Mobile Technology

HTC U11 vs. LG G6

HTC U11 vs. LG G6
Stacking up the squeezable HTC U11 against the glassy, slim-bezeled LG G6
Stacking up the squeezable HTC U11 against the glassy, slim-bezeled LG G6
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Stacking up the squeezable HTC U11 against the glassy, slim-bezeled LG G6
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Stacking up the squeezable HTC U11 against the glassy, slim-bezeled LG G6
Operating system
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Operating system
Starting price (full retail)
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Starting price (full retail)
Release date
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Release date
Mobile VR
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Mobile VR
Voice-controlled assistant
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Voice-controlled assistant
Mobile payments
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Mobile payments
Camera aperture (rear)
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Camera aperture (rear)
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
Battery
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Battery
OIS
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OIS
MicroSD
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MicroSD
Quick charging
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Quick charging
Built-in storage
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Built-in storage
RAM
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RAM
Processor
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Processor
Home button
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Home button
Pressure-sensitive edges
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Pressure-sensitive edges
Hi-Fi audio
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Hi-Fi audio
Bundled headphones
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Bundled headphones
Dual lens camera
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Dual lens camera
Wireless charging
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Wireless charging
Headphone jack
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Headphone jack
HDR display
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HDR display
Display type
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Display type
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display size
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Display size
Water resistance
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Water resistance
Color variants
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Color variants
Build materials
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Build materials
Dimensions
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Dimensions
Weight
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Weight
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
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The HTC U11 and LG G6 are premium phones with similar price points. However, the two flagships have several distinctions when it comes to specs and features. Here's how the new squeezable U11 compares to the slim-bezeled LG G6.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

The HTC U11 is the larger phone. It's about 3-percent taller and 5-percent wider.

Weight

Weight
Weight

Unsurprisingly, the U11 is also about 4-percent heavier.

Build

Build materials
Build materials

Both makers opt into the glass-on-glass trend that's spreading to premium smartphones. They both have glass backs and aluminum frames; the frame is less prominent on the G6.

Colors

Color variants
Color variants

The HTC U11 has more color options, but availability depends on region. Here, the asterisked variants are not available in the US.

Water resistance

Water resistance
Water resistance

The LG G6 has a slightly higher water resistance rating, but either one should withstand a quick splash or dip.

Pressure-sensitive edges

Bundled headphones
Bundled headphones

One of the U11's headlining features is its pressure-sensitive sides. Depending on the app, giving the phone a squeeze launches actions like snapping a photo and launching voice-to-text.

It's a novel way of increasing touch interactivity, but the value of this hardware feature will depend on how well software developers put it to use.

Display size

Display size
Display size

Like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, the LG G6 opts for a large display that's relatively tall and narrow. The G6 squeezes in a touch more overall display area than the larger U11.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

Both phones have QHD displays that pack in the pixels.

Display type

Display type
Display type

Both makers go for IPS display technology over AMOLED.

HDR display

Dual lens camera
Dual lens camera

The LG G6 supports HDR 10 and Dolby Vision HDR, so it can support HDR content from Netflix and other services (when available).

Home button

Home button
Home button

The HTC U11 hangs onto the physical home button below the display. The G6 has an onscreen home button.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

The fingerprint sensor on the U11 is embedded in the home button. On the G6, it's on the back.

Processor

Processor
Processor

The HTC U11 contains the latest Snapdragon 835 processor, which clocks in ever-so-slightly higher than last year's still-capable Snapdragon 821.

RAM

RAM
RAM

This pair has a matching 4 GB amount of memory.

Storage

Built-in storage
Built-in storage

The U11 offers twice the amount of built-in storage. Both phones are available in only one size.

MicroSD

OIS
OIS

But if storage is a concern, you're covered either way. Both phones have microSD slots for expandable storage up to 2 TB.

Hi-Fi audio

Hi-Fi audio
Hi-Fi audio

The HTC U11 supports Hi-Fi audio. In the US, the LG G6 does not, though this feature is available in some international markets.

Headphone jack

Dual lens camera
Dual lens camera

Despite catering to audiophiles, the HTC U11 took a cue from the iPhone 7 and axed the traditional headphone jack. An adapter is included in the box, but otherwise you'll need to use either USB-C or Bluetooth headphones.

Bundled headphones

Pressure-sensitive edges
Pressure-sensitive edges

HTC has also included a pair of wired USB-C U Sonic headphones, which offer some degree of active noise cancellation.

Battery

Battery
Battery

The LG G6 has a slightly higher battery capacity, though of course many factors beyond size go into overall battery life.

Fast charging

OIS
OIS

Both phones support Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging.

Wireless charging

Wireless charging
Wireless charging

The LG G6 supports wireless charging with a charging pad (sold separately), but only in the US version.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

The HTC U11 actually has higher resolution in the front camera than in the rear. It should take much sharper selfies than the LG G6.

Camera aperture (rear)

Camera aperture (rear)
Camera aperture (rear)

The U11 also has a slightly larger camera aperture, which could mean an incremental improvement in depth of field effects and low light shooting.

Dual lens camera

Dual lens camera
Dual lens camera

The LG G6 has a dual lens rear camera that combines a standard and wide-angle lens. When shooting, you can toggle back and forth between the two to fit more or less into the frame.

Optical image stabilization (OIS)

OIS
OIS

Both cameras use OIS to combat hand shake and blurry captures.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments
Mobile payments

Since both are NFC-equipped, you can either one to use Android Pay at participating retailers.

Voice assistant

Voice-controlled assistant
Voice-controlled assistant

Tech companies are getting increasingly competitive with their AI-driven voice assistants. Like all new Androids, both of these have Google Assistant, but the U11 also comes with Amazon Alexa and HTC's own Sense Companion.

Mobile VR-ready

Mobile VR
Mobile VR

If you're hoping to don a mobile VR headset (beyond a basic Google Cardboard setup) you'll have to look elsewhere. Neither of these are Daydream or Gear VR-ready.

Software

Operating system
Operating system

Both run Android Nougat skinned with a manufacturer UI.

Release

Release date
Release date

The HTC U11 is available for pre-order now and starts shipping in a few weeks. The LG G6 hit shelves earlier this year.

Starting price (full retail)

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

These two phones have different approaches to premium, but they're at the same price point. The HTC U11 is available unlocked for US$649, while you can expect LG G6 prices to fluctuate a little more depending on payment plan and carrier.

If you're drawn to Hi-Fi audio, the new squeezable edges or smartphone standbys like a physical home button with a fingerprint sensor, the HTC U11 could be worth a try. If you'd prefer a more on-trend phone with a big, slim-bezeled display, the LG G6 is probably a better choice.

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