HTC U23 Pro Unboxing & Full Tour | Serious Pixel 7a Rival?

Unboxing the HTC U23 Pro, a mid-range smartphone boasting a 108MP camera, stock Android vibe and some killer features. The HTC U23 Pro serves up a headphone jack, expandable storage and wireless charging - but the Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G might be better options still.
If your phone's optics are a priority, you'll certainly prefer the Google and Sammy alternatives. The U23 Pro's camera is fine for outdoor shots but I find my indoor pics tend to look drab, with dull tones - while the focus occasionally fails.
Likewise, I prefer the Pixel 7a's software experience to the HTC U23 Pro, which may be stock but also feels rather slimline. Not to mention the lack of dedication when it comes to software and OS updates.
However, there's lots to love here, including smooth performance from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, backed by buckets of RAM. Battery life so far has been respectable too, with the option to charge the HTC U23 Pro wirelessly if you like.
And while many mid-range smartphones have ditched the headphone jack and expandable storage, you get both with this bad boy. Not to mention IP67 water and dust resistance, same as the Pixel 7a.
So that's the HTC U23 Pro, let us know what you think down below!
HTC U23 Pro Unboxing Chapters:
0:00 - Guess who's back
0:44 - What's in the box?
0:57 - Design
2:14 - Software & features
4:00 - Display & audio
5:46 - Performance & gaming
6:47 - Battery
7:33 - Cameras
9:33 - Byyyyeeeeee

[@yensteel]

HTC?? What a pleasant surprise. They're still too quiet in their marketing. Owner of the U11+.

[@309technology]

Same here

[@SteveLBMK]

Me, too

[@PavanKumar-ft5hi]

How's the battery holding up? I heard it isn't too good.

[@Ruslan7913]

У меня тоже HTC U 11 plus

[@yensteel]

@@PavanKumar-ft5hi Ah, it's not too bad upon release. For a 6" phone, it's got a big battery at 4000 mAh. That's in comprison to the 3100 of the S10 at 6.1", and S10+ at 4100 mah. The issue was the LCD, which was a con. Overall, it had pretty good battery life at the time. I stopped using it at 2020.

[@DA_BOID]

If HTC makes a flagship device, I'm gonna support it just for old times sake.

[@alphonsusjimos9758]

never go wrong with HTC UI. run smooth as butter. owned 3 HTCs. welcome home

[@midhungopan9270]

Miss their trademark htc boom speakers and their iconic htc sense skin for the uniqueness....sd card slot and 3.5mm jack is a big thumbs up from me

[@119szar]

I'm using using an htc So I feel how it is. We want a comeback like they did at 2018 with the U12+

[@frowningboat8039]

​@@119szarYes but hopefully with good battery life next time.

[@theg0ldkiller]

I hope a HUGE comeback for HTC. The HTC One M7 was awesome! 🤩

[@kash.h]

One of my all time fav phones. What an amazing design.

[@Azhtyhx]

Still is! Coming up on 11 years of daily use. The battery is getting really tired, but other than that can't complain. Had a Tattoo before, no complaints. Next phone will also be HTC of course.

[@oneshotguy6372]

I wish too. But i think it seem impossible.😢 Dammmm I love my nexus 1,butterfly,m9 and u12+ But i don't think it can be possible to make huge comeback. But slowly revived maybe possible.

[@sjstu]

Happy to be see HTC back in the game but such a pity that that’s there’s so many compromises. At the moment it can’t compete with with the 7a or A54.

[@oida10000]

From the software side of things you are right, specially lacking update support, from the hardware site it seems alright to me, yes it has a little bit of an older chip, but it should do. Plus features at least one of the others doesn't have (wireless charging and expandable storage (you either have to go with wc (Pixel) or es (A54)) plus the headphone jack (neither has). So overall hardware wise it is not that much behind from its mid range brothers, plus it has the bonus of completeness.

[@OneNiftyBoi]

Can't even compete with A52s honestly. But I'm happy to see htc back in the game.

[@frowningboat8039]

​@@oida10000the cameras are mediocre for £500, no telephoto and the ultra wide isn't worth bothering with. The storage is the most generous thing about it but right now a pixel 7 for the same price just looks way better. And this is from a HTC 10 fan that switched to Huawei after the u12+ had disappointing battery life.

[@Carcosahead]

or the poco phones (cheap but reliables)

[@sjstu]

@@Carcosahead you're right

[@mr_stoosh]

HTC should do a 2023 version of their M7 / M8 series. That would be a viable alternative to Samsung Google flagships.

