Technosorcery Showdown: HTC M8 Vs S5

[Mr. Somebody]

HTC One (M8) vs Samsung Galaxy S5: What's the difference?

Display
The HTC One (M8), which will be available from today in the UK, features a 5-inch display with a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution and 441ppi. The Samsung Galaxy S5, which will launch globally on 11 April, features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution and 430ppi. That meansthe Samsung Galaxy S5 has slightly larger display but less pixel density than the HTC One (M8).

In other words: this round is too close to call.

Processor
The HTC One (M8) features a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset. It also has 2GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, which is considerably quicker in certain processes to its predecessor, as well as 2GB of RAM.

If simply looking at the spec sheet, the Samsung Galaxy S5 should have the fastest processor. But you never really know. Sometimes it can come down to proprietary software and the system. So, you'll have to wait until Pocket-lint can test both phones side by side. This round is therefore a tie, for now.

Connectivity
The HTC One (M8) features support for Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 4G LTE, USB 2.0, and nano SIM.The Samsung Galaxy S5 features support for Wi-Fi, NFC, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, and IrLED. The latter smartphone obviously has more connectivity options, though it is missing nano SIM. Still, if just looking at the hardware specs, the Samsung Galaxy S5 appears to win this round.

Storage
The HTC One (M8) features 16GB of on-board storage, a microSD card slot capable of up to 128GB, and 65GB of free Google Drive space. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features 16GB and 32GB on-board storage variants, with microSD support for cards up to 128GB, and 50GB of free cloud storage through Box for six months.

Speaking of freebies, those purchasing a Galaxy S5 will also get a free six month subscription to The Wall Street Journal, a three-month LinkedIn Premium membership, a one-year subscription to Bloomberg Businessweek, three months of Evernote Premium, premiums subscriptions to fitness apps like Skimble and Map My Fitness, special PayPal Deals, and up to $10 in game credits for Cut the Rope. In the US at least. More giveaway bundles are listed on the Galaxy S5 website.

Although the freebies shouldn't technically count in this round, the Samsung Galaxy S5 does offer more in terms of on-board storage variants for US customers - we're still waiting to see if a similar incentive comes to the UK. It is also unclear whether the UK will see the 32GB model. Moving on - the HTC One (M8) doesn't come with a load of freebie deals, but it does offer a bit more free cloud storage via Google Drive. This section is probably a draw, though we're leaning closer to the Samsung Galaxy S5. So, the Samsung Galaxy S5 it is.

Battery
The HTC One (M8) features a 2,600mAh battery that is supposedly 40 per cent more efficient than the first HTC One, which could last up to two days with core business use. The HTC One (M8) also features Qualcomm Fast Charge, meaning it can reach 80 per cent charge in just an hour via the charger cable that comes in the box.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a 2,800mAh battery. We'd have to test HTC's claims before we confirm that the Samsung Galaxy S5 actually beats the HTC One (M8) in terms of battery life. But, on paper, the Samsung Galaxy S5 looks like the better option. And we also suspect it features Fast Charge. This round is therefore a draw, for now.

Camera
The HTC One (M8) features the same UltraPixel sensor (f2.0 aperture) found in the original HTCOne, though HTC said that the new Qualcomm image chip processes better images in all lighting conditions. It also has a Duo Camera lens for depth perception only and 5-megapixel (f2.0 aperture) front-facing camera.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a 16-megapixel sensor, 0.3 second capture speed, and Selective Focus (which is kind of like the Lytro camera). The smartphone can also capture 4K Ultra HD video - something the HTC One (M8) is incapable of - and has an HDR Live mode, so you can see how HDR will look before you actually snap the picture.

We have to compare both phones out in the field for a proper test. It'll be interesting to examine the HTC One (M8)'s Duo Camera lens more thoroughly, but the 4K video recording alone makes us lean towards Samsung at this time.

OS
The HTC One (M8) features Android 4.4.2 KitKat and Sense 6.0. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features Android 4.4.2 KitKat and a new version of TouchWiz.

This is another tricky round that doesn't have a clear-cut winner. Both phones boast the latest versions of the Android operating systems, though they also have their manufacturer's custom overlay. We'd have to examine and compare Sense 6.0 and TouchWiz to truly name a winner for this round. And it could just come down to personal preference.

Build
The HTC One (M8) features a machined aluminium rear that now wraps around the sides and thinner walls. There will be three colours available at launch: gunmetal grey, arctic silver and amber gold.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is a plastic device essentially, with the same material used for the rear casing as in previous years. The big positives are that it is dustproof and resistant in liquid down to a metre in depth (grade IP67), and it'll be available in a range of colours (shimmery White, charcoal Black, copper Gold and electric Blue).

While both phones are solid and colourful, the plastic of the SGS5 is definitely not as nice in the hand or classy as the aluminium rear of the M8. However, the dust and waterproofing of theSamsung device means that, for now, this round is a draw.

Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S5 technically beats the HTC One (M8), because it offers more feature options in terms of connectivity, storage, and camera (4K video recording is compelling).

