Released in 2016, the HTC 10 evo and Xiaomi Mi A1 (also known as the Mi 5X) represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The HTC 10 evo aimed for a premium feel with a higher-end chipset, while the Mi A1 prioritized battery life and a clean Android experience. Today, as both devices are available at significantly reduced prices, the question becomes which offers the better value proposition.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and overall value, the Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) is the clear winner. Its significantly superior 87-hour endurance rating, coupled with a comparable display and a more efficient chipset, outweighs the HTC 10 evo’s marginally faster processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 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, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, November. Released 2016, November | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| 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) | 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.12 x 2.98 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 174 g (6.14 oz) | 165 g (5.82 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 (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD3 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps (24-bit/192kHz audio), 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| |
24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | 10 evo, M10f, 2PYB2 | MDG2, MDI2 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.60 W/kg (head) | 1.75 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.51 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -82.5dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 58h | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1357:1 (nominal), 2.407 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1570:1 (nominal), 2.689 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 80dB |
Voice 74dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 90dB |
| Performance |
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GeekBench: 4292 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC 10 evo
- Potentially faster processing power for demanding tasks.
- Faster wired charging (18W QC2).
- Premium build quality (based on HTC’s brand reputation).
- Significantly shorter battery life (58h endurance).
- Snapdragon 810 prone to thermal throttling.
- Higher power consumption.
Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X)
- Exceptional battery life (87h endurance).
- More efficient Snapdragon 625 processor.
- Clean Android experience (Mi A1 program).
- Slightly better display contrast.
- Slower wired charging (10W).
- Less powerful processor compared to the Snapdragon 810.
- Build quality may not feel as premium as the HTC 10 evo.
Display Comparison
Both the HTC 10 evo and Xiaomi Mi A1 feature displays with excellent sunlight readability, boasting contrast ratios of 2.407 and 2.689 respectively. However, the Mi A1 edges out the HTC 10 evo with a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio of 1570:1 compared to the 1357:1 of the HTC. While both offer a good viewing experience, the difference in contrast contributes to slightly richer blacks on the Mi A1. Neither manufacturer specified panel technology, but both likely utilize IPS LCDs common in this price bracket at the time.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited in the provided data. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Xiaomi’s later focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the Mi A1’s image processing algorithms were more refined, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. The HTC 10 evo likely relied more on hardware capabilities, which, while decent, may not have matched the software optimization of the Mi A1.
Performance
The HTC 10 evo’s Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, built on a 20nm process, represents a significant step up in raw processing power compared to the Xiaomi Mi A1’s Snapdragon 625 (14nm). The 810’s octa-core configuration (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) promises faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 810 is known for thermal throttling under sustained load, a problem the more efficient Snapdragon 625 largely avoids. The Mi A1’s consistent performance, even during extended gaming sessions, is a key advantage. The 625’s Cortex-A53 cores, while clocked at a uniform 2.0 GHz, benefit from the smaller 14nm fabrication process, resulting in lower power consumption and heat generation.
Battery Life
The most significant difference between these two phones lies in their battery performance. The Xiaomi Mi A1’s 87-hour endurance rating dwarfs the HTC 10 evo’s 58-hour rating. This is a direct result of the Snapdragon 625’s superior power efficiency. While the HTC 10 evo supports faster 18W Quick Charge 2.0, the Mi A1’s longer battery life minimizes the need for frequent charging. The 10W charging on the Mi A1 is slower, but the extended runtime makes it a less critical factor for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC 10 evo if you absolutely need the potential for slightly faster performance in demanding tasks, and are willing to accept significantly shorter battery life and more frequent charging. Buy the Xiaomi Mi A1 (Mi 5X) if you prioritize all-day battery life, a clean Android experience, and a more efficient processor that won’t overheat as easily during prolonged use. The Mi A1 is the better choice for everyday users and travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 810 in the HTC 10 evo overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 810 is known to suffer from thermal throttling under sustained load. While it offers peak performance advantages, the HTC 10 evo is likely to experience performance drops and potentially become uncomfortably warm during prolonged gaming or video recording. The Mi A1’s Snapdragon 625 is much better at maintaining consistent performance without overheating.
❓ How does the clean Android experience on the Xiaomi Mi A1 impact long-term usability?
The Mi A1 was part of Google’s Android One program, guaranteeing timely software updates and a bloatware-free experience. This translates to a smoother, more secure, and longer-lasting user experience compared to HTC’s Sense UI, which often receives slower updates and includes pre-installed apps that many users don’t need.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Mi A1 a significant drawback given the larger battery?
While 10W charging is slower than the HTC 10 evo’s 18W Quick Charge 2.0, the Mi A1’s exceptional battery life mitigates this concern. You’ll likely find yourself needing to charge the Mi A1 less frequently, reducing the impact of the slower charging speed. Overnight charging is perfectly viable, and the extended runtime minimizes the need for top-ups throughout the day.
