The HTC One X10 and U12 life represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The X10, released earlier, aimed for affordability with the Mediatek Helio P10, while the U12 life leveraged Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 636 for a more refined experience. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on how their chipsets impact real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and efficiency, the HTC U12 life is the clear winner. The Snapdragon 636, built on a smaller 14nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and power management compared to the older 28nm Helio P10 in the One X10. While the X10 offers a potentially lower entry price, the U12 life provides a smoother, more modern experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, April. Released 2017, July | 2018, August. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152.9 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.02 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 158.5 x 75.4 x 8.3 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 744 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 25 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Moonlight Blue, Twilight Purple |
| Models | One X10, 2PXH3 | U12 life, 2Q6E1 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 230 EUR |
HTC One X10
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Slower performance and multitasking
- Likely inferior camera quality
HTC U12 life
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 636
- Smoother user experience and multitasking
- Likely better camera performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially less readily available
Display Comparison
Neither HTC provided detailed display specs in the context data. However, given the release timelines, the U12 life likely benefits from a more modern panel with improved color accuracy and potentially higher brightness. The X10, being an older model, likely uses a standard LCD panel. Bezels are also likely slimmer on the U12 life, reflecting design trends at the time of its release.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the U12 life, being a newer device, likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. The Snapdragon 636’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the one found in the Helio P10, leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. It's reasonable to assume the U12 life delivers superior image quality, even if both phones have similar megapixel counts.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC One X10’s Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10, built on a 28nm process, features an octa-core CPU split into two clusters: four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and four at 1.0GHz. The U12 life’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, fabricated on a more efficient 14nm process, utilizes a Kryo 260 architecture with four cores at 1.8GHz (Gold) and four at 1.6GHz (Silver). This 14nm process translates to significantly better thermal efficiency, meaning the U12 life will experience less throttling under sustained load. The Kryo cores also offer architectural improvements over the Cortex-A53, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. The U12 life will handle multitasking and app launches with greater speed and fluidity.
Battery Life
While the context data doesn’t provide battery capacities, the Snapdragon 636’s 14nm process gives the U12 life a significant advantage in power efficiency. Despite potentially having a similar battery size to the One X10, the U12 life will likely offer longer battery life on a single charge. The U12 life supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards, but the improved efficiency means it won’t need to be charged as frequently. The X10’s less efficient chipset will require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC One X10 if you need a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. It's a functional device for those who prioritize cost above all else. Buy the HTC U12 life if you prefer a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and improved power efficiency for all-day use. It’s the better choice for users who want a phone that can handle more demanding apps and occasional gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HTC One X10 struggle with modern apps like TikTok or Instagram?
The Helio P10 in the One X10 is a relatively old chipset. While it can run these apps, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially when multitasking. The U12 life’s Snapdragon 636 will provide a much smoother and more reliable experience with these apps.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 636 in the U12 life capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 636 can play PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a stable frame rate. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it’s significantly more capable than the Helio P10 in the One X10, which would struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ How much of a difference will the 14nm process make in real-world battery life on the U12 life?
The 14nm process is a significant advantage for the U12 life. It means the Snapdragon 636 consumes less power than the Helio P10, resulting in noticeably longer battery life. You can expect several extra hours of usage on the U12 life compared to the One X10, even with similar battery capacities.
