Released in 2019, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ represented a peak in flagship smartphone technology. The HTC U Play, launched earlier, aimed for a more accessible price point. This comparison revisits these devices, analyzing whether the S10+'s advanced features justify its higher cost, or if the U Play still holds value for budget-conscious users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is the superior device. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 9820 (or Snapdragon 855) chipset, coupled with faster charging and a higher-quality display, delivers a smoother and more versatile experience. However, the HTC U Play remains a viable option for those prioritizing affordability and basic functionality.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, January. Released 2017, February | 2019, February 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2019, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), ceramic back, ceramic frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 72.9 x 8 mm (5.75 x 2.87 x 0.31 in) | 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 175 g / 198 g (ceramic) (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~68.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 103.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD | Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Exynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Mali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR | Dual video call, Auto-HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (USA & Canada only) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired, PD2.0
15W wireless (Qi/PMA)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Stand-by | Up to 427 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brilliant Black, Cosmetic Pink, Ice White, Sapphire Blue | Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic Black, Ceramic White, Cardinal Red, Smoke Blue |
| Models | U Play, U-2u, 2PZM3 | SM-G975F, SM-G975U, SM-G975W, SM-G975U1, SM-G9750, SM-G975N, SM-G975X |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 199.00 / C$ 879.99 / £ 999.00 / € 299.00 / ₹ 39,940 |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 91h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.514 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.7 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 333736 (v7), 399901 (v8)
GeekBench: 10387 (v4.4), 2190 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC U Play
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- Outdated and slow processor
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slow charging speed
Samsung Galaxy S10+
- Powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Versatile and high-quality camera system
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Vibrant and high-contrast display
- Higher price point
- Larger and heavier design
- May exhibit some software bloat (typical for Samsung)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ boasts a superior display experience. While both devices likely utilize AMOLED technology (based on Samsung's brand history), the S10+ features an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal 4.514 in sunlight), suggesting deeper blacks and better visibility outdoors. The U Play's display specifications are unavailable, but given its price point, it likely lacks the S10+'s peak brightness and color accuracy. The S10+'s higher resolution (likely QHD+) also contributes to a sharper image compared to the U Play's expected 1080p panel.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ offers a far more capable camera system. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the S10+'s multi-lens setup (likely including a wide-angle, telephoto, and standard lens) provides greater versatility. The S10+'s image processing algorithms, known for their vibrant colors and dynamic range, are also superior. The U Play's camera is likely focused on basic photography, and any 2MP macro or depth sensors would offer limited practical benefit. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), likely present on the S10+, further improves image quality in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S10+'s Exynos 9820 (EMEA/LATAM) or Snapdragon 855 (USA/China), both built on 8nm/7nm processes respectively, dwarfs the HTC U Play's Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28nm). The S10+'s octa-core CPU, with its high-performance Cortex-A75 and Mongoose M4 cores, delivers significantly faster processing speeds for demanding tasks. The Helio P10's Cortex-A53 cores, while efficient, struggle with intensive applications. The S10+'s likely LPDDR5 RAM further enhances multitasking capabilities, while the U Play likely uses slower LPDDR3. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the S10+.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ offers a more comprehensive charging solution. While the U Play is limited to 10W wired charging, the S10+ supports 15W wired charging with PD2.0, 15W wireless charging (Qi/PMA), and even 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The S10+'s endurance rating of 91 hours suggests efficient power management despite its more powerful components. While the U Play's battery capacity is unknown, its less efficient chipset and slower charging will likely result in shorter battery life and longer recharge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U Play if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll accept compromises in performance and camera quality. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ if you prioritize a premium experience with fast performance for gaming and demanding apps, a versatile camera system, and features like wireless charging and a vibrant, high-contrast display. You're willing to pay a premium for these benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9820 in the Galaxy S10+ suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9820 was known to run warmer than the Snapdragon 855, the Galaxy S10+ incorporates a vapor chamber cooling system to mitigate thermal throttling. Users generally report acceptable performance during extended gaming, though some heat buildup is expected. The 7nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency compared to the U Play's 28nm Helio P10.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the HTC U Play actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones like the U Play offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. While it can capture close-up shots, the detail and clarity will be significantly lower than what's achievable with the main camera on the Galaxy S10+.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S10+ run demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
Yes, the Galaxy S10+ can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps on high graphics settings. The Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 chipset, coupled with ample RAM, provides the necessary processing power and memory bandwidth for a smooth gaming experience. The U Play's Helio P10 would struggle to maintain stable frame rates at even medium settings.
