HTC 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7

[jimbo]

Hi,
I was planning to buy a new phone so I just saw new HTC 10 today with great specs, but I'm confused between HTC 10 & Galaxy S7.
Although found a good point to point comparison
(Spec showdown: HTC 10 vs. Galaxy S7 vs. LG G5 vs. Nexus 6P vs. iPhone 6s Plus http://www.androidcentral.com/spec-showdown-htc-10-vs-galaxy-s7-nexus-6p-and-lg-g5)

but still not able to take the decision yet
Any suggestion will be highly appreciated.
Thanks.

Listed below are at least 30 distinctive advantages the HTC 10 has over the S7. I'm sure there are more.

Unlocked
Unlockable bootloader for dev
Rapid updates
No carrier bloat
Minimal redundant apps bloat
Metal unibody cut & polished
Ergonomic
No front logo - I know what I bought
Not fingerprint magnet
Super LCD 5 natural color display
2.5D curved edges Gorilla Glass 4
Fastest performance & benchmarks
Accurate FP/capacitive home
Simultaneous unlock & start
Adoptive = largest internal storage
OIS on back & front
f/1.8 & 1.55-micron (ultra) pixels
dual-tone LED flash
laser autofocus
USB-C 3.1 Gen1 faster charging/data
QC 3.0 'smart' charger included
2 amplifiers (1V) - 2 speakers
24-bit high-definition Dolby audio
upscaling / 24 bit DAC
Personal Audio Profile
Top mounted headphone jack
Supports Airplay
3 microphones - records stereo
Sense-lte/Google Material UX
Gesture controls
Theming with Freestyle mode
Free 'any reason' warranty.
------

 

[Adranalyne]

I've listed 30 distinctive advantages the HTC 10 has over the S7. I'm sure there are more. For greater detail one can review them in AC's article by Alex Dobie linked below.

Unlocked
Unlockable bootloader for dev
Rapid updates
No carrier bloat
Minimal redundant apps bloat
Metal unibody cut & polished
Ergonomic
No front logo - I know what I bought
Not fingerprint magnet
Super LCD 5 natural color display
2.5D curved edges Gorilla Glass 4
Fastest performance & benchmarks
Accurate FP/capacitive home
Simultaneous unlock & start
Adoptive = largest internal storage
OIS on back & front
f/1.8 & 1.55-micron (ultra) pixels
dual-tone LED flash
laser autofocus
USB-C 3.1 Gen1 faster charging/data
QC 3.0 'smart' charger included
2 amplifiers (1V) - 2 speakers
24-bit high-definition Dolby audio
upscaling / 24 bit DAC
Personal Audio Profile
Top mounted headphone jack
Supports Airplay
3 microphones - records stereo
Sense-lte/Google Material UX
Gesture controls
Theming with Freestyle mode
Free 'any reason' warranty.
------
http://m.androidcentral.com/htc-10

Unlocked (S7 can be bought unlocked)
Unlockable bootloader for dev
Rapid updates (They aren't rapid)
No carrier bloat (Only on unlocked, just like S7)
Minimal redundant apps bloat
Metal unibody cut & polished (Subjective. No wireless charging)
Ergonomic (So is the S7, probably more so)
No front logo - I know what I bought
Not fingerprint magnet (Gunmetal is)
Super LCD 5 natural color display (AMOLED is better)
2.5D curved edges Gorilla Glass 4 (Same on S7)
Fastest performance & benchmarks (Exynos S7 has that)
Accurate FP/capacitive home (Just as accurate/fast on S7/can use in more apps/Samsung Pay)
Simultaneous unlock & start
Adoptive = largest internal storage (Can achieve this on S7 without root)
OIS on back & front
f/1.8 & 1.55-micron (ultra) pixels (Camera is better overall on S7)
dual-tone LED flash (Same on S7)
laser autofocus (Dual pixels focuses faster)
USB-C 3.1 Gen1 faster charging/data (Wireless charging trumps that small advantage)
QC 3.0 'smart' charger included
2 amplifiers (1V) - 2 speakers
24-bit high-definition Dolby audio
upscaling / 24 bit DAC
Personal Audio Profile
Top mounted headphone jack (Subjective--most people prefer the bottom)
Supports Airplay
3 microphones - records stereo
Sense-lte/Google Material UX (Subjective---Samsung offers more useful features)
Gesture controls (Also has gesture controls)
Theming with Freestyle mode (Can also theme)
Free 'any reason' warranty.


