Looking for an affordable Android phone? The HTC Desire 530 and Samsung Galaxy A10s are both contenders in the budget smartphone market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A10s is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful processor, better camera, and improved battery life offer a vastly superior user experience compared to the aging HTC Desire 530, despite both being budget options.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A107M/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, March | 2019, August 12. Released 2019, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.78 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 156.9 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.18 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market dependant) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct - USA version | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Blue, Green, Red, Black |
| Models | Desire 530, D530u, HTCD160LVW | SM-A107F, SM-A107M |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
HTC Desire 530
- Very Affordable
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Compact Size
- Outdated Processor
- Low Resolution Display
- Poor Camera Quality
- Short Battery Life
- Limited Storage
Samsung Galaxy A10s
- Faster Performance
- Larger and Better Display
- Improved Camera
- Longer Battery Life
- More Modern Design
- Still a Budget Phone (compromises exist)
- May lack premium features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A10s boasts a larger 6.2-inch HD+ display (720 x 1520 pixels) compared to the HTC Desire 530's 5.0-inch qHD display (540 x 960 pixels). This translates to a more immersive viewing experience on the A10s, with better resolution and more screen real estate for browsing and media consumption. The A10s also likely has a more modern display technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A10s generally offers a superior camera experience. While the Desire 530 has an 8MP main camera, the A10s typically features a 13MP main camera with a depth sensor for improved portrait mode capabilities. The A10s also likely has a better front-facing camera for selfies. Image quality, low-light performance, and video recording are all expected to be better on the A10s.
Performance
Here's where the A10s truly shines. Its Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mediatek Helio P22 chipset are significantly faster and more efficient than the HTC Desire 530's Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon 210. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the A10s. The A10s also benefits from a more modern manufacturing process (12nm vs 28nm), leading to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A10s typically has a larger battery capacity (4000mAh) compared to the HTC Desire 530 (2000mAh). Coupled with its more efficient processor, this results in significantly longer battery life on the A10s, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, while the Desire 530 may require charging before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire 530 is best suited for users who prioritize simplicity and a very low price point, and who don't need demanding performance. The Samsung Galaxy A10s is ideal for those seeking a more modern smartphone experience with better performance, a decent camera, and longer battery life, all while remaining budget-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC Desire 530 still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a very basic phone for calls and simple tasks. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy A10s offers significantly better value.
❓ Which phone has better performance for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A10s. Its more powerful processor handles games much better than the HTC Desire 530.
