Remember HTC? In the early days of Android, they were a powerhouse, churning out phones like the One M series that rivaled the best from Samsung and Apple. But times changed, and HTC slowly faded from the limelight. Well, it looks like they’re not giving up without a fight. Their latest offering, the HTC U24 Pro, might just surprise you.

Launched at £469, the U24 Pro is a clear step up from last year’s U23 Pro. Sure, the price tag might give you pause, but for that extra cash you’re getting a significant upgrade. We’re talking a faster processor, better cameras, a bigger and smoother display, plus speedy charging and some AI smarts thrown in for good measure.

Under the hood, the U24 Pro packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, which puts it firmly in upper mid-range territory. It’s backed by a whopping 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking, and comes in either 256GB or 512GB storage options, expandable with a microSD card if you need even more space. The display is a real treat – a large 6.8-inch OLED panel with a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While it’s not quite the highest resolution, the FullHD+ display should still look plenty sharp.

Let’s talk cameras. The U24 Pro boasts a triple-camera setup on the back, with the main attraction being a 50-megapixel sensor. It’s joined by another 50-megapixel telephoto lens for getting you closer to the action, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor for capturing those expansive landscapes. And for all your selfie needs, there’s a 50-megapixel front-facing camera, so you can ensure your best digital face is always on display.

Keeping all this powered up is a beefy 4,600mAh battery. And when it inevitably runs low, you won’t be left waiting forever to get back up and running. The U24 Pro supports 60W fast wired charging, which should get you back to a decent charge in no time. There’s also support for 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, so you can even top up your friend’s phone in a pinch.

The software side of things is covered by Android 14, the latest version of Google‘s operating system. The phone is also IP67-rated, meaning it can survive a quick dunk in the sink or a sudden downpour. For now, it seems the U24 Pro is only available in a sleek Space Navy color option here in the UK.

But the U24 Pro isn’t all just about the specs. HTC has paid attention to design as well. The back has a matte texture that resists fingerprints, and the double-sided curved design makes it comfortable to hold. As an upper-midrange phone, it gets a metal frame for added durability, with heat-pressing technology to help keep things cool.

So, is the HTC U24 Pro a game-changer? Maybe not. But it’s a solid offering in the crowded mid-range market, with some impressive features that make it a compelling option. HTC might not be the giant it once was, but the U24 Pro shows they’re still here, still innovating, and still determined to win back a piece of the smartphone pie.