So no logo on front, less redundant apps, the audio, and USB Type C. Whereas the S7 (and Edge because it's roughly the same size) have the better display, camera, battery life, is IP68 rated, offers Samsung Pay, has fast wireless charging, better accessory support, and better gaming (Vulcan API, game settings, etc). Now people may not care about mobile payments, wireless charging, longer battery life, water/dust resistance, etc and want the 10. That's fine. There isn't a wrong choice here, but the S7/Edge do the core things better while offering more useful features.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Jdroids]

Listed below are at least 30 distinctive advantages the HTC 10 has over the S7. I'm sure there are more.

Unlocked
Unlockable bootloader for dev
Rapid updates
No carrier bloat
Minimal redundant apps bloat
Metal unibody cut & polished
Ergonomic
No front logo - I know what I bought
Not fingerprint magnet
Super LCD 5 natural color display
2.5D curved edges Gorilla Glass 4
Fastest performance & benchmarks
Accurate FP/capacitive home
Simultaneous unlock & start
Adoptive = largest internal storage
OIS on back & front
f/1.8 & 1.55-micron (ultra) pixels
dual-tone LED flash
laser autofocus
USB-C 3.1 Gen1 faster charging/data
QC 3.0 'smart' charger included
2 amplifiers (1V) - 2 speakers
24-bit high-definition Dolby audio
upscaling / 24 bit DAC
Personal Audio Profile
Top mounted headphone jack
Supports Airplay
3 microphones - records stereo
Sense-lte/Google Material UX
Gesture controls
Theming with Freestyle mode
Free 'any reason' warranty.
------

It seems to me almost half of that list is either wrong or subjective. Especially on the camera and display.

laser auto focus: it seems no better than full pixels phase detection auto focus of S7
f/1.8 lens and 1.55um pixels: it seems wash with f/1.7 lens, 1.4um pixels
dual LED flash: why is dual LED better than single LED?
Super LCD 5 natural color display: New AMOLED on S7 has multiple modes for different color quality and default adaptive mode is pretty accurate.
Gesture controls: S7 has it too, probably more. samsung had too many of this before, but reduced it recently.
Metal unibody cut & polished: That is subjective. Some people prefer metal/glass.

But I agree to some others in list.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Ultimately if there was a perfect phone for everyone we would only have one phone company. There's a lot of reasons each one can be better but they're primarily subjective rather than objective. I love Samsungs screens, but can't stand TOUCHWIZ and glass backs feel fragile to me. HTC gave me the option of a near Nexus experience, but with an SD slot and adoptable storage (Samsung does NOT let you do adoptable storage, sorry). That works out to be Important to me. Not necessarily to others.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Bpschoon81]

I keep seeing people say you can buy the S7 unlocked. It's my understanding that is the international version, and it doesn't have all US bands and Samsung Pay doesn't work with it. Is that true?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Bpschoon81]

Also, I think Samsung's implementation of the finger print scanner is the worst and least reliable. Having gone from a note 5 to an A9, capacitive scanners that wake and unlock the device are the way to go. On my note I'd have to press the home button and leave it there too long for it to recognize. Based on the people I know with the s7 that process is still in place.

With the A9 it's just one quick touch and boom, woke and unlocked.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Adranalyne]

I keep seeing people say you can buy the S7 unlocked. It's my understanding that is the international version, and it doesn't have all US bands and Samsung Pay doesn't work with it. Is that true?

Posted via the Android Central App

Won't work with CDMA and yes, as of now, no Samsung Pay. The Exynos version provides better battery life, though.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Bearcats98]

I'm going to use the Edge here because I've been referencing it and the size difference between the two is minimal. It's far and away better on battery life and can fast charge wirelessly on almost any standard. This isn't a runaway difference, but the camera is better in not only results, but speed. The Edge display, while not overly popular with reviewers, is seemingly very popular amongst consumers. And it's useful, especially in this iteration. When you buy the Edge, you're getting the best display, best camera, and one of the best performing phones with excellent battery life. In addition, they added the IP68 rating, the SD card, fast wireless charging, Samsung Pay, and put it in a 5.5 inch device that feels much smaller. There's just no real weakness here outside of how the carriers get involved in software updates/bloatware.

The better device allows for better marketing opportunities that tend to yield results. HTC has a horrid track record with marketing, but they didn't have much to work with. Well outside of the M7----that was innovative in it's design and opened a lot of eyes.

Posted via the Android Central App

I disagree with a few of your points. While you (and I in a previous thread) refer to the S7e as the phone to compare; its not. The regular boring faced S7 is. Reason why I think "we" are comparing it to the S7e is that is what "we" are interested in buying/using/whatever. My buddy at work has the regular S7 and its truly boring. My three year old DNA has way more character than it does; functionality aside. I have zero interest in the regular S7 and I am more apt to buy the S7e...but really they are two different phones.

