Any thoughts on HTC 10 vs Pixels

[5105973]

HTC is having their $150 off sale that ends tomorrow. I've got a Pixel on order but have spent the morning looking at the HTC 10 reviews and specs. In some ways HTC is backwards. According to Corning it's got Gorilla Glass 3. On the other hand, HTC is offering a one year "Oops" special where you get one free repair for either a broken screen or water damage. The price is good and the specs on the display look good despite not being AMOLED.

The audio experience all around sounds like it could be better on the HTC 10 than on a Pixel. It's hard to say without the Pixel actually being out. I thought about getting the HTC and cancelling the Pixel but then I would lose out on the chance to try VR on the free goggles. And the HTC 10 isn't DayDream ready. I don't know why I want to strap goggles to my head and pretend I'm a Harry Potter witch at my age, but I kind of do, so...it's something to consider. I'm nuts. We knew that, so move along people.

Anyway I was just curious if anyone here has experience owning the HTC 10 and if so, what they think of it. I know it's hard to compare it to Pixel when there aren't any real reviews out yet.

Oh speaking of the VR goggles, do you all think it will be a decent experience on the smaller Pixel?

 

[MRU]

HTC is having their $150 off sale that ends tomorrow. I've got a Pixel on order but have spent the morning looking at the HTC 10 reviews and specs. In some ways HTC is backwards. According to Corning it's got Gorilla Glass 3. On the other hand, HTC is offering a one year "Oops" special where you get one free repair for either a broken screen or water damage. The price is good and the specs on the display look good despite not being AMOLED.

The audio experience all around sounds like it could be better on the HTC 10 than on a Pixel. It's hard to say without the Pixel actually being out. I thought about getting the HTC and cancelling the Pixel but then I would lose out on the chance to try VR on the free goggles. And the HTC 10 isn't DayDream ready. I don't know why I want to strap goggles to my head and pretend I'm a Harry Potter witch at my age, but I kind of do, so...it's something to consider. I'm nuts. We knew that, so move along people.

Anyway I was just curious if anyone here has experience owning the HTC 10 and if so, what they think of it. I know it's hard to compare it to Pixel when there aren't any real reviews out yet.

Oh speaking of the VR goggles, do you all think it will be a decent experience on the smaller Pixel?

Yeah I have one ... solid device. The finger print reader super fast, not sure about the GG3, but I've had mine since it launched and haven't had any scratches despite dropping it into sand a few times on the beach (sand and grit are the worse culprits for scratches).

Audio is its strongest point, the camera is solid but not as good as some others despite DxO putting it on top with the S7 (it is not).

Battery has been solid, get 4.5-5 hours SOT. Performance is super solid and fast with only time a stutter creeps in is whilst applying a theme and switching between apps at same time.

TBH though, I think the Pixel would be a wiser buy, but with $150 off and already a big price difference between it and the pixels - it's hard not to be very tempted.

My 10

 

[5105973]

Thanks! Right now I think the bill for my Pixel is $892 including taxes and the extended protection plan. The bill for the HTC would be $550 or thereabouts.

 

[MRU]

Thanks! Right now I think the bill for my Pixel is $892 including taxes and the extended protection plan. The bill for the HTC would be $550 or thereabouts.

That's a significant price difference. As good as the Pixel will be, is it really $350 better ? I imagine in day to day use you won't see much speed difference between the two.

I am also skeptical over the DxO mark simply because they gave the HTC 10 a glowing review and yet it's camera software at that time was a terrible mess including issues focussing and such. So will have to wait and see what the Pixel is like in reality before we judge it's camera (rather than the DxO mark).

Tough choice ....

Whatever you choose to do, you'll end up with a great smartphone anyway so it's just a question of justifying the difference.

Here there is no price reduction on the HTC 10 and the Pixel is unavailable (might not even be release in Ireland this year) so it's less of a choice

 

[5105973]

I am here hiding in an old shed holding a cord to trip a trap to humanely trap stray cats to get them vaccinated and spayed. They are there but not cooperating. So meanwhile I'm trying to think this one through.

At least both are metal bodied. I couldn't bring my S7edge to keep me company on this tedious vigil due to concerns about the glass construction. I can get pretty beat up or fall on my butt on a job like this. I'm on my SE. Which I love for letting me typed one handed. But I gotta admit I'm missing Android.

Thanks for your input. I will have to check but I think there's a decent return policy for the HTC.

My husband was voting in favor of the Pixel because it's newer. But he has not done any reading on them. He's fine and settled in on his S7 Edge.

 

[5105973]

Home now. No luck with the cats. Will try again another day. Sigh. Anyway I took a quick look on the Reddit thread about the dude who got his Pixel early in Australia. It looks really cool, the pics it takes look fine, and the video he made had decent sound from what little there was to hear, so I will stick with my order. I'm not sure it was stereo sound, though. At least I have my Sammy for that so it is not a deal breaker.

 

[c0ppo]

Personally, I would go for the HTC 10. s821 is only clocked version of s820, difference will be negligible. HTC 10 has one of the best, if not the very best build quality. I do agree with @MRU about camera, but it's still one of the best cameras on a smartphone.

