HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G review
The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G - a device that promises much but delivers little. Priced at around 350 euros, this smartphone is expected to offer cutting-edge features and performance. However, our experience suggests otherwise. With an overpriced tag, mediocre cameras, and a processor that's not quite up-to-par, this phone falls short of expectations. In comparison to other devices on the market, it seems woefully underwhelming. Is it worth considering for those looking for a reliable Android device? Our review will shed some light on its true capabilities.
Build Quality and Design
The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G's build quality and design are a letdown. The device's construction feels cheap and flimsy, lacking the premium feel that one would expect from an HTC smartphone. The plastic back panel, in particular, feels lightweight and brittle, making it seem like it could be easily scratched or damaged. The phone's design is also uninspired. The Desire 21 Pro 5G looks like a budget device, with its bland color scheme and lack of distinctive features. The phone's edges are smooth but unremarkable, and the display bezels are thick and unwieldy. One of the most egregious issues with the phone's design is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. Located on the side of the device, it feels awkward to use and can be easily accidentally triggered while holding the phone. This design choice seems like a relic from an earlier era of smartphone design, when manufacturers prioritized form over function. In terms of overall build quality, the Desire 21 Pro 5G falls short of expectations. The device's creaky construction and flimsy materials make it feel more like a budget phone than a high-end device. While it may not be the end of the world for some users, it's clear that HTC has prioritized other aspects of the phone (such as its specs) over its build quality and design. Ultimately, the Desire 21 Pro 5G's subpar build quality and design make it hard to recommend, especially at its high price point. While it may have some attractive features on paper, the phone's real-world performance is marred by its poor construction and unimpressive aesthetics.
Battery Life
One aspect where the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G falls short is its battery life. Despite packing a respectable 5000mAh battery, this device fails to deliver on its full potential. In our experience, the phone's battery life was merely average, failing to last more than a day with moderate usage. With typical use patterns, we found that the phone would need to be recharged daily, which is not ideal for a flagship device like the Desire 21 Pro 5G. We were expecting a battery life that could easily last two days, but unfortunately, this was not the case. Furthermore, the device's power consumption seems to be higher than expected, with the screen and processor guzzling more juice than we'd like. This makes it difficult to use the phone throughout the day without worrying about running out of charge. Given the competition in the market, where devices like the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offer significantly better battery life at a lower price point, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G's battery life is a major letdown. If you're looking for a device that can last all day without needing to be recharged, this might not be the best option. Overall, while the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G has some redeeming qualities, its battery life is a significant drawback that prevents it from being a top contender in the market.
Display
The display on the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is one aspect where the phone falls short of expectations. While it's not a complete disaster, it's certainly not impressive either. Firstly, the resolution of the display is adequate but nothing special - a standard LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen size is decent at 6.7 inches, making it suitable for most users. However, the display itself lacks any notable features or advancements that would set it apart from other mid-range phones. One major disappointment is the lack of refresh rate variety. Unlike some other devices in this price range, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G sticks with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, making it feel somewhat unresponsive and sluggish at times. The color accuracy is passable, but not outstanding. While colors are generally well-represented, they can sometimes appear muted or washed out, especially in bright lighting conditions. This can be frustrating for users who expect a more vivid viewing experience. In terms of brightness, the display is average - it gets sufficiently bright to handle most indoor and outdoor use cases, but it's not exceptional. The maximum brightness level is relatively low compared to some other devices, which might make it harder to see in extremely sunny conditions. Overall, while the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G's display isn't a complete disaster, it's definitely not worth singling out as an impressive feature of this phone. With the competition offering more advanced displays at similar or lower price points, it's hard to recommend this device for anyone who places a high value on their screen experience.
