HTC A104 vs Huawei P10 Lite: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

The HTC A104 and Huawei P10 Lite represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Unisoc T606-powered A104 and the Kirin 658-equipped P10 Lite, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Huawei P10 Lite edges out the HTC A104 due to its faster 18W charging and proven 62-hour endurance rating. However, the A104’s newer Unisoc T606 chipset offers a potential long-term advantage in software support and potentially optimized power efficiency, making it a viable choice for those prioritizing future-proofing.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC A104 Huawei P10 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 7, 8, 20
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, July 122017, February. Released 2017, March
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, JulyDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions245.6 x 155.4 x 8 mm (9.67 x 6.12 x 0.31 in)146.5 x 72 x 7.2 mm (5.77 x 2.83 x 0.28 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight460 g (1.01 lb)146 g (5.15 oz)
Display
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Kirin 658 (16 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-T830 MP2
OSAndroid 13Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2, AF12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0, AF
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFCNoYes (WAS-LX1A, WAS-LX1)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectormicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct (Western Europe, Korea)Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct (ROW)
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyroFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
Type7000 mAhLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, SilverPearl White, Graphite Black, Platinum Gold, Sapphire Blue
Models-WAS-LX1, WAS-LX2, WAS-LX3, WAS-LX1A, WAS-LX2J, WAS-L03T, WAS-AL00, WAS-TL10
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 230 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -88.2dB / Crosstalk -84.3dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 62h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1595:1 (nominal), 2.974 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 80dB
Performance- GeekBench: 3344 (v4.4) GFXBench: 3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC A104

  • More modern chipset architecture (Unisoc T606)
  • Potentially better power efficiency due to 12nm process
  • Potential for longer software support

  • Slower 10W charging
  • Missing display specifications (resolution, panel type)
  • Unknown battery capacity

Huawei P10 Lite

  • Faster 18W charging
  • Proven 62-hour endurance rating
  • Good display contrast ratio

  • Older chipset (Kirin 658)
  • Less efficient 16nm process
  • Solely Cortex-A53 cores

Display Comparison

Both the HTC A104 and Huawei P10 Lite share a similar display profile, boasting a contrast ratio of 1595:1 (nominal) and 2.974 (sunlight). This suggests comparable visibility in bright outdoor conditions. However, detailed information regarding panel type (IPS, TFT) and resolution is missing for the A104, making a definitive assessment of color accuracy and sharpness impossible. The P10 Lite’s contrast ratio indicates a decent viewing experience, but neither device is likely to compete with higher-end displays.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Given the price point, it’s reasonable to expect basic camera performance. The absence of details makes a direct comparison impossible, but focusing on megapixel count alone would be misleading. Image processing algorithms will likely play a larger role in the final image quality than raw sensor specifications.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC A104 utilizes the Unisoc T606, a 12nm processor featuring a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. This architecture, while not flagship-level, offers a more modern design than the Huawei P10 Lite’s Kirin 658, which is built on a 16nm process and relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores. The Kirin 658’s 2.1 GHz clock speed on its four high-performance cores is higher than the A104’s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75, but the A75’s architectural improvements should provide better single-core performance. The Unisoc T606’s more efficient 12nm process could also translate to better thermal management and potentially longer sustained performance under load.

Battery Life

The Huawei P10 Lite boasts an endurance rating of 62 hours, a significant advantage. While the A104’s battery capacity is unknown, the P10 Lite’s 18W wired charging is considerably faster than the A104’s 10W charging. This means the P10 Lite can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. The 62-hour endurance rating suggests optimized power management, potentially offsetting any capacity difference between the two devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC A104 if you prioritize a more modern chipset architecture and potential for longer software support, even if it means slower charging. You'll benefit from the Cortex-A75 cores for slightly improved responsiveness. Buy the Huawei P10 Lite if you value faster charging speeds and a well-established battery performance profile, making it ideal for users who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the HTC A104 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T606 is not a high-end gaming chip, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over older designs, but expect some frame drops during intense action. The P10 Lite’s Kirin 658 may offer similar performance, but the A104’s newer architecture could provide better sustained performance due to improved thermal efficiency.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Huawei P10 Lite with the 18W charger?
While Huawei claims 18W charging, real-world charging times will vary. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the HTC A104’s 10W charging, which could take over 3 hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the Huawei P10 Lite still receive software updates?
Software update support for the Huawei P10 Lite is limited due to the US trade restrictions. It likely won't receive major Android version updates beyond what it launched with, but may still receive security patches. The HTC A104, with its newer chipset, *may* have a longer software support lifecycle, though this is not guaranteed.