The HTC 10 represented a peak in HTC's flagship ambitions, while the Desire 10 Pro aimed to deliver a premium aesthetic at a more accessible price point. Years after their release, both phones remain relevant in the used market. This comparison dissects the core differences – from chipset architecture to charging speeds – to determine which device offers the best experience today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and longevity, the HTC 10 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 820 chipset, coupled with faster charging, provides a smoother and more responsive experience than the Desire 10 Pro’s Mediatek Helio P10. While the Desire 10 Pro offers a similar battery endurance rating, the HTC 10’s superior processing power makes it the better all-around choice.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September 20. Released 2016, December 20 | 2016, April 12. Released 2016, April 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 145.9 x 71.9 x 9 mm (5.74 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~565 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super LCD5 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.55µm, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm, OIS, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, dual mono speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (region dependent) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, QC3, 50% in 30 min |
| Music play | Up to 53 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (3G) | Up to 456 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 19 h (3G) | Up to 27 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stone Black, Polar White, Royal Blue, Valentine Lux, Mint Green | Carbon Gray, Topaz Gold, Glacier Silver, Camellia Red |
| Models | Desire 10 pro, D10i | 10, M10h, HTC6545LVW, HTV32, 2PS64, 2PS6200 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.4dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 66h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 63dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1839Basemark X: 28882 |
HTC Desire 10 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 820 processor
- 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support
- Likely superior camera performance
- Potentially higher price on the used market
- Older device, may have battery degradation
HTC 10
- More affordable price point
- Similar battery endurance rating
- Stylish design
- Slower Mediatek Helio P10 processor
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, but given their release timelines, both likely utilized IPS LCD panels. The HTC 10, as the flagship, likely featured a higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy. The Desire 10 Pro, aiming for cost savings, may have compromised on display quality. Without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it's reasonable to assume the HTC 10 offered a visually superior experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but the HTC 10 likely boasts superior image processing thanks to the Snapdragon 820’s ISP. While sensor sizes and apertures aren’t specified, the HTC 10, as the flagship, likely incorporated a higher-quality sensor. The Desire 10 Pro’s camera would likely be adequate for casual snapshots, but the HTC 10 would deliver more detailed and vibrant images, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC 10’s Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820, built on a 14nm process, significantly outperforms the Desire 10 Pro’s Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28nm). The Snapdragon 820’s quad-core Kryo architecture (2x2.15 GHz & 2x1.6 GHz) is far more efficient and powerful than the Helio P10’s octa-core configuration (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The 14nm process node of the Snapdragon 820 also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This means the HTC 10 will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both devices share an endurance rating of 66 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The HTC 10’s 18W charging with Quick Charge 3.0 support allows for a 50% charge in just 30 minutes, a significant advantage over the Desire 10 Pro’s slower 10W charging. While both may last a similar amount of time on a single charge, the HTC 10’s faster charging minimizes downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 10 Pro if you need a stylish phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. Buy the HTC 10 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better camera performance, and faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 820 in the HTC 10 still capable of handling modern apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 820 remains a surprisingly capable chipset. While it won't match the performance of the latest Snapdragon processors, it can comfortably handle most everyday tasks, social media, and even many modern games at reasonable settings. It's a significant step up from the Helio P10 in the Desire 10 Pro.
❓ How much does charging speed matter if I don't use my phone heavily?
Even for light users, faster charging is beneficial. The HTC 10’s 18W Quick Charge 3.0 means you can quickly top up the battery during short breaks, ensuring you always have enough power when you need it. The Desire 10 Pro’s 10W charging will require significantly more time to achieve the same charge level.
❓ Given both phones have a 66h endurance rating, are they equally good for travel?
While the endurance rating is the same, the HTC 10's faster charging is a major advantage for travel. If you find yourself needing a quick boost while on the go, the HTC 10 will get you back up and running much faster than the Desire 10 Pro.
