HTC U24 pro review
The HTC U24 Pro boasts an impressive 6.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple-camera setup, and a large 4,600mAh battery. The device's design is unique, featuring slanted edges and a curved screen that extends further than traditional bezels. However, the plastic back and sharp-edged design may not be to everyone's taste. With a price tag of €760, the U24 Pro faces stiff competition from other devices with similar specs but at significantly lower prices. Can it justify its premium price?
Build Quality and Design
The HTC U24 Pro's build quality and design are its most notable features, but unfortunately, they don't quite live up to expectations. Upon first glance, the device has a peculiar shape with slanted edges that give it a distinctive look. However, upon closer inspection, the build feels blocky and sharp, particularly around the sides where the edges meet the display. This is due in part to the presence of multiple small protrusions along the sides, which serve no apparent purpose. The device's design is also let down by its substantial bezels at the top and bottom of the screen. While HTC attempts to compensate for this with a curved display that extends slightly beyond the edges, it only serves to make the top bezel feel even more pronounced. This, combined with the phone's chunky build, makes the device feel somewhat dated in an era where sleek, slim designs are the norm. The use of plastic on the back is also noteworthy, as it feels cheap and doesn't quite live up to the standards expected from a flagship device. The matte finish does help to reduce fingerprints and smudges, but it's still not enough to offset the overall feeling of mediocrity that pervades the build quality. Overall, while the HTC U24 Pro's design is certainly eye-catching, it falls short in terms of actual build quality and usability. With more refined designs available on competing devices, this aspect of the phone is a significant letdown. In light of these findings, prospective buyers may want to consider alternative options that better balance form with function. The HTC U24 Pro's shortcomings make it feel like a relic from last year, and its hefty price tag of €760 only serves to exacerbate the issue.
Battery Life
The HTC U24 Pro boasts a 4,600mAh battery, which is quite impressive. According to the manufacturer, this device supports fast charging up to 60W via cable, as well as wireless charging at 15W. This suggests that the phone should be able to last for an extended period of time on a single charge. However, with great power comes great responsibility - or in this case, great capacity. I found the battery life of the HTC U24 Pro to be average at best. While it was certainly capable of lasting a full day, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. In typical usage, the phone would easily last for 12 hours without needing a recharge. However, if you're an avid gamer or streamer, you might find yourself needing to top off the battery more frequently. The good news is that fast charging makes quick work of recharging the battery, but wireless charging is somewhat slower. Ultimately, I think the battery life on the HTC U24 Pro is decent, but not outstanding. If you're someone who only uses their phone for casual tasks like browsing and texting, this phone should be able to get you through a full day without any issues. However, if you're an heavy user, you might want to look elsewhere. In comparison to other phones on the market, the HTC U24 Pro's battery life is somewhat middle-of-the-road. While it may not be the longest-lasting phone available, it still gets the job done.
Display
The display on the HTC U24 Pro is a notable aspect of the device, with a 6.8-inch OLED screen featuring a 1080x2436 pixel resolution. It boasts an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and supports up to 88% screen-to-body ratio, although this figure might be slightly misleading. The display's curved design extends further than traditional bezels, which can make the top of the phone feel like a larger bezel than it actually is. Upon closer inspection, the screen-to-body ratio feels somewhat compromised due to the curved display blending with the top bezel. While the device still boasts an impressive 88% screen-to-body ratio, it's worth noting that this figure might be slightly inflated compared to other devices with similar specifications. The curved design does provide a seamless user experience, but the bezels can feel slightly larger than expected. In terms of display quality, the HTC U24 Pro delivers smooth and vibrant visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate provides a responsive touch response, making interactions feel snappy and fluid. However, some users might find the curved design to be aesthetically jarring or unusual, particularly when compared to more traditional smartphone designs. Overall, the display on the HTC U24 Pro is decent but not exceptional. While it offers smooth performance and crisp visuals, its design choices might not appeal to everyone. For those seeking a premium display experience without breaking the bank, there are other options available that offer similar specifications at lower price points.
