HTC U12+ brings a dual camera, HDR10 display and Snapdragon 845

HTC is in a tough spot but it just puts its best fighter in the field to defend its position. The HTC U12+ is an upgrade on the U11+ with the company’s first flagship dual camera since the One (M8), HDR10 screen and, of course, a Snapdragon 845.

The new model comes in roughly the same body (IP68 waterproofing and all), but the 6” Super LCD6 display now supports HDR10 and DCI-P3. It’s a tall 18:9 screen with 1,440 x 2,280 pixel resolution (537ppi). The pressure-sensitive frame of the phone enables Edge Sense squeeze gestures.

HTC U12+ color options

The dual camera on the rear features a 12 MP UltraPixel sensor, which now has a 16 MP companion, which offers 2x optical zoom. The main sensor features an f/1.8 lens with OIS and Phase detection plus Laser autofocus.

The video capabilities have been upped to 4K resolution at 60 fps to match the best in the field. And 1080p video capture goes up to 240 fps. Camera improvements do not end here – the selfie camera is also a dual shooter with two 8 MP sensors.

The HTC U12+ switched to the newer Snapdragon 845 chipset and has 6 GB of RAM (its predecessor had 4 and 6 GB versions). Storage is 64 GB or 128 GB with a microSD slot for topping that up. The phone will launch with Android 8.0 Oreo and HTC has already committed to updating it to Android P.

HTC U12+ features a dual camera on the back

Despite the glass back, the U12+ doesn't support wireless charging and its battery is smaller than that of the U11+ - 3,500 mAh vs 3,930 mAh for the outgoing model.

As before, the phone boasts stereo speakers and high-res audio over its USB-C port (with noise-canceling in-ear headphones in the box). And as before, you get a choice of some very attractive paint jobs for the Gorilla Glass 5 back.

The HTC U12+ will be available for pre-order today in Europe at a price of £700/€799 for the 64 GB model.

In the US the pre-order campaign also starts today. Translucent Blue is $799 for the 64GB version or $849 if want the 128GB internal storage. Ceramic Black will only come in 64GB for $799.