Flagship smartphones from five of the biggest mobile phone makers compared. With the usual thinner, smarter, lighter, bigger, and the usual speed bumps from one generation to the next, how do these flagship smartphones compare with one another.
The 5 Best Smartphones
We take a look at a comparative review based on specifications of the top 5 best smartphones in the industry from smartphone giants; Apple, HTC, LG, Samsung and Sony.
Apple iPhone 5S [from £449]
HTC One M8 [from £523]
LG G Flex [from £420]
Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony Xperia Z2 [from £545]
New to the Scene
Q1 of 2014 sees the launch of three highly anticipated smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S5 – April, next generation HTC One (M8) – March and Sony Xperia Z2 – April.
Samsung Galaxy S5
Following on the heels of Apple, the Samsung Galaxy S5 now comes with a finger print reader as a secure biometric screen lock (unlock) and to work with apps such as PayPal to complete online transactions securely. Samsung has also shifted it’s focus on making the battery last longer with Power Saving Mode that turns the display to black and white or shuts down unnecessary features to save battery. The body is also designed to be dust and water resistant. Another clever function is the combination of 4G LTE download speed and WiFi to offer super fast browsing and downloads by enabling simultaneous connection. The 16MP rear camera is dubbed the world’s fastest autofocus camera and has features such as Selective Focus so you can decide on the subject to focus on while blurring out everything else. Lastly, the Galaxy S5 also comes with a heart rate monitor and pedometer built-in and it works seamlessly with Samsung Gear Fit and Gear Neo smart watches.
HTC One (M8)
The all aluminium design makes the HTC One stands out. It’s the only smartphone with the exception of the iPhone, that uses an aluminium body. Crafted from a single block of aluminium, it is a stunning phone with smooth finish on the edges and brushed aluminium back that curves to fit the palm. As with all previous HTC phones, the focus on user interface (UI) is evident here. HTC Blinkfeed provides a social and news home screen that includes your favourite content and trending topics in a magazine layout similar to Flipboard. It also has the highest resolution front facing camera at 5MP on a wide angle lens and self-timer shooting so you don’t compromise on quality when taking selfies. The rear camera Ultrapixel sensors, will have no problem shooting in any lighting conditions and the Duo Camera feature takes different layers of the same shot to let you choose where to focus, to soften the backgrounds and add 3D-like effects. UFocus feature lets you decide what to focus on after you have taken the picture. For ease of control, the Motion Launch lets you wake up the phone with a double tap, swipe up for the last app, left for widgets and right for HTC Blinkfeed even from sleep mode. To take incoming calls, simply lift up your phone to answer. Lastly, the HTC BoomSound feature provides one of the best sound production on a smartphone with dedicated amplifiers and a pair of front spacing speakers.
The Five Corner Shootout
Apple iPhone 5S vs HTC One M8 vs LG G Flex vs Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Sony Xperia Z2. Here is a look at the spec by spec comparison:
Processor, Memory, Storage
Only the iPhone 5S has a future proof 64bit processor. Both HTC One (M8) and Sony Experia Z2 shares the same quad-core processor , the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 running at 2.3GHz. LG has a slightly slower processor at 2.26GHz using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 instead while Samsung has a speed topping 2.5GHz Krait 400 from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 series.
Apple iPhone 5S: 1.3 GHz Dual-core Apple A7 processor with 64-bit architecture and M7 motion coprocessor, 1GB RAM, 16/32/64GB Storage
HTC One (M8): 2.3 GHz Quad-core processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB Storage (up to 128GB)
LG G Flex: 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM, 32GB Storage
Samsung Galaxy S5: 2.5GHz Quad Core, 2GB RAM, 16GB/32GB Storage + microSD Slot (up to 128GB) [Highest Clock Speed]
Sony Xperia Z2: 2.3 GHz Qualcomm MSM8974AB Quad-core, 3GB RAM, 16GB Storage + microSD Slot (up to 128GB) [Biggest Memory]
Display
Apple iPhone 5S: 4″ (1136 x 640), 326ppi
HTC One (M8): 5.0″ Full HD 1080 (1920 x 1080), 441ppi [Highest Pixel Density]
LG G Flex: 6.0″ HD Curved POLED (1280 x 720), 245 ppi [Biggest Screen and First with Flexible Display]
Samsung Galaxy S5: 5.1″ FHD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080), 432ppi
Sony Xperia Z2: 5.2″ FHD TRILUMINOS (1920 x 1080), 424ppi
Battery
Most smartphones that we have used to does not last for over a day through active use. Vendors are putting power management features in place to turn off un-used features and notifications, introduce deeper sleep (leaving only minimal phone functions) as well as the ability to turn the colours on the display to black an white to save everydrop of juice on the battery and to maximise the battery life per charge. On the other hand, vendors are also squeezing bigger and higher capacity batteries into the only thin packages.
