Samsung Galaxy S5 Versus HTC One

Here we are folks again, facing hard times to put the Samsung Galaxy S5 for another comparison, this time with the wonderful HTC One. As we all know, last year, the Android market was pretty much dominated by the Korean smartphone Galaxy S4, the device set to successfully replace the older now Galaxy S3, that proved to be a constant hit amongst Samsung`s fans all over the world. And things went even further with Samsung revealing its latest high-end flagship Galaxy S5, at the 2014 World Mobile Congress held in Barcelona last month. The Galaxy S5 is supposed to lead the battle of high-end domination against tough competitors like Sony Xperia Z1 or Z2, LG G2, iPhone 5S and not lastly, the great HTC One. Speaking of the HTC One, the device is purely wonderful in terms of hardware, great software and connectivity, being launched in April last year. With the HTC One to be replaced by an all-new HTC One fresh version soon enough, we thought that this was a great opportunity for us to put the two devices face-to-face, to see how they stand for each category. This article will show the devices` strong and weak spots and will give us a clue on what categories each must face some upgrades. Then, after the launch of the all-metallic Galaxy S5 and of the all-new HTC One, perhaps we will return for a second opinion.

Design

To start with the design, both smartphones have a premium high-end look, with great buttons to be displayed on both sides of the devices, for a variety of different functionalities.

First, the Samsung Galaxy S5 measures 5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 inches (142 x 72.5 x 8.1), weighing 145g, while the HTC One has 5.29 x 2.75 x 0.35 inches (134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9) and 143g in weight. On the other hand though, when talking about the body that each device has, things are a little bit different. The Galaxy S5 comes with a poor-quality plastic body, displaying just a mere dimple effect at the back case, with keys to be enhanced on the left for Volume Control functionality and with the Lock/Unlock key at the right side of the device, making it simple but with great effectiveness when handling the both sides.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs HTC One

The HTC One however, enhances a great metal body with premium looks, with a glass displayed at the back and also large bezels that surround the screen. The power button of the HTC One stands proudly at the top of the device, also playing the role of an infra-red receiver. To the right, the HTC One bears the two volume buttons, but with a tiny mistake on the HTC`s part, as they are quite thin and hard to press at a certain point, especially when you are in the dark. Just a few more millimeters added and the buttons would have been perfect for handling.

Overall, we might state that the two handsets sport great design, yet again with a small advantage from HTC One with its metal body, as opposed to the Galaxy which loses again because of its plastic back case.

Display

This category is also important as it reveals the type of technology that both handsets are using for “displaying” their own set of apps and functionalities.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. HTC One

First, we have the Galaxy S5 coming with a 5.1-inch display, compared with the 4.7-inch display that the HTC One is putting forward. That my friends, seems to be quite a big difference when comparing two high-end smartphones like these ones here. Both S5 and HTC One come with a 1080 x 1920 resolution, but a 423 ppi for the S5, while the One receives a higher 468 ppi. The technology that the two handsets are displaying concern a Super AMOLED for the almighty S5 and a Super Full HD IPS LCD2 capacitive touchscreen with 16K for the One. Other features concern Capacitive and Multi-touch screen, Proximity sensor and Light sensor for both handsets, with a plus feature for the One with its Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Even if the Galaxy comes with a wider 5.1-inch display, the HTC seems to recover again the flaw, with its higher tech IPS LCD2 touchscreen that puts on 16 million colors.

Operating System

The operating system that the two high-end smartphones bear is also important for keeping things running. The Galaxy S5 runs on the latest version of Android 4.4 KitKat, coming with different important features like Hangouts integration, new emoji keyboard, screen recording, cloud printing, Bluetooth and TV compatibility and so on. As for the HTC One, up until some time ago, the device used to run on the older 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, featuring apps like Google Now or Google Project Butter. But things have started to be rolling for the One as well, as it has recently received the long-expected 4.4 update under the Verizon and Sprint carriers. For this section, both handsets are running quite well on the 4.4 KitKat. We will move on with our next important spec, which is the hardware.

Hardware

The hardware of a smartphone is that key element that defines the performance of the device when using it at its full capacities, when heavy web-browsing, performing multi-tasking, downloading tons of videos or music, or playing demanding games.

The processor that the Galaxy S5 is launching into battle revolves around a great 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, Adreno 330, while the HTC One is bringing a lower quad-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU. So far so good for the Galaxy S5 that seems to be in a slight advantage in front of the One. The core of a smartphone wouldn’t be complete without the RAMs inside. We are talking thus about an equal 2GB of RAM that both smartphones are launching, along with a 16GB storage inside and an expandable size up to 64GB via a microSD Slot card. Well, the S5`s hardware proves to be stronger with its 2.5GHz processor and Qualcomm 801, Adreno 330, which should be enough to launch the Korean smartphone ahead the HTC One for the moment.

