HTC U Ultra Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The HTC U’s shimmering glass body makes it one of prettiest phones I’ve seen in a long time (same goes for the HTC U Play). But it’s the AI inside that will set the two devices in HTC’s new “U” line apart from all the rest.

The zillion notifications you get every day are abrupt, disruptive and chaotic, says HTC. So the Ultra and Play turn to artificial-intelligence programming that prioritizes the notifications it shows you. There’s a second screen along the top where your newly vetted alerts appear, similar to the LG V20.

But HTC’s new phone won’t do it alone — this is where “U” come in. As you set up your phone for the first time, you’ll need to decide which alerts you want to see on that second screen. HTC says the phone will also learn over time, adapting itself to your interests.

It’s called HTC Sense Companion, and it can:

• Look at your calendar and predict if you can make it through the day on a full charge. If not, you’ll see a prompt to recharge your phone and an offer to disable power-sucking apps you almost never use.
• Offer restaurant recommendations based on your patterns — learning how you choose by price, category, distance and habit.
• Warn you of awful weather so you can adjust your commute or take a scarf.
• Turn off your habitual alarm on weekends and holidays so you don’t rudely wake up at 6 a.m.
• Unlock the phone with your voice, at up to a 2-meter range

HTC says it won’t ever let an alert take over your screen and make you stop what you’re doing.

You can preorder the U Ultra starting January 12.

But can it compete? Is the AI any good?

We need to break this down.

AI smarts: It’s hard to say how beneficial this is in real life. We got about an hour to take photos and glance at the prefinal software, but there’s really no way that you can set up and train the U Ultra’s AI tool without logging in to the phone and using it as your own.

HTC U Ultra and Play shine on in glass
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We do know that AI is going to be a trend in phones this year in one form or another — the Huawei Honor Magic already uses something it also calls AI software, but again, we didn’t have a chance to see how well it works on that phone, which is solely tuned for Chinese services.

Looks: HTC makes nice phones, and the U Ultra looks really awesome, even if it’s reflective as hell. Glass is problematic because it’s shatterprone, but most phones scuff or break when you drop them. You’d want a protective case for sure.

Specs: I don’t get HTC. It had an opportunity to make the Ultra water-resistant, Google Daydream-ready and outfitted with a headphone jack and wireless charging — and didn’t. Instead, the Ultra lacks these bonuses that phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8, iPhone 8 and next Google phone will probably have (in some combination).

It’s a great-looking device with an interesting concept, but the U Ultra’s AI is going to have to be extremely useful to get HTC back on the map.

Hardware specs

• 5.7-inch screen (2,560×1,440-pixel resolution)
• 2-inch notifications screen (swipable)
• 12-megapixel UltraPixel camera with OIS
• 16-megapixel front-facing camera
• 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
• Android 7.0 software
• MicroSD card up to 2T
• USB-C port
• Fingerprint reader with NFC
• 64GB, 128GB options with 4GB RAM
• 128GB version comes with sapphire crystal screen
• HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi audio
• Dual-SIM optional
• Colors: Ice white, sapphire blue, cosmetic pink, brilliant black

HTC U Play Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The HTC U Play is the smaller than the new HTC U Ultra, but we wouldn’t call it the runt. It’s meant to be a more affordable version of HTC’s new line of phones that use AI, or artificial intelligence, software to try giving you a more streamlined experience.

In particular, it declutters your notifications pane by putting only the alerts you care about on a secondary screen at the top of the phone. How well does it work? Well, we don’t know yet. We didn’t get enough time to set it up and try it out, which is especially important for a phone that says it’ll learn over time.

But we do know that this glass phone — which comes in shimmering white, pink, blue and black — is the less expensive, more midrange alternative to the flagship U Ultra. For example, although its 16-megapixel camera sounds heftier than the U Ultra’s 12-megapixel “Ultrapbixel” shooter, HTC says that the Ultra’s camera will take the crisper photos of the two.

HTC U Ultra and Play shine on in glass
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The U Ultra and U Play use the same 2-inch strip of screen to display alerts, and also have the same AI software running on top of Android 7.0.

You can preorder the phone in select markets starting January 12. It’ll cost less than the flagship Ultra, but we don’t have pricing just yet. We’ll update as soon as we do!

