Thursday 26 / December / 2024
With almost the same specs, loaded with the latest technology, and the biggest numbers, this duel is going to be a tough one. Finally, whoever be the winner, we believe the other is no less. It’s all about brand preferences.
Design
The best looking HTC so far, the 10 makes a very bold statement. Like its predecessor, (the M9), the HTC 10 feels sturdy, crafted from a single block of aluminium, featuring a new angled bevel that shimmers in the light, appearing smooth or textured depending on the environment.
Even though slightly wide for comfortable single thumb operation, the 10 finds good balance between the screen size and overall dimensions. The second speaker on the device has been moved from the front to the underside, accommodating a front-facing fingerprint sensor in its place.
The Galaxy S7 looks exotic in its glass and metal construction, but feels fragile. The seams and joints on the body also look to weaken in due course (we are sure you would have changed your phone by then anyway).
The typical camera bump (or hump) on the backside of the previous Galaxy has been considerably reduced, but the protrusion still remains. Packing a bigger battery than its predecessor, the S6, the new S7 is IP68 waterproof up to 1 metre and one hour, and dustproof as well.
S7: 4/5
10: 4.5/5
Features
Both the contenders pack a punch. Each has the latest processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, along with 4GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage, 12MP rear cameras, 5MP front cameras, and a variety of value-added options. However, the HTC storage is expandable up to a mammoth 2TB, while the Samsung can only go up till 200GB.
The S7 is waterproof with no visible external seals or gaskets, and can be charged wirelessly. On the other hand, the HTC 10 has a USB Type-C port with USB 3.1 transfer speeds, which future proofs it for many years to come. The S7 still uses microUSB port with USB 2.0 transfer speeds, perhaps to maintain compatibility with the Gear VR.
The S7 has the edge in terms of screen technology. While the 10 features the fifth generation Super LCD – one of the best LCDs currently, the S7 comes with Super AMOLED: Better in terms of vibrance, viewing angles, and brightness, especially outdoors.
Both devices have fingerprint scanners on the front, but here the HTC looks superior. The 10’s home button is more capacitive than physical, preventing future mechanical problems, and the device can be unlocked without turning the screen on, the feature absent on the S7. The HTC’s fingerprint scanner also seems faster and more responsive.
On the power front, both devices are equipped with 3,000mAh non-removable battery, and feature almost the same backup.
S7: 4/5
10: 4/5
Camera
HTC has long suffered in this segment, and while this time it has improved its performance significantly, it still is not up to the leader in mobile camera technology yet.
Both the 10 and S7 sport 12MP rear camera, but the Galaxy S7 is able to focus, expose and shoot faster than the HTC 10, in any light condition and with very little compromise.
However, Samsung lags behind the HTC in picture originality as it manipulates images applying artificial sharpening and noise reduction to make photos look crisper on the mobile screen. The flaw is however clearly exposed on bigger screens like PC or laptop. The 10, though takes more time adjusting the exposure, captures more true to life images.
Both the phones feature professional modes, which allow for manual tweaking of shutter speed, focus, exposure and light sensitivity. With a bit of tweaking, the HTC 10’s slightly larger pixels; 1.55 microns compared to S7’s 1.4 – k produce cleaner shots that are more easily editable post-production.
For the selfie camera, both are up with 5MP camera, however, the 10 also features optical image stabilisation, a first in the industry for front cameras.
S7: 4.5/5
10: 4/5
Software
Both devices run on Android 6.0.1, but the HTC interface feels much better than Samsung. It always has: No overload of features and useless widgets, and still retains the more useful power user shortcuts, such as Motion Gestures and quick music streaming. Features like Personal Audio Profile, which optimises sound output for your specific headphones, are just awesome.
The ever overloaded Samsung has also tried to shed the unnecessary load a bit in the S7, but still nowhere close to the 10. Though the service duplication is toned down, there is still too much mirroring – from own browser to app market.
HTC’s default theme also has some of the nicest icons on any Android device, and also HTC has struck deals with Facebook to pre-instal its core app plus Messenger and Instagram.
S7: 3.5/5
10: 4.5/5
Conclusion
If Samsung has a somewhat better screen, and little better camera results, HTC has got much better hardware, and super-awesome design. If the S7 is water and dust proof (only to a little extent), the HTC 10 has solid construction. When it comes to premium all poisons are just great and it is all a matter of degree and taste. None of the device is going to disappoint.
TOO Verdict: Just for the sake of it, we go with the HTC 10. No camera bump and real solid construction. We let the design take it home.