[@ibs7444]

As a previous M7 and M10 user, I'd buy that phone right away

[@mr_stoosh]

@@ibs7444 Same here in a heartbeat

[@danielkwarteng4509]

That will be a great idea

[@peaceformula5830]

Loved the M7 Dual speakers, nice glass, nice metal, nice interface M8 also nice

[@oneshotguy6372]

I know how you feel. I miss boomsound in m7-10 but as u12+ user I think u12+ is best phone they ever made. Sense companion is great. Thier twin camera with laser autofocus. And i still use it now.Sadly they removed 3.5 jack

[@GabrielGomes-wy1zp]

Hopefully in the future HTC will launch flagship smartphones again

[@crappycoder]

Wow, HTC still kicking. I still love my HTC Hero even though it's really old school now, but that titanium feel, Yeaaaa

[@joncrawford3485]

A little HTC UK support story. I brought an U12+ on launch day directly from HTC UK. Got a couple of security updates and then ... nothing. So, 6 months after the last update I emailed HTC UK asking what was going on. Was told that "HTC do not sell the U12+ in the UK" ???? I sent them copies of the sales invoice, and screen dumps of the phone's software info showing a UK software number, and they said I had altered those! Still got the phone, works fine - Android 9, last update Aug 2020 :(

[@justsomerandomartist7503]

Flash it with ROM

[@svanvugt]

Thank you uncle Spurt, I was waiting for reviews of this and not expecting a lot as it is not so known anymore. Hope you do a full review as well.

[@Stock--Rosso]

No DAC! That's was the main reason many of us loved older HTC phones. I still use my HTC m10 as an mp3 player, it has outstanding audio output for a mere mobile phone. Great video👍🏼

[@RDuude]

The M8 was probably my favorite phone I've ever owned (been using cellphones since '98), hopefully this is their comeback! I just want a flagship with expandable storage!

[@urbanPHX]

I might be willing to give this a chance. I want HTC to succeed again!

[@crvdudecrossoverr6367]

wait until oct 29th. the v22 is supposed to be released.

[@urbanPHX]

@@crvdudecrossoverr6367 - Really? Have a link for it?

[@jrushen4235]

Your reviews are really good. You leave no stone unturned.

[@cesararf]

So glad HTC is back, although I think it is a bit too late. I remember my HTC One M7 being an absolute great phone back in 2013. About this phone, interesting the fact it has phone jack and expandable storage, but aside from that there is nothing remarkable.

[@blackmanwhitesuit]

I think they're doing it right though. It's the OnePlus path of starting midrange and hopefully they are just trying to recoup interest before they bonk in some of their better ideas. I'm just happy to see HTC back, who were kings of audio and value back in the day. LG? Wanna come back too?

[@1tan_freed0m]

Had Desire 626 The design was so magical. If they make it again I would still buy it

[@UhOhUmm]

HTC is not back, this is a Chinese phone using the brand

[@opposedscroll7596]

It's better than the crappy Galaxy A54 but Samsung sheeps will buy the inferior product 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SuperSamanoske]

@@UhOhUmm No,This Htc. China low hw.

[@enders-builds]

I'm actually looking for a midrange just like this one, my only qualms being the lack of long term software support. Otherwise it checks everything I want... Amazing that it still has a headphone jack and expandable storage, and base 256gb at that

[@SebaM83]

I remember when HTC told Samsung on Twitter that "plastic is not fantastic"... well, how the tables have turned

[@MrFreeze29]

I miss HTC so much! I'm glad to see they're back in the game.

[@asiffarooqui6789]

Hurrah thanks for the review!!!!! You're the first to do one mate! 👊👊👊😊

[@savvas200]

12 years now I am using only HTC phones..currently using U12+.. I will wait for something better.. Glad that they are back at some point..❤

[@rosemarygriffin2184]

My son is still using his HTC U11, I'm still using my HTC one from years ago 👍

[@rjk0163]

Htc one was something else really. It looked like came from future those days

[@TheHacker825]

i am using u12+ too, (third in a row) , but so sad newer HTCs don't have 4k 60fps video, only 30... i think u12+ has best improved camera..

[@savvas200]

@@TheHacker825 my HTC u12+ has an option for 60fps at 4k

[@crvdudecrossoverr6367]

they are supposed to be releasing a V22 in 19 days. i have been waiting a year for it, and i too sill have an htc m7. loved that phone, but att doesnt support it, so LG V60 is it for now. patience will have to pay off at some point.

