The Galaxy S4 or the HTC One? Well, you’ll already have seen the Samsung Galaxy S4 review and our HTC One Review. So, with Mark busy comparing the camera quality and reviewing the S4, I’ve decided to take some shots comparing the phones close-up.
You’ll see below that the HTC One seems a little thicker, however it’s curved and sits in the hand without actually seeming any thicker. Sure, the S4 feels slightly lighter and a little “plastic” in comparison, but it’s still a very solid device and this new Galaxy model has a flatter, perhaps even “iPhone-like” edging around the device.
I handed both devices to several people and there seems to be a distinctive split.
Yes, everyone seemed to want to pick the Galaxy S4 up first.
Why? Because they wanted to try out the “tricks” they’d seen in TV adverts and during the launch. The “Smart Scroll” technology, for example, tracks your eyes to move text up and down as you look up and down. In practice this was a little hit and miss, but after several people plumbed for the Galaxy S4 I suddenly realised what was going on.
Ignore the plain and simple fact that most people won’t use the “Smart Scoll” technology. Ignore the fact that they probably won’t ever use the “Air Gesture” or “Air View” functions. It’s the plain and simple fact that they’re available that made people pick this up first. It was like watching someone open presents.
Although everyone loved the build quality and metallic solidness of the HTC One, the advertising and hype around the S4 meant that most people picked that up first.
Yes, the S4 is lighter and seems thinner, but how else does it differ? Well, let’s take a tour around the devices shall we? First of all, the HTC One has those stereo speakers and the in-build amp to produce some rather potent sound. The S4 has a single rear external speaker instead.
Up top there’s the usual proximity sensors and front camera. The front camera is roughly in the same position on both whilst the sensors are all tucked over the the left on the HTC One. The S4 has them either side of the earpiece..
On the top both devices have an IR port, with the HTC building theirs into the power button. The S4 has put the IR port to the left (the smaller of the two dots you see here). The other hole is the 3.5mm audio port, as you can see on both handsets at opposite ends.
Want the volume controls? Well, on the HTC One they’re on the right side of the device. The S4 has them around the other side and Samsung have decided instead to put the power button on the right side of the device.
On the left of the HTC One there’s the microSIM slot. You can’t remove the back off the HTC One… not unless you have some sort of chisel, so there’s no other access into the phone. You need to put a pin in here to pop out the microSIM. The Galaxy S4 down below has the volume up / down buttons in this position.
Down the bottom there’s the microUSB port. The HTC One has this off-centre..
Perhaps a major clincher for some, the S4 has an “action” button in the centre which the HTC One does not. Personally I like this because I can use this or the power button on the side to wake it up. On the HTC One you’ll be using the power button up top only. This also means that HTC have done away with the Menu button, choosing instead to only have “Home” and “Back” under the screen. If you want to get into the menu option on most apps then you’ll be heading for the menu button…
On the S4 you’ll not need to do this, as there’s the “Back” and “Menu” button either side of that Home / Action button in the centre.
Now, if only we had a video to show the two of them in action? Oh wait, we do… 🙂
Which is better ? Well, this is a hard one for me. As I mentioned before, the HTC One is quite possibly the best handset they’ve ever done. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a stunning amount of features considering how light and sporty it looks. The HTC One has a definite presence about it and I personally love the useful software additions like HTC Zoe and the Beats technology within the BoomSound speakers. People are loving this and rightfully so, however I do fear that the colossal Samsung marketing machine is driving a message and people are picking it up first.
In the end it really does come down to personal preference. For me the HTC One has more useful features, but the S4 will no doubt sell in greater numbers.
We loaned the Galaxy S4 from Tesco Mobile and the HTC One from UR-Mobile (SIM Free). Check them both out if you’re considering either handset and we must thank them for letting us have a look. If you want more, check out the full gallery below.
Still loving my HTC One after 6 weeks. Feels solid and does what it says on the tin!
give me the HTC any day, why? Because, simply it’s not made by Samsung… Samsung are becoming the Android fanboi equivilant of Apple.. I just hate the fact that a company with the best marketing machine and not necessarily the better product, seems to win the day.
Htc is apple actually. Form over function. Sacrifice display size and huge bezel for the sake of premium feel. You are blinded by your HTC bias.
Jeez, did you not understand the comment? You could have served up a halibut with a touch screen, and I’d still go for it over a samsung device. However, I’m sorry Mr Samsung fanboi if I offended your precious.
Professionals will want the HTC and others will want the Samsung because of the gimmicks. I personally think both are blurring the line between tablet and phone and they’re getting so bloated with un-phone-like stuff. Pure android is the way forward so Nexus 4 or anything Motorola at this point in time for me.
With regards to the screen brightness on the HTC One, Power Saver is turned on. This is why the screen isn’t as bright as on the Samsung.