To be honest though, we'd have to review both handsets before we can recommend one smartphone over the other. Sure, the Galaxy S5 totes more specs and flashy charms, but we all know real-world performances can still vary greatly. What we also know is that HTC andSamsung have brought their A-game this year, and both their devices seem well worth your money.


Which one are friends getting? Friends?

 

[Slystallion]

i'm good with the HTC one I have now...no need to upgrade anytime soon

 

[winb83]

i'm good with the HTC one I have now...no need to upgrade anytime soon

I got bored with these annual phone revisions. I still got an iPhone 5 and it does what i need it to do. I might upgrade this year due to battery life issues but these phones have reached a point where they're becoming stale now. year to year not that much even changes anymore.

 

[Big Blue]

According the Reddit, it looks like the M8 might be waterproof as well. No biggie to me. I'm rolling with my One (M7) until it dies.

 

[Slystallion]

I got bored with these annual phone revisions. I still got an iPhone 5 and it does what i need it to do. I might upgrade this year due to battery life issues but these phones have reached a point where they're becoming stale now. year to year not that much even changes anymore.

honestly with the last set of phones I don't see a massive improvement or need to upgrade for at least another year or two and more likely two years from today

resolution is perfect i've got 1080p speed wise it works fast and I can't see a feature that is a must that won't work on my phone in the near future they have gotten to the point of diminishing returns rather quickly in the smart phone realm

for iphone users the 6 with the bigger screen will probably be a game changer for iphone users though

but think about what else can a phone possibly need to do at this point its a mini super computer and for what it is its perfect unless they can transport me star trek style

 

[Vandelay]

I have an HTC one, other than the expandable storage...why upgrade...


That's for any smartphone...until they start doing holographic projections or some shyt I can't see me doing my yearly upgrade anymore.

 

[The Phoenix]

From what I read about the Xperia Z2 it's got both of those phones beat. I hope Verizon gets it.

 

[Crakface]

From what I read about the Xperia Z2 it's got both of those phones beat. I hope Verizon gets it.

Conclusion
These two devices really are neck in neck, with the Sony Xperia Z2 coming out on top in some areas and the HTC One (M8) pipping it to the post in others.

The Sony is thinner, squarer and it offers waterproofing, but the HTC is lighter, narrower and shorter with a more rounded design.

The HTC One (M8) offers a sharper display, better storage and more megapixels on its front camera but the Sony Xperia Z2 has more RAM, a larger screen, a mighty rear camera and a bigger battery capacity.

With two quite different designs, you will probably already know which you prefer but whichever you choose, you're not likely to be disappointed with either of these devices.

VS m8

 

[ORDER_66]

I brought the HTC one when it first came out, still my favorite phone. way better than the Iphone. I still got alot of storage space that i have left over..

 

[Poitier]

I might upgrade this year due to battery life issues

What do you think those phone updates are for

 

[winb83]

What do you think those phone updates are for

They used to make hardware improvements year to year. Better cameras, screens, resolutions, extra processor cores, new features. They've reached a point where there's nothing left to improve or add besides gimmick type features.

The iPhone has room for growth because they've been so stale for years and neglected to add features that there's still stuff to add but Android flagships have peeked.

 

[iNad925]

That S5 look good but I'm good with my S4 now. I don't understand why they keep putting out phones with minor improvements.

Check this article out:

A Wild Idea: Making Our Smartphones Last Longer


Used iPhones, and other older high-end smartphones, have great value to businesses that refurbish and sell them. Though the phones may be outdated in the United States, they are often still desirable in the developing world.
DAVID PAUL MORRIS / BLOOMBERG NEWS, VIA GETTY IMAGES
By FARHAD MANJOO
March 12, 2014
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 late in 2012, it was the fastest and most capable smartphone on the market, a highly intricate collection of electronics that had been miraculously forged into a single sturdy slab of aluminum and glass. Unlike most ephemeral gadgets, this phone felt as if it were built to last for ages.

I kept on thinking that for about 12 months, when I promptly ditched my nearly flawless iPhone 5 for its successor, the 5S, which promised a few more cheap thrills.

In my defense, it’s my job to adopt the latest and greatest blinking thing. But what’s your excuse? On average, Americans keep their smartphones for about two years before jumping to a new one, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm.

Until recently, that’s been a wise strategy; carriers’ contracts encouraged frequent upgrades, and the smartphone business was advancing so rapidly that old phones just couldn’t keep up with the state of the art. But that aggressive upgrade cycle is taxing to the environment and to our wallets, and is unsustainable over the long run.





STUART GOLDENBERG

“There are 5.6 billion adults in the world, and one day they all should have a cellphone,” said Kyle Wiens, the co-founder of iFixit, a site that publishes repair manuals for electronics. “To make that happen, we’re going to have to make sure that any phone manufactured today lasts for 10 years.”