Camera
The HTC U24 Pro's camera setup is one of its most notable features. The device boasts a triple-camera arrangement at the back, with two 50-megapixel sensors. One has a 1.9 aperture and is designed as an ultra-wide-angle lens, while the other boasts a 2.0 aperture telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Additionally, there's an 8-megapixel sensor with a 2.2 aperture ultra-wide camera that can record videos at up to 4K at 30 frames per second and 1080p at 30 frames per second. The front camera also features a 50-megapixel sensor with a 2.5 aperture, which is limited to recording video at 1080p at 30 frames per second. The triple-camera setup offers a decent level of versatility, making it suitable for various photography scenarios. However, the performance in low-light conditions remains uncertain. The presence of an ultra-wide-angle lens and telephoto zoom is commendable, but the lack of optical stabilization on both cameras may cause some users to feel constrained in their creative endeavors. In comparison to other devices available at a similar price point, such as the CMF Phone 1, the U24 Pro's camera setup seems somewhat less compelling. The CMF Phone 1 offers an impressive 50-megapixel primary sensor with a 1.8 aperture and can capture video at up to 1080p at 60 frames per second - a feature not available on the HTC device. The overall performance of the U24 Pro's cameras is satisfactory, but in light of more recent releases that offer superior camera capabilities for a lower price, the appeal of this feature may not be enough to justify its purchase.
Price and Value
The HTC U24 Pro is a device that promises a lot but fails to deliver in terms of value for money. Priced at around €760, this smartphone seems like an expensive proposition when compared to its competitors. One of the main issues with the U24 Pro is its price tag. In today's market, there are several alternatives that offer similar or even better specifications at a fraction of the cost. For instance, the CMF Phone 1, which I've reviewed before, offers roughly the same level of performance and features as the HTC device but costs around €700. The difference in pricing is staggering, with the U24 Pro being nearly €60 more expensive than its competitor. And when you consider that the CMF Phone 1 offers wireless charging, a slightly larger battery, and even higher frame rates (up to 1080p at 60fps), it's hard not to feel like the HTC device is overpriced. Furthermore, the U24 Pro is already a year old, which means its value proposition has decreased significantly since its release. Newer devices with better cameras, processors, and features are now available in the market, making the U24 Pro an outdated choice. Overall, while the HTC U24 Pro may have some impressive specifications on paper, its price tag makes it hard to recommend. The device's lack of wireless charging, lower storage capacity, and higher price point compared to competitors make it a less appealing option for those looking for a value-for-money smartphone.
Performance
I've had the chance to use the HTC U24 Pro for an extended period, and while I was initially excited about its specs, my experience with its performance has been somewhat underwhelming. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, which is decent but not exceptional. In everyday usage, it handles tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming without any major issues. However, when it comes to more demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking, the phone can start to feel sluggish. I've noticed some lag and stuttering, especially with multiple apps open in the background. The 12GB of RAM is certainly a plus, but it doesn't seem to be utilized efficiently by the phone's software. As a result, the overall performance feels somewhat constrained, even when using demanding applications like photo editing or video rendering. One area where the phone excels is battery life. The 4,600mAh battery provides an impressive level of endurance, easily lasting a full day with moderate to heavy usage. However, this doesn't make up for the subpar performance in other areas. Overall, while the HTC U24 Pro has some redeeming qualities, its performance is disappointing considering its price point and specifications. If you're in the market for a new phone and value performance above all else, I'd recommend exploring other options that offer more robust processing capabilities and seamless user experiences.
Pros
1. The device has a high-quality display with 6.8 inches, 1080x2436 pixels, OLED display running at 120Hz refresh rate
2. It supports wireless charging up to 15 watts and also has USB-C fast charging at 60 watts
3. The phone comes with 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB of storage, both being UFS 3.1 storage type
4. Expendable storage using a Micro SD card is available, making it a relatively okay internal specification
5. The device can record videos at 4K up to 30 frames and 1080p up to 60 frames with the front camera having a 50-megapixel sensor
6. It has a large 4600mAh battery which is good for long usage
Cons
1. The build of this device is weirdly shaped with slanted edges, making it feel sharp in hand
2. The phone has a blocky feel due to its side edges being made in the same way, making it uncomfortable to hold
3. The plastic back feels cheap and doesn't look great, giving a low-quality feel
4. The top bezel of the device is quite substantial despite having an 88% screen-to-body ratio
5. The camera setup at the back has a confusing design with two cameras being 50 megapixel sensors, one wide and one telephoto, but still lacking features like zoom or macro mode
6. The price tag of €760 is too high for what it offers, especially when compared to other alternatives in the market