S7e edge screen is useless. I have played with it. Its just a screen drawer. Its way to small (narrow) to have any real functionality like the Note 4 Edge had. Also you have to set the "pull" zone on the Edge. I am not sure where these consumers are coming up with false pulls? In my playing the edge seemed pretty solid in palm rejection but I had set the pull higher up on the screen. I think Samsung did a good job with how it works but ultimately its not functionality that is really usable to me. Its still in gimmick phase in my opinion.

Battery isn't fair (but its also a leading reason why I am still considering the S7e) is 600 MaH more. That is instantly going to translate into battery life distance. How much, who knows for sure but you wouldn't compare a 2.7 liter V6 and a 3.3 Liter V6 and say "eh, close enough".

Same thing with screen. I agree with a poster somewhere saying that no way someone is at a glance going to notice a difference between the "advertised" 5.2 and the actual 5.15 it is. However the S7e is 5.5. That is a noticeable difference.

Samsung pay is really tasty to me. However my whole point is to use it at filling stations (as we have had a rash of skimmers being installed in our area) but its hard to use on those devices. I like the security a token offers and wish that was the direction AndroidPay went.

I hate buying "maintstream". As long as the real world battery reports come back decently enough I will get the 10. If the battery comes back pretty negatively I will unfortunately will have to go with the lemmings phone. I am not buying a new phone to live on a charger. I believe another poster mentioned that you should have a good battery life and the quick charge should be a supplement; not a substitution.

Only caveat will also be going through some of the software and make sure I am not pinned ONLY to google stuff. I still want to be able to use alternate browsers...etc.

 

[Adranalyne]

I disagree with a few of your points. While you (and I in a previous thread) refer to the S7e as the phone to compare; its not. The regular boring faced S7 is. Reason why I think "we" are comparing it to the S7e is that is what "we" are interested in buying/using/whatever. My buddy at work has the regular S7 and its truly boring. My three year old DNA has way more character than it does; functionality aside. I have zero interest in the regular S7 and I am more apt to buy the S7e...but really they are two different phones.

S7e edge screen is useless. I have played with it. Its just a screen drawer. Its way to small (narrow) to have any real functionality like the Note 4 Edge had. Also you have to set the "pull" zone on the Edge. I am not sure where these consumers are coming up with false pulls? In my playing the edge seemed pretty solid in palm rejection but I had set the pull higher up on the screen. I think Samsung did a good job with how it works but ultimately its not functionality that is really usable to me. Its still in gimmick phase in my opinion.

Battery isn't fair (but its also a leading reason why I am still considering the S7e) is 600 MaH more. That is instantly going to translate into battery life distance. How much, who knows for sure but you wouldn't compare a 2.7 liter V6 and a 3.3 Liter V6 and say "eh, close enough".

Same thing with screen. I agree with a poster somewhere saying that no way someone is at a glance going to notice a difference between the "advertised" 5.2 and the actual 5.15 it is. However the S7e is 5.5. That is a noticeable difference.

Samsung pay is really tasty to me. However my whole point is to use it at filling stations (as we have had a rash of skimmers being installed in our area) but its hard to use on those devices. I like the security a token offers and wish that was the direction AndroidPay went.

I hate buying "maintstream". As long as the real world battery reports come back decently enough I will get the 10. If the battery comes back pretty negatively I will unfortunately will have to go with the lemmings phone. I am not buying a new phone to live on a charger. I believe another poster mentioned that you should have a good battery life and the quick charge should be a supplement; not a substitution.

Only caveat will also be going through some of the software and make sure I am not pinned ONLY to google stuff. I still want to be able to use alternate browsers...etc.

The reason I use the Edge in this comparison, as well, is that it's only a few mm taller and that's it. Roughly the same width and it's actually quite a bit thinner and weighs less. The ability for Samsung to create a larger screen with a larger battery in this size profile is what sets it apart.

And I disagree about the Edge display. I use the sports panel, tasks Edge, and people Edge. It's functionality has improved quite a bit since the S6. It's still not for everyone, but it definitely has its uses.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Wildo6882]

Won't work with CDMA and yes, as of now, no Samsung Pay. The Exynos version provides better battery life, though.

Posted via the Android Central App

No Samsung Pay. No Android Pay. No US warranty. Deal breakers for me. And I refuse to be tied to AT&T's update schedule. Makes the S7/S7 edge useless for me. "For me" is the key.

 

[Bpschoon81]

No Samsung Pay. No Android Pay. No US warranty. Deal breakers for me. And I refuse to be tied to AT&T's update schedule. Makes the S7/S7 edge useless for me. "For me" is the key.

