Arun 795 Report post Posted July 9, 2013 For those who are deciding between HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4; here's my comparison report after a couple of months usage of both handsets. I have the Sprint CDMA version for both, of-course on Reliance CDMA now The best thing about the HTC One is its look and feel. With all Samsung Galaxy handsets looking similar, S4 will look like it belongs on a far more downmarket phone. HTC One on the other hand stands out from the rest of the crowd and gets more attention as it doesn't have the common look like a Galaxy or even an iPhone. When I was at the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) in early May, a foreigner there saw the HTC One in my hands and screamed "hey look... its the new HTC handset!" - I don't think he would have noticed if I was using a Galaxy S4. The replaceable battery option does get some points for Galaxy S4 though.Since I had used a Galaxy S3 before, the S4's rectangular boxy shape did not feel that comfortable as the S3's under body cover is more curvy and hence more comfortable. Anyway the S4 is more comfortable to hold than the HTC One for me as it feels to have more grip.The Ones power button is on the top left edge, and doesnt really extend from the phones surface at all. So if you are upgrading from a handset like S3, it will take some time to get used to it and especially the navigation buttons.Even though the screen size difference is only 0.3", I do feel it makes a good difference as the HTC One screen looks a bit more cramped when you look at it many days after using the S4. So a big advantage there for the S4 over HTC One.Feature-wise Samsung Galaxy S4 has load of cool features but in the 2 months of usage I had, the only time I used those "cool" features were when I was showing off the handset to someone or when they asked me about those features. Yes, they do work fine and not just gimmicks, its just not really going to be used all the time. Those "cool" features do take up battery life as well.Camera had mixed results for me. Some pics looked better on HTC One while some looked better on S4. The HTC Ones colors are more accurate in my opinion and more crisper. Overall, I would say the HTC One is better for low-lit conditions.Battery life feels more or less the same with both handsets.BlinkFeed on the HTC One was kind of weird for me in the beginning but eventually I started liking it. Make sure you filter the sources that you require to make it better. I still like TouchWiz navigation than HTC Sense, maybe that has something to do with the fact that I was used to it before with the S3.I have seen many reporting over-heating problem with the GSM Galaxy S4 but I haven't noticed any over-heating issue with the Galaxy S4 CDMA (mine is Sprint).The most disappointing aspect of both HTC One CDMA and Galaxy is that SVDO (Simultaneous Voice and EV-DO) has been removed which was present in Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC EVO 4G LTE. The reason behind it is that they added simultaneous voice support for LTE which is more popular now in US than EVDO. So the 3G (EVDO) data session will get cut off when you make or receive a call.EVDO works great on both handsets. I have run these tests on both handsets together at the same time...Galaxy S4:HTC One: I have heard some people say that EVDO is faster on HTC handsets but in my opinion it just varies. I have done EVDO speed tests on both handsets together at the same time during different time of the day/night and have seen varying results.However I do notice that HTC One had more reception signal strength as per the dBm ratings checked together at the same time:(the dBM value is in -ve, so the lesser (to 0) the better) 25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rajanmehta 4,056 Report post Posted July 10, 2013 Excellent/detailed first hand experience of 2 top smartphones to use on R-CDMA. Thanks for sharing. No absolute winner but HTC One looks like the preferred one. BTW you quickly apply to Guiness Book! Haven't seen that level of strong signal strength ever on R-CDMA! -54dBm! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 817 Report post Posted July 10, 2013 YEs apply quick Arun - any way you are already entitled for "Genius Book of World Record" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
parin 857 Report post Posted July 10, 2013 Super Review Sir Perfect Actual Review Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vahidmomin 66 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 Perfect review...sir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maniac8828 24 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 Great review for 2 great handsets Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sathishq 27 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 The Big Advantage of S4 over HTC is supporting Mirrorlink & car Integration. So far only S3,S4 & Xperia Z in Android category supports Mirrorlink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dev997 62 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 (edited) Truly comprehensive and precise comparison Arun Sir ! I also have the pleasure of using both of these awesome smartphones and I totally agree with each point Arun Sir has mentioned. EDIT - Forgot to mention that I have used GSM (ATT) versions of these phones , not CDMA ones. Network strength in both phones is quite comparable. Edited July 11, 2013 by dev997 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
csmart 472 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Good review. I have one question for Arun & Devendra. Which one will you prefer? Any one, from these two beasts.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dev997 62 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Good review. I have one question for Arun & Devendra. Which one will you prefer? Any one, from these two beasts.. Its really hard to decide, but for a person like me who prefers overall look and feel more than a little better battery life and features , HTC One is the clear choice. But one thing that always worries me is the serviceability in the case of any kind of damages.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nitink 279 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 the only thing which i did not like in HTC one is no expandable memory option. For me not having this option is a deal breaker. HTC has made amends in Butterfly S. These guys make such wonderful phones but leave one feature or the other out. Why cant they think like samsung and offer the basics in every phone they make except nexus range. also HTC is getting very bad publicity for withdrawing 4.2 for HTC one S which was their flagship 16 months ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkaile 1,051 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Would like a photographic comparison of both too, if possible... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 You mean photographs of the handsets or the photos taken on the handsets? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkaile 1,051 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Photos of 'the' handsets, if possible. Side by side would be even better. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
::Hitesh:: 1,763 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 would like to see this !! (side by side even like a stack) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Sure, I was going to take the pics anyway as I will be selling off both or one of them. Here you go... When stacked together, you can see that the S4 (bottom) is a little bit bigger in width due to the bigger screen size: 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 817 Report post Posted July 12, 2013 would like to see this !! (side by side even like a stack) Ya side by side looks interesting - even i like 2 at a time 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mahendra Damani 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2013 I Just got S4 ( Sprint ) and am using it on Reliance CDMA. The phone is overheating like crazy and I am unable to place it near my ear ! Can someone help ? I was using Blackberry Style 9670 which never heated up even if i talk for 40 mins continuously. This S4 heats up even after 5 minutes !! Any suggestions apart from using a Blue Tooth ? I am not comfortable with Blue Tooth headphones.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
