The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the HTC U23 Pro and Xiaomi Poco F5 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Poco F5 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly brighter display, faster charging, and a more powerful chipset. While the HTC U23 Pro has a respectable battery life, the Poco F5's overall performance and features make it the more appealing choice for most users.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 18 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 18 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | 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 | 30W wired
15W wireless
5W reverse wireless
Reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Snow White, Coffee Black | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | 2QC9200, 2QC9100, 2QCB100 | 23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
HTC U23 Pro
- Potentially longer standby time
- Understated design
- Decent battery life
- Less bright display
- Slower charging
- Older chipset
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (67W)
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2)
- Excellent value
- Design may be less appealing to some
- Potential for MIUI bloatware
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 takes a commanding lead in the display department. Its 963 nits peak brightness significantly outshines the U23 Pro's 727 nits, making it much easier to view content outdoors. The Poco F5 also boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels and vibrant colors. While the U23 Pro's display is adequate, it simply can't compete with the Poco F5's superior brightness and contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. However, given the chipset differences, the Poco F5 likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Further testing is needed to definitively declare a winner.
Performance
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in the Poco F5 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the U23 Pro. The Poco F5's CPU, particularly the Cortex-X2 prime core, offers noticeably faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and improved gaming performance. The U23 Pro is still capable, but the Poco F5 provides a more premium and responsive experience.
Battery Life
While the HTC U23 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 83 hours (old), the Poco F5's active use score of 11:52h and endurance rating of 118h (old) are also very competitive. More importantly, the Poco F5's 67W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in just 46 minutes – a significant advantage over the U23 Pro's 30W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the HTC U23 Pro? Users prioritizing a potentially longer standby time and a more understated design might find the U23 Pro appealing. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F5? Those seeking top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and incredibly fast charging will find the Poco F5 a compelling option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco F5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Poco F5 charges to 100% in approximately 46 minutes with its 67W charger, while the U23 Pro takes considerably longer with its 30W charging.