Hardware specs

• 5.2-inch screen (1,920×1,080 pixels)
• 2-inch notifications screen (swipable)
• 16-megapixel front and rear cameras
• Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor
• 32GB and 64GB options (3/4GB RAM)
• Up to 2T microSD card
• 2,500mAh battery
• Fingerprint sensor with NFC
• Dual-SIM optional
• Colors: Ice white, sapphire blue, cosmetic pink, brilliant black

HTC U Ultra hands-on: a major change for HTC

It is no secret that HTC has had a rough couple of years, despite once being one of the great kings of the Android world. While the HTC One M7 and One M8 were both positive steps in the right direction for HTC, the HTC One M9 was arguably a pretty big stumbling point for the company, with many criticizing its design, camera, and more. Last year HTC attempted yet again to turn things around with the HTC 10. It’s true that the phone was better received than its predecessor, but unfortunately it largely failed to make the mark that the company was hoping for.

Enter the HTC U family.

Arriving significantly earlier than previous HTC flagships, the HTC U family has two different models, the high-end U Ultra and the mid-range HTC U Play. In this post we’ll be focusing on the former.

Read: HTC announces the mid-range HTC U Play

Editor’s note: HTC did not allow us to record any footage of the HTC U Ultra and U Play due to the non-final software.

It’s still unclear whether the HTC U Ultra is meant to replace the HTC 10 or is merely a new lineup and a bit of a stopgap until their next flagship, though given its larger overall size, we’d say it probably is meant to compliment HTC’s smaller flagship range. That’s all unconfirmed at the moment though.

So what does the HTC U Ultra bring to table? Let’s dive in and find out.

HTC U Ultra specifications

While it would have been nice to see the HTC U Ultra launch with the brand new Snapdragon 835, the phone still rocks pretty solid specs including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 4GB RAM, and either 64 or 128GB storage, as well as microSD expansion up to 2TB. However, one of the biggest spec standouts is the display.

The HTC U Ultra’s screen is significantly larger than the HTC 10’s 5.2-inch display at 5.7-inches with a resolution of QHD. Even more interesting, HTC  has seemingly taken a page from LG’s playbook, introducing a 2-inch secondary display above the main one, with a resolution of 160 x 1040. As you’d imagine, this second display is for notifications, contacts, reminders, and even certain special apps.

Under that display is a button configuration that is very familiar to those who used the HTC 10 or the A9. With the HTC U Ultra you once again get a home button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which HTC promises is as fast and efficient as ever. And on top you’ll find a front facing 16MP camera that also can be easily switched to “UltraPixel” mode, giving you “unparalleled light sensitivity” or a high resolution, depending on your situation.

Moving around back, you’ll find a 12MP UltraPixel 2 camera sensor with laser autofocus, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization (OIS), a 1.55µm pixel size, and an f/ 1.8 aperture. At least on paper, this camera sounds very similar to the HTC 10, but considering the 10 had a pretty solid camera, this certainly isn’t a bad thing.

Just like the HTC 10, you get a non-removable 3000 mAh battery, though it’s hard to say what this means for battery life, considering the display is a great deal larger than the 10. Of course you still get Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 so you can charge your phone back up in a hurry, even if you do end up running it down.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the spec sheet, but we have to point out one area that isn’t so positive: the headphone jack is gone. As we saw with Apple last year, HTC has removed the headphone jack to save on a little internal space. Whether this is a deal breaker or not probably depends on your own personal tastes and needs.

HTC U Ultra design, features, and software

After years of offering a metallic design, HTC is finally making a massive switch with the HTC U Ultra. This time around, HTC opts for a 3D contoured glass design that we can’t help but feel is quite familiar to what we’ve seen from companies like Samsung and even Honor. Of course the overall look still has some traditional HTC flair, but in a package that certainly is quite a bit different than year’s past. Whether this is an upgrade or downgrade in design is largely a subjective matter, of course.

HTC is well-known for its audio prowess and this continues here with the U Ultra. The iconic BoomSound Hi-Fi speakers are present here, wit ha tweeter above and a woofer below, as well as four omnidirectional mics that capture positional sound. There’s also a unique new HTC U Sonic feature that reportedly analyzes your inner ear with sonar-like pulses, and then attempts to your ears to optmize the headset sound and quality specifically too your ears. Like HTC says in its official press release “Whether you’re in a library or at a party, you can adapt your headset to suit noise levels around you.”

Without a headphone jack, HTC leaves out one area it is known for, though we imagine that its wireless sound support is also top notch, and you can, of course, except some kind of USB-C audio adapter for those that want to use existing wired headphones with the U Ultra.

