HTC U23 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone market is packed with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two compelling contenders against each other: the HTC U23 Pro and the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Both offer unique features, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 7 Pro emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly brighter display, superior camera capabilities, and the power of Google's Tensor G2 chip. While the HTC U23 Pro offers a competitive price and respectable battery life, the Pixel 7 Pro's premium features justify its higher cost.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC U23 Pro Google Pixel 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bands1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2023, May 182022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 18Available. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 120HzLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad108 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-
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging30W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless Reverse wired23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4600 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSnow White, Coffee BlackObsidian, Snow, Hazel
Models2QC9200, 2QC9100, 2QCB100GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
PriceAbout 220 EUR€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC U23 Pro

  • Competitive price
  • Decent battery life (83h endurance)
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • IP67 water and dust resistance (assumed)

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging speeds

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Superior camera performance
  • Powerful Tensor G2 chip
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates

  • Higher price
  • Tensor G2 can sometimes throttle under sustained load
  • Design can be polarizing

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro's display is a standout feature, reaching a measured 1090 nits of peak brightness compared to the U23 Pro's 727 nits. This difference is noticeable in outdoor conditions. The Pixel 7 Pro also boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both have excellent displays, the Pixel 7 Pro takes the crown.

Camera Comparison

Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their exceptional camera performance, and the Pixel 7 Pro is no exception. Its advanced image processing algorithms and versatile lens setup deliver stunning photos and videos. The HTC U23 Pro's camera is competent, but it doesn't match the Pixel 7 Pro's image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7 Pro's Tensor G2 chip, built on a 5nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the HTC U23 Pro's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm). The Tensor G2 excels in AI and machine learning tasks, enhancing features like voice recognition and image processing. The U23 Pro is still capable for everyday tasks, but the Pixel 7 Pro feels snappier and more responsive.

Battery Life

Both phones share the same endurance rating of 83h, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the Pixel 7 Pro's faster charging speeds (23W wired, 23W wireless) provide a quicker top-up.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the HTC U23 Pro? Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable Android phone with decent performance and battery life. Who should buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro? Photography enthusiasts, those seeking a smooth and responsive experience powered by Google's AI, and users who value a premium design and software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the HTC U23 Pro a good budget phone?
Yes, the HTC U23 Pro offers a good balance of features and performance for its price point, making it a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
❓ Does the Pixel 7 Pro have good software support?
Absolutely. Google provides guaranteed software updates and security patches for its Pixel phones for an extended period, ensuring a smooth and secure user experience.
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is significantly better for photography due to its advanced camera hardware and Google's renowned image processing capabilities.