Mobile Technology

HTC U Ultra vs. LG V20

HTC U Ultra vs. LG V20
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and LG V20
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and LG V20
View 25 Images
Camera aperture (rear)
1/25
Camera aperture (rear)
Battery
2/25
Battery
Build
3/25
Build
Camera megapixels
4/25
Camera megapixels
Color options
5/25
Color options
Processor
6/25
Processor
Dimensions
7/25
Dimensions
Display resolution
8/25
Display resolution
Display size
9/25
Display size
Display type
10/25
Display type
Dual cameras (rear)
11/25
Dual cameras (rear)
Fingerprint sensor
12/25
Fingerprint sensor
Headphone jack
13/25
Headphone jack
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and LG V20
14/25
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and LG V20
Hi-Fi audio
15/25
Hi-Fi audio
MicroSD
16/25
MicroSD
Starting price (full retail)
17/25
Starting price (full retail)
RAM
18/25
RAM
Release
19/25
Release
Removable battery
20/25
Removable battery
Second screen
21/25
Second screen
Software
22/25
Software
Storage
23/25
Storage
Water resistance
24/25
Water resistance
Weight
25/25
Weight
View gallery - 25 images

We're used to seeing smartphone-makers copying the iPhone, but what isn't as common is seeing a new phone that's almost a direct copy of a slower-selling second-tier flagship. That may be the case with the HTC U Ultra and its apparent muse, the LG V20. Let's compare their features and specs.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

Sizes are very similar (both are large phones), though the HTC U Ultra is a little bigger than the LG V20 in every dimension.

Weight

Weight
Weight

The Ultra, however, is 2-percent lighter.

Build

Build
Build

One area where HTC doesn't appear to be taking cues from the LG V20 is build/design. In this case, the U Ultra looks more like a copy of Samsung's 2015-16 design language.

Colors

Color options
Color options

Each handset gives you three color options to choose from.

Display size

Display size
Display size

And now the similarities begin: Each has a large 5.7-in display.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

Another identical spec, as each has an ultra-sharp QHD display.

Display type

Display type
Display type

Both also use IPS panels, though HTC is going with a Super LCD 5, which eliminates the typical air gap.

Second screen

Second screen
Second screen

This is the biggest feature HTC apparently pinched from the V20. Already one of the more niche features in mobile, LG's second screen shows info like shortcuts and notifications – without intruding on the main display. HTC's version practically clones it.

Hi-Fi audio

Hi-Fi audio
Hi-Fi audio

The LG V20's killer feature is its built in "Quad DAC" for Hi-Fi wired-headphone listening (provided you have headphones to do it justice). While last year's HTC 10 was also audiophile-friendly, HTC appears to have dropped this focus for the Ultra.

Headphone jack

Headphone jack
Headphone jack

Part of HTC's lost status as an audiophile favorite is its missing headphone jack.

Processor

Processor
Processor

Another thing both phones have in common is that they both launched (or launch) with a half-generation-old processor. The late-2016 LG V20 shipped with Qualcomm's early-2016 silicon, while HTC's early-2017 flagship will include Qualcomm's late-2016 chip. (There's a new Snapdragon that should be in at least some of the early-2017 Android flagships.)

RAM

RAM
RAM

RAM is also even, at 4 GB a pop.

Storage

Storage
Storage

In another unusual – but identical – move, both handsets ship in one (64 GB) storage tier. At least it's a generous tier.

MicroSD

MicroSD
MicroSD

Both also include microSD slots, so you can complement that internal storage.

Battery

Battery
Battery

Neither is breaking any records with battery size, but HTC's is the more concerning of the two. (In our battery benchmark, the V20 got a middle-of-the-road score, so we aren't optimistic about the Ultra faring well.)

Removable battery

Removable battery
Removable battery

The V20's less-than-stellar battery life is helped, though, by the fact that you can swap its battery out for a fresh one.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

You can't always glean much from megapixel counts, but the Ultra should provide much-sharper selfies, with its significantly higher-resolution front shooter.

Camera aperture (rear)

Camera aperture (rear)
Camera aperture (rear)

Aperture, which can often determine quality of low-lit shots, is also tied.

Dual cameras (rear)

Dual cameras (rear)
Dual cameras (rear)

Similar to the iPhone 7 Plus, the LG V20 has a second rear camera. In LG's case, it lets you instantly jump between standard and wide-angle shots.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

You get a home-button fingerprint-sensor placement on the Ultra; the V20's is on the back.

Water resistance

Water resistance
Water resistance

Neither flagship has any meaningful water resistance.

Software

Software
Software

The HTC U Ultra will ship with the same Android Nougat that the V20 launched with, but each has its own respective manufacturer UI layered on top.

Release

Release
Release

HTC announced the Ultra in mid-January, but it doesn't launch until mid-March. The big caveat is that, by the time it launches, we'll likely know about Samsung's and LG's early-2017 flagships (or will soon after). We'd recommend holding off on pre-ordering the U Ultra until we see its upcoming rivals.

Starting price (full retail)

Starting price (full retail)
Starting price (full retail)

The V20's price bounces around from carrier to carrier; this is a ballpark/median figure.

For more, you can check out New Atlas' full review of the LG V20.

View gallery - 25 images
1 comment
1 comment
skynetvirus.cpu
Finally gave up on HTC and opted for the v20. Not regretting it at all. Although... The U Ultra is one beautiful, fine piece of glass, and aluminum. Probably the best looking phone ever created (so far). Ever!