HTC recently announced its 2017 flagship, a mixed bag of high-end specs, outdated processor and Samsung design cues.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
The HTC U Ultra is 6-percent taller, 7-percent wider and 8-percent thicker than the OnePlus 3T.
Weight
The Ultra is also 8-percent heavier.
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
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
The HTC U Ultra has a 7-percent bigger display.
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
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
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
While the Snapdragon 821 is a speed demon, it's going to be dated by the time the U Ultra finally launches.
RAM
OnePlus has one-third more RAM.
Storage
HTC only offers one storage tier, but it's a generous 64 GB – the same as OnePlus' base tier.
MicroSD
You can also expand on the Ultra's internal storage with a microSD card.
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
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)
The U Ultra does have a wider aperture, often a good indicator of superior low-light photography.
OIS
Both phones include Optical Image Stabilization.
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
Neither phone supports CDMA networks: U.S. buyers are limited to AT&T and T-Mobile, with no Verizon or Sprint support.
Fingerprint sensor
Each handset has a home-button fingerprint sensor.
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
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)
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.