Same here. AT&T network is awesome where I live, but I will never buy one of their phones again. Unlocked only

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Malek J]

The reason I use the Edge in this comparison, as well, is that it's only a few mm taller and that's it. Roughly the same width and it's actually quite a bit thinner and weighs less. The ability for Samsung to create a larger screen with a larger battery in this size profile is what sets it apart.

And I disagree about the Edge display. I use the sports panel, tasks Edge, and people Edge. It's functionality has improved quite a bit since the S6. It's still not for everyone, but it definitely has its uses.

Posted via the Android Central App

I agree the edge functionality has improved a lot. I use it daily, it's now on of my favorite features. But since it's samsung let's just hate on it and say it's useless lol

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Adranalyne]

I agree the edge functionality has improved a lot. I use it daily, it's now on of my favorite features. But since it's samsung let's just hate on it and say it's useless lol

Posted via the Android Central App

That's pretty much the case.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[lostsoul2]

not looking good for the HTC.. the hits keep coming..

One week review with the HTC 10: I don't know why I'd buy one

 

[Bearcats98]

I agree the edge functionality has improved a lot. I use it daily, it's now on of my favorite features. But since it's samsung let's just hate on it and say it's useless lol

Posted via the Android Central App

Using a Note 4 Edge I can honestly say the S7e functionality is gimmicky. Where are the crawlers? Where is the text based notification? The "edge" screen is a drawer. You swipe from the edge and get a "new" screen that occupies 1/3 of the screen. There is very little edge to the S7e; more of a subtle curve. Comparing the Note 4 Edge (which is my point of reference in edge functionality) is why I say its useless. Note 4 Edge had usable functionality; to bad it wasn't supported all that

The S7e is still on my list, but its more for the battery and some for the camera.

 

[Habiib]

not looking good for the HTC.. the hits keep coming..

One week review with the HTC 10: I don't know why I'd buy one

This author wouldn't get the 10 because it's main camera isn't definitely better than its rivals. I've said this a many times and the fact remains that where the HTC 10 excels, those areas are deemed irrelevant or are ignored completely. For the ultimate lulz, this author makes the following statement

It’s time to lose that one-piece metal chassis and trade it in for something newer.

Yup HTC should do glass front and back since that's never been done before. Or they should move to plastic...

Again I'm noticing this same pattern where the 10 gets compared to the S7e as if the S7 isn't good enough to stand on its own. With that said it seems like the camera determines what a smartphone is worth.
.. At least based on this review.

Lastly I called this scenario before the 10 was even announced. I said that it would never win any comparison test, would get hammered in the reviews from certain websites, it would get trashed by certain Android users, etc. Amazing how I knew all of this months back and it's all come to past verbatim... Lol

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Bpschoon81]

not looking good for the HTC.. the hits keep coming..

One week review with the HTC 10: I don't know why I'd buy one

Not really the point, but in the photo of the sky he credits to Samsung, look at the buildings. They are so dark with the GS7 you see no detail, but with the 10 you can.

This is why it's so subjective. He likes the s7 photo, I prefer the 10. The difference in blue in the sky doesn't outweigh the buildings disappearing for me

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[jimbo]

not looking good for the HTC.. the hits keep coming..

One week review with the HTC 10: I don't know why I'd buy one

This link is a joke. A classic example of lame comparisons and predetermined bias.

Not slim enough
Clearly HTC evolved build quality and design expertise - not radical redesign.
Shouldn't listen to podcasts in the shower despite better sound for moments in the kitchen. ROFL
Battery & camera only equal.
If not Samsung or Apple consider Moto X, Next Robin, OnePlus 2 a better value.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Actually I wouldn't mind seeing HTC go back to the milled polycarbonate she'll they used in the One X. Plus that material is transparent to RF.

 

[lontano]

This author wouldn't get the 10 because it's main camera isn't definitely better than its rivals. I've said this a many times and the fact remains that where the HTC 10 excels, those areas are deemed irrelevant or are ignored completely.

Exactly. If one camera is only slightly better-performing than the other, and if the audio is vastly better on the phone with the slightly lesser camera, of course the one with the slightly better camera is clearly better. Since most people barely listen to music on our smartphones, right?

Like Bpschoon81 said, he's not even providing solid evidence the S7 has a better camera. I don't doubt that it does, but he has no sense of proportion. Speaking of proportion, he thinks it's important that an Oppo F1 Plus is thinner, but he doesn't say all the ways that phone is inferior, including the smaller battery that made it possible to be so thin. I can't wait to see bend test videos for the HTC 10 and the Oppo. If he had to bet $1000 right now which would win, do you think the author would bet against the 10?