it seems as if they still click, but in practice took this completely wrong, and worked it for no meter. Further, it was the screen not bright enough, the software is messy, and the battery life is very moderate.
All of this keeps HTC not to have a U12 device, though the new U12 Plus a car and thus a lot cheaper. For 349 euros you get some of the features that you are also on Android flagships, are already, HTC has a few concessions have to do to get the price down. In Berlin I could the device already as a test, and these are my first impressions.
A fresh design
During a short presentation made HTC is clearly not to want to go with the overall designtrend of 2018: a large screen with thin edges and a notch. Instead, it keeps HTC stuck to a more traditional design, all of the U12-Life or on an extended screen. That measures 6 inches, has a full-hd resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels and appeared during my short hands-on session fine.
At the top and bottom of the screen visible bezels, but quite disturbing is it not. In comparison with the HTC U11 Life last year are the edges along the screen a little bit thinner. The finger print scanner is to the rear moved, and there we see a striking design.
The HTC U12-Life has some way of a Pixel-unit, and that is because the back of two ‘parts’. The top, where the finger print scanner is processed, is made of glass, and the rest is made of a different, ribbed material. According to HTC sure the’s ridges in the housing, for more grip, and his fingerprints and spots makes it less visible.
Logically, it feels like the smartphone and less luxurious than its larger brother. That is mainly because the unit is lighter, and of what cheap material is made. The pattern translated and the glass half is, however, something we have not seen. Devices such as the Xiaomi Mi A2 and Nokia 7 Plus feel, however, slightly increase the volume. Water resistance is missing, by the way.
Faster hardware, clean software
Also on the inside, things have changed. The HTC U12-Life is powered by a speedy Snapdragon 636-chip, with more ram (4GB) and storage (64GB) than its predecessor. The unit felt during the previewsessie easy; apps launch quickly, and multitasking is smooth. Only when the pictures fell on the performance what inkakten. This had possible to do with the test model, still not-final software turned.
Where the HTC U11 Life a Android One device was and therefore had speedy updates and stock Android, is the successor that is not. The U12-Life runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo) with (according to HTC) a lighter version of the Sense skin. There are less apps included and also the Sense Companion is gone. This is a good thing, too, because with the Dutch Google Assistant you will have a good stemassistent on board. However, there is a mail-, clock – and-calendar-app from HTC, while that of Google itself just as useful.
Yet it is somewhat remarkable that HTC been away from the Android One program. This was, after all, one of the key features of the U11 Life, but maybe HTC is a little afraid himself to commit to monthly (and fast) updates. Therefore, it is now unclear how well the update policy for the U12-Life.
A lot of options and strong battery
Further, it is important that the HTC U12-Life is a remarkably complete smartphone. The device has a dual camera (16 + 5 megapixel, front-facing camera with led flash, stereo speakers, led light for your notifications, less bloatware, headphone jack, nfc, dualsim and a significantly larger battery.
Where the U11 Life had to do with a meager 2,600 mAh battery, the new smartphone has a capacity of 3600 mAh. That is quite a leap forward and should in practice ensure a long breath.
Nevertheless, it is yet to be seen how long the battery actually lasts. The more expensive U12 Plus also has a 3500 mAh battery, but must virtually every other high-end Android for suggest when it comes to battery life. Moreover, the U12-Life do include a usb-c port, but no Quick Charge support. Charging with the standard speed of usb c, and that is unfortunate.
Conclusion, release and price
The HTC U12-Life is on paper an interesting midranger, that not too many concessions. The device has a beautiful design, great screen and performs well. However, it is a pity that Android One is missing and the unit is a bit cheap to the touch. How the hardware, camera and battery life after a considerable period of testing to perform, we tell you in our comprehensive review.
The smartphone will have a suggested retail price of 349 euro and the beginning of October in stores. It comes in two colors: blue and light purple. Keep Android Planet the next time in the holes for more about the U12-Life.