On the software front the HTC U Ultra runs Android 7.0 Nougat with Sense technology. While we can’t speak much on all the features found in the latest version of Sense just yet, HTC is highlighting some new AI/Assistant features. The brand new Sense Companion is a personal companion that always is learning from your habits and can remind you of all sorts of things like if you need to give your phone a little extra charge to make it through the day depending on your schedule, recommending restaurants, warning you to leave for work early based on weather and road conditions, and more.

HTC says that this technology is made to evolve the more you use it, and the company will also likely continue updating and upgrading its function set in the months (and years) to come. In addition, the HTC U Ultra features advanced voice recognition, responding even if your phone is asleep, letting your rject calls, take calls, dismiss alarms and more — all from your voice.

HTC U Ultra pricing and availability

The HTC 10 Ultra will go up for pre-sale later today, exclusively at htc.com. No word on exact pricing just yet, though we’re sure details will surface very soon. As for color choices? While we imagine not all colors will be offered in every market, the currently announced choices are Brilliant Black, Cosmetic Pink, Ice White,  and Sapphire Blue.

With an all new design and plenty of special features, the HTC U Ultra certainly stands apart from its past brothers, but is this enough to make it a success? Let us know what you think down in the comments below.

HTC announces the mid-range HTC U Play

Editor’s note: HTC did not allow us to record any footage of the HTC U Ultra and U Play due to the non-final software.

While the new HTC U Ultra is certainly the star of the new U line-up, the U Play is the perfect mid-range device for HTC fans that want something a bit smaller and don’t mind less aggressive specs as as result.

Read: HTC U Ultra hands-on: a major change for HTC

Not only is the HTC U Play smaller than its more powerful brother, it also offers a somewhat different take on design. While both phones swap metal for glass this time around, different camera shapes and other refinements make it pretty easy to tell the two models apart, in addition to the obvious size difference.

On the spec side of things, the HTC U Play is powered by a MediaTek Helio processor and offers a more modest 5.2-inch 1080p display. Other specs include 32 or 64GB storage with microSD for expansion, a 16MP rear camera, a 16MP front cam with UltraPixel switching tech, and a 2,500 mAh battery.

The specs here obviously aren’t as premium as the U Ultra, but they are still pretty solid, including little extras like high-quality sound and USonic adaptive sound that figures out the optimal sound conditions for your ear based on the noise around it.

For a full look at what is under the hood, check out the spec sheet below:

On the software front, the HTC U Play offers Android 7.0 Nougat with Sense on top. That also means you get the brand new Sense Companion, just like the HTC U Ultra.

What is this companion feature exactly? Basically it is a personal assistant that HTC is always learning from your habits and can remind you of all sorts of things like if you need to give your phone a little extra charge to make it through the day depending on your schedule, recommending restaurants, warning you to leave for work early based on weather and road conditions, and more.

Not much is known about the pricing or release details for the HTC U Play just yet, other than we can expect it in “select global markets” in early 2017. What do you think of the mid-range U Play, would you consider picking one up if the price is right? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments.

HTC U Ultra specs: 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 821, 3000 mAh battery

You should know every last spec you’re getting in a new phone.

HTC’s U Ultra is a big phone, with plenty of specs under its beautiful glass exterior. When it comes to what you expect from a high-end phone, you get it here: Snapdragon 821, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 5.7-inch QHD display covered by Gorilla Glass 5 and a top-end camera with big pixels and a fast aperture. It’s all here, and more, in the full HTC U Ultra spec sheet.

HTC U Ultra + U Play

• HTC U Ultra + U Play hands-on
• The latest U Ultra news
• HTC U Ultra specs
• HTC U Play specs
• Join our HTC U Ultra forums!

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HTC U Play specs: 5.2-inch 1080p, MediaTek CPU, 16MP camera

Stepping down in size but also internal specs.

The HTC U Play may retain the excellent external hardware of its larger sibling, but the internal specs are decidedly downmarket from the U Ultra. In order to cut down the price, the U Play moves to a MediaTek processor and in some cases 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It also drops to a less-desirable 16MP camera, smaller battery and a 1080p display resolution. Here’s the full slate of specs.

HTC U Ultra + U Play

• HTC U Ultra + U Play hands-on
• The latest U Ultra news
• HTC U Ultra specs
• HTC U Play specs
• Join our HTC U Ultra forums!

