Htc Desire 21 Pro 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is a mid-range smartphone that was officially released on January 21, 2021. This device boasts a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with HDR10 and 90Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. The phone is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G chipset, which is designed to provide a balance of performance and power efficiency. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via a shared SIM slot microSDXC.

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G's rear camera setup features a quad-camera module with a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. The phone's front camera is a 16MP sensor that captures good quality selfies. Additionally, the device packs a 5000mAh battery that provides decent battery life, and it also supports 18W fast charging.

Design and Build Quality

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G boasts a sleek and modern design with a large 6.7-inch display that dominates the front of the phone. The bezels are slim, and the selfie camera is situated in a punch-hole cutout at the top center of the screen. The back of the phone features a glossy finish in either blue or purple color options and a quad-camera setup in a rectangular module at the top left corner.

In terms of build quality, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G feels sturdy and well-constructed. It has a weighty feel in the hand, which some may find reassuring, but others may find it a bit cumbersome. The phone has a hybrid dual-SIM tray on the left side, which also doubles as a microSD card slot. On the right side, there is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that doubles as a power button and a volume rocker.

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is not waterproof, but it does come with a protective case in the box. The case adds a bit more grip to the phone and provides some protection against scratches and minor drops. Overall, the design and build quality of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G are commendable, and it should appeal to those who prioritize style and durability.

Display

The display of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is a standout feature, offering a large 6.7-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display also boasts HDR10 support, making it capable of displaying high-quality HDR content with excellent color reproduction and contrast.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are impressive, with colors appearing bright and vivid without being oversaturated. The screen is also quite bright, making it easy to view in direct sunlight. Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are excellent, with the display quickly registering even the slightest touches.

Overall, the display is perfect for streaming video content, browsing the web, or playing games. The large screen size and high resolution make it easy to view and navigate through various apps, while the HDR10 support ensures that you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows in stunning detail.

However, the lack of a high refresh rate may be a drawback for some users who are looking for a smoother scrolling experience. Nevertheless, the display of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is a major selling point, and it's one of the best displays that you can find in a mid-range smartphone.

Performance

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 690 5G chipset, which is built on an 8 nm process. The octa-core processor comprises two Kryo 560 Gold cores running at 2.0 GHz and six Kryo 560 Silver cores clocked at 1.7 GHz. This combination ensures that the phone can handle most everyday tasks with ease. Multitasking is a breeze thanks to the 8 GB of RAM, allowing you to switch between apps without any noticeable lag. The phone's 128 GB of internal storage should be sufficient for most users, but if you need more space, there's a microSD card slot that supports up to 1 TB.

When it comes to gaming, the Adreno 619 GPU delivers smooth and lag-free performance. Games such as PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile run without any issues, and the phone doesn't get too hot even after extended gaming sessions. In benchmark tests, the Desire 21 Pro 5G scored 610 points in the single-core test and 1826 points in the multi-core test on Geekbench 5. The phone also scored 326,889 points on AnTuTu, which is a decent score for a mid-range device.

Real-world usage of the phone is impressive, with apps opening quickly and running smoothly. The phone delivers a smooth and responsive user experience, and you won't notice any lag even when running multiple apps at the same time. The phone's 90 Hz refresh rate display adds to the overall experience, making scrolling through social media and webpages feel smoother.

Overall, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G delivers a solid performance that should satisfy most users. Whether you're browsing the web, checking your email, or playing games, the phone handles everything with ease.

Software and User Interface

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G runs on the Android 10 operating system with HTC's Sense UI on top. The user interface is intuitive, with a clean and simplistic design that is easy to navigate. The phone offers a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their home screens, app icons, and themes.

One downside of the phone's software is the amount of pre-installed apps and bloatware. While some of these apps are useful, many are unnecessary and can clutter the phone's storage space. Fortunately, most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled.

The user-friendly interface makes it easy to access all of the phone's features and settings. HTC's Sense UI offers a range of useful features, such as the ability to customize the look and feel of the phone's interface, and the option to use gestures for navigation instead of the traditional navigation buttons.

HTC has a good track record of providing timely software updates, which is great news for users who want to keep their phone's software up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.

Overall, the software and user interface of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is well-designed and user-friendly, with a good range of customization options. However, the amount of pre-installed apps and bloatware may be a turn-off for some users.

Camera

VI. Camera

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is equipped with a quad-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 48 MP primary lens, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The selfie camera boasts a 16 MP lens that captures decent selfies even in low-light conditions.

