The HTC U Ultra is an Android smartphone developed and marketed by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC. Announced on September 7 2017 and released in October 2017, it was positioned as the flagship device of HTC's “U” series, succeeding the HTC U11. The phone was notable for its large 6‑inch Super LCD5 display with a 1440 p × 2560 p resolution and a slim profile featuring a beveled glass back.
Design and hardware
- Display: 6.0‑inch Super LCD5 panel, 1440 p × 2560 p resolution (493 ppi), 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 1‑millimetre bezel on all sides.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system‑on‑chip, octa‑core CPU (2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold + 1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) and Adreno 630 GPU.
- Memory and storage: 4 GB RAM; internal storage options of 64 GB or 128 GB, expandable via microSDXC (up to 2 TB).
- Camera system: Dual rear cameras consisting of a 12‑megapixel primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, and a 16‑megapixel secondary sensor for depth‑mapping and portrait effects; a 16‑megapixel front‑facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture.
- Battery: Non‑removable 3,600 mAh lithium‑polymer battery, supporting Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging.
- Operating system: Shipped with Android 7.1.1 “Nougat” overlaid by HTC’s Sense UI; later received an update to Android 8.0 “Oreo”.
- Other features: IP68 dust‑ and water‑resistance, HTC Sense Edge UI for curved‑screen navigation, fingerprint sensor (rear‑mounted), and dual‑SIM capability (one physical SIM plus an eSIM).
Market reception
Critical response to the HTC U Ultra was mixed. Reviewers praised the device’s premium build quality, slim bezels, and high‑resolution display, while criticizing the modest battery capacity relative to its size, the lack of a high‑refresh‑rate screen, and the absence of a headphone jack. Sales performance was modest, contributing to HTC’s continued decline in the global smartphone market during that period.
Discontinuation
Production of the HTC U Ultra ceased in early 2018, after which HTC shifted focus toward other product lines, including its Vive virtual‑reality platform and a reduced smartphone portfolio.
Legacy
The HTC U Ultra represents HTC’s final attempt to compete in the high‑end Android segment before the company significantly downsized its mobile hardware operations. Its design elements, particularly the near‑borderless display, influenced subsequent HTC devices such as the HTC U12+.