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HTC announces U Ultra and U Play: Beautiful glass back in two sizes with disparate spec sheets

HTC is waiting less than two weeks into 2017 to launch two new phones.

At an event today in Taiwan, HTC unveiled its latest phones in a new line: the HTC U Ultra and U Play. The two models follow a familiar strategy for HTC, launching one high-end device and another in the same line with lower specs to target different audiences. To that point, the U Ultra is the phone we’ll see here in the U.S. and around the world, while the U Play will see a much more limited release.

Both phones have a brand new design language for HTC, dominated by a curved full-glass back look it calls “liquid surface” and accented by clean metal accents and a muted front. The phones retain a front fingerprint sensor that doubles as a home button flanked by capacitive back and recents keys. You won’t find a headphone jack on either phone, as HTC continues its high-quality USB-C audio story started with the HTC Bolt.

The U Ultra is obviously the higher-end of the two considering its name, with a 5.7-inch QHD display to the U Play’s 5.2-inch 1080p, but the Ultra also has something else: a secondary display at the top of the phone giving you a little extra real estate. Its 2-inch size and off-center placement is nearly identical to the LG V20, and its function is similar as well: it can show glanceable information like upcoming appointments or be configured to show notifications, frequently used apps and more.

More: HTC U Ultra and U Play hands-on

The hardware is gorgeous on either phone.

Inside the U Ultra you’ll find a Snapdragon 821 processor (the 835 just isn’t ready yet), 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, plus an SD card slot. The camera is very similar to the 12MP UltraPixel sensor found in the HTC 10, with 1.55-micron pixels and f/1.8 aperture, though it adds new PDAF to augment the current laser focus setup. HTC’s latest split BoomSound experience is here as well, just like the HTC 10.

The U Play is a bit more traditional, skipping the secondary display entirely but unfortunately also dumbing down the rest of the specs: a MediaTek Helio P10 processor steps in, and some combination of 3 or 4GB of RAM and 32 or 64GB of storage, depending on the region. The camera also drops to a typical 16MP unit that lacks any “UltraPixel” branding. The front-facing camera is identical to that of the U Ultra, though: a 16MP sensor with a 4MP “UltraPixel” shooting mode.

Both phones have surprisingly small batteries — the U Ultra offers just 3000 mAh capacity, while the U Play comes in at 2500 mAh. Those are both on the low end of what we’ve seen from various other phones of this size throughout 2016, and though the U Ultra offers Quick Charge 3.0 over its USB-C port it’s not a great sign for battery life. Let’s hope HTC has optimized the software to handle the limited capacity.

Hardware is a bigger story than software for the U Ultra and U Play, though one big promotion point is the inclusion of some artificial intelligence smarts in the latest version of Sense. HTC has a new app called “Sense Companion” that acts as a dashboard for all of the little bits of AI that are interspersed throughout the experience — namely phone, contacts, notifications, apps and battery management.

More: Complete HTC U Ultra specs

HTC is dipping its toe into artificial intelligence

After learning from your habits of use, the phone will be able to smartly make recommendations, manage what notifications you see, only alert you of information from specific contacts, manage unused apps and give you tips and controls for your battery based on how you use your phone. This definitely isn’t a full virtual assistant, but it’s a bit more of the smarts we’re starting to expect in modern phones. For all of the more advanced function, HTC is still leaning on Google’s APIs for voice control and of course including Google Now’s predictive powers to do their own thing.

HTC aims to ship both phones first in Taiwan, though a worldwide expansion won’t be far behind. The U Ultra will be the truly global device of the two, with the U Play seeing a limited release in specific markets. The U Ultra will be up for pre-order unlocked directly from HTC.com today for $749; details on the expansion of the U Play will come later.

HTC U Ultra + U Play

• HTC U Ultra + U Play hands-on
• The latest U Ultra news
• HTC U Ultra specs
• HTC U Play specs
• Join our HTC U Ultra forums!

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HTC U Ultra + U Play hands-on: Hardware design isn’t everything

HTC keeps making really interesting phones, but will anyone care? I want to believe.

The question is asked every single time HTC releases any phone, from its mid-range Desire line up to the One (and now just numbered) flagships. HTC’s phones always pack stunning designs, clean and fast software, a few neat ideas … and usually a couple of odd decisions that throw people off. On the whole they’re still good phones, though, so why doesn’t anyone ever seem to care? Through a combination of factors the smartphone market has started to leave HTC behind. It’s a big company that doesn’t make products that often go head-to-head with the likes of Samsung and Apple, but at the same time are too expensive to compete with the scrappier competition from OnePlus, Moto and Huawei in the mid-range market.

