Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One: Beauty or the Beast, Which Phone is Right For You?

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has finally been unveiled. But HTC is trying to break back into the smartphone market with its HTC One. How do the two flagship phones stack up?

Display
The HTC One has a huge screen, 4.7 inches, nearly as large as the old Galaxy S III. It boasts a 1920x1080 widescreen 16:9 display. But Samsung has increased the screen size on the Galaxy, to a 5-inch 1920x1280, 441 ppi display. Bigger isn't always better, as people with small hands will attest, but both these phones are two-handers.

Processor
These are a bit harder to compare, as it seems likely the Galaxy S4 will come in two different versions, each with a different processor, and we're not sure which version is for the American market (though it's likely the Qualcomm).

The S4 will have an impressive eight-core Exynos 5 Octa processor, though some versions may run a more standard 1.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, which is exactly the same processor in the HTC One.

Storage
The Galaxy S4 has up to 64 GB on internal memory and an SD card slot that can accommodate up to another 64 GB. It's a wash, as the HTC One comes in the same configurations.

Operating System
HTC loyalists have long loved the company's stylish and intuitive Sense interface, which overlays the stock Android OS from Google. Now HTC has revamped Sense, to version 5.0, ditching some of the sacred cows in favor of a more interactive experience. While older users might not like the full integration of apps (even when sometimes you don't want them talking to each other), users who don't differentiate between emails and texts will be happy.

Samsung, on the other hand, uses TouchWiz, it's own in-house overlay. It's more full-featured, but less user-friendly, and less pretty.

The Galaxy S4 will come with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the latest current build. But Key Lime Pie is due out soon, so fans are hoping the S4 will be fast-tracked for an upgrade. The One still packs Android 4.1.2, and HTC isn't known for quick OS updates, but they might speed things up to stay in the game this time.

Styling
Too keep prices lower, Samsung is continuing to use polycarbonate plastic in the body of the S4. The HTC One, meanwhile, is all aluminum. In terms of looks, the One wins, hands down.

Camera
HTC is trying something new with the One. The camera is only 4 megapixels, but HTC has branded them "UltraPixels." They're larger than typical photo sensors, so HTC says they capture 300 percent more light than normal smartphone cameras, allowing photos in low-light conditions that otherwise would yield a gray blur. While the resolution suffers a bit, HTC is betting it will still be good enough for web or mobile viewing.

In keeping with the Galaxy S4's "make everything bigger and faster" aesthetic, it boasts a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera, and the ability to take photos and video with both cameras at the same time.

Nearly every reviewer says the HTC One is an impressive, excellent phone. It had better be, because if it doesn't perform well, HTC may go under. And losing such an innovative and creative company would be a shame for consumers, especially in a market dominated by Apple and Samsung.

Compared to current phones, the One is also far ahead of the pack, with plenty of features and tech to futureproof it (as much as any piece of hardware can be). But the Galaxy S4 is technically superior, judging from the spec sheet. It will also likely be more expensive, and if it sells anything like the S III, everyone and their grandmother will have one.

Either phone will suit consumers just looking for an upgrade. For a phone with personality, the HTC One is the better pick. For the most powerful phone on the market, go with the Galaxy S4.