[@TurfSurf]

As a ex HTC EVO and 3D owner, I hope HTC make a big come back and become more creative in design than before!

[@sephatu6521]

Good job htc. Memory card slot or headphone jack should have never left any smartphone.

[@shanepatrick641]

Totally agree!

[@nolbertolopez1128]

i don't see anything that constitutes the HTC to be considered as midrange. While 7th gen 1 is not 8th gen 2, its still a bit of a flagship than a mid-ranger and the price is amazing for it too. considering that it has a headphone jack and expandable storage is the cherry on top. i have a pair of wired earbuds that sounds leagues better than most Bluetooth earbuds I've bought over the years.

[@RichardRatner.1972]

HTC one M7 ! They were the days. Great to see them back. Kindest regards, Richard U.K

[@JasonDevadason]

I bought my HTC U11 in 2017 and used it till 2021 when I bought a new phone for larger screen. The phone's build quality was awesome and excellent waterproofing back then. My friends and family were always shocked to see me washing my phone like a dish in the sink. It also had an awesome Super LCD display which I believe is 2k resolution. The camera took very good photos and is still awesome when compared to current phones. The only weakness is the battery. I have already changed the battery 2 times and charge doesn't hold long enough like the current phones. I still have my U11 and use it as my second phone for GPS and for even playing Rise Of Kingdoms. The only phone I plan to use till it stops working. Its too late for HTC to return back to their glory days but I still believe there is a place for them in the mobile world. They should try to be unique and offer them at reasonable prices. Well, all the best to HTC.

[@kings_chronicle592]

Well well good to see a legend make a return

[@tjey379]

Kind of a blast from the past, I am glad the old brands are not dying without a fight and this is a good offering from HTC I wonder what Nokia is cooking.

[@MrCake-ui8uo]

Nice to see htc return.. And this phone looks and specs seems nice.. 👍🏼

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Thanks for this. You must be the hardest working man on KZbin! 😊 I had a htc one m7 back in the day and loved it. In those days it was nice to see a phone company brave enough to produce something a little different. A shame the u23 pro is rather generic in style. Being called a "pro" but being mainly plastic and sitting with other mid-priced phones is a bit baffling. I suppose htc are just dipping their toes in the water and keeping production costs low before going all in with a flagship 🤷‍♂️.

[@cristisun184]

A really nice surprise to see a HTC device reviewed by a known reviewer.I don't get my hopes high but meybe in 2 or 3 years we might see a proper HTC flagship again.

[@kopfschuss881]

I’ve had many HTCs starting from the G1. They need a real comeback

[@ACE-hp5vm]

Im waiting for this to review 😍

[@burlhorse61]

Glad to see that HTC is back making phones

[@broughy23]

Wow, I'm glad HTC is back. Some of my favourite phones I've owned have been down to them. Are they making a flagship?

[@user-pu2ro8ok3r]

another repackaged Chinese phone with the HTC logo

[@chrisbeynon8700]

I've just discovered your channel on the hunt for my latest phone, and I love it! Such a great balance between humour, facts and unbiased genuine opinion. Could I suggest a review for the Honor 70 Lite if possible? I can't seem to find one anywhere!

[@1pac882]

Loved the HTC M7

[@Lucius4992]

I had some HTC phones in the past, I was a big fan. I hope we will see more from them.

[@bobbiroberts3240]

I loved HTC alot , I owned quite a number of HTCs alot from HTC one X , One M7 , One M8 , One M9 upti the desire series , there Cameras were underrated especially the M9 and M8 until I switched to the One plus which is a the best brand ever

[@EddyChristian]

Great to see HTC coming back nice phone!

[@planetminecraft411]

Glad to see that HTC is still alive, even if barely breathing compared to most other manufacturers.

[@joshuabush2569]

HTC... Blast from the past! I had a few phones back in the day. Looks like a pretty solid phone, shame about the huge size..

[@kennykenny2785]

Nice to see HTC back have HTC M7 wow what a phone ,hope they start making good phones

[@thekingmicky22]

Absolutely loved HTC was gutted when they stopped making phones, wouldn't mind going back to them looks like a great phone and great to have expandable storage thats why i went for a poco x4 last year but not to happy with the camera on the poco

[@baldyhead]

I was hoping for a metal back like my One M8, which I still use occasionally just for the nostalgia and the comments. It's still a great design, though the screen is a bit small.

[@Dj0287]

I loved HTC! My first android phone was the Sprint HTC Hero. I also had the Evo 4G, Evo 4G LTE, M7, and my last HTC phone was the M9.

