Released in different eras, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (USA) and the HTC 10 evo represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The S7 edge, with its iconic curved display, aimed for premium aesthetics and features. The HTC 10 evo, arriving later, focused on delivering solid performance and a high-contrast display at a potentially more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help users navigate the used market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a balance of features and longevity, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge emerges as the stronger choice. Its more efficient Snapdragon 820 chipset and significantly superior battery endurance (87h vs 58h) outweigh the HTC 10 evo’s slightly faster 18W charging. While both are aging devices, the S7 edge offers a more refined overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G935A, G935P, G935R | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G935A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, March | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (5.94 x 2.86 x 0.30 in) | 153.6 x 77.3 x 8.1 mm (6.05 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 157 g (5.54 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| | - | IP57 dust/water resistant (up to 1m. and 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super LCD3 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), TouchWiz UI | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS | 4K@30fps (24-bit/192kHz audio), 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - |
24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (after SW update; operator dependent) | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 480 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 23 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Onyx, Silver Titanium, Gold Platinum, Coral Blue | Silver, Black |
| Models | SM-G935A, SM-G935P, SM-G935V, SM-G935T, SM-G935R, SM-G935U, SM-G935L, SAMSUNG-SM-G935A | 10 evo, M10f, 2PYB2 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.51 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 58h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1357:1 (nominal), 2.407 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (USA)
- Superior battery life (87h endurance)
- More efficient Snapdragon 820 processor
- Immersive curved Super AMOLED display
- Older device, potential for battery degradation
- Glass back susceptible to damage
HTC 10 evo
- High-contrast display for outdoor visibility
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Significantly shorter battery life (58h endurance)
- Snapdragon 810 prone to throttling
- LCD display lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED
Display Comparison
Both the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and the HTC 10 evo share a contrast ratio of 1357:1 (nominal) and 2.407 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the S7 edge’s curved Super AMOLED display offers a more immersive viewing experience and a higher perceived quality. While neither device boasts a high refresh rate, the S7 edge’s AMOLED technology provides superior color accuracy and deeper blacks. The 10 evo’s LCD, while bright, lacks the dynamic range of the S7 edge’s panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable cameras, but detailed specifications are limited. The S7 edge, typical of Samsung flagships, likely boasts a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the S7 edge’s camera consistently received higher praise in contemporary reviews. The HTC 10 evo’s camera, while competent, was often criticized for inconsistent performance in low-light conditions. The absence of specific sensor size or aperture data makes a precise comparison difficult, but the S7 edge likely holds an advantage in image quality.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge’s Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820, built on a 14nm process, demonstrably outperforms the HTC 10 evo’s Snapdragon 810 (20nm). The 820’s quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) is more efficient and delivers better sustained performance than the 810’s octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57). The larger manufacturing node of the 810 contributes to increased heat generation, potentially leading to throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both devices likely shipped with similar RAM configurations, the 820’s architecture benefits from faster memory access.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge’s endurance rating of 87 hours significantly surpasses the HTC 10 evo’s 58 hours. This difference is primarily attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 820 chipset and potentially a more optimized software experience. While the HTC 10 evo offers slightly faster 18W wired charging (compared to the S7 edge’s 15W with QC2), this advantage is overshadowed by the S7 edge’s substantially longer battery life. The S7 edge’s wireless charging capability is also a convenience feature absent on the 10 evo.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (USA) if you prioritize battery life, a premium design with a curved screen, and a more modern chipset for smoother performance. Buy the HTC 10 evo if you value a high-contrast display for outdoor visibility and are willing to trade battery life for potentially lower cost, understanding the Snapdragon 810's thermal limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in the HTC 10 evo known to overheat during demanding tasks like gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 810 is notorious for thermal throttling due to its 20nm manufacturing process. While the HTC 10 evo likely incorporates cooling measures, extended gaming sessions or prolonged use of demanding applications may result in reduced performance as the processor attempts to manage heat.
❓ How does the battery degradation on the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge affect its usability in 2024?
Given the age of the S7 edge, battery degradation is a significant concern. Expect reduced battery life compared to its original 87-hour endurance rating. Replacing the battery is a viable option to restore functionality, but it adds to the overall cost of ownership. Consider this when evaluating the device's long-term usability.
❓ Does the curved screen on the S7 edge offer any practical benefits beyond aesthetics?
The curved screen on the S7 edge provides a more immersive viewing experience and reduces accidental touch inputs along the edges. Samsung also implemented 'Edge Panels' – customizable shortcuts accessible by swiping from the curved edges – adding a layer of functionality.
❓ Is the camera on either phone capable of recording 4K video?
While specific details are limited in the provided data, both the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and the HTC 10 evo were flagship devices of their time and are highly likely to support 4K video recording. However, the S7 edge's superior image processing and potentially larger sensor would likely result in higher-quality 4K footage.
