If you visit any mall, and you’ll probably see stores already selling prominent flagship smartphones this year, namely, the Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2, and HTC One (M8). All three are no doubt sophisticated, high-end devices. Which should you choose? Here are what the critics are generally saying.
| Description | Samsung Galaxy S5 | HTC One (M8) | Sony Xperia Z2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 4.4.2 KitKat | Android 4.4.2 KitKat | Android 4.4.2 KitKat |
| Display | 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 1080p Full HD, ~432ppi Gorilla Glass 3 | 5-inch Super LCD3 1080p Full HD, ~441ppi Gorilla Glass 3 | 5.2-inch Triluminos 1080p Full HD, ~424ppi OGS Scratch resistance |
| CPU | 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 | 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (2.5GHz for Asian markets) | 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 330 | Adreno 330 |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB RAM | 3GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB/32GB | 16GB/32GB | 16GB |
| microSD support | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes, up to 64GB |
| Rear Camera | 16-megapixel with autofocus and LED flash | 4MP Ultrapixel with autofocus and dual LED flash Secondary camera | 20.7-megapixel with autofocus and LED flash |
| Front Camera | 2-megapixel | 5-megapixel | 2.2-megapixel |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 3G, HSPA+, LTE Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band 3G, HSDPA, LTE Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX GPS, GLONASS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 3G, HSPA+, LTE Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP GPS, A-GPS |
| Dimensions | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1mm | 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.35mm | 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm |
| Battery | 2800mAh | 2600mAh | 3200mAh |
| Other Features | Fingerprint scanner IP67 water- and dust-proof Heart monitor | HTC BoomSound | IP58 water- and dust-proof |
Samsung Galaxy S5
From the screen and processor to the cameras and user interface, the upgrades are largely incremental. But if you add all those up, that makes the Samsung Galaxy S5 the most powerful smartphone at the moment. Its extra features, such as the fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor, may be considered niche, but they’re welcome additions nonetheless.
HTC One (M8)
Like its predecessor, the HTC One (M8) hits the mark in the basic smartphone experience. Design is as stylish and graceful as ever, and the raw power and new software make it an excellent choice for a smartphone. Then again, the changes may not be sufficient enough to truly set itself apart from competition. Also, the new dual rear cameras apparently produce mixed results.
Sony Xperia Z2
The Sony Xperia Z2 is a great phone in many aspects: camera, battery life, water and dust protection, and the design. That last part is what makes me personally attracted to it over the S5, while its camera is reportedly superior to the HTC One’s. But once again, what we have here is an incremental upgrade to an already outstanding phone, the Z1.
Whichever you choose, you’ll probably end up getting satisfied with it. They are, after all, high-end smartphones equipped with their own unique experience for Android users. But if your current high-end handset isn’t even one year old yet, maybe just stick with it and hold off from buying until something much bigger and more innovative comes along. I hear the upcoming LG G3 is right around the corner.