HTC’s grasp at a chunk of the 2017 smartphone market isn’t a new phone in an existing line, but instead two phones in a brand new line with a fresh name. They are the HTC U Ultra and U Play, phones that are ostensibly all about “you” (get it now?), and independent from previous offerings. They’re marked by a fresh design approach and the start of injecting artificial intelligence into HTC’s software, and are designed to take on the flagship (U Ultra) and top-end of the mid-range (U Play) markets.

With a beautiful glass exterior, high-end specs and a couple of features aimed at grabbing interest, the U Ultra is getting out ahead of the other flagships expected to launch in a couple of months. The U Play, for its efforts, is targeting other more price-sensitive markets with a size and spec cut inside the same excellent chassis. Will the pair offer enough to make people start considering HTC again? We take a look at what they have to offer.

Yes. So much yes.

HTC U Ultra + U Play Hardware

You could argue that HTC hasn’t pushed the envelope in hardware as much as it has in the past, but you could hardly find a flaw in the execution of any design since it started making phones under its own brand. With the U Ultra and U Play, HTC has rolled out a fresh design that’s very much worthy of a flagship device, and it’s applied perfectly in both sizes of the phone.

More: Complete HTC U Ultra specs

The back of the U Ultra and U Play is graced with a complete glass back HTC calls “liquid surface” that curves dramatically around all sides in a single piece, including perfectly sculpted rounded corners. The glass is imbued with various elements and colors to create an effect that provides endless depth and irregular color changes depending on the light, which is visible in all four available colors: black, blue, white and pink. The only bits to break up the flowing surface are the camera assembly (square on the Ultra, round on the Play) and subtle HTC logo.

The glass back is glossy and consistently smooth across its entire surface, transitioning into a metal frame that offers a lightly textured color-matched surface. You won’t find a headphone jack on that metal edge, though: HTC is all-in with USB-C audio, and is bundling the new adaptive headphones it first unveiled with the HTC Bolt at the end of 2016. From the front you’ll find what looks very similar to an HTC 10 or One A9, with a fingerprint sensor that doubles as a home button surrounded by capacitive back and recents keys.

This hardware is gorgeous. Flashy, yet understated.

The U Ultra has a little extra up near the top of the screen, though: a secondary horizontal 2-inch display juts above the main 5.7-inch QHD panel for additional real estate. It sits off-center to the right, making room for the front-facing camera precisely like the LG V20, and provides many of the same functions. It’ll show you upcoming appointments, favorite contacts, frequently used apps and more, and when the main screen is off can continue to show information like the time, date, weather and battery status.

The secondary display exclusive to the U Ultra, however — the U Play’s 5.2-inch 1080p display stands alone and is one of the couple subtle external differences between the models. The U Play of course has a smaller 2500 mAh battery to match its size, but also has a less impressive 16MP camera. The U Ultra has a slightly updated version of the HTC 10’s camera setup, which depending on improvements in software could be a strong contender this year.

The design of these phones is at once flashy and understated, which is very much a calling card of HTC. The glass back is as glitzy as you can get with its reflective properties and option of a bright blue color scheme, but at the same time the front is a complete blank slate and you won’t find any big bevels or unnecessary patterns to distract you. Both phones feel amazing, and once you get beyond the potential for fingerprints and scratches you’ll enjoy the aesthetic.

Once again, a few puzzling decisions throughout.

The story inside these phones isn’t all that interesting, at least when it comes to the U Ultra. The true flagship has a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with an SD card slot. The camera is a slight bump from the HTC 10 — a similar 12MP 1.55-micron sensor with f/1.8 aperture, OIS, and now PDAF to partner with its laser AF. The only head-scratcher here is a relatively small 3000 mAh battery.

The U Play, for all its glory and identical hardware design, is a decidedly downmarket offering internally. It drops to a 1080p display (admittedly not bad at 5.2-inches), a MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 3 or 4GB of RAM and 32 or 64GB of storage, depending on market. Its 16MP f/2.0 camera is nothing fancy, lacking any UltraPixel branding. With specs like that it makes even more sense that the U Ultra is the primary device in the lineup, while the U Play will only see a limited release in specific areas.

