Google Pixel 4 vs. HTC Desire 10 Compact: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 4 is the superior device. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers significantly faster performance and a smoother experience, while the camera capabilities are in a different league. However, the Desire 10 Compact remains a compelling option for those prioritizing extreme portability and a lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC Desire 10 Compact | Google Pixel 4 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, Q1. Released 2017, Q1 | 2019, October 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2019, October 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.6 x 72 x 7.5 mm (5.85 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm (5.79 x 2.71 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 148 g (5.22 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~444 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 80.7 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8, 34mm (standard) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2800 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Polar White, Stone Black | Clearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange |
| Models | Desire 10 compact | G020M, G020I, GA01188-US, GA01187-US, GA01189-US, GA01191-US, GA01189-US |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -71.5dB / Crosstalk -69.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 62h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 79dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 395351 (v8) GeekBench: 2542 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 10 Compact
- Extremely compact and lightweight design.
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Inferior camera quality.
- Limited battery charging options.
Google Pixel 4
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 855.
- Excellent camera quality and computational photography.
- Fast charging and wireless charging support.
- Larger and heavier than the Desire 10 Compact.
- Higher price point.
- May experience some throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
The Pixel 4 boasts a significantly more advanced display experience. While both phones lack detailed display specs beyond the Pixel 4's measured 423 nits of brightness, the Pixel 4's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests an OLED panel, offering superior blacks and color vibrancy compared to the likely LCD panel in the Desire 10 Compact. The Pixel 4's higher brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Desire 10 Compact. The absence of refresh rate data for the Desire 10 Compact suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the Pixel 4 likely benefits from a smoother experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Pixel 4's camera system is far more sophisticated. While specific sensor details are missing, Google's computational photography prowess, combined with the Snapdragon 855's image signal processor (ISP), delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Pixel 4 likely features optical image stabilization (OIS), further enhancing image clarity. The Desire 10 Compact's camera will likely produce acceptable results in good lighting, but will fall short in challenging conditions. The absence of details on the Desire 10 Compact's camera suggests it lacks the advanced features found in the Pixel 4.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 4's Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, is a flagship-level chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This contrasts sharply with the HTC Desire 10 Compact's Mediatek MT6737T (28nm) and its quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The Snapdragon 855 offers significantly faster processing speeds, superior graphics performance, and better multi-tasking capabilities. The 7nm fabrication process also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during demanding tasks. The Desire 10 Compact will struggle with modern games and resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 62 hours, but this metric doesn't tell the whole story. The Pixel 4 supports 18W wired charging with PD2.0 and wireless charging, offering greater convenience and faster charging speeds than the Desire 10 Compact, which lacks these features. While the Desire 10 Compact's battery capacity is unknown, the Pixel 4's more efficient chipset and optimized software likely translate to better real-world battery life despite the same endurance rating. The Snapdragon 855's power efficiency contributes to longer usage times between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 10 Compact if you absolutely need a very small, lightweight phone and your primary use cases are basic communication, light social media, and occasional photography. You're willing to accept compromises in performance and camera quality for maximum portability and affordability. Buy the Google Pixel 4 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, excellent camera quality, and future-proofing, even if it means carrying a slightly larger device and spending more money.