HTC today unveiled HTC U11, the world’s first smartphone that packs in a new squeeze interaction. Called HTC Edge Sense, this feature lets you “squeeze” the edges of the U11 to perform a wide range of functions such as taking photos, opening Facebook, or launching any of your favourite apps.
The new Edge Sense is based on actual pressure applied to the side of the device. The feature works even when you are wearing gloves or in weather such as snow or rain that would normally be a challenge with capacitive buttons.
HTC U11’s liquid glass surface is crafted to impress using Optical Spectrum Hybrid Deposition. The HTC U11 also features 3D glass on both front and back. The U11 features a 5.5-inches Quad HD 3D glass screen designed for vivid, crisp images and text in any light – even direct sunlight. The HTC U11 is also water-resistant, so no need to worry about splashes, spills, or dunks.
Active Noise Cancellation with the ability to tune audio to your unique hearing. By leveraging built-in microphones on the headset and USB-C data connectivity, USonic earbuds map your inner ear with an advanced sonar-like technology and then adapt the sound profile to your unique biology.
HTC also upgraded the microphones, using four optimally positioned omni-directional microphones together with the company’s new Acoustic Focus technology. HTC U11’s microphones work together to record audio from all directions, and when shooting video with Acoustic Focus, you can visually zoom in to target your subject and amplify their specific sounds. Out of the box, HTC ships a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with a built-in DAC.
The U11 packs in a new front camera with a resolution of 16MP and a 12MP main camera at the back. In terms of voice assistants, the HTC U11 packs in not one, but two – Android’s very own Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa. However, the Alexa voice service is currently only available to customers in the United States, UK, and Germany.
HTC U11 is also the first smartphone to be commercially released worldwide that is exclusively powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform. So no matter what region of the world you live in, you get an octa-core processor with breakthrough speeds, jaw-dropping graphics, impressively smooth performance and outstanding battery life.
The HTC U11 offers 4GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/128GB storage options. The pricing of the device starts at AED 2599. Colour options include Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, and Solar Red. Customers pre-booking the phone will also get a pair of JBL Reflect Aware Earphones, the world’s first USB-C sport earphones with noise cancellation and adaptive noise control worth AED 799, for free. The phone is expected to be available commercially in the region from early June 2017 onwards.
