The U line replaced the One in 2017. Its hallmarks: a "Liquid Surface" glass body with iridescent colors, the removal of the 3.5 mm jack (USonic headphones with active noise cancellation over USB-C), Edge Sense (squeezable edges), and HTC Sense Companion (an AI assistant). The HTC Desire Series (2010–2024) ran in parallel for the mid-range segment.
2017
HTC U Ultra
January 2017. A 5.7" QHD display plus a second 2.05" screen above the main one (like the LG V20), a Snapdragon 821, 4 GB of RAM, a 12 MP UltraPixel 2 camera, a glass back and no 3.5 mm jack. Criticized for its price ($749), dated chip and small battery (3000 mAh). A version with sapphire glass and 128 GB existed. A commercial flop.
HTC U Play
January 2017. A 5.2" 1080p display, a MediaTek Helio P10 and 16 MP: a mid-ranger with the U Ultra's design.
HTC U11
May 2017. A 5.5" QHD display, a Snapdragon 835, 4/6 GB of RAM, and a 12 MP UltraPixel 3 camera with OIS that scored 90 on DxOMark, the best at launch, plus IP67, BoomSound Hi-Fi and Edge Sense (a squeeze launches the camera, Google Assistant or Alexa). Good reviews, modest sales. Colors: Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, Solar Red.
HTC U11 Life
November 2017. A mid-ranger: a 5.2" 1080p display, a Snapdragon 630, Android One in Europe, Edge Sense, IP67, and T-Mobile in the US.
HTC U11+ (U11 Plus)
November 2017. A 6.0" 18:9 QHD display, a Snapdragon 835, a 3930 mAh battery, a translucent black back (Translucent Black) and a rear scanner. Not sold in the US. It was originally developed as the Google Pixel 2 XL (codename "muskie"), but Google chose LG.
2018
HTC U12+
May 2018. A 6.0" QHD+ 18:9 display, a Snapdragon 845, 6 GB of RAM, 64/128 GB of storage, a dual camera of 12 MP UltraPixel 4 + 16 MP telephoto (103 on DxOMark), a dual front camera, Edge Sense 2 (squeeze plus edge taps) and IP68. The main criticism was the touch-sensitive volume/power buttons with no physical travel (HTC later "fixed" them with firmware). A regular U12 never came out. Iridescent colors: Translucent Blue, Ceramic Black, Flame Red.
HTC U12 Life
September 2018. A 6.0" 1080p+ display, a Snapdragon 636, a dual 16+5 MP camera, a dual-texture back, and the 3.5 mm jack returned.
2019
HTC U19e
June 2019 (Taiwan). A 6.0" OLED 1080p+ display, a Snapdragon 710, 6 GB of RAM, a dual camera and an iris scanner. The last "U" for several years; the Desire 19+ was released at the same time.
2023–2024: The Return
HTC U23 and U23 pro
May 2023. The U23 pro: a 6.7" OLED 120 Hz display, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, 12 GB of RAM, 108 MP + 8 ultrawide + 5 macro + 2 depth cameras, a 4600 mAh battery, wireless charging, IP67 and VIVERSE integration. The U23 is a simplified version (64 MP, Snapdragon 7 Gen 1).
HTC U24 pro
June 2024. A 6.8" OLED 120 Hz display, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 12 GB / 256 GB, a 50 MP camera with OIS + a 50 MP 2× telephoto + an 8 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP front camera, a 4600 mAh battery, 60 W wired + 15 W wireless charging, and IP67. Sold in Taiwan and Europe; positioned as the "best phone for VIVE users".
Table
| Model | Year | Display | Chip | Camera | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U Ultra | 2017 | 5.7" QHD + 2.05" | SD 821 | 12 MP | Second screen, no 3.5 mm jack |
| U Play | 2017 | 5.2" FHD | Helio P10 | 16 MP | Mid-range |
| U11 | 2017 | 5.5" QHD | SD 835 | 12 MP (DxO 90) | Edge Sense, IP67 |
| U11 Life | 2017 | 5.2" FHD | SD 630 | 16 MP | Android One |
| U11+ | 2017 | 6.0" QHD+ | SD 835 | 12 MP | Translucent Black, 3930 mAh |
| U12+ | 2018 | 6.0" QHD+ | SD 845 | 12+16 MP | Touch buttons, Edge Sense 2 |
| U12 Life | 2018 | 6.0" FHD+ | SD 636 | 16+5 MP | 3.5 mm jack |
| U19e | 2019 | 6.0" OLED | SD 710 | 12+20 MP | Iris scanner |
| U20 5G | 2020 | 6.8" FHD+ | SD 765G | 48 MP quad | HTC's first 5G, Taiwan |
| U23 / U23 pro | 2023 | 6.7" OLED 120 Hz | SD 7 Gen 1 | 64 / 108 MP | VIVERSE, wireless charging |
| U24 pro | 2024 | 6.8" OLED 120 Hz | SD 7 Gen 3 | 50+50+8 MP | 60 W charging |