After months of rumors and speculation, HTC has finally made its new flagship official. It’s called the U11, and rather than simply a sleeker, faster version of last year’s HTC 10, the U11 boasts a more distinctive and bold design, as well as a few quirky features that set it apart from the competition.
Among that competition is LG’s G6, which we praised as the best Android smartphone on the market when it launched in April. The release of the Samsung
With that in mind, we’ve put together a spec comparison to illustrate how HTC’s best matches up against the LG G6. Could Android have a new frontrunner? Read on to find out.
Specs
|
HTC U11  |
LG G6  |
|
| Size | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 millimeters (6.05 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 148.9 × 71.9 × 7.9 millimeters (5.86 × 2.83 × 0.31 inches) |
| Weight | 5.96 ounces (169 grams) | 5.75 ounces (163 grams) |
| Screen | 5.5-inch IPS LCD touchscreen | 5.7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 pixels | 2,880 × 1,440 pixels |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 Nougat | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Storage | 64GB (128GB in select markets) | 32 (64GB in select markets) |
| MicroSD Card Slot | Yes | Yes |
| NFC support | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM | 4GB (6GB in select markets) | 4GB |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, HSPA+, 802.11ac/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | 4G LTE, HSPA+, 802.11ac/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi |
| Camera | 12MP rear with OIS, 16MP front | 13MP rear dual with OIS and wide-angle lens, 5MP front |
| Video | 4K | 4K |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.2 | Yes, version 4.2 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Other sensors | Edge Sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor, iris scanner | Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor |
| Water Resistant | Yes, IP67 | Yes, IP68 |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,200mAh |
| Charger | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Quick Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes, Qi and PMA (United States only) |
| Marketplace | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Color offerings | Blue, black, silver | White, black, platinum |
| Availability | Sprint, Unlocked |
AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| Price | Starting at $650 | Starting at $650 |
| DT Review | Hands-on | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
Most of the time, spec comparisons between top-tier
Of course, straight numbers don’t always provide the full story of user experience. However, this is one of the rare instances where a new flagship is noticeably more powerful than its rival, even if the latter launched just a few weeks prior. The LG G6 packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 system-on-chip, while the HTC U11 is driven by the newer, superior Snapdragon 835.
What does this mean when it comes to everyday use? Well, Qualcomm says the 835 can deliver 27-percent better performance across the board compared to its predecessor, which is also found in the Google Pixel and OnePlus 3T.
The 835 first debuted in the
That generational gap is the primary difference between the two phones. The U11 also comes with 64GB of stock storage, which is double what you’ll find in the G6, though both phones allow MicroSD card expansion. In terms of memory, both have 4GB to work with.
It’s also important to point out that audio is a pretty important factor in both phones, though, for different reasons. The U11 benefits from HTC’s BoomSound speakers and Hi-Fi audio certification, along with four microphones designed to record three-dimensional sound. The G6 can’t claim parity with any of those features, however, it does have one thing U11 owners will undoubtedly miss: A 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.
On paper, there’s no contest here. The U11 comes with Qualcomm’s latest-and-greatest chipset, and although the 821 was certainly no slouch, the numbers indicate HTC’s product will be better equipped to keep up with anything you could throw at it.
Winner: HTC U11
Design
The U11 and G6 feel similar to hold, thanks to all-glass construction and glossy finishes that easily pick up fingerprints. In just about every other respect, however, these phones look very different.
The LG G6 resembles little else on the market, thanks to its minimal bezels, rounded corners, and 18:9 aspect ratio. In many respects, it’s the direction smartphones appear to be headed in the future. The G6 makes maximal use of its surface area by filling it almost entirely with screen, forcing the fingerprint sensor to the back.
HTC’s flagship, on the other hand, is less forward-thinking in its design. The bezels at the top and bottom are pretty thick, and exceptionally chunky along the sides, too. The display is of the conventional 16:9 variety, which will look and feel even narrower thanks to the surrounding real estate. With the front-facing home button and fingerprint sensor, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re looking at an
Around the back, however, the story is a little different. HTC’s U series is marked by vibrant, loud colors and a deep metallic finish that blankets the rear. It looked nice on the U Ultra, if not for the fact that it made the phone one of the worst fingerprint magnets on the market. The G6 is just as clean, but certainly not as striking. Here’s where your sense of style will make all the difference.
Overall, however, we have to give the nod to the G6. There’s no disputing the value of that wider screen dominating the chassis, and with companies such as LG and Samsung cutting down on bezels as much as they have, the U11 simply feels dated. So long as you don’t mind using your index finger to unlock your phone, the G6 wins this round.
