HTC's U11 'Ocean Life' Might Be Released As An Android One Phone

Google’s Android One initiative recently returned with the Xiaomi Mi A1, and now it looks like another one is on the way. A new rumor is circulating claiming that HTC will be coming out with its first ever Android One smartphone.

Custom ROM developer LlabTooFeR said on Twitter that HTC’s rumored “Ocean Life” smartphone will be released under the Android One program. The leaker also claimed that this device will not come preinstalled with any of HTC’s own apps and will run stock Android Oreo with Sense 9.0 on top.

LlabTooFer is known for leaking upcoming new products from HTC, as pointed out by Android Authority. If that’s not enough to convince people, often reliable leaker Evan Blass confirmed the information on Twitter, and even shared what the HTC Ocean Life smartphone could look like.

IBT first reported about an HTC Ocean Life smartphone back in July, and information about the device at the time was also provided by LlabTooFeR. In August, it was also reported that the Ocean Life phone would be called the HTC U11 Life when it's officially announced.

The HTC U11 Life is expected to feature a 5.2-inch 1080p full HD display, 16-megapixel cameras up front and at the back and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor. The device is also expected to be water resistant and will have HTC’s squeezable frame feature Edge Sense, which was first introduced with the HTC U11 flagship smartphone.

The device might simply be rebranded as an Android One phone and given an “A1” name when it’s officially released for Google’s target market. This is the same thing that Xiaomi did for the Mi A1, which was just a rebranded version of the Mi 5X.

Meanwhile, the regular version of the HTC U11 Life is expected to be released in the United States through T-Mobile and should function as HTC’s newest mid-range smartphone for 2017. There’s no word yet on whether the Android One version of the phone will make it to the U.S., but it certainly is possible if T-Mobile is still involved.

Coincidentally, HTC isn’t the only manufacturer rumored to release its own Android One phone. Earlier this week, Evan Blass claimed that Motorola will release the recently announced Moto X4 as a rebranded Android One phone. Not much information was given by Blass, but he did share a photo of the Moto X4 with the Android One branding emblazoned on its back.

The regular Moto X4 features a 5.2-inch full HD 1080p display and is powered by a Snapdragon 630 processor along with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. The Moto X4 features a set of 16-megapixel dual cameras on the back and is also IP68 water- and dust-resistant.

Google’s Android One initiative is part of the company’s efforts to bring more affordable smartphones to developing markets. The initiative was in limbo in recent years until Xiaomi announced the Mi A1 last week.