HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G Black 128GB Review

The HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G is a perplexing, low-scoring phone with a confusing price. Its only above-average trait is 5G connectivity. Everything else—camera, battery, software—is mediocre or worse. Unless you find it for a deep, deep discount under $250, you should avoid it. There are many better phones at this price point.

The HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G is a bit of a ghost. It's an unlocked Android phone that pops up on retailer sites with a massive, confusing price range, but there's very little real-world chatter about it. If you're looking for a mainstream phone from a major brand, this isn't it. This feels like a device for someone who specifically wants an HTC, maybe for nostalgia's sake, or for a buyer who stumbles upon it at a very specific price point and needs basic 5G connectivity above all else.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's a tough sell. With a total score landing in the bottom quarter of all phones, it's not aimed at gamers, budget hunters, or anyone looking for a well-rounded experience. The specs suggest a mid-range device from a few years ago—Android 12, 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage—that's being sold today. It's interesting mostly as a curiosity, a reminder that HTC is still making phones, even if they're not making much noise.

Here's the scene: you'll get a 6.6-inch display, dual SIM support, and a 48MP main camera. On paper, that checks some boxes. But when you look at the percentile rankings, nothing stands out as excellent. Its best trait is connectivity, which is above average, but everything else from battery life to camera quality to build quality is middle of the pack or worse. This isn't a phone that wins on any single feature; it's one you'd only consider if the price was shockingly low.

The performance score sits right in the middle of the pack. That 67th percentile means it's not slow, but it's also not going to feel snappy compared to current mid-range chips from Qualcomm or MediaTek. The octa-core processor (which HTC doesn't even name, which tells you something) paired with 8GB of RAM should handle everyday social media, web browsing, and light apps just fine. You probably won't notice major lag, but you also shouldn't expect buttery smooth animations or great gaming performance.

Our database shows its gaming score is abysmal, in the 23rd percentile. So those real-world implications are clear: this isn't a phone for anything more demanding than casual puzzle games. The benchmarks we infer from its rankings suggest it's a solid, basic performer for communication and media consumption, but it falls behind quickly if you try to push it. The battery life score is also underwhelming, so that middling performance might come with the need to charge more often than you'd like.

Talking about value for this phone is bizarre because the price range is insane—from $420 to over $134,000. Clearly, that high-end figure is some kind of placeholder or error, so we'll ignore it. At around $420, it's entering the territory of much better phones from Motorola, Samsung, and even Google's older Pixels. At that price, the value proposition completely falls apart. You can get a phone with a better processor, a better camera, longer software support, and a better screen for the same money or less.

If, and this is a huge if, you can find it for a deep discount—say, under $250—then it becomes a conversation about basic 5G access. Even then, you're making serious compromises on camera, battery, and software. No major vendor seems to have a 'best deal' on this; it's more of a clearance item. The value is only there if the price is so low that you're treating it as a disposable burner phone with 5G.

Stack it up against its listed competitors, and the Desire 22 Pro struggles. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 2025, at a similar price, will likely offer a stylus, better software support, and a more reliable brand. The Google Pixel 10 Pro is in a different league entirely, with a best-in-class camera and clean Android, but it also costs much more. A more direct fight would be with something like a Samsung Galaxy A-series phone or an older OnePlus Nord model. Those phones typically have stronger performance, better cameras, and more consistent batteries.

The trade-off is simple. With the HTC, you're getting potential carrier flexibility (unlocked) and that expandable storage slot. With almost any competitor, you're getting a better overall experience, more features, and peace of mind regarding software updates and resale value. Unless you have a specific need that only this HTC model fulfills, the competition offers clearer paths with fewer compromises.

Skip this phone if you care about photography, battery life, gaming, or having current software. The camera and battery scores are below average, and it launches with old Android 12. Gamers should look elsewhere entirely, as its performance isn't cut out for it.

Also, if you're on a tight budget, this isn't the best value. Phones from Motorola, Samsung, and TCL offer more reliable performance and better features at the $400 price point. If you need a rugged phone, this is one of the worst choices possible, scoring in the 9th percentile. For that, look at purpose-built rugged models from brands like CAT or Ulefone.

For a very specific user: if you are an HTC loyalist who must have the brand, and you find this phone for under $300, it will make calls, text, and browse the web on 5G. That's about it. Consider it a basic connectivity tool, not a smartphone you'll love.

For everyone else, we can't recommend it. The budget phone market is packed with better options. Look at a recent Motorola G Power for battery life, a previous-generation Google Pixel for camera quality, or a Samsung Galaxy A15 for a balanced, reliable experience. All of those will give you more for your money and won't leave you stranded on an old Android version.