Winner: LG G6
Display
Although the U11 and G6 are similar in size, the G6’s screen is noticeably larger at 5.7 inches. The U11’s is 5.5 inches. Both are Quad HD LCD panels, though, thanks to the LG’s wider aspect ratio, you’ll get more pixels on the G6 (2,880 x 1,440 on the G6 vs. 2,560 x 1,440 on the U11).
We came away very impressed with the G6’s display when we reviewed the device in April, and found it to be as excellent an LCD screen as we’ve ever seen in a
The U11’s display, though perfectly fine, doesn’t boast either of those enhancements, nor is its display as roomy. Although 18:9 content isn’t commonplace by any means, watching videos that are appropriately sized for the G6’s screen is a sight to behold, and U11 owners will miss out on that experience. For that reason, the G6 wins this bout.
Winner: LG G6
Battery life, camera, and software
Battery life
The G6’s 3,200mAh battery delivers solid, if a little unimpressive, battery life. A software update pushed to devices shortly after the launch of LG’s flagship somewhat improved things, but the fact remains that the G6 won’t break any records in terms of longevity. That said, the phone does support Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology, as well as Qi and PMA wireless charging on U.S. models.
The battery in the U11 pales in comparison, both in terms of capacity and features. It’s slightly smaller than the G6’s at 3,000mAh, and although the phone also supports quick charging, it lacks the ability to charge wirelessly.
Having a smaller battery doesn’t necessarily mean the U11 will exhibit poor battery life, however. It’s even possible HTC’s optimizations have made the phone more efficient than LG’s flagship, especially given that HTC is providing U11 users with two power-saving modes. Nonetheless, it’s too early to tell if that’s the case and, at least on paper, the G6 wins this battle.
Winner: LG G6
Camera
The U11 puts HTC’s UltraPixel tech in a 12-megapixel shooter with an f/1.7 aperture. It offers strong low-light performance and speedy autofocus. It has received DxO Mark’s top
The setup on the G6 is very different. There are two 13-megapixel lenses on the back of LG’s handset: A 71-degree shooter with optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture, and a wide-angle, 125-degree lens with an f/2.4 aperture. That wide-angle camera lends itself to scenarios and photo opportunities other smartphones simply can’t take advantage of.
In general, we found the G6’s camera to be among the most capable on the market, at times beating out the
Winner: LG G6
Software
Here is where HTC can make up some ground. The U11’s custom interface atop
First, Sense Companion. Yes, it’s a virtual assistant. But before you groan in agony over yet another AI servant attempting to do what Google Assistant already handles quite well, you should know that Sense Companion isn’t exactly like Bixby or Siri. For one, it doesn’t take the place of
Additionally, if you’re an Alexa user, the U11 will support Amazon’s assistant out of the box in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany.
But what about Edge Sense? It’s been one of HTC’s most-advertised features in the run up to this phone, and was rumored as far back as last year. It simply allows you to access additional controls and options by squeezing either side of the low end of the device, underneath the power button. This gives you the ability to quickly turn Wi-Fi on and off, access the flashlight, or make use of the apps you use the most. It’s a useful feature, but will likely require some self-training to really get the most out of it.
That’s the U11, so how does the G6 compare? LG’s custom
Neither phone struggles in the user experience department, but we think HTC’s rendition of
Winner: HTC U11
Durability and pricing
Durability
There isn’t a whole lot separating these two phones in the durability department. Both are clad in Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides and feature sealed battery compartments, as is the norm today. Both also benefit from water resistance. The U11 is IP67-rated, meaning it can withstand being submerged in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The G6 fares a little better with an IP68 rating, which means it can handle 1.5 meters of water over the same period of time.
The glossy, glass construction on both of these phones means you’ll probably have to put it in a case no matter which you buy.
Winner: Tie
Pricing and availability
The U11 is now up for pre-order in the United States, and HTC will begin shipping in June. Sprint is the only carrier that will sell the phone directly at launch, and it’s available for $696, or $29 a month across 24 months. You can also snag an unlocked version that will work on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile from both HTC’s website and Unlocked
Conversely, the G6 is available on all four major networks, starting at $650 from T-Mobile. Other wireless providers offer it for more, and we’re still waiting for LG to make unlocked ones available for prepaid and off-contract users.
Winner: Tie
Overall winner: LG G6
As solid as HTC’s newest flagship is, the LG G6 bests it in more categories. The display is much larger, despite the fact that the phone is actually smaller, and we love the wide angle lens on the camera. It also supports wireless charging, has a larger battery, and works with old-fashioned
