Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman

This is an excellent handset for the money. It competes well with other mid-range devices, such as the Moto X4 and should be a winner for HTC. If you need an inexpensive device that hits way above its weight class, the U11 Life is a lively option.

NotebookCheck | Florian Wimmer

Guaranteed regular security updates - this is a strong argument for the HTC U11 Life. A great pair of earphones included and a good battery life are further arguments. But there are also downsides.

Mobile Syrup | Dean Daley

It's safe to say the HTC U11 Life is officially one of my favourite mid-range devices of 2017.

Android Authority | Kris Carlon

The HTC U11 Life Android One is like a mid-range Pixel 2, made by the same company and with a very similar software experience, but coming in at half the price. While it has a lot going for it, there are a few things to consider that may negatively affect its widespread appeal.

AndroidPit | Luis Ortega

The HTC U11 Life is excellent for mid-range phone, and although it's not perfect, I was impressed by the fact it will have updates for at least two years due to being part of the Android One initiative.

Stuff | Tom Morgan

If a stock Android UI is important and you can't afford a Pixel, it's easy enough to justify finding room in your pocket for one of these right now. An affordable way to get stock Android 8, with a capable camera and great design to boot - although battery life could be better.

Pocket-lint | Mike Lowe, Chris Hall

Overall, the HTC U11 Life is a logical mid-level reflection of its already very capable flagship bigger brother. It's more attractive than some of its nearest competition, such as the Moto X4, while offering dust and water-resistance that few others can at this price point.

Ubergizmo | Hubert Nguyen

The HTC U11 life is a good-looking Android phone that is very light, compact and has the squeeze action. However, it is not perfect. The HTC U11 is one good-looking mid-tiers smartphone.

Recombu | Alex Todd

The HTC U11 Life does a respectable job of emulating its flagship forerunner, making good on the promise of hitting the majority of the standard U11's key selling points whilst also sporting some obvious cutbacks that don't undermine the overall experience on offer.

Gizmodo UK | Sam Rutherford

In a time when phone prices are getting increased to ludicrous levels, the U11 Life is refreshingly simple. But for the price, the U11 Life is very much a solid alternative to the Moto G5 Plus, the X4, and other mid-range mobile phones.

PCWorld | Michael Simon

The HTC U11 Life is a mid-range version of the flagship U11, but it doesn't skimp on the features. A mid-range phone that punches above its class.

PC Mag | Ajay Kumar

The unlocked U11 Life takes its design cues and many features from HTC's flagship phone and offers them for a midrange price.

Digital Trends | Julian Chokkattu

You'll love HTC's U11 Life before you even realize it's a bargain. At this price range, the HTC U11 Life is the best phone you can buy. We think it's better than its closest competitor, the Moto X4, and it certainly beats the Moto G line.

phoneArena | Stephen S.

If you like colorful handsets, and think squeezing your phone to control it sounds like a neat idea, the U11 life is right up your alley. It's not a phone we'd automatically recommend to mid-range shoppers, but there's enough to like here that it's definitely worth considering.

CNET UK | Jessica Dolcourt

HTC's U11 Life is a decent midrange phone, but the Moto G5 Plus shoots better photos for a little less.

Australian PC World | Fergus Halliday

The U11 Life is a solid stock Android experience that's easy to recommend if you can't stand all the other options or are particularly drawn in by the design and waterproofing.

TechRadar | Andrew Williams

The HTC U11 Life is a smart trimming down of the HTC U11 that gets you most of the highlights at a lower price, but other phones offer more for a similar amount of money.

Android Central | Andrew Martonik

The U11 Life is better-looking than most phones at its price range, and has nice features. This will be a great device for many, but it definitely isn't the U11 experience scaled down proportionately - it's far more of a give-and-take choice. High style at a low price, with compromises.

SlashGear | Chris Davies

Instead, it's a phone that ticks all the necessary boxes: the trifecta of price, design, and specification that HTC tells me was its focus from the start. That may not make for the most exciting handset, but it's refreshing in the midrange all the same.

Wired | Jeffrey Van Camp

For the price, you're getting a decent phone, but there are a lot of tradeoffs. The HTC U11 Life is certainly livable, but other devices may make you happier.

Trusted Reviews | Michael Passingham

The U11 Life is a decent mid-range handset let down by software issues, and if it weren't for dodgy-feeling software, the U11 would be a decent buy.

TechnoBuffalo | Justin Herrick

It's not a bad phone, per se. You just find something much better while saving money or spending a little bit more. So, to be clear, the U11 Life isn't worth your attention. If you're loyal to HTC, go for the high-end U11.

Expert Reviews | Christopher Minasians

HTC's flashy Android One smartphone offers a stripped down, cheaper alternative to the U11, but it's far too expensive.

Tom's Guide | Adam Ismail

HTC has shrunken down its U11 flagship into a compelling 5.2-inch phone, though it's made some big compromises along the way.