HTC U12 Plus: A Comprehensive Review

The HTC U12 Plus, released in 2018, represented a significant step for HTC in the flagship smartphone market. It boasted impressive specifications on paper. However, its market reception was somewhat muted. This comprehensive review delves into the device’s strengths and weaknesses, offering a balanced perspective on its overall performance and user experience. We’ll explore its design, camera capabilities, battery life, and software features to provide a complete picture for potential buyers. Let’s dive in and dissect this often-overlooked contender.

Design and Build Quality

The HTC U12 Plus boasts a striking design. Its polished glass back, while undeniably beautiful, is also a fingerprint magnet. The phone feels substantial and premium in the hand, thanks to its carefully considered weight and dimensions. However, the slippery nature of the glass necessitates a case for daily use. The curved edges contribute to a comfortable grip, although reaching the top of the screen with one hand can be a challenge for users with smaller hands.

The placement of the power button and volume rocker felt intuitive during testing. The lack of a headphone jack, however, may be a deal-breaker for some users. While USB-C headphones are readily available, the omission still represents a step back for some consumers. The build quality itself is excellent; the phone feels robust and well-constructed, showing no signs of flexing or creaking even under pressure.

Display and Performance

The HTC U12 Plus features a vibrant 6-inch Super LCD display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels. Colors are rich and accurate, and the screen is bright enough for comfortable viewing in most lighting conditions. Viewing angles are also excellent, making it a pleasure to consume media content on this device. The display’s responsiveness is top-notch, making navigation and gaming a smooth experience. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, paired with 6GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance in most situations.

Even demanding games ran smoothly during our testing period, with minimal lag or stuttering. However, prolonged gaming sessions did result in noticeable heating, a common issue with high-performance smartphones. The internal storage options, ranging from 64GB to 128GB, provide ample space for applications and media. The inclusion of a microSD card slot further expands storage capabilities, offering a degree of flexibility for users with large media libraries.

Software and User Interface

The HTC U12 Plus shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo, which has since been updated. While the update improved the phone’s overall performance, the lack of timely software support is a significant drawback. HTC’s custom user interface is relatively clean and uncluttered, offering a more stock Android experience compared to many competitors. This minimalist approach is appreciated by users who prefer a less intrusive software experience. The inclusion of HTC’s Edge Sense technology allows for customizable gestures, adding an extra layer of interaction.

Camera Performance

The HTC U12 Plus boasts a dual-camera system on the rear, featuring a 12MP main sensor and a 16MP secondary sensor. The camera app is intuitive and easy to use, with various shooting modes available. In good lighting conditions, the camera produces sharp and detailed images with accurate colors. However, low-light performance is somewhat less impressive, with images exhibiting noticeable grain and reduced detail. The camera struggles in challenging lighting conditions and frequently under-exposes images.

The front-facing camera, an 8MP sensor, is adequate for selfies and video calls. While image quality is acceptable in daylight, it struggles in low light and performs poorly in challenging environments. The video recording capabilities are good, with the ability to capture 4K video at 30fps. However, stabilization could be improved, especially during movement.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The HTC U12 Plus features a 3500mAh battery, which provided adequate battery life during testing. With moderate usage, the phone easily lasted a full day on a single charge. However, with heavy usage, such as extensive gaming or streaming, the battery life was significantly reduced, requiring a recharge before the end of the day. The fast charging capabilities helped mitigate this issue, but the phone lacks wireless charging support, a feature increasingly common in flagship devices.

Connectivity options are comprehensive, including support for 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. The signal strength during testing was generally good, with minimal dropped calls or connectivity issues. The inclusion of NFC allows for seamless contactless payments and data transfer.

Audio Quality

The audio quality through the device’s speakers is decent, offering sufficient volume for media consumption. However, the sound lacks depth and clarity, falling short of the audio experience offered by some competitors. The lack of a headphone jack, as previously mentioned, might be a significant drawback for audiophiles. While USB-C headphones are an option, they are not included in the box.

Pros and Cons

• Premium build quality
• Vibrant display
• Powerful processor
• Decent battery life (moderate usage)
• Good camera performance in ideal lighting

• Slippery glass back
• No headphone jack
• Poor low-light camera performance
• Overheating during intensive use
• Lack of wireless charging

Overall Impression

The HTC U12 Plus is a solid device with a few notable flaws. Its premium build, vibrant display, and powerful processor make it a compelling option. However, the lack of a headphone jack, poor low-light camera performance, and occasional overheating issues hold it back from true greatness. While its design and performance are impressive, the shortcomings in camera quality and battery life, coupled with a lack of timely software updates, prevent it from being a top recommendation. The device’s overall value proposition is hampered by these issues, particularly in comparison to other phones released around the same period.

Ultimately, the HTC U12 Plus is a phone with potential that’s slightly undercut by its shortcomings. For users who prioritize a premium design and powerful performance above all else, and can overlook the camera and battery life issues, the U12 Plus might be worth considering. However, for most users, other options in the same price range offer a more balanced and refined experience.

Consider your priorities carefully before purchasing this phone. Weigh the pros and cons against your needs and budget. The competitive landscape for smartphones is fierce; many alternatives provide a more comprehensive and consistent user experience.

While the HTC U12 Plus has its merits, other phones offer a more complete package. The phone serves as a reminder of HTC’s ambition, but ultimately falls short of truly capturing a significant market share. Its legacy serves as a case study in the challenges of competing in a saturated and rapidly evolving technological market.