Camera

The camera of a smartphone is just another feature that I mostly enjoy, especially when we are talking about a 16-megapixel rear one, displayed by the almighty S5. The S5`s camera has already been previewed, making a great impression with its great functionalities like LED Flash, autofocus, Phase detection, Touch to focus, Manual focus, Autofocus, or High Dynamic Range mode (HDR). The camera is also perfect for 4K and 30 fps when recording at the top 3840 x 2160 video resolution. The S5 also has a front 2.1-megapixel camera that helps the video-conferences held live, be a real life experience.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. HTC One

On the other hand, the HTC One device enhances a 4MP UltraPixel rear camera which details the images of a 12- or 13-megapixel camera, with extraordinary performances, like Dedicated HTC ImageChip2, F2.0 aperture and 28mm lens, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Smart Flash with five levels of flash that are automatically set by distance to subject, Continuous shooting and VideoPic, along with the same 2.1-megapixel front camera and 88° wide angle lens with HDR capability. In terms of recording, the camera has a full HD 1080p with HDR Video, slow motion video recording with adjustable speed playback and much more.

We have got two great 16-megapixel and 4MP UltraPixel aka 13-megapixel-like cameras for the HTC One with some great specs on both behalf. Overall, we might offer the Galaxy S5 a plus, due to its wider pixels and high 3840 x 2160 video resolution.

Battery

The battery of a device is very important as it is that unique invention that keeps your device alive, bright and lively with all the gadgets jumping back and forward on your screen, with all that heavy usage that push the battery to its top limits. The battery segment keeps the two devices up close to each other, as the Samsung Galaxy S5 is powered by a 2,800mAh and 16.2 days standing-by and 21.00 hours of talking, while the HTC One sports a poorer Li-Po 2,300mAh battery, with 27.00 hours of talking time and around 500 standing-by hours in 3G. With the battery segment complete, we might award the S5 another point for its powerful and long-lasting battery.

Connectivity

In terms of connection and connectivity, both high-ends are using a Bluetooth 4.0 feature and Wi-Fi, with Dual antennas and MIMO for the Galaxy S5 that also comes with USB 3.0 and microUSB connector, NFC, Tethering, Computer Sync, Infrared, or OTA sync. The HTC One shares the same NFC feature along with a 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, DLNA for wirelessly streaming media with connectivity from phone to compatible TV or a desktop, HTC Connect and support consumer infrared remote control. For connectivity, both devices share the same features with some distinctive specs that set them apart. We should consider them both equal on that matter.

Prices and Availability

Here we are guys, at the final touch of our article, with the two smartphones receiving their prices and availability.

Since the Samsung Galaxy S5 was launched on February 24 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, there weren’t any details regarding its prices and the launching area available at that time. But soon after its launch, official reports have declared that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be launched starting with April 11, in around 150 countries worldwide, under different carriers. In the US for instance, the Galaxy S5 will be shipped under networks like Verizon, AT&T, Virgin Mobile, Sprint, Boost Mobile or MetroPCS, with a reportedly free-contract of $550-$650, without fees and a monthly contract of $199-$240, while in countries from Europe, like the UK, Spain or Germany, the Galaxy S5 is expected in May, at base prices of $1,000 (€730).
On the other hand, since the HTC One was launched in April last year, the device is also available under carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or AT&T at a rather the same $550.89 free of contract.

Conclusions

Here we are again, in front of the Supreme Court, to rule for or against the two aforementioned devices. We have seen both Galaxy S5 and HTC One with full specs and features, competing each other in a never ending battle, especially now, when the S5 is about to come in all-metallic and rendered with new specs, and also with the HTC One coming with an all-new featured 2014 Edition. No matter which device wins this competition, let`s not forget that they are extraordinary smartphones meant to ease our lives and bring some sunshine in our everyday activities, as both of them have provided us with the necessary tools in helping us be more organized and enjoy life to the full.

Let`s have a closer look at each device taken its place in each segment: 1. Design – The HTC One has a slight advantage due to its metallic body and glass displayed at the back, over the plastic body enhanced on the Galaxy S5, which makes it 1-0 in favor of the HTC One. 2. Display – 5.1-inch display over the HTC One`s smaller 4.7, along with IPS LCD2 capacitive touchscreen and 16K colors, make the score 1 to 1. 3. Operating system – both device running eventually on Android 4.4 KitKat with similar features, which make things go the same directions. 4. Hardware – things are getting wild, since the S5 comes with a more powerful processor and much better Qualcomm 801, which pushes the Galaxy S5 ahead the HTC One. The score: 2 to 1. 5. Camera – 16-megapixels vs. a 4MP UltraPixel back camera, makes the Galaxy S5 advancing even farther, with all the extra features the HTC One is putting on a show. The numbers are skyrocketing for a 3 to 1. 6. Battery – Put it simply: 2.800mAh battery vs. 2.300mAh from the HTC One, going on a full run of 4 to 1. As for the Connectivity, Prices and Availability, things look pretty much the same. So we may declare that the Galaxy S5 won the battle against the HTC One.

This article was intended to give us a clue on how things are moving when comparing two devices. This was intended to show you, from a subjective point of view, which device is better in certain circumstances, and which one needs some adjustments and upgrades. It is just like comparing two cars. Eventually, everybody will know what will have to do to improve its product. Let`s hope that both Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One will learn from this and will turn their faces on a more improved product. Hats off for both of them! Our lives couldn’t have been the same without them! Cheers and don’t forget to write!