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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs HTC 10: What’s the difference?

We compare the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and the HTC 10, two of the best Android phones of 2016 packing best-in-class performance, dependable camera tech and plenty of great features. Here’s our full Note 7 vs HTC 10 comparison review.

The Galaxy Note 7 is Samsung’s best mobile so far in 2016, chock-full of brilliant features. Not only do you get the best bits from Samsung’s flagship phone the Galaxy S7, plus the gorgeous edge-to-edge design of the S7 Edge, but you also get an all-new waterproof S Pen and a genuinely impressive iris scanner too.

HTC’s best phone of 2016 is the HTC 10, another portable powerhouse that’s more compact than the Galaxy Note 7. It’s a rugged slab of sexy metal, boasting a solid all-round user experiece. But how does the HTC 10 compare with Samsung’s mighty phablet, and which is best for you?

Read next: HTC 10 vs Galaxy S7 vs Sony Xperia X vs LG G5

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs HTC 10: At a glance

Phone Samsung Galaxy Note 7 HTC 10
Weight 169g 161g
Screen size 5.7-inches 5.2-inches
Screen resolution 2560×1440 Quad HD 2560×1440 Quad HD
Water resistant? Yes No
Security Fingerprint sensor, iris scanner Fingerprint sensor
Processor Snapdragon 820/Exynos Snapdragon 820
Memory 4GB 4GB
Storage 64GB 32/64GB
MicroSD? Yes Yes
Battery 3500mAh 3000mAh
Cameras 12MP + 5MP 12MP + 5MP
Price £700 £500

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs HTC 10: Which is best?

If you’re after a mobile that you can easily use one-handed, then the more compact HTC 10 is likely to please more than the massive Note 7. HTC’s 5.2-inch blower is quite easy to use with a single mitt, although it’s fairly chunky and hefty. That 161g frame is almost as heavy as the 169g Note 7, which is actually surprisingly slender despite its enormous screen.

Samsung has also packed a one-handed mode into the Note 7 to help out a bit, which we’ve covered in our Note 7 tips and tricks feature.

Alternatively, if you want a handset that you can play with in the bath, then look to the Note 7. Samsung’s phablet is water resistant, while the HTC 10 will die a watery death if dunked in the suds.

The Note 7’s S Pen stylus is its main draw, proving a perfect companion for creative and business users. You can sketch amazing doodles and quickly and easily edit documents on the go, while new features like Translate will be invaluable to regular travellers.

If you’re after a media machine, the Note 7’s spacious and supremely vibrant 5.7-inch screen will impress you more than the HTC 10’s still-very-good 5.2-inch panel. Both handsets boast a super-sharp Quad HD resolution however, and the HTC’s BoomSound speakers can easily keep pace with the Note 7’s blasters.

In terms of performance, these mobiles are closely matched. The HTC 10 and Note 7 both pack a Snapdragon 820 processor (depending on your region) backed by 4GB of RAM, so the everyday experience is blissfully stutter-free and you can play the latest games with a smooth frame rate.

When it comes to battery life there’s not much of a gap either. The HTC 10 usually survives for close to 36 hours after a charge, while the Note 7 tends to last for just over a day unless you’re really restrained. Both phones sport a form of fast charging too.

Security-conscious users will prefer the Note 7, which packs in all kinds of great features for keeping thieves at bay. Alongside the now-standard fingerprint sensor, you also get an iris scanner and Samsung’s security tools such as the Knox suite and Secure Folders feature. By comparison, the HTC 10 only has a fingerprint sensor.

If you’re after a dependable mobile snapper, either of these phones will more than do the job – although the Note 7, which packs the same awesome camera tech as the Galaxy S7 before it, is more capable in low light. Take a look at our S7 vs HTC 10 camera review for photo samples and more.

Check out our full Note 7 vs HTC 10 comparison review video below.

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