HTC 10 Review: A New Device with Promise
Launched in May of 2016, the HTC 10 is prepared to stand on its own in the smartphone marketplace. The tech experts at CPR Cell Phone Repair did an HTC 10 review to help you make a decision about whether it is time to upgrade.
New and Much Improved: HTC 10 Review
Boasting many improvements and new features, the HTC 10 is a sleek and well-designed phone with fantastic build quality, good speakers, and other upgrades. It is evident that HTC listened to customer complaints about its older models because the new device has many of the bells and whistles that were missing in prior models.
Design Redefined
The HTC 10 has an aluminum unibody. This seamless design does mean that the battery isn’t removable, but you can overlook that quickly due to the sleek and robust design.
Additionally, the front-facing speakers that long defined HTC’s devices moved in the interest of design. The HTC 10 has one speaker on the top part of the device and another on the bottom edge making it similar to the Galaxy and iPhone models.
New Software with Deep Google Integration
The HTC 10 operates with Android 6.0 Marshmallow with HTC’s Sense user interface spliced over it. HTC has also deepened its integration with Google. The default web browser is Google Chrome, the music player is Google Play, and the photo gallery is Google Photos. For those who don’t want their phone hooked up to the Google cloud regularly, you can turn Google syncing off.
Other software improvements include the addition of HTC Blinkfeed which gives users a snapshot view of their news and social media networks. You can also customize your phone with Themes. The layout, wallpaper, and app designs can all be customized.
One of the most innovative customization is the total freedom to make apps look however you want. HTC refers to them as “stickers, ” and they come in a variety of different sizes, colors, and shapes for an entirely unique home screen.
Introducing BoomSound
HTC prides itself on top quality sound, so it’s no surprise that the company has branded its sound feature BoomSound. Music pumps through the dual speakers with impressive clarity and strength. The included headphones output the same amount of excellent quality. The unique sound optimization feature allows you to reconfigure the sound quality to best suit the output device. The sound optimization makes it easy to go from speakers to headphones without losing any quality.
Place Where the HTC 10 Falls Flat
Although the HTC 10 has some great qualities, the device has several downfalls. Thankfully, none of them are quite deal breakers, but they are important to note.
Lackluster Camera
The HTC 10’s 12-ultrapixel camera sounds flashy but, the photos are usually more overexposed and a little out of focus. The camera does operate incredibly smoothly and takes clear shots with an auto-focus and tap-focus feature that works quickly. But the real problem is lighting. The camera has a brightness meter that can be adjusted, but in low light or backlit photos, the brightness doesn’t seem to change even with adjustments.
One feature that does work well is the Marco zoom. This feature creates a shallower depth of field and the pictures (in good lighting situations) turn out sharp and dramatic.
Poor Battery Life
As with many new smartphones, battery life seems always to be a big issue. We sadly cannot spare the HTC 10 from this common criticism. The battery life on the HTC 10 usually comes in at around 11 or 12 hours with regular use. The battery life is good, but not great compared to other models. Thankfully, the HTC 10 does have the saving grace of Quick Charge 3.0 which allows the battery to charge 50% in 30 minutes.
Verdict: To Get or Skip?
The HTC 10 is a much better model than its HTC predecessors. So if you loved your other HTC experiences and are looking for an upgrade, the 10 is a great option. The HTC 10 is also a good choice for people who love music and listen to it frequently on their phones. That said, if having a powerful camera is important to you, maybe skip this device.
Regardless of what you decide, remember that your local CPR Cell Phone Repair is here to answer any and all questions you have about the latest devices! We make sure to stay on top of the latest gadgets so the next time you have a question, stop in. We are happy to help!
