HTC has been as clear as mud on whether the new U Ultra is considered the company's true 2017 flagship, or whether it's an experimental offshoot ahead of an HTC 11 (or an otherwise-named successor to last year's high-ender). Either way, let's see how the Ultra stacks up next to the firm's unquestioned 2016 flagship, the HTC 10.
Size
![Dimensions](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/e38aaf9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1227x1080+0+0/resize/1091x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-7.jpg)
The HTC U Ultra is considerably bigger, and the first high-end phablet we've seen from HTC since late 2013. (Remember the pocket-busting HTC One Max?) Compared to the HTC 10, the Ultra measures 11-percent taller and wider, but also 11-percent thinner.
Weight
![Weight](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/840bc57/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-22.jpg)
Considering the size difference, it's impressive that the U Ultra is only about 6-percent heavier than the HTC 10.
Build
![Build](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/853e00f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1281x1080+0+0/resize/1139x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-3.jpg)
When imagining the U Ultra, it looks like HTC's designers sat down at their drafting tables with a picture of a Samsung Galaxy phone hanging on the wall. Not only does the Ultra share a glass back and aluminum frame with recent Galaxies, they also look strikingly similar from behind.
Colors
![Color options](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/594d83d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1091x1080+0+0/resize/970x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-5.jpg)
You have one more color option to choose from with the HTC 10.
Display size
![Display size](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/674cd6f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-9.jpg)
The HTC U Ultra has a 20-percent bigger display (measured by area, which is more meaningful than diagonals).
Display resolution
![Display resolution](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/c154e5c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1284x1080+0+0/resize/1141x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-8.jpg)
Both have ultra-sharp QHD displays, which means the much-smaller screen on the 10 has the better PPI.
Display type
![Display type](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/4808ad6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-10.jpg)
Both use IPS panels.
Second screen
![Second screen](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/7547ae1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1329x1080+0+0/resize/1181x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-18.jpg)
In a bizarre clone-job of LG's V series, HTC added a strip of second display to the upper-right of the main screen. Just like LG's, it gives you shortcuts and notifications that don't intrude on your primary real estate.
Hi-Fi audio
![Hi-Fi audio](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/59b0e1a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-13.jpg)
One of our favorite features in the HTC 10 was its 24-bit DAC to please the audiophiles. That's gone this year.
Headphone jack
![Headphone jack](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/bb47d27/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-12.jpg)
HTC also followed the trend of ditching the headphone jack. While we understand that there are points in history where you need to ditch a legacy port, what's the reason for this one? If losing the 3.5-mm port adds space, how is that space being utilized? What does that add to the user experience?
Or is it just "Apple is doing it, so we are too?"
Processor
![Processor](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/0741fe2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1186x1080+0+0/resize/1054x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-6.jpg)
While it's launching a year later, the U Ultra only has a half-generation-newer processor. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 will be arriving soon, but the Ultra skips the latest mobile silicon.
RAM
![RAM](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/17a4c14/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-16.jpg)
RAM stays even, at 4 GB.
Storage
![Storage](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/83a01d9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1276x1080+0+0/resize/1134x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-20.jpg)
HTC is skipping a lower 32 GB tier for the Ultra, simplifying things with a lone 64 GB option.
MicroSD
![MicroSD](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/03bb3b8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1343x1080+0+0/resize/1194x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-14.jpg)
Both let you pop in a microSD card to augment your internal storage.
Camera megapixels
![Camera megapixels](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/1d00d1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1270x1080+0+0/resize/1129x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-4.jpg)
HTC isn't messing around with the front shooter in the Ultra, providing high-resolution selfies.
Camera aperture (rear)
![Camera aperture (rear)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/a3d1b35/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-1.jpg)
Aperture, which often determines the quality of low-lit shots, stays put at ƒ/1.8.
Battery
![Battery](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/4350df9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1329x1080+0+0/resize/1181x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-2.jpg)
On paper, neither phone is breaking any records with battery capacity. On the other hand, the HTC 10 had a fine score in our battery benchmark, so we'll withhold judgment on the Ultra until we run it through tests. (Many factors determine actual battery life.)
Fingerprint sensor
![Fingerprint sensor](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/18040ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-11.jpg)
Both phones have capacitive, home-button fingerprint sensors.
Water resistance
![Water resistance](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/2fcd93b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1312x1080+0+0/resize/1166x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-21.jpg)
Unlike Samsung's and Apple's latest flagships, neither of these has any significant water resistance.
Software
![Software](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/8369c11/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1329x1080+0+0/resize/1181x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-19.jpg)
Both run Android Nougat, with HTC's Sense UI (one of the tamer of custom Android skins) layered on top.
Release
![Release](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/0183416/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-17.jpg)
The HTC U Ultra is up for pre-order now, but doesn't start shipping until mid-March.
Starting price (full retail)
![Starting price (full retail)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/fb380bf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1341x1080+0+0/resize/1192x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fhtc-10-vs-u-ultra-15.jpg)
The HTC 10 currently rings up for US$599, but if you're open to a lightly-used model, you can likely snag it for much less.
For more, you can check out New Atlas' initial coverage of the HTC U Ultra and our full review of the HTC 10.