A sprinkling of AI

HTC U Ultra + U Play Software

HTC’s software story in January 2017 remains mostly unchanged from what we see on an HTC 10 with Nougat today — basically a full Android 7.0 experience, plus a fresh launcher, a set of HTC’s own apps and slight visual changes in the settings and notification shade. Further to that point, HTC is set to continue its strategy of regularly updating its apps through Google Play to improve the Sense experience for all compatible devices, rather than tying things down to big software updates.

There is one odd wrinkle, though: thanks to support issues with its MediaTek processor, the U Play is actually shipping with Android Marshmallow, with a Nougat update slated to arrive shortly. Worth noting.

The one change on offer for the U series, which ties into its name, is the inclusion of an artificial intelligence layer that permeates throughout the system and is designed to personalize your experience. HTC claims it has a “different philosophy” on AI, which in this case means it isn’t going for a full virtual assistant but instead little bits of extra intelligence in a variety of apps.

With this layer of AI in the software, the U Ultra and U Play will aim to give you recommendations based on your phone usage, highlight which contacts are most important to you and make tweaks to improve the software experience. For example notifications can be prioritized based on your favorite contacts, apps will be managed based on what you use most, and the phone can tweak battery management if it knows you won’t make it through the day at your current usage.

The real issue with these types of features is that you’re effectively taking HTC’s word when it comes to how effective they can be. By its own admission HTC says you won’t see immediate impact from the artificial intelligence, as it takes time to learn your habits and figure out how to help you best. I have to give HTC credit for knowing what it can and can’t accomplish with AI, though — the offerings here definitely aren’t big enough to sell a phone on their own, but then again they’re what can be reasonably done and I’d rather have these executed well than get a bunch of “intelligence” forced on me that doesn’t work.

HTC knows it can’t build a complete digital voice assistant platform (at least right now), and so it’s keeping Google’s own voice recognition, search and personalization present here as well. On the U Ultra, four high-end far-field mics aim to hear you clearly from up to six feet away, and they’re always listening for your commands. That’s laying the groundwork for something bigger in the future, but right now the ambitions are kept in check.

Continuing to explore

HTC U Ultra + U Play More to come

This is just the tip of the iceberg on these new phones from HTC, particularly when it comes to the U Ultra as that phone clearly has its sights set on competing with the highest-end phones available today. HTC’s new design on both phones is particularly stunning, and I immediately enjoyed it. What’s inside the U Ultra should make sure it can compete with the top phones out there. The only issue, as ever, are the few puzzling choices HTC made in what would otherwise be a top-end phone: a smaller-than-most battery, lack of a headphone jack and missing waterproofing of any sort.

I immediately appreciate HTC’s choice to make the U Ultra available on Day 1 unlocked sold directly from its own website, but at the same time the pricing may be an issue for some who recently balked at the price of the Pixel XL. Spending extra time with the U Ultra to explore its hardware merits — and more importantly its AI-infused software — on a daily basis will be important to see where it stands as the first high-end phone of 2017.

HTC U Ultra + U Play

• HTC U Ultra + U Play hands-on
• The latest U Ultra news
• HTC U Ultra specs
• HTC U Play specs
• Join our HTC U Ultra forums!

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Stable Nougat OTA now hitting Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, starting with beta users

Android 7.0 Nougat is now making its way to the S7 and S7 edge.

After concluding the beta program last week, Samsung announced that it would roll out the stable Android 7.0 Nougat update to the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge later this month. The company is now kicking off its rollout, with the update making its way initially to those enrolled in the Galaxy Beta Programme.

Those that have best tested the Nougat update will be transitioned to the stable build via a forced OTA update that is rolling out gradually. If you’re a beta user and see the system update message, you’ll have 30 seconds until the phone reboots and starts installing the update.

The changelog for the update details several UX and performance fixes, including improvements to notifications, multi-window mode, always-on display, and enhancements to the system upgrade and app installation process. If you’re using the Gear IconX earbuds, you should update their firmware to the latest version before installing the Nougat update.

With the stable OTA rollout now officially underway, it shouldn’t be too long until carrier-specific variants receive the update. We’ll keep you posted as and when the update makes its way to S7 and S7 edge units around the world.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• U.S. unlocked Galaxy S7
• Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S7?
• Best SD cards for Galaxy S7
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

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HTC U Ultra vs U Play: What’s the difference?

HTC has announced two new smartphones in the form of the U Ultra and the U Play, both of which have been designed to focus around you, as their names suggest.