[@xenogaming9173]

They reason why I clicked on this video because I haven’t heard about HTC back when I was high school. So I am curious to see what they’re up to.

[@mikiehill67]

Wow I haven't had a HTC phone in a long time. The last one I had was the HTC One M8. I loved it. To bad they have fallen to almost nothing.

[@timothyxxxpaul]

Never thought I’d see another htc phone

[@jepoybengco]

still rockin the htc 10 as my back up/music phone

[@OledBurnInKing]

Finally a new htc phone that I want with the headphone jack, micro sd card slot and physical sim card slot with no e-sim crap. I don't know if the htc u23 pro will work with the u.s. carrier that I use since the u.s. carrier that I use are nit picking about what kind of unlocked phones work on there network. I use cricket wireless that uses the at&t network and at&t towers. At&t has a white list of phones that has to be approved on there network in order for the phones to be compatible with there network. I mentioned at&t because it also affects unlocked phones on at&t prepaid carriers such as cricket wireless that I use for myself. I have a bunch of unlocked android phones that used to be compatible with at&t and cricket wireless no longer compatible with at&t and cricket wireless, but ever since at&t shut down there 3g network they made using unlocked phones difficult to use on there network. I don't want to use the carrier limited choice of phones. The white list that at&t uses is an a hole type of move to try to force customers to use there phones instead of using unlocked phones. Tmobile does not care that you use unlocked phones on there network since tmobile makes money from there services and plans. All the unlocked phones that I have will work with tmobile however I don't get very good reliable coverage with tmobile. I was on a job interview on the phone when I used to have tmobile and the phone calls get kept on getting a dropped call so that was very annoying and infuriating. I'm tired of hearing too much about apple and samsung, we need more android manufacturers to be talked about. I still have my htc one m9 and htc one max. I wish htc made a usb c version of the htc one m9 and usb c version of the htc one max both with updated specs even include a high quality dac like the htc 10 and larger battery capacity like 5,000 mah battery. Htc was my favorite brand since they were the first manufacturer to have an android phone when they made windows phones. Sony is also my favorite manufacturer because there older android phones reminds me of the playstation interface running android. I have the sony xperia 1 iv but sony no longer has my favorite sony apps like there video player and album apps but at least sony still has my favorite walkman app. I really like sony interface on there older android phones.

[@Shahyan008]

HTC wow I still have my HTC 10 : ) looks solid 😊

[@chamod5895]

where do you get those anime wallpapers from? nice video btw

[@itsmegordy]

I thought HTC had left the building!? I've only ever owned 1 HTC phone. The HTC Touch HD a loooong time ago. I loved that thing. I expecially liked their widgets.

[@309technology]

I wish it had the same features as the HTC u11 and dual speakers

[@michelejp69]

I loved HTC - back in the day they had nice cameras and snappy software.

[@carlosrukweza5624]

Uncle spurt how are you doing hope you are fine . Thanks for the content

[@PikaCheeks]

Make HTC great again! They need to get back into the game even more! What happened to their solid build quality with the aluminum body of the M8? The front facing boom speakers as well!? Just make something similar to Asus's ROG phones but with HTC's UI and its original quality!!!

[@rgeedeleon]

I really miss the legendary HTC Sense UI ✨

[@igorcicimov6234]

HTC Magic was my first ever touch screen phone back in 2008, when the phones used to be small and light as they should be, and it was a great one. Good to see them back hopefully they still have some of their fans left after years of absence.

[@ads7506]

Same here, I had HTC desire X in 2012 as a first touchscreen phone.

[@neolight1]

Always loved HTC especially my U11+ which had an unfortunate fall to its demise. But the Pixel 5A has been a welcome option, just not sure I am ready to cast the coin at them for minimum support. Probably wait for the Pixel 8 Pro.

[@chillinwithluis]

Did you get the pixel 8 pro?

[@elginnowilliams310]

I know you love your anime wallpapers where do you download them from?

[@86llabrum]

Used to love HTC back in the day 😅

[@kwl189]

Boomsound was a necessity and the iconic HTC sense UI with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 2. Without this, this is doomed to fail.

[@animedrips]

Where did you got that awesome power wallpaper?????

