HTC has announced something close to a new flagship phone though it doesn’t look quite like a proper sequel to its last high end handset, 2018’s HTC U12+. The HTC U20 5G was revealed alongside the mid-range Desire 20 Pro.
The U20 5G, perhaps inspired by the year (or Samsung’s S20 phones), retains the U branding used on the U Ultra, U11 and U12+ and is the company’s first 5G phone (which it had promised eariler in the year). HTC has been out in the wilderness for a year or so with barely any phones launched.
Inside the phone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G rather than the top-of-the-line 865. But the 765G has an integrated 5G modem that should realistically perform just as well and have improved power management. There’s a 6.8in LCD and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, just like on the U12+.
That phone was only two years ago but the design in 2020 makes the U20 5G look distinctly dated despite the cut-out selfie camera in the top left of the display.
With 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, no headphone jack, dual nano-SIM, 5,000mAh battery, NFC and four cameras, the U20 is a pretty by-the-numbers phone. In Taiwan it goes up for order on 1 July at NT$18,990, which is US$640/£510. That’s not too bad for a 5G phone with these specs, but it’s unclear if the phone will release globally.
Given that and the fact HTC is a shadow of its former self and the U20 5G looks like it might be resigned to a life support role, barely keeping HTC’s phone business alive.
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Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.