The two devices feature very similar and unique designs, but they differ in what they offer in a number of areas. Here is how the HTC U Ultra and the HTC U Play compare to help you decide which is the right one for you.

• HTC U Ultra preview
• HTC U Play preview

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Design

• Similar design with curved glass construction
• Fingerprint sensor and USB Type-C on both
• U Ultra is the larger and heavier device

The HTC U Ultra and the U Play both feature similar designs with a 3D contoured reflective liquid surface and a curved glass construction coloured with layered minerals.

There is a capacitive button housing a fingerprint sensor on the front of each device, the volume buttons and signature ridged power button on the right and USB Type-C at the bottom. The U Ultra has a square rear camera lens, while the U Play has a circular rear lens and they offer different flash setups.

The U Ultra is the larger and heavier of the two devices, measuring 162.4 x 79.8mm and weighing 170g, while the U Play measures 146 x 72.9mm and weighs 145g. Both have a thickness that ranges between 3.5 and 8mm.

• HTC 10 review

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Display

• Larger, sharper display on the U Ultra
• Secondary Dual Display on the U Ultra
• Better protection on the U Ultra

The HTC U Ultra has a 5.7-inch main display, coupled with a 2.1-inch secondary display, allowing users to see information such as notifications and the weather without powering on the main display, as LG offers with its V20.

The main display has a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, delivering a pixel density of 515ppi, while the Dual Display as HTC calls it has a 1040 x 160 resolution. The displays are protected by either Gorilla Glass 5 or a special edition Sapphire Glass is also available.

The U Play by comparison has a smaller 5.2-inch display with a Full HD resolution. It doesn’t offer the Dual Display function and its lower resolution means it offers a softer display with a 423ppi pixel density. It too is protected by Gorilla Glass, though HTC doesn’t specify which generation.

• HTC U Ultra preview

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Cameras

• Same front-facing camera capabilities
• Laser autofocus and wider aperture on U Ultra
• 4K video and 3D Audio recording on U Ultra

The HTC U Ultra and U Play both have a 16-megapixel front-facing BSI sensor with an UltraPixel mode, 28mm focal length and f/2.0 aperture. They are both capable of Full HD video recording and they offer modes such as Auto HDR, Voice Selfie and Live Make-Up.

The rear cameras differ however, as their designs suggest. The U Ultra has a 12-megapixel UltraPixel sensor featuring 1.55µm pixels and an aperture of f/1.8. There is a dual-tone LED flash, OIS, laser autofocus and phase detection autofocus, along with 4K video recording with 3D Audio.

The U Play on the other hand opts for a 16-megapixel rear camera with an aperture of f/2.0, phase detection autofocus and OIS. It too has a dual-tone LED flash but it is only capable of Full HD video recording and it misses out on laser autofocus.

• HTC U Play preview

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Hardware

• U Ultra is more powerful
• Bigger battery capacity on U Ultra
• Better audio capabilities on U Ultra

The HTC U Ultra has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip under its hood, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory. MicroSD expansion is available with support up to 2TB and Android’s adoptable storage feature.

The U Play has the MediaTek Helio P10 processor, supported by 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage or 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, depending on the region. MicroSD storage expansion is on board again, with the same support for up to 2TB and adoptable storage feature.

The U Ultra has a larger battery capacity of 3000mAh, compared to 2500mAh and it also offers better audio capabilities. The U Play has dual microphones with noise cancellation, along with HTC USonic, while the U Ultra has four microphones for 3D Audio, USonic, BoomSound Hi-Fi edition and it is Hi-Res audio certified.  

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Software

• Both Android 7.0 Nougat with HTC Sense
• Both have HTC Sense Companion
• Same software experience

The HTC U Ultra and U Play both launch on Android 7.0 Nougat with HTC Sense, meaning the software experience will be nearly identical.

The two devices also offer HTC Sense Companion, which is an AI for suggestions based on what you do.

HTC U Ultra vs U Play: Conclusion

The HTC U Ultra and U Play might look similar but they are very different beneath their surfaces.

The U Ultra is the more powerful handset, offering better rear camera and audio capabilities, along with a larger and sharper display, secondary display, larger battery and more powerful hardware.

The U Play has size on its side though as the smaller and lighter option, and it still offers the same software experience and an identical front-facing camera to the U Ultra, as well as a similar design. Price will play a key role in the decision between these two handsets, as well as what features are actually important to you.