HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z vs Galaxy S4 in Android shootout
The Android platform has some pretty tasty high-end smartphones becoming available at the moment, and today we are comparing the HTC One vs. Sony Xperia Z vs. Galaxy S4 in an Android shootout.
We have run comparisons on these handsets before but not with all three together at the same time that are currently the must have devices in the top end of the Android market, with each of them having their own merits in being regarded as the best smartphone available to consumers.
Display
The HTC One has the smallest of the three displays with a 4.7-inch Full HD touchscreen display that offers users an impressive 469ppi pixel density, while the Sony Xperia Z is using a 5-inch Full HD display with a pixel density of 441ppi. The Samsung Galaxy S4 also has a 5-inch Full HD display with 441ppi.
Processor and Power
Under the hood of the Sony Xperia Z is a Qualcomm quad core Krait processor clocked at 1.5GHz along with 2GB of RAM, while the HTC One has the quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.7GHz with 2GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in two versions depending on the region with one getting the Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor running at 1.6GHz, or the quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 at 1.9GHz with both versions having 2GB of RAM.
Storage
The HTC One will be available with either 32GB or 64GB storage options that can’t be expanded further, while the Sony only has 16GB on board but this can be expanded by a further 32GB via microSD card. Samsung has always been good for storage options on its smartphones with the device coming in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options while each of them can be expanded by a further 64GB via a microSD card.
Cameras
Sony has fitted a 13.1-megapixel unit on the back with autofocus and LED flash, which is capable of Full HD video capture at 30fps and on the front is a 2.2-megapixel camera that also supports 1080p video capture. The HTC One has an UltraPixel unit with a 4-megapixel sensor that is capable if 1080p video recording, while around the front you will find a 2.1-megapixel shooter. Samsung has provided a 13-megapixel unit on the back that is 1080p along with the 2-megapixel front facer that is also capable of 1080p video capture at 30fps, and users will be able to use both cameras at once along with a whole host of new features Samsung has bundled on the device.
Dimensions
The Samsung measures in at 136.6mm x 69.8mm x 7.9mm weighing 130grams, while the Sony Xperia Z comes in at 139mm x 71mm x 7.9mm at 146grams. The HTC One on the other hand measures 137.4mm x 68.2mm x 9.3mm weighing 143grams.
Operating System
The Galaxy S4 will be released this week running the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS straight out of the box, while the HTC One is currently on Android 4.1.2 but will obviously see an update to the later version of Jelly Bean at some point, which is the same situation for the Sony Xperia Z.
Each of these handsets are well worth a look with each of them having features that the other doesn’t such as the aluminium frame of the HTC One, or the water and dust proofing of the Sony Xperia Z, and the Samsung has some software features that the other two devices don’t offer.
If you have no brand loyalty and can’t make your mind up you could always try going to a mobile phone store and look at the handsets up close and maybe having a little play with them to see which device you prefer.
Have you already decided which of these three handsets to purchase?
Comments
24 thoughts on “HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z vs Galaxy S4 in Android shootout”
HTC One
The HTC One is so beautiful
Is the S4 even getting octa core in the UK?
The Xperia Z all the way for me. Easily.
definetly the s4 sooo much more features
Best is the Xperia Z for its price in its class… Other two are almost 25% more than Xperia Z
I got the HTC One and I don’t regret it at all!
HTC One got me! 🙂
All of them i like but xperia z is different n still got my attention,:)
Thanks SONY…Great phone
I bought the xperia z before the other 2 were available.. And if i have the option of changing my phone now, id still buy the xperia z 🙂
First of all, all three phones are obviously 5 star phones, and one can’t really go wrong with any of them. But if I must make a choice, it’d have to be the S4. Truth is, the greatest advantage the One and Xperia Z have over the S4 is build material. But as I can’t see myself using a phone that costs that much without a case, the advantage greatly diminishes. Just my opinion!
thank you thank you for saying that. I hate talking to these closted apple fans raving about the design first and foremost”but but the metal” “its just so pretty”.”it feels so good in your hand”..i dont care!lol..a phone is a tool..function comes before form for me, and the S4 is not ugly or bulky. its slimmer and ligher..so S4 all the way since it beats the htc one in every category except for the One having a slightly better screen(?) ..and front facing speakers which i will never use.
Not very clued up are you? The HTC One’s ultrapixel camera takes nearly as good photos outside, and much better photo’s inside or in the dark. The S4 may be slightly faster, but it is definitely not noticeable especially on mobile webpages where the HTC One actually loads pages quicker. The HTC’s screen is actually a lot better in terms of glare from the sun. Then the audio on the HTC far surpasses both of them.
8 core samsung will have 1gb of ram. only 4 core will have 2gb
sony xperia z wins it for me, the s4 is too much of a toy and the htc’s cameras are weak compared to the other two, lucky the pixel density compensates for the poor cameras
Being a SONY fan the Xperia Z wins for me hands down. That’s not to say the others aren’t great phones. The XZ feels more like a bloke orientated phone where the S4, and all previous Galaxy’s have always felt girl orientated. That said, the Samsung does make a very worthy handset, however XZ does all I want and them some.
I have not had the pleasure of meeting with a HTC before so I cannot comment, other to say that no previous HTC has ever gotten my attention before… and still hasn’t.
From what I’ve found on the net so far, all 3 devices are pretty much the same, it’s going to come down to preference
Samsung Galaxy S4 for sure.
My cousin has the xperia z and it has the worst screen out of the 3 and that matters to me. So HTC one is the one I got and I dont regret it. Sony would have been my second choice if it had LTE but lack of that makes it no.3 choice. All are great phones though. I had the iphone 5 and it doesn’t touch any of these phones.
the sony xperia z does have LTE! i’m on EE with it at the moment!
It doesn’t in the US.
SONY SONY SONY SONY SONY! Yes I’m a Sony fan and I can proudly say that the Xperia Z is a fantastic gadget. It’s beautiful squarish design is unique opposed to the round design of the HTC One and the S4.
Now these two phones are absolutely awesome, however the Exmor R camera sensor, the ergonomically designed button layout (for it’s size), the waterproof/dust-proof/shockproof/scratch proof feature on the Xperia is something that does catch attention. Don’t miss out on Sony’s new flagship phones coming up, the Xperia Honami and Togari! 🙂
Im a like to snap photo in any point n lover of music. Sony’s audio is awesome than d other two. So Im getting it.
I think, Sony Xperia Z is a darn good phone, there’s no two ways about it. There’s a really crisp screen, the waterproof shell, a strong effort at making usable media apps and a quad core processor under the hood. But still it is far behind its peers. So it gets bronze in our review. Now top two in market. Where Samsung Galaxy S4 is full of features apps and tech , its poor build quality as compare to this range phones like HTC One or IPhone 5 leaves S4 at 2nd position in this comparison So only Silver for Galaxy S4. Now the winner the HTC One is a masterpiece from HTC. The build quality is superb which gives quite a competition to Iphone 5, and enshrines a really top-notch screen that really takes the fight to Samsung. Boom Sound and Ultrapixels are novel and useful concepts, and the Zoe functionality brings a twist to cameraphone use. This phone is really a best android phone in market for 2013.
xperia z the best