Those few software tweaks from HTC make it worth it. HTC has the best dialer out there, and you can install their apps on htc 10 as well, since most of them are pretty awesome.

I own htc 10 from day one, and I'm pretty pleased with the device. No slow downs, rarely lags (every phone does), and the SD Card is additional plus. And if you don't like it, you can always return in and get the Pixel. Free testing?

I still have to se Pixel in person, but on pics I find it rather ugly. But who knows, maybe in person...

 

[5105973]

Personally, I would go for the HTC 10. s821 is only clocked version of s820, difference will be negligible. HTC 10 has one of the best, if not the very best build quality. I do agree with @MRU about camera, but it's still one of the best cameras on a smartphone.

Those few software tweaks from HTC make it worth it. HTC has the best dialer out there, and you can install their apps on htc 10 as well, since most of them are pretty awesome.

I own htc 10 from day one, and I'm pretty pleased with the device. No slow downs, rarely lags (every phone does), and the SD Card is additional plus. And if you don't like it, you can always return in and get the Pixel. Free testing?

I still have to se Pixel in person, but on pics I find it rather ugly. But who knows, maybe in person...

HTC does offer the generous 30 day return policy. But it looks like I'm going out of town for a week this month. I don't know exactly when. Everything is being planned in the next couple of days. I don't know if I can risk getting the HTC 10 shipped to me. It might make it to me in time, it might not.

It is definitely a good looking phone.

 

[AppleRobert]

My penny.

Get the NEXUS 6p, already on 7.0 and 7.1 to follow shortly. AND save money.

 

[Channan]

Yeah I have one ... solid device. The finger print reader super fast, not sure about the GG3, but I've had mine since it launched and haven't had any scratches despite dropping it into sand a few times on the beach (sand and grit are the worse culprits for scratches).

Audio is its strongest point, the camera is solid but not as good as some others despite DxO putting it on top with the S7 (it is not).

Battery has been solid, get 4.5-5 hours SOT. Performance is super solid and fast with only time a stutter creeps in is whilst applying a theme and switching between apps at same time.

TBH though, I think the Pixel would be a wiser buy, but with $150 off and already a big price difference between it and the pixels - it's hard not to be very tempted.

My 10

I like the back of the 10 but dang the front is so ugly. But the Pixel is ugly on the front and back.

I used to have a hard time deciding which phone to buy because they all looked so nice. Now it's hard to find one that does and works on Verizon.

 

[maxsix]

My penny.

Get the NEXUS 6p, already on 7.0 and 7.1 to follow shortly. AND save money.

I agree completely. If money is an issue, the Nexus 6P is an exemplary choice.

 

[5105973]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I ended up not taking advantage of the HTC 10 deal. I'm looking at the Nexus 6P but so far am still leaning toward Pixel for the smaller size. But you all have given me something to think about. I appreciate it.

 

[AppleRobert]

The HTC 10 on sale would be my choice over the smaller Pixel, the XL is just too costly. Then the 6p is a real easy recommendation at its price over the XL.

AND one can get the 10 or 6p preowned, even more savings!

 

[maxsix]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I ended up not taking advantage of the HTC 10 deal. I'm looking at the Nexus 6P but so far am still leaning toward Pixel for the smaller size. But you all have given me something to think about. I appreciate it.

I've had stellar experiences with HTC's various Android phones since the advent of the platform.

That said, like most enthusiasts I'm always up for a good deal and the current HTC 10 deal is obviously quite nice. The only reason I'm going to pass on this model is my current collection of flagship Androids includes far more models than I care to admit.

Then there's a matter of my preordered Pixel XL. I must confess that Android v6.x.x and higher on Google phones, like my Nexus 5X and 6P is so close to my perfect smartphone Operating System... that I'm no longer enjoying any other variety.

Android 7.x.x with Google Duo/Allo/Now... is better than even I care to admit. An exemplary implementation of AI technology.
[doublepost=1476761449][/doublepost]

the XL is just too costly.

I thoroughly agree.

But... true confessions, I'm overlooking the tariff for my soon to arrive Pixel XL.

It's my true appreciation and addiction to Pure Android that's influenced me.

 

[5105973]

Google is definitely not selling the Nexus anymore. It's listed in their site and when you go to actually click the links to order it, you are taken to the Pixel instead!

I was reading reviews over on Amazon...yes, with the recommended dose of salt grains,, and saw that if you do run into a problem and have to get service through Huawei, it's a major pain in the tail. That is why I wanted to buy through Google and have some recourse through them. The Nexus 6P is also a bit larger than I'm looking for.

Because I did end up getting my Samsung for free, in addition to accessories and promotions and other things from the Note7 mess, I can splurge on the Pixel. It is now the big 50th birthday present that the Note7 was originally supposed to be. (And kind of a weird present when your husband gets one, too, lol...but that's the fun of BOGO deals).

So I think for the sake of my peace of mind I'm sticking to the Pixel despite the higher price. It will be interesting to see if they stay the course and commit to the level of service they are promising.

