The Google Pixel has been a wake-up call for HTC, proving that when they want to, they're capable of designing fantastic devices. At least when they're given the design specifications to manufacture and ship exactly as ordered. So now they just need to find the right formula to ensure their next HTC 11 achieves better sales figures than the 10.
The HTC 11 is starting to take shape, and the popular Evan Blass has already mentioned that the Ocean is a real phone that is gradually being revealed. The Taiwanese manufacturer expects to launch it in early 2017. Right after MWC in Barcelona would be the ideal time for this phone.
The price and its variants
The price is expected to be around $700 , which isn't surprising given HTC's history of price controls. A price drop would be surprising, though somewhat understandable given the recent sales slump.
The HTC 11, internally known as HTC Ocean, will include three models : Ocean Master, Ocean Note, and Ocean Smart. We don't yet know the specifics of these three versions, nor whether there will be a concept version among them, as will be the case tomorrow with the new Honor phone or the Xiaomi Mi MIX, which has been a huge success for the Chinese company.
What is very clear is that these three versions will have different sizes so that the user can select one that best suits their daily digital life.
The design of the HTC 11
If we know the Galaxy S8 might do away with the home button, HTC seems to be heading in that direction with that HTC Ocean concept video where the physical controls disappear and what appears to be the Sense Touch interface is shown . It's curious, and how stubborn, Samsung and HTC have been with those physical buttons when Google has been forcing them to change their minds for the last two or three years. In 2017, we'll see their flagship phones without those home buttons.
Having a phone without physical buttons means having an HTC 11 that will rely on gestures, touch, and voice to interact with the smartphone. Hopefully, HTC saw the light with Google Assistant during the manufacturing phase of the device and realized that it needs to be fully integrated into its new flagship.
We expect a full metal body and water resistance similar to the LG G6 and Galaxy S8. Beyond these variants and the screen specifications of the LG G10, with its 5,2-inch Quad HD display, little else is known. Whether the panel will be AMOLED remains a mystery.
The photograph
The HTC 11 will feature a dual camera setup if the concept video is any indication. While all manufacturers except Samsung are currently adopting dual camera configurations, we can expect anything. If this is the case, the most likely configuration would be similar to Huawei's P9, with a secondary camera dedicated to monochrome photos.
CPU and experiences
It is not surprising that HTC has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, since it has always trusted that brand in its flagships. We will be able to see 4 GB of RAM, USB type-C and the disappearance of the audio jack as has happened in the HTC Bolt.
With Nougat, the HTC 11 could offer a more authentic Android experience, with Google Assistant truly integrated and enabling natural voice interaction. This is especially true considering the lack of physical buttons. It would be a smart move, as by the time it's released, Google Assistant will be more widely known and established than it is now.
We'll see where the HTC 11 stands , but if it can breathe the fresh air provided by the Google Pixel, it could become a phone that everyone desires.