HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G vs. Huawei P30 Pro: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and 5G connectivity on a budget, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is the better choice. However, if camera quality and fast charging are paramount, and you can live without 5G, the Huawei P30 Pro still holds significant appeal.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G | Huawei P30 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 66 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 13 | 2019, March 26. Released 2019, March 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 21 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.1 x 78.1 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 158 x 73.4 x 8.4 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 90Hz | OLED, HDR10 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Leica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min 15W wireless 2.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple | Aurora, Amber Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Black, Pearl White, Misty Lavender, Mystic Blue |
| Models | - | VOG-L29, VOG-L09, VOG-AL00, VOG-TL00, VOG-L04, VOG-AL10, HW-02L |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 670 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -90.5dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 5.119 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -28.1 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 316156 (v7), 401208 (v8) GeekBench: 10014 (v4.4), 2521 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G
- Affordable 5G connectivity
- Modern Android OS (potentially)
- Decent battery life
- Inferior processing power
- Likely lower camera quality
- Slower charging speeds
Huawei P30 Pro
- Exceptional camera performance
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Powerful Kirin 980 processor
- No 5G connectivity
- Potentially outdated software
- May lack long-term software support
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating deep blacks. However, the P30 Pro’s 5.119 sunlight contrast ratio suggests superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions. While neither spec sheet details refresh rates, the P30 Pro’s flagship status likely afforded a higher quality panel overall. The Desire 21 Pro’s display specs are minimal, suggesting a focus on cost reduction rather than visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P30 Pro’s camera system is its defining feature. While specific sensor details are missing, its reputation centers around exceptional low-light performance and zoom capabilities. The Desire 21 Pro’s camera specs are not provided, but given its price point, it’s unlikely to compete with the P30 Pro’s image quality. The P30 Pro’s advanced image processing algorithms, coupled with its likely larger sensor size, deliver superior dynamic range and detail. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Desire 21 Pro suggests a more basic photographic experience.
Performance
The Huawei P30 Pro’s Kirin 980, fabricated on a 7nm process, demonstrably outperforms the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm). The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, with its two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores and additional A76 cores, provides a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks and demanding applications. The Snapdragon 690, while capable for everyday use, is geared towards efficiency and 5G connectivity rather than raw processing power. This translates to smoother multitasking and gaming on the P30 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the P30 Pro offers a significantly faster charging solution with 40W wired charging (70% in 30 minutes), 15W wireless charging, and even 2.5W reverse wireless charging. The Desire 21 Pro is limited to 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 4.0, a slower and less versatile charging experience. While both have similar endurance, the P30 Pro’s charging options provide greater convenience and flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G if you need affordable 5G access, a modern Android experience, and aren't a demanding mobile gamer. Buy the Huawei P30 Pro if you prioritize exceptional camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions, and value fast wired and wireless charging, even at the expense of 5G connectivity and a potentially outdated software experience.