Released around the same time in 2016, the HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle and Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime represent competing visions for the affordable smartphone market. While both aimed for a balance of features and price, they took distinctly different approaches to core components, particularly in their choice of system-on-chip. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 7870 chipset, built on a 14nm process, delivers noticeably improved performance and efficiency compared to the HTC’s Snapdragon 400, resulting in a smoother user experience and potentially longer battery life. While the Desire 10 Lifestyle may have a slight edge in brand recognition for some, the J7 Prime’s hardware advantage is significant.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, September | 2016, September 01. Released 2016, November 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.9 x 76.9 x 7.7 mm (6.18 x 3.03 x 0.30 in) | 151.7 x 75 x 8 mm (5.97 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 167 g (5.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8, 34mm (standard) | 8 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 84 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 672 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (3G) | Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stone Black, Polar White, Royal Blue, Valentine Lux | Black, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | Desire 10 lifestyle | SM-G610F, SM-G610Y, SM-G610M, SM-G610 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle
- Familiar HTC Sense UI (for existing HTC users)
- Potentially lower price point (depending on market)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated Snapdragon 400 chipset
- Less efficient 28nm process
- Likely slower performance and shorter battery life
Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 7870 chipset
- 14nm process for improved battery life
- Better multitasking and app performance
- Samsung’s TouchWiz UI (potentially bloated)
- May be slightly more expensive than the Desire 10 Lifestyle
- Potential for Samsung’s software updates to be delayed
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Details regarding panel type and resolution are missing, but given the market segment, both likely utilize 720p IPS LCDs. However, the J7 Prime benefits from the more efficient Exynos chipset, potentially allowing for slightly better brightness control and color reproduction. The absence of information on PWM dimming rates makes it difficult to assess potential eye strain, but the J7 Prime’s generally more refined hardware suggests a potentially better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the J7 Prime likely benefits from Samsung’s superior image signal processing (ISP). While both phones likely feature similar megapixel counts in their primary cameras, the Exynos 7870’s ISP is more capable of handling noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick; the small sensor size and fixed focus limit its usefulness. The J7 Prime’s advantage lies in its potential for better software-driven image enhancement.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime’s Exynos 7870, an octa-core processor built on a 14nm FinFET process, significantly outperforms the HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle’s Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 (quad-core, 28nm). The 14nm process node is crucial; it allows for greater transistor density and lower power consumption, translating to better performance per watt. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Exynos, while not high-end, are more efficient than the Cortex-A7 cores in the Snapdragon 400. This means the J7 Prime will handle multitasking, app loading, and general navigation with noticeably less lag. The Snapdragon 400, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Exynos 7870’s 14nm process gives the J7 Prime a significant advantage in power efficiency. Even with a similar battery capacity, the J7 Prime will likely deliver longer battery life due to the lower power draw of its chipset. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the J7 Prime’s more modern chipset may support faster charging protocols, potentially reducing 0-100% charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle if you prioritize a familiar HTC user interface and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime if you value a more responsive experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a more efficient processor that will handle demanding apps and moderate gaming with greater ease. The J7 Prime is the better option for users who anticipate using their phone for more than just the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7870 in the J7 Prime tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7870 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it will generate heat during demanding tasks like gaming, the 14nm process helps to mitigate thermal throttling. It’s unlikely to overheat to the point of causing performance issues in typical gaming scenarios, but extended, high-graphics gaming may lead to some temperature increase.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 400 in the Desire 10 Lifestyle sufficient for running modern social media apps like TikTok and Instagram?
The Snapdragon 400 can *run* these apps, but the experience may be sluggish. Expect longer loading times, occasional stuttering, and difficulty multitasking. The processor’s age and limited processing power will struggle with the demands of these constantly evolving applications.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle and the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime?
The Desire 10 Lifestyle runs HTC Sense, known for its relatively clean and customizable interface. The J7 Prime runs Samsung’s TouchWiz (later One UI), which historically has been more feature-rich but also more prone to bloatware. Samsung has improved its software significantly over time, but the J7 Prime likely shipped with a more cluttered software experience.
