Mobile Technology

HTC U Ultra vs. OnePlus 3T

HTC U Ultra vs. OnePlus 3T
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and OnePlus 3T
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and OnePlus 3T
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Camera aperture (rear)
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Camera aperture (rear)
Battery
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Battery
Build
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Build
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
Color options
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Color options
Processor
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Processor
Dimensions
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Dimensions
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display size
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Display size
Display type
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Display type
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and OnePlus 3T
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Gizmag compares the features and specs of the HTC U Ultra (left) and OnePlus 3T
MicroSD
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MicroSD
Cellular networks
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Cellular networks
Optical Image Stabilization
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Optical Image Stabilization
Starting price (full retail)
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Starting price (full retail)
RAM
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RAM
Release
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Release
Second screen
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Second screen
Software
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Software
Storage
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Storage
Water resistance
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Water resistance
Weight
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Weight
View gallery - 23 images

HTC recently announced its 2017 flagship, a mixed bag of high-end specs, outdated processor and Samsung design cues. Let's see how it sizes up next to the best value in mobile, the OnePlus 3T.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

The HTC U Ultra is 6-percent taller, 7-percent wider and 8-percent thicker than the OnePlus 3T.

Weight

Weight
Weight

The Ultra is also 8-percent heavier.

Build

Build
Build

HTC went with that Samsung-esque build (it looks almost exactly like a clone of the Korean company's 2015-16 flagships), with glass back and aluminum frame. OnePlus uses an aluminum unibody design.

Colors

Color options
Color options

While there is technically a gold version of the OnePlus 3T, it's out of stock – leaving current buyers with one (gunmetal) color option.

Display size

Display size
Display size

The HTC U Ultra has a 7-percent bigger display.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

One of the few cost-cutting corners OnePlus took on the 3 and 3T is their 1080p display. But while 1440p screens, like those on the U Ultra, deliver an extra dose of eye candy, 1080p is plenty sharp for all but the most discerning eyeballs.

Display type

Display type
Display type

It's the old IPS vs. AMOLED, though HTC is using the Super LCD 5 variant, which eliminates the air gap between glass and display.

Second screen

Second screen
Second screen

HTC photocopied a page from LG's playbook with its second screen. The small strip, sitting just above the main screen, is home to notifications and shortcuts.

Processor

Processor
Processor

While the Snapdragon 821 is a speed demon, it's going to be dated by the time the U Ultra finally launches.

RAM

RAM
RAM

OnePlus has one-third more RAM.

Storage

Storage
Storage

HTC only offers one storage tier, but it's a generous 64 GB – the same as OnePlus' base tier.

MicroSD

MicroSD
MicroSD

You can also expand on the Ultra's internal storage with a microSD card.

Battery

Battery
Battery

This is potentially a reason to balk at the Ultra: Despite needing to drive more pixels on its display, it has a 12-percent smaller (lower-capacity) battery. Consider this a yellow flag until we put a review unit through battery tests.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

While OnePlus put a solid shooter in the 3T, we found it to trail behind leaders like the Google Pixel, LG V20 and iPhone 7. HTC's camera quality in the Ultra remains to be seen.

Camera aperture (rear)

Camera aperture (rear)
Camera aperture (rear)

The U Ultra does have a wider aperture, often a good indicator of superior low-light photography.

OIS

Optical Image Stabilization
Optical Image Stabilization

Both phones include Optical Image Stabilization.

Water resistance

Water resistance
Water resistance

There's no meaningful water resistance in either phone; you'll want to look to a 2016 iPhone (good) or Samsung flagship (better) for high-quality water protection.

Cellular networks

Cellular networks
Cellular networks

Neither phone supports CDMA networks: U.S. buyers are limited to AT&T and T-Mobile, with no Verizon or Sprint support.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

Each handset has a home-button fingerprint sensor.

Software

Software
Software

HTC says the U Ultra will launch with Android Nougat, an update that OnePlus only recently pushed to the 3T.

The OnePlus 3T runs (more or less) stock Android, though, while HTC put its own custom UI on top of Google's core OS.

Release

Release
Release

So much for instant gratification: HTC announced the U Ultra two months before it's scheduled to start shipping.

The OnePlus 3T launched in November, but it's a minor iteration on the OnePlus 3, which started shipping last June.

Starting price (full retail)

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

This is the OnePlus 3T's killer feature – and another big reason to balk at the HTC U Ultra. With a concerning battery size, soon-to-be-outdated processor and two-month wait to get your hands on one, HTC's new phone is probably not your best buy right now. Stay tuned, though, as we'll have a review around launch.

For more on the best smartphone value today, you can check out New Atlas' OnePlus 3T review.

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