HTC HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G Black Dual SIM 6.6" 128GB 8GB Review

The HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G is a mid-range phone with strong 5G but weak cameras and battery. Its price varies wildly from $420 to over $1300. Only consider it if you find it at the bottom of that range and specifically want an HTC or dual-SIM device. For most people, better phones exist at every price point it touches.

The HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G is a phone that feels like it's trying to find its place. It's an unlocked Android device with a big 6.6-inch screen, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, and it's got 5G connectivity. But looking at our database, it's not really built for gamers or budget hunters, scoring pretty low in both categories. It's more of a generalist phone that gets the basics done. What makes it interesting is that it's an HTC phone. They used to be big players, but now they're a bit of a niche brand, so this phone is for someone who wants something a little different from the usual Samsung or Google lineup.

Performance-wise, this phone sits in the middle of the pack. Its overall performance score lands in the 68th percentile, which means it's solid but not a standout. It'll handle everyday apps and multitasking fine with that 8GB of RAM, but you shouldn't expect blazing speeds. The processor isn't specified, which is a bit odd, but the scores suggest it's an average mid-range chip. For connectivity, it's actually pretty strong, ranking well above average. That 5G support is real and should give you fast data speeds, which is a nice plus.

The value proposition here is tricky because the price swings wildly. It's listed from $420 to $1341 across different vendors. At the low end of that range, around $420, it could be a consideration if you really want an HTC phone and need good 5G. But at anything near the high end, it's a terrible deal. You'd be paying flagship money for a mid-range phone with below-average cameras and battery. Our advice is to only look at this if you find it at its absolute lowest price. Otherwise, the money goes much further elsewhere.

The top competitors make the Desire 22 Pro's position clear. Against a Motorola Moto G or a OnePlus 15 in the same price bracket, you'd get better cameras, more features, and likely better battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 10 are in a higher tier, offering best-in-class cameras and performance. Even the older Apple iPhone 15 likely has a stronger overall package. The trade-off with the HTC is brand uniqueness and that solid 5G, but you sacrifice camera quality, battery, and the polished software experience of its rivals.

Skip this phone if you're a photography enthusiast. The camera performance is underwhelming, so you should look at a Google Pixel or a Samsung Galaxy instead. Also skip it if you need long battery life, as it ranks low there. Heavy gamers should avoid it too, since its gaming score is poor. And absolutely skip it if you see it priced anywhere near $1000. At that level, you're being ripped off. For those users, the Motorola Moto G, OnePlus 15, or even last year's flagships offer a much better experience for the money.

We can only recommend the HTC Desire 22 Pro 5G in one very specific scenario: if you're an HTC fan or someone who wants an unlocked, dual-SIM phone with reliable 5G, and you find it for close to $420. For that price, the connectivity and basic specs might justify the purchase. For almost everyone else, it's a skip. If you're a budget buyer, look at Motorola or OnePlus. If you care about cameras, go for Google or Samsung. If you want a balanced daily driver, there are too many better options in the mid-range.