The primary camera delivers sharp and detailed images with accurate color reproduction in well-lit conditions. The ultra-wide camera offers a wider field of view, which is helpful when capturing landscapes and group photos. The macro camera allows you to get up close and personal with your subject, while the depth sensor helps in creating bokeh effects.

The camera app comes with several features like HDR, panorama, and night mode. The night mode helps in capturing brighter images in low-light conditions by taking multiple shots and combining them. The video quality is also impressive, with the capability to shoot 4K videos at 30 fps and 1080p videos at 30 fps with gyro-EIS.

However, the camera performance struggles in low-light conditions, especially when it comes to the ultra-wide and macro lenses. The images tend to lose detail and become grainy. The front-facing camera also struggles in low-light conditions, resulting in noisy images.

Overall, the camera performance of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is decent but not exceptional. It is suitable for capturing everyday moments, but if photography is your main priority, there are better options available in the market.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G comes with a wide range of connectivity and networking options to ensure that you stay connected with the world around you. Firstly, it is compatible with a range of cellular networks, including GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G, which allows you to enjoy fast internet speeds and reliable connectivity.

Additionally, the phone comes equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, and Wi-Fi Direct, which provides you with the ability to connect to wireless networks seamlessly. The Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, and LE features enable you to connect to other devices wirelessly and share files with ease.

The phone also has NFC capabilities that allow you to perform wireless transactions and share data with other NFC-enabled devices. The GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS features ensure that you get accurate location information and can use the phone for navigation purposes.

In terms of sensors, the phone comes with a range of options, including a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors provide you with added security and convenience while using the phone.

One drawback of the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is that it does not come with a headphone jack, which might be an inconvenience for some users. However, it comes with a USB Type-C 2.0 port that supports OTG, which allows you to connect a range of accessories to the phone.

Overall, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G offers a wide range of connectivity and networking options that make it a reliable and convenient device for staying connected with the world around you.

Additional Features

The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G comes with a host of additional features that make it stand out in the market. Firstly, it boasts an IP52 rating, making it resistant to dust and water splashes. This feature is particularly useful for individuals who lead active lifestyles and may expose their phones to harsh environments.

Secondly, the phone has expandable storage options, allowing users to increase the storage capacity beyond the provided 128GB. This feature is highly advantageous for individuals who store large amounts of data on their phones, such as multimedia files and large applications.

Thirdly, the audio quality on the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is impressive, with clear and crisp sound output. Although the phone does not come with a headphone jack, it provides users with a USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter, which allows them to use their existing wired headphones.

The phone also features a loudspeaker that delivers clear and loud sound output, making it ideal for media consumption and hands-free calling.

Lastly, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G has a unique feature known as the Edge Sense, which allows users to perform various actions by squeezing or tapping the sides of the phone. This feature is highly customizable, and users can assign different actions to different levels of pressure.

Overall, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G provides users with a range of additional features that enhance their user experience. From expandable storage options to an impressive audio system and unique Edge Sense feature, this phone is sure to cater to the needs of a broad range of users.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G to other related phones on the market, there are a few notable options to consider. One such phone is the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, which boasts a similar price point and comparable specs. Both phones offer 5G connectivity, a large 6.7-inch display, and a quad-camera setup. However, the Galaxy A52 5G features a higher resolution display, a more powerful processor, and better battery life.

Another phone to compare is the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, which also falls in the same price range as the Desire 21 Pro 5G. The Nord N10 5G offers a slightly smaller display than the Desire 21 Pro 5G, but with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz. Additionally, the Nord N10 5G has a more powerful processor, better battery life, and a more affordable price point.

Lastly, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is another related phone worth considering. While it is slightly more expensive than the Desire 21 Pro 5G, it offers a superior camera system, a larger battery, and a cleaner Android user interface. However, the Pixel 4a 5G has a smaller display and lacks expandable storage options.

Overall, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G holds its own against these related phones, offering a solid mid-range option with 5G connectivity and a great camera system.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers impressive features and specifications for its price point. It boasts a sleek and durable design, a large and vibrant display, and a powerful processor that can handle most tasks with ease.

The camera setup is also noteworthy, with its quad-lens rear camera producing high-quality images and videos in various conditions. Meanwhile, the front-facing camera is perfect for selfies and video calls.

Battery life is also impressive, with its 5000mAh battery lasting for extended periods, and fast charging technology ensuring that you won't stay tethered to a wall outlet for too long.

While it may not be the most feature-packed or innovative phone in the market, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is definitely worth considering for those looking for a reliable and affordable device that can keep up with their daily needs and demands.

Overall, if you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone that offers a great balance of performance, features, and price, the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is definitely worth checking out.