The HTC U11 and Desire 10 Pro represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The U11, released as a flagship contender, boasted Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragon 835. The Desire 10 Pro, positioned as a more affordable option, relied on Mediatek's Helio P10. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs, especially considering the Desire 10 Pro's current availability as a budget option.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users in 2024, the HTC U11 is the superior choice. While both phones offer a 73-hour endurance rating, the U11’s Snapdragon 835 delivers significantly faster performance, quicker charging with QC3 at 18W, and a more refined overall experience. The Desire 10 Pro remains a viable option for extremely budget-conscious users.
| 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, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September 20. Released 2016, December 20 | 2017, May 16. Released 2017, June 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.16 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~70.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super LCD5 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide) | 12 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, dual mono speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (5.0 after SW update) |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 |
| Music play | Up to 53 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (3G) | Up to 336 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 19 h (3G) | Up to 24 h 30 min (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 | Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, Solar Red |
| Models | Desire 10 pro, D10i | U11, HTV33, 2PZC100, 2PZC5, 601HT |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.1 / Crosstalk -94.5 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 6393 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 10 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance (73h)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Inferior camera quality
- Slower charging speeds (10W)
HTC U11
- Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 835)
- Faster charging with QC3 (18W)
- Superior camera capabilities
- More responsive user experience
- Higher initial cost
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given the U11’s flagship status, it likely featured a higher-resolution and more color-accurate display than the Desire 10 Pro. The U11 likely benefited from HTC’s display calibration expertise, offering better viewing angles and outdoor visibility. The Desire 10 Pro, targeting a lower price point, likely used a simpler panel technology.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but the underlying hardware likely differs significantly. While specifics are missing, the U11, as a flagship, almost certainly featured a larger sensor, wider aperture, and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 835’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is far more capable than the one found in the Helio P10, resulting in better low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall image quality on the U11. The Desire 10 Pro’s camera would likely struggle in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC U11’s Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, is a generational leap ahead of the Desire 10 Pro’s Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28nm). The Snapdragon 835’s Kryo cores (4x2.45 GHz & 4x1.9 GHz) offer significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Helio P10’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x1.8 GHz & 4x1.0 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the U11. The 10nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The U11 is the clear winner for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones share a 73-hour endurance rating. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The U11’s 18W charging with Quick Charge 3 (QC3) support allows for significantly faster charging speeds compared to the Desire 10 Pro’s 10W wired charging. This means less time tethered to a wall outlet. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 835’s superior power efficiency likely contributes to comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the Desire 10 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 10 Pro if you prioritize affordability above all else and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You'll accept compromises in performance and camera quality. Buy the HTC U11 if you value a smooth, responsive user experience, faster charging, and a more capable camera system, even if it means spending more. The U11 is ideal for users who multitask, game occasionally, or rely on their phone for photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P10 in the Desire 10 Pro capable of running modern apps smoothly?
While the Helio P10 can handle basic apps and tasks, it will struggle with demanding games or multitasking with numerous applications open simultaneously. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns when pushing the processor.
❓ Does the HTC U11 still receive software updates in 2024?
Official software support from HTC for the U11 has likely ended. However, the Android community may offer custom ROMs to extend its lifespan and provide security updates. Check forums like XDA Developers for current options.
❓ How does the charging speed difference between the two phones impact daily use?
The U11’s 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support means you can significantly top up the battery in a short amount of time – potentially gaining several hours of use with just a 30-minute charge. The Desire 10 Pro’s 10W charging will take considerably longer to reach a full charge.
❓ Is the camera on the Desire 10 Pro sufficient for casual snapshots?
For basic, well-lit snapshots, the Desire 10 Pro’s camera is adequate. However, expect limited detail, poor low-light performance, and a lack of advanced features compared to the U11’s camera system.
