HTC is back in the smartphone game, and these two models – the Desire 22 Pro and the U23 Pro – represent their current efforts. But which one offers the better value and performance? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which HTC phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC U23 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, brighter display, faster charging, and improved camera capabilities significantly outperform the Desire 22 Pro, despite a potentially higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 28 | 2023, May 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 10 | Available. Released 2023, May 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.55 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205.5 g (7.27 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64μm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 118˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Wireless
Reverse wired | 30W wired
15W wireless
5W reverse wireless
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4520 mAh | Li-Ion 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wave Gold, Starry Night Black | Snow White, Coffee Black |
| Models | - | 2QC9200, 2QC9100, 2QCB100 |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 220 EUR |
HTC Desire 22 Pro
- 5G Connectivity
- Familiar Android Experience
- Reverse Wireless Charging
- Lower Performance
- Less Bright Display
- Less Capable Camera
- Slower Charging
HTC U23 Pro
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1)
- Brighter Display
- Improved Camera System
- Faster Charging (30W)
- Excellent Battery Life
- Potentially Higher Price
- Limited Availability
Display Comparison
The HTC U23 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display at 727 nits (measured) compared to the Desire 22 Pro, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both likely feature similar panel technology (OLED), but the U23 Pro's brightness advantage is noticeable. Resolution and size are likely comparable, around 6.6 inches with FHD+ resolution.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the U23 Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system. Details are scarce on the Desire 22 Pro's camera, but the U23 Pro likely features improved sensors and image processing algorithms, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. Expect better video recording capabilities as well.
Performance
The U23 Pro's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Desire 22 Pro's Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 7 Gen 1 offers significantly faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance, making it better suited for demanding games and multitasking. The U23 Pro's CPU architecture (Cortex-A710) also contributes to its superior performance.
Battery Life
The HTC U23 Pro's endurance rating of 83h suggests exceptional battery life, significantly exceeding what's typically expected. The Desire 22 Pro's battery capacity is likely standard for its class, but the U23 Pro's efficiency and larger battery (assumed) give it a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire 22 Pro is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a familiar Android experience. The HTC U23 Pro is ideal for users seeking a more premium experience with better performance, a brighter display, and a more capable camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC Desire 22 Pro worth buying?
It's a decent budget option if 5G connectivity is a priority and you're not a heavy user. However, the U23 Pro offers a much better overall experience.
❓ What is the main difference between the HTC Desire 22 Pro and U23 Pro?
The primary difference is the chipset. The U23 Pro's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 provides significantly better performance compared to the Desire 22 Pro's Snapdragon 695 5G.