While initial reports — including one from VentureBeat — had suggested that the HTC U11 (debuting tomorrow, May 16) would feature a touch-sensitive frame thanks to the widely seen concept video shown below, that functionality is absent from the final product. Instead, the company’s 2017 flagship handset boasts a frame that is merely pressure-sensitive, or squeezable, according to a briefed individual.
More cool HTC stuff here (including the tablet that launched @evleaks): https://t.co/S3WaZkeog9
Check it out before it gets pulled! pic.twitter.com/YJwmZb0Sje— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 20, 2016
HTC has been alluding to this capability in a series of short videos on a teaser website for the past month.
The person briefed on the company’s plans likened the input method to so-called force touch screens, which are capable of detecting different levels of applied pressure. The U11 enables the user to trigger different events based on the strength of the squeeze.
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By default, the U11 is preset to respond to a short squeeze by launching the camera app, and then to a second one by capturing an image once it loads. But the briefed individual noted that HTC is expected to release an app post-launch that enables users to map macro actions to the various squeeze patterns.
Remember the HTC Ocean? (https://t.co/q5ghm3vQ8Z) pic.twitter.com/GtpqowETjM
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 8, 2017
Still, the lack of of a touch-sensitive frame may disappoint fans of that erroneously published concept video — and a later faux commercial in the same vein (seen above) — who may have been expecting the device codenamed Ocean to respond to a variety of swipes and taps alongside the squeezes.
On the other hand, a non-touch-sensitive frame let the company include traditional power and volume buttons on the phone’s sides, and will make it easier — though not completely frictionless — to pick out and utilize a case for it.
HTC will livestream the launch event, and may offer the phone for sale within a week of its debut.
