I must admit that I love my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it is not my all-time favorite phone. That title belongs to the HTC One (M8), which was designed by HTC, a company known for creating iconic phones such as the Touch Pro, Touch Diamond, Xperia X1 with a unique panel UI, T-Mobile G1 (the first Android phone in the U.S.), and the Nexus One.
After the release of the One (M8), the Taiwan-based manufacturer lost its direction and has since focused on producing Blockchain phones and mid-range devices. Recently, they unveiled their latest model, the HTC U24 Pro, accompanied by a video showcasing its features. The video, lasting just over 90 seconds, highlights the phone’s specifications including a 6.8-inch curved glass OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2436 and a 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the device is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, suitable for mid-range performance.
When HTC is emphasizing the “Shiny New Back” feature of the U24 Pro, it is evident that they are struggling to find appealing features. Despite this, the phone boasts a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP Main camera with OIS, a 50MP Telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP Ultra wide-angle camera. Additionally, there is a 50MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, and the phone supports 4K video recording.
Naturally, there must be an AI-based feature included. The AI Photo Enhancer is designed to enhance group photos by opening the eyes of individuals who may have blinked and adjusting the positioning of subjects so they are facing the camera. HTC promises to “Perfect Every Shot” with this feature. Additionally, Viverse allows you to track your dance movements and replicate them accurately using AR avatars on both sides of you.
The HTC U24 Pro is equipped with IP67 dust and water resistance, a 4600mAh battery that supports 60W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. In addition, the device has a reverse wireless charging feature that allows you to help friends or family members with low battery levels, or even assist strangers by charging their phones.
Although not stated in the video, the HTC U24 Pro includes 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage that can be expanded using a microSD card. It also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which HTC did not mention in the video. While the HTC U24 Pro may not be released in the U.S., it is priced at €564 ($606 USD) and TW$18,990 ($586) on HTC Taiwan’s online store.
I would be excited to see HTC try again in the premium flagship market in the U.S., but it seems that the company lacks the willingness or funds to make another attempt.