[@MOBXOJ]

I'm willing to buy this hopefully it will not be overpriced in my country

[@VaunShiz]

Waiting for something of HTCs to stand out again , they used to make the best looking phones

[@YRR_J]

I found out about this model today and it has many things that tickle my "I want the old features back" -itch. Also with the price drop it actually seems like one of the only phones that I feel like considering to buy! BUT Keep the price point, give it a 2-stage shutter button, change the screen to have square edges moving the selfie camera out of the way, ditch some of the less impressive camera gimmicks and make it handle high amplitude audio recording (if it doesn't already) and I will run to the store. Market it as a rugged festival phone and it'll surely find a crowd.

[@mosheb8300]

Where do you get your cool anime wallpapers from?

[@murkybonbon]

0:35 Uncle Spurt's smiling face is staring at us through his chair.....

[@suitabdou8]

Are they still using HTC boomsound or something like in the previous devices ( H&cardon or dolby or Beats audio

[@StickyGeko]

Used to love my HTC one

[@antycher2011]

HTC used to be the lead back in the day but they made mistakes in terms of too many variants. My first decent phone was the HTC Desire......miss them.

[@oxidonis2010]

Loved HTC and their WIN 6.5 mobile phones, like Diamond, HTC HD2 , TyTn. They should remake those older models in new coat and hardware and i would byuy them for sure...

[@meliodas.1108]

Thats an impressive phone. They compromised on the right areas in my opinion. It's quite tempting but probably won't be available in my country.

[@venicevhien8637]

is thsi worth buying? does it better have camera like the old models? cos ive heard htc was sold to another company already

[@fabolousjada5070]

They said they coming back yes! To the midrange market and if they can get their designs and nice ui back on point and have the squeeze feature at 600 bucks they can start winning. If one plus did it they can too

[@fishballrox]

Hi uncle spurt, been watching the HTC and Pixel 7A video over and over again, still thinking which should I get. I love HTC but there are other reviewer says it has quite a bad camera if you zoomed in, and for the pixel i am worried that I would use more than 128GB. My current phone is Xperia 1 iii just suicided and went in the toilet bowl now it’s screen won’t turn on.😅😅😅

[@someAsianbuffguy]

I really liked my HTC One M9, especially because of the build quality and front facing speakers back in the day. Are they making a comeback? Can we expect a flagship from them soon hmm

[@phouston87]

Highly doubt it, most of those engineers that worked on those phones are now with google.

[@ibs7444]

​​@@phouston87Yup, they sold the smartphone department to Google for $1 billion But they still release mid range phones here and there It's mostly about VR for HTC now

[@oneshotguy6372]

M9 the underrated phone. At that time almost all reviewer said it bad phone. But time prove that it die harder than galaxy s6. But i remember m9 have 1 problem it battery life.

[@paultv8693]

Lets goooo HTC

[@evansbusolo]

Has HTC just resurfaced😊😊😊

[@Avaloni]

HTC back 😊

[@user-cx8ry4lq2y]

No switching adapter in box? The version sold in Taiwan has a power adapter

[@jesusnavarrete6317]

They need to take inspiration from their HTC One design 😭

[@carolp2365]

HTC should go back to the amazing design of M7/M8

[@madhusudantiwari3232]

Can you please tell from where do you get those chainsawman wallpapers?

[@soumyajyotirouth5134]

When u test a New phone the phone wallpaper are really cool..I love it😂

[@tatai1001]

Where do you get your anime wallpapers? Please tell me.

[@osoifamf]

My favorites phone maker

[@syednaveed6285]

HTC? Wow! They are still around?

[@Mubashir_AK]

That chin belongs on a £200 phone unfortunately. But 15W wireless charging is a big step seeing as the 7a only does 7.5W. But overall, I think they made a few too many compromises.

[@mstree9985]

I’m here for the return of HTC

[@Barbarapape]

HTC are back , but the question mark over future andriod updates remains and is a deal breaker for me. I only upgrade my phone every few years, so i look for at least 3 upgrades. For now my recent Realme GT2 is good enough until the updates stop.

[@saydul8418]

Owned all the htc from m7 onwards..cant use any others. Is the v22 real. When will it get released

[@mr.watermelon3415]

Yeay hTC !!!

[@Imad_Molai007]

They should make their own android UI like before

[@LOUISVILLECARDINALS]

HTC should've came back way harder with this device the design is good but the frame should've been aluminium and at least 2years os updates love that it has a headphone jack

[@RealistJ]

HTC Hero was my first android phone 14 years ago

[@firstprototype]

Compared with nothing phone 2 ,one plus 10pro/t ,s22 ,pixel 7 i will choose this, just for storage confort and 3.5 jack 😊

[@solido79]

non vedo la nav bar di htc che mi ha fatto scegliere sempre questi modelli, non c'è più?