Camera
The camera is often a key feature that sets apart one smartphone from another. Unfortunately, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G falls short in this department. While it boasts a 48-megapixel primary sensor, its performance is marred by several issues. Firstly, the camera's ability to capture images in bright lighting conditions is nothing short of spectacular. However, as soon as you tap on the screen to focus, the image blows out, rendering it unusable. This inconsistency makes it difficult to rely on the Desire 21 Pro 5G for everyday photography needs. Zooming in on captured images reveals a level of detail that's average at best. While there's nothing inherently wrong with this, it's not impressive given the smartphone's price tag. In fact, other budget-friendly options can produce similar or even better results. The macro and depth modes are particularly underwhelming. The former struggles to capture detailed close-up shots, often resulting in a lack of sharpness or clarity. The latter mode, which promises to create a shallow depth-of-field effect, falls flat due to the camera's inability to accurately detect the subject's distance from the lens. The front-facing camera is also unimpressive, limited to 16 megapixels and recording video at 1080p 30fps. This is not exactly cutting-edge technology, especially considering other smartphones can deliver higher-quality front cameras with features like face detection and beautification tools. While the Desire 21 Pro 5G's primary sensor has its moments, it's clear that HTC hasn't invested enough in developing a camera system worthy of a premium device. With competitors like Xiaomi offering superior camera performance at similar price points, it's hard to recommend this smartphone for anyone who values photography as a key aspect of their mobile experience. In conclusion, the Desire 21 Pro 5G's camera is one of its most significant drawbacks, making it difficult to justify the phone's premium pricing. While some users might find adequate performance in specific situations, others will be left disappointed by the subpar image quality and lackluster features.
Price and Value
The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is a device that fails to deliver value for its price. With a retail tag of around 350 euros, this smartphone should have been a powerhouse in terms of performance and features. Unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. The phone's Snapdragon 690 processor, while not outdated, is not as efficient as those found in similarly priced devices from competitors like Xiaomi. The 5000mAh battery, although large, does not last as long as one would hope, given the power-hungry nature of modern smartphones. Additionally, the camera setup is underwhelming, with the 48-megapixel primary sensor producing lackluster results. The ultra-wide-angle lens and macro mode are particularly disappointing, making them unusable in most situations. The 16-megapixel front-facing camera fares no better, with a resolution that's not as high as some mid-range smartphones. The phone's pricing is its biggest drawback. At around 350 euros, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G should have been a solid contender in the mid-range market. However, it's outperformed by devices like the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, which offers similar specs at a significantly lower price point (around 250 euros). Considering the competition and the features offered, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is not worth its asking price. Unless you're a die-hard fan of the brand, there are better options available at lower price points. Overall, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G fails to deliver value for its price. If you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone, it's best to look elsewhere.
Performance
The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G promises to deliver a solid performance experience, but unfortunately, it falls short in this aspect. Running on the Snapdragon 690 5G chip, I expected more from this device. Firstly, the phone struggles with multitasking, often slowing down when juggling multiple apps at once. This is particularly noticeable when switching between resource-intensive applications. The device also lags during transitions and scrolling through menus, making it feel unresponsive at times. Additionally, the 8GB of RAM, while sufficient for general use, fails to provide a seamless experience when dealing with demanding tasks or running multiple apps simultaneously. This leads to frequent app closures and restarts, disrupting my workflow. In terms of gaming performance, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is passable but far from impressive. Games run smoothly at low graphics settings, but as soon as I try to push them to medium-high settings, the frame rate drops significantly. This results in a choppy and unenjoyable experience, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the game. Lastly, the phone's battery life is decent but not exceptional. With moderate use, the device can last a full day, but heavy users may find themselves needing to charge it more frequently. In conclusion, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G's performance falls short of expectations. While it gets the job done for basic tasks and everyday use, it struggles with more demanding activities like gaming and multitasking. Considering its price point and what other devices have to offer, I would not recommend this phone unless you're a die-hard fan of HTC or looking for a budget device that can handle minimal use. For a similar price, you can find devices like the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro that outperform the Desire 21 Pro 5G in almost every aspect. The Poco X3 Pro offers better performance, display quality, and battery life, making it a more compelling option for those seeking a mid-range device. Ultimately, if performance is a top priority, there are better options available at a similar price point.
Pros
1. The device has a good camera with a 48 megapixel wide sensor that takes okay images, especially at high zoom.
2. The phone's display is the same as other devices, but it does have a slightly better refresh rate.
3. The battery life is decent with a 5000 milliampere capacity and 18 watt charging, although not the best in its class.
4. The device has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is convenient.
Cons
1. The phone's price of around 350 euros is overpriced and not worth the money compared to other devices on the market.
2. The camera has issues with the macro mode and depth sensor, making them unusable.
3. The device lags behind in terms of technology and innovation, making it seem outdated compared to newer models from companies like Xiaomi.
4. The phone's storage is expandable via SD card but the rest of its specs are not as impressive as other devices in its class.