Review: HTC's New Android Phone Struggles to Keep Up

The good: Sharp screen, Excellent front-facing camera, Great audio The bad: Too large to hold comfortably, Battery life could be better, Second screen doesn't improve the experience, Expensive Who should buy: Android fans who want an exceptionally large phone with a nice screen -- but those who prioritize portability and battery life should look elsewhere. A little more than four years ago in 2013, HTC made my favorite Android smartphone: the One. Its sleek metal design set it apart from competing Android phones at the time, many of which felt like they were made of chintzy plastic. The One also had an excellent screen and the best speakers of its class. But while the One's successors brought mild improvements, they have largely felt like the same phone repackaged with upgraded internals and slightly altered looks. That's why I was excited to get my hands on the $749 U Ultra, which HTC began shipping in March.