HTC One M8 Vs. Samsung Galaxy S5: HTC finally unveiled its HTC One (M8) flagship yesterday, and most of the specs announced were already known to bloggers, analysts and fans for months already. 

And while we don't disagree that the new flagship is certainly a design masterpiece, we can't help but wonder how it would match the equally-impressive (spec-wise) Galaxy S5 from Samsung. 

Design

If you have looked at both devices in images, the clear winner is the HTC One (M8), with its brushed metallic finish that shouts premium all the time. On the other hand, the Galaxy S5's cover should have looked much better if not for the dotted design. Oh well, maybe Samsung wants to be 'revolutionary' when it comes to design. 

Display

Both the HTC One (M8) and the Samsung Galaxy S5 retained the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolutions of their precessors. However, IPS LCD is still inferior when compared to the Korean tech giant's Super AMOLED screen, easily among the best in the market today. 

Performance

Both devices have also retained the 2GB of RAM, which is a disappointment to most Android fans. Sony's Xperia Z2 has 3GB of RAM as well as the newly-announced Oppo Find 7 QHD. The Galaxy S5's chip runs 200MHz faster than the One (M8), which may not be noticeable in everyday usage, though if you pit both devices in memory extensive tasks, the Galaxy in theory would perform better. 

Camera

For the past several months, we have been hearing and reading a lot about HTC's Duo Camera, and it indeed offers cool features. The two cameras allow the device to focus on two different angles, thus creating sort of a 3D image. Even after capturing the images, the user can choose from which point of reference would the final image be. While this tech is certainly promising, the unchanged 4MP lens for both cameras at the back is unforgivable, and HTC wants to make up for it with a higher 5MP in front. 

On the other hand, Samsung's 16MP ISOCELL camera for the Galaxy S5 should perform splendidly in both low-light and normal lighting conditions. And because the flagship device still supports OIS unlike the One (M8), images would come a lot better in terms of quality. 

Software and Features

In this department, the Galaxy S5 clearly trumps the One (M8) with a flurry of features such as the heart-rate monitor, water and dust resistance, and the fingerprint sensor. However, if you think about it, would an average user need such extras in a smartphone? If a consumer does not need those features, the One (M8) offers its own set of features, a louder BoomSound speaker, Zoe, and others. 

Verdict

It's as close as it can get between these two flagships, and the winner merely depends on the needs of the buyer. The Galaxy S5 costs slightly higher at launch, though that may be reasonable for more features, but the premium design of the One (M8) could not be simply overlooked.