HTC 10 evo vs. Google Pixel: A Deep Dive into Performance, Display, and Battery

Released within months of each other in late 2016, the HTC 10 evo and Google Pixel represent distinct approaches to the Android flagship experience. The HTC 10 evo aimed for a broader appeal with a focus on multimedia, while the Google Pixel prioritized software integration and camera prowess. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device holds up better today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a balance of performance and longevity, the Google Pixel emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 821 chipset, built on a smaller 14nm process, delivers noticeably better efficiency and performance than the HTC 10 evo’s Snapdragon 810, coupled with slightly better battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC 10 evo Google Pixel
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps or LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2016, November. Released 2016, November2016, October 04. Released 2016, October 20
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions153.6 x 77.3 x 8.1 mm (6.05 x 3.04 x 0.32 in)143.8 x 69.5 x 8.5 mm (5.66 x 2.74 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight174 g (6.14 oz)143 g (5.04 oz)
 IP57 dust/water resistant (up to 1m. and 30 mins)Water-repellent coating
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper LCD3AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 430Adreno 530
OSAndroid 7.0 (Nougat)Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM32GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0UFS 2.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, OIS12.3 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, PDAF
Video4K@30fps (24-bit/192kHz audio), 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.48 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.4µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
  24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC218W wired, PD
Music play-Up to 110 h
Stand-byUp to 480 h (3G)Up to 456 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 23 h (3G)Up to 26 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2770 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, BlackQuite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue
Models10 evo, M10f, 2PYB2-
PriceAbout 230 EURAbout 290 EUR
SAR0.60 W/kg (head)0.92 W/kg (head)     0.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.51 W/kg (head)0.33 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 58hEndurance rating 64h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1357:1 (nominal), 2.407 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: ∞
Loudspeaker Voice 65dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 80dB Voice 74dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB
Performance GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) Basemark OS II 2.0: 2461Basemark X: 33023

HTC 10 evo

  • Potentially lower price point (due to age)
  • High display contrast ratio for outdoor visibility
  • 18W Quick Charge 2.0 support

  • Older Snapdragon 810 chipset prone to throttling
  • Less efficient power consumption
  • Inferior camera image processing

Google Pixel

  • More efficient Snapdragon 821 chipset
  • Superior camera performance and image processing
  • OLED display with infinite contrast ratio

  • Potentially higher price (even now)
  • 18W Power Delivery charging, while efficient, isn't dramatically faster
  • May be harder to find in good condition

Display Comparison

The HTC 10 evo boasts a contrast ratio of 1357:1 (nominal) and 2.407 under sunlight, indicating good visibility outdoors. However, the Google Pixel’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, provides significantly deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. While both offer adequate brightness, the Pixel’s OLED technology delivers a superior viewing experience, particularly for HDR content. The lack of specific resolution data for the HTC 10 evo makes a direct pixel density comparison impossible, but the Pixel’s display is generally considered sharper.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable cameras, but the Google Pixel’s image processing algorithms were widely lauded at the time of release. While both are listed as offering 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Pixel’s computational photography, powered by Google’s software expertise, consistently produced superior results in low-light conditions and dynamic range. The absence of detailed sensor information for both devices makes a direct hardware comparison difficult, but the Pixel’s software advantage is undeniable. The HTC 10 evo likely relied more heavily on hardware capabilities, which are less adaptable to varying conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel’s Snapdragon 821 (14nm) represents a significant architectural improvement over the HTC 10 evo’s Snapdragon 810 (20nm). The 821 utilizes custom Kryo cores, offering a more efficient and responsive experience. While both are octa-core CPUs, the 821’s configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) is optimized for sustained performance. The 810’s (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) older architecture is more prone to thermal throttling under heavy load. This translates to smoother multitasking and gaming on the Pixel.

Battery Life

The Google Pixel edges out the HTC 10 evo in battery endurance with a rating of 64 hours versus 58 hours. While the difference isn’t massive, the Snapdragon 821’s superior power efficiency plays a crucial role. Both support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel utilizes Power Delivery (PD) which offers more intelligent charging management. This means the Pixel can potentially optimize charging speed and battery health over time, while the HTC 10 evo relies on Quick Charge 2.0.

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC 10 evo if you prioritize a higher contrast display for media consumption and are seeking a device at a potentially lower price point. Buy the Google Pixel if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, a superior camera system, and guaranteed software updates (at the time of release).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 810 in the HTC 10 evo suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 810 is known to be prone to thermal throttling. While it can handle short bursts of demanding tasks, extended gaming or video recording will likely result in performance degradation as the chip heats up. The Pixel's Snapdragon 821, with its 14nm process, manages heat much more effectively.
❓ How does the camera software on the Google Pixel impact image quality compared to the HTC 10 evo?
The Google Pixel’s camera software was a standout feature at its launch. Its HDR+ processing and computational algorithms significantly improve dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The HTC 10 evo’s camera, while capable, relies more on hardware and lacks the same level of software optimization.
❓ Is the difference in battery endurance between the two phones noticeable in real-world usage?
While the endurance ratings differ by 6 hours, the real-world impact is more subtle. The Pixel’s more efficient chipset translates to less battery drain during typical usage, meaning you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. However, heavy users will see a more significant benefit.