Despite their small size, smartphones are expensive, resource-hungry goods, and they deserve a better life cycle than two years of use followed by an eternity in a forgotten desk drawer. It is possible to buy smartphones with an eye to longevity — a strategy that will save money and global resources and give you the snooty self-satisfaction of knowing you’re shunning gadget consumerism.

The main points are: Use your phone for more than two years, ideally three; when you run into trouble, try to repair, not replace it; and when you’re done with it, trade it in. When you’re looking for a new phone, don’t just consider the latest high-end devices; many people will find last year’s best phone just as useful as the newest one. You might even consider buying a used phone instead of a new one.

Sound complicated? It’s not. Let’s dive deeper into this plan:



A Gazelle employee removing batteries from traded-in devices.

GAZELLE.COM

KEEP YOUR PHONE LONGER. It’s become a cliché among tech critics that smartphones have crossed the threshold from amazing to boring. High-end phones seem to have hit an innovation plateau, with each new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy just incrementally better than the last.

This is bad news for gadget nuts like myself, but it’s great for people who just want a nice phone. The innovation plateau means that for most people, in most cases, the latest and greatest phone won’t be all that much better than the one you’re using now, so there’s less pressure to upgrade. Sure, phones’ microprocessor brains keep getting faster, but for ordinary uses — web browsing, email, Facebook — those gains are difficult to notice, especially when you’re on a spotty mobile network. The latest phones might offer nice extras like a fingerprint scanner or a better camera flash, but few of these are really necessary. You can wait for them.

But what about obsolescence? Won’t your phone lose its power as it ages? Yes, but that’s easy to fix. The main thing to worry about in an older phone is a dying battery; after two years, you’ll notice your phone struggling to keep a charge. Some phones, like Samsung’s Galaxy line, let owners swap the battery; you can just buy a new one and pop it in. Replacing the iPhone’s battery requires special tools, but it’s a relatively cheap and easy fix.

IFixit’s iPhone 5 battery kit, for example, sells for $30, including tools. “Anyone who isn’t totally clumsy can do it in about 20 minutes,” Mr. Wiens said. There are also thousands of phone repair techs across the country who’ll do it for a small fee. One service, iCracked, will even send techs to your home or office to fix your phone while you wait, or buy it from you.

TRADE IT IN. Apple, Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers sell their top phones for more than $600 each without a contract. But with a two-year mobile contract, that price gets baked in to the cost of the commitment. So many people don’t understand the true cost of their smartphones — or their true value. “One thing I’ve learned in this business is that everything has value — everything, even broken devices, which we use for parts,” said Israel Ganot, chief executive of Gazelle, one of the oldest and largest gadget trade-in services.

That value is determined by simple economics: Demand for the world’s best phones far outstrips supply, so devices that seem outdated in the United States still carry cachet in the developing world.

When you sell your old phone to Gazelle, the staff reviews its physical condition and checks it against a database of phones that have been reported lost and stolen. Then Gazelle shuttles your device on a path to its new life. Most end up in huge markets in Asia where they’re purchased by traders from across the globe, then fixed up to look as good as new, and shipped to points far and wide. “In many countries, a new iPhone can cost a thousand dollars,” Mr. Ganot said. “We’re providing the equivalent of a certified pre-owned BMW, for less than half the price.”

The global demand for old smartphones has prompted a boom in trade-in services like Gazelle. Yet the supply of used phones remains low; only a quarter of smartphone users trade in their devices. Many smartphone owners are worried about the safety of their data (thougherasing it works fine). Others never bother because they think their devices are worthless. But that’s wrong. Two years after you first bought it, Gazelle will give you about $150 for your old iPhone. That’s a very nice dinner for two. And if you don’t need the money, do it for the planet. A smartphone that isn’t sitting in your drawer is one less smartphone that has to be manufactured anew.

BUY A USED PHONE. As I explained a couple weeks ago, America’s largest mobile carriers are now offering contract-free wireless plans that separate the price of your device from the price of your service. These plans offer incentives to buy from the secondary market; if you get a cheap used phone, you might save a bundle on your monthly bill.

Here’s how: According to data from Gazelle, phones lose most of their value in the first year. After a year of use, an iPhone will sell for about half of its original price. After two years, it’s worth about a quarter of its original price. After that, prices stabilize and depreciation slows way down. For top Android models, like Samsung’s Galaxy line, the pattern looks similar to the iPhone’s, with price levels slightly lower.

This suggests a strategy for staying ahead of the costly upgrade cycle. Avoid buying a brand-new top-of-the-line device. Instead, when a new phone comes out, you can get a good deal on last year’s model. Then, when you trade it in after two years, you’ll recoup much of the cost of your phone. Ultimately, this strategy will let you save about $20 a month per phone. How many nice dinners is that?

Email: farhad.manjoo@nytimes.com; Twitter: @fmanjoo

 

[HookersandIceCream]

They both lose because they both run Android

 

[ORDER_66]

They both lose because they both run Android

Really???

 

[homiedontplaydat]

The Note 3 is still the king

I'm good with it until the Note 5 drops