Image credit: AndroidCentral
The smartphone was released in the U.S. as a Verizon-only unlocked exclusive this week and will continue to be exclusive until May 10th when Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T (unlocked) customers receive their units. Meanwhile, unlocked models sold in Europe will be first to receive the software update, followed by unlocked models sold directly by HTC (including AT&T customers).
1. Improved WiFi connectivity, including Smart MIMO
2. Camera tuning
- Auto HDR improvements (from 1.88 to 1.67EV)
- Low light sharpness/brightness improvements Outdoor sharpness improvements
- Reduced purple noise in Pro mode
- Modified laser autofocus UI
3. Bug fixes
According to HTC executives, the 84.75MB software update brings improvements to the camera UI and associated UltraPixel 2.0 sensor algorithms, resulting in clearer and sharper pictures, along with wider High Dynamic Range (HDR) exposure values, faster laser-assisted autofocus and general system stability improvements.
HTC 10 – DxOMark Overall Score (88/100)
In April, DxoMark gave the HTC 10’s UltraPixel 2.0 rear-facing lens an 88 out of 100 for photos and 86 out of 100 for videos. While the site was using the initial smartphone software version, it recommended applying a subtle blue filter during post-processing in a photo editing app to offset any yellow casting given off by the sensor. It also recommended slightly increasing image saturation and vibrance to compensate for any under-saturated color tones.
More specifically, images taken in low-light settings are now shaper and brighter, and we think this could be due to a few key criticisms from early hands-on reviewers. The HTC 10 features the company’s second-gen UltraPixel 2.0 sensor, which already provides up to 136 percent more light in every shot compared to UltraPixel 1.0 first present on the HTC One M7.
In the initial HTC 10 software release, reviewers claimed that laser-assisted autofocus would erroneously display this message in the absense of any obstacles (via Slashgear)
The laser autofocus feature has also been improved. Previously, some reviewers were claiming that the software feature would mistakenly detect objects in the way of lens in the absence of any objects. As Slashgear noted, this was an issue with initial camera software and has now been addressed by the company’s first major update.
Finally, any purple noise appearing in images captured in Pro Mode should no longer appear thanks to the update.
The first software update also addresses some issues users were having with weak signals and cellular connectivity. Cellular strength has been improved, and Wi-Fi also gets an update to Smart MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output)
The HTC 10 will be available in the UK on Friday, May 6th and should become available in the U.S. next week on Sprint (May 13th), T-Mobile and AT&T (unlocked).
