The HTC Desire 610 and LG Nexus 5X represent different eras of Android smartphones. The Desire 610 aimed for affordability, while the Nexus 5X prioritized a clean Android experience and solid performance. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Nexus 5X is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, better camera, and longer software support outweigh the Desire 610's lower price. While the Desire 610 was a budget champion in its time, the Nexus 5X offers a more compelling overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - American model |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EU, EMEA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29 - American model |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global model |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, February. Released 2014, May | 2015, September. Released 2015, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 143.1 x 70.5 x 9.6 mm (5.63 x 2.78 x 0.38 in) | 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143.5 g (5.04 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~60.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI 5.5 | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.55µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 1.3 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.4µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/operator dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 650 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 2040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Gray, Green | Carbon, Quartz, Ice |
| Models | Desire 610 | Nexus 5X, H791 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 60h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1542 (nominal), 3.092 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 61dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1591Basemark X: 16609 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 60h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1542 (nominal), 3.092 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 61dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 61dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1591Basemark X: 16609 |
HTC Desire 610
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated software
- Lower screen quality
LG Nexus 5X
- Smooth Android experience
- Better performance
- Decent camera
- Good battery life
- Compact size
- Older model (limited software updates)
- Battery life could be better with heavy use
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display, but the Nexus 5X's IPS LCD panel generally offers better color accuracy and viewing angles. While both boast a contrast ratio of 1542 (nominal) and 3.092 (sunlight), the Nexus 5X's display is noticeably sharper and more vibrant. The Desire 610's display is adequate but lacks the refinement of the Nexus 5X.
Camera Comparison
The Nexus 5X's camera is considerably better than the Desire 610's. It captures more detail, has better dynamic range, and performs better in low-light conditions. While both offer photo and video capabilities, the Nexus 5X's image processing is superior, resulting in more pleasing photos.
Performance
The Nexus 5X's Snapdragon 808 chipset and hexa-core processor provide a significant performance advantage over the Desire 610's Snapdragon 400. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more enjoyable on the Nexus 5X. The Desire 610 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 60h, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Nexus 5X's more efficient chipset likely contributes to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially under heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire 610 is best for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need basic calling and texting functionality. The LG Nexus 5X is ideal for those seeking a smooth Android experience, decent camera capabilities, and a phone that was once considered a flagship.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC Desire 610 still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ Will the LG Nexus 5X receive further software updates?
The Nexus 5X has officially ended its software update support from Google. However, custom ROMs may still be available for those who want to keep it updated.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both phones use plastic builds, so durability is comparable. Neither is particularly rugged.