I do also like that the Pixel is made by HTC. Unlike Huawei, they've had more years to establish a strong presence in the US and they at least have a decent web presence for service. I think I'd give Huawei another year to become more firmly established here.

And I am looking forward to trying the free Daydream Goggles. I especially like the part where I annoy my family by telling them I am getting VR "Googles".
[doublepost=1476763501][/doublepost]

I've had stellar experiences with HTC's various Android phones since the advent of the platform.

That said, like most enthusiasts I'm always up for a good deal and the current HTC 10 deal is obviously quite nice. The only reason I'm going to pass on this model is my current collection of flagship Androids includes far more models than I care to admit.

Then there's a matter of my preordered Pixel XL. I must confess that Android v6.x.x and higher on Google phones, like my Nexus 5X and 6P is so close to my perfect smartphone Operating System... that I'm no longer enjoying any other variety.

Android 7.x.x with Google Duo/Allo/Now... is better than even I care to admit. An exemplary implementation of AI technology.
[doublepost=1476761449][/doublepost]
I thoroughly agree.

But... true confessions, I'm overlooking the tariff for my soon to arrive Pixel XL.

It's my true appreciation and addiction to Pure Android that's influenced me.

I'm looking forward to trying a more pure form of Android, too.

Don't get me wrong, I've been very happy with Samsung's version of it. They have some neat bells and whistles.

But I'm really looking forward to seeing how far Google can take the AI experience when they own the whole enchilada.

I talk to Siri quite a bit. She was instrumental in helping me relearn how to work with fractions so that I could go over my daughter's summer coursework with her. Siri handed calculations that I didn't think she would parse correctly when presented verbally. I was impressed. But then she can be so very clueless on other basic queries.

In iOS 10, I guess there are some changes or bugs because I could not even get her to open my Apple Music playlists like she did on iOS 9.

There are actually many little things that add up on iOS 10 to annoy and alienate me. I'm sure it will change and get better and that I will someday enjoy it again, but I am currently doing better on Touchwiz. And if Pixel delivers what I'm hoping it delivers in terms of integrating the AI assistant into the overall smartphone experience, I will be further along to what I want my AI assistant to do for me.

And my wishes are modest and reasonable. I'm not that difficult a partner. I've worked with AIBO robots in the past and I am patient enough and flexible enough to be specific in my queries and requests. I have a lifetime of watching the home computer evolve into what we have now. I'm all for patiently observing and experiencing the various ages and stages.

This could be the start of something awesome. Or it could be a flop that Google quickly abandons and sweeps away like its other ventures. We shall see.

 

[mi7chy]

I would go with the decision you ended up with. Get the latest hardware, technology and take advantage of the free VR offer. In the meantime, you can lend a HTC 10 and 6P for comparison since they're common. Likely you'll find the Pixel edges out the 6P and both are better than 10 since, for example, OLED surpasses LCD (saw S7 Edge next to iPhone 7 Plus yesterday and clearly OLED is better than LCD). Plus, I'd like to see an unbiased review from one of our own readers. Worse case you can probably sell for more than cost since Pixels are sold out and in demand or easily trade for something else.

 

[maxsix]

The Nexus 6P is also a bit larger than I'm looking for.

In my world a 6.0" smartphone display like I enjoyed on my Nexus 6 and my wonderfully compact Huawei Ascend Mate 7 is pure Nerdvana...

I'm sticking to the Pixel despite the higher price. It will be interesting to see if they stay the course and commit to the level of service they are promising.
I'm looking forward to trying a more pure form of Android, too. But I'm really looking forward to seeing how far Google can take the AI experience when they own the whole enchilada.

Yes indeed, I do hope Google leverages their vast engineering skills and utilizes their amazing resources on the Pixel Project, I do believe they're poised to truly push this experience forward.

I talk to Siri quite a bit. She was instrumental in helping me relearn how to work with fractions so that I could go over my daughter's summer coursework with her. Siri handed calculations that I didn't think she would parse correctly when presented verbally.

I find your experience interesting. I'll be the first to admit the phony pre-programmed humorous cutesy comments and responses from Siri turned me against "her".

There are actually many little things that add up on iOS 10 to annoy and alienate me. I'm sure it will change and get better and that I will someday enjoy it again.

It's no secret I'm very outspoken and critical of much of what Apple does or doesn't do these days. A serious Mac user / enthusiast / large scale shareholder since the 90's ... the current state of affairs in AppleLand, finds them doing much less than their best work despite having all the resources a company could ever wish for. Knowing how truly impressive, highly advanced and capable their current lineup of hardware could be if they put their money where their mouth/ego is... well it's just an unrealized fantasy at the moment.

I've worked with AIBO robots in the past

Ah yes, the memories, a certain fondness for Sony and a trio of AIBO robot Dogs roaming my home in the past, was certainly a fun experience.

This could be the start of something awesome. Or it could be a flop that Google quickly abandons and sweeps away like its other ventures. We shall see.

No doubt. If Google runs full tilt with this project, the landscape will truly change.