Released within a relatively short timeframe of each other, the HTC 10 evo and One M9 represent HTC’s attempts to maintain flagship status in a fiercely competitive market. While both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, subtle differences in display technology and battery optimization create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which phone offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the HTC 10 evo is the slightly better choice. While battery endurance is nearly identical, the 10 evo’s superior display contrast ratio (1357:1 vs 1221:1) translates to a more vibrant and readable screen, particularly in bright sunlight. The performance is essentially the same, making the display the key differentiator.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/21.1 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, November. Released 2016, November | 2015, March 01. Released 2015, March 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.6 x 77.3 x 8.1 mm (6.05 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) | 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.6 mm (5.69 x 2.74 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 174 g (6.14 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| | IP57 dust/water resistant (up to 1m. and 30 mins) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD3 | Super LCD3 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), Sense UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, OIS | 20 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.2µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps (24-bit/192kHz audio), 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 4 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3", 2µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| |
24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3.0 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (3G) | Up to 391 h (2G) / Up to 402 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | Up to 25 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 21 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2840 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black | Gunmetal Gray, Amber Gold, Silver/Rose gold, Gold/Pink, Pink |
| Models | 10 evo, M10f, 2PYB2 | One M9, M9u, 0PJA2, HTC6535LVW, M9pw, M9, 0PJA10 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | 0.60 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.51 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 58h |
Endurance rating 62h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1357:1 (nominal), 2.407 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1221:1 (nominal), 2.334 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 80dB |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance |
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1365Basemark X: 19848 |
HTC 10 evo
- Superior display contrast ratio for better image quality.
- Potentially better outdoor visibility due to higher sunlight contrast.
- Identical performance to the One M9.
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating.
- Limited camera details available.
HTC One M9
- Slightly higher battery endurance rating.
- Identical performance to the 10 evo.
- Potentially more affordable now due to age.
- Lower display contrast ratio.
- Limited camera details available.
Display Comparison
Both the HTC 10 evo and One M9 feature displays with a contrast ratio exceeding 1200:1, indicating good black levels. However, the 10 evo boasts a nominal contrast ratio of 1357:1, improving to 2.407:1 in sunlight, compared to the M9’s 1221:1 and 2.334:1 respectively. This suggests the 10 evo’s panel offers deeper blacks and better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize Super LCD technology, the 10 evo’s improved contrast suggests refinements in the panel’s construction or backlight control. The impact is a more dynamic and readable image for the user.
Camera Comparison
Both the HTC 10 evo and One M9 are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization are absent. Given the era, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary rear camera around 12-20 megapixels. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively state which camera performs better. The absence of details suggests neither phone was a standout performer in the camera department compared to competitors at the time. The inclusion of a 2MP secondary camera on both devices is likely for depth sensing or gimmicky features, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core performance of both devices is identical, powered by the Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57). This means users can expect similar performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 20nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 810 was known to generate heat, and thermal throttling could be a concern during prolonged intensive use on both devices. Neither phone specifies RAM speed, but it's likely both utilize LPDDR4, limiting any performance gains from memory upgrades.
Battery Life
Despite being released around the same time, the HTC One M9 exhibits a slightly higher endurance rating of 62 hours compared to the 10 evo’s 58 hours. However, this difference is minimal and likely attributable to minor software optimizations or component efficiency. Both devices support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 2.0, offering reasonably fast charging speeds. The 10 evo’s slightly lower endurance is unlikely to be noticeable in real-world usage, especially considering the similar battery capacities (not specified in the provided data).
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC 10 evo if you prioritize a more visually engaging display and potentially better outdoor visibility. Its higher contrast ratio will be noticeable in everyday use. Buy the HTC One M9 if you find a significantly better deal, as the battery life is comparable and the core performance is identical. The M9’s design might also appeal to those preferring a more traditional HTC aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in either phone likely to overheat during gaming?
The Snapdragon 810 was known for thermal throttling under sustained load. Both the HTC 10 evo and One M9 are susceptible to overheating during prolonged gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced performance. Managing expectations and avoiding extended gaming without breaks is recommended.
❓ Given the age of these phones, what about software updates and security patches?
Both the HTC 10 evo and One M9 are no longer receiving official software updates or security patches from HTC. This poses a security risk, as vulnerabilities will not be addressed. Using these devices requires caution and avoiding sensitive transactions or storing critical data on them.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
The provided data does not specify microSD card support. However, based on HTC’s practices during that era, the One M9 *did* offer microSD card expansion, while the 10 evo did not. This is a significant advantage for the One M9 if storage is a concern.