Apple iPhone 5S: 1560mAh (talktime 10 hrs (3G), standby 250hrs)
HTC One (M8): 2600mAh (talktime 14hrs(2G)/20hrs(3G), standby 271hrs(2G)/496hrs(3G))
LG G Flex: 3500mAh Li-Polymer (3400 for T-mobile) (talktime 15hrs, standby 720hrs) [Highest Capacity]
Samsung Galaxy S5: 2800mAh (talktime 21hrs, standby 390hrs) [Best Talk Time]
Sony Xperia Z2: 3200mAh (talktime 19hrs, standby 749hrs)
Cameras
Smartphones are already replacing point and shoot digital cameras. With clever camera features, high pixel density sensors, flash, lenses, effects and editing software as well as ease of sharing, it makes sense to use the camera on the smartphone instead of carrying another camera. Features include dual shot, simultaneous HD video and image recording, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detectio, image stabilisation, HDR, Panorama. Sony Xperia comes up on top with a 20.7MP rear camera while both LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy S5 have 13MP and 16MP sensors respectively. The HTC chose Dual 4MP Ultrapixel sensor each that can do some pretty clever stuff. However, the actual output quality of the images my differ as there are other factors at play when it comes to taking a good image such as lense, lighthing and software optimisation.
Apple iPhone 5S: 8MP with 1.5µ pixels, f/2.2 aperture and five-element lens rear camera, 1.2MP (1280 x 960) FaceTime camera
HTC One (M8): Dual 4MP (1/3″, 2µm pixels, dual LED flash) rear camera, 5MP front camera [Highest Resolution Front Camera]
LG G Flex: 13MP AF BSI rear camera, 2.1MP front camera (1080 capture and playback)
Samsung Galaxy S5: 16MP (1/2.6″, Phase Detection AF) rear camera, 2.0MP (1920 x 1080) wide angle front camera
Sony Xperia Z2: 20.7MP (1/2.3″, Image Stabilsation) rear camera, 2.2MP 4K video capture [Highest Resolution Rear Camera]
Sound
Apple iPhone 5S: bottom facing stereo speakers
HTC One (M8): HTC BoomSound front facing stereo speakers with top and bottom speaker chambers and amplifier [Best Sound]
LG G Flex: Single rear facing speaker
Samsung Galaxy S5: Single rear facing speaker
Sony Xperia Z2: Dual stereo speakers bottom and top with digital noise cancelling technology (Active Noise Control) [Digital Noise Cancelling Tech]
Durability
Apple iPhone 5S: Corning Glass and anodised aluminium body
HTC One (M8): – Corning Glass and Brushed metal unibody frame
LG G Flex: Cureved Corning Glass and Plastic self healing back cover copes with scratches, curved screen and body that flexes; bends flat up to 180 degress for a limited time but does not twist or bend inward. [Bendable]
Samsung Galaxy S5: Corning Glass Plastic IP67 (Ingress Protection) certified dust and water resistant [Dust and Water Resistant]
Sony Xperia Z2: Corning Glass panels front and back, IP55 and IP58 dust and waterproof to 1.5m for up to 30 mins [Dust and Waterproof]
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 5S: LTE, 802.11abgn dual-band, lightning port
HTC One (M8): LTE, 802.11abgnac, DLNA, BT4.0, microUSB 2.0
LG G Flex: 802.11abgnac, Miracast, SmartShare, BT4.0
Samsung Galaxy S5: LTE Cat 4 (150/50mbps), 802.11abgnac VHT80, MIMO(2×2) with download booster (LTE and WiFi simultaneous reception), NFC, BT4.0, USB3.0, IrLED, DLNA, microUSB 3.0
Sony Xperia Z2: LTE, 802.11abgnac, NFC, BT4.0, USB3.0, DLNA, microUSB 2.0
Sensors
Sensors are pretty standard on smartphones. Common across all phones include accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass and barometer. Finger print or biometric readers are available on the iPhone 5S and Galaxy S5, while the Galaxy S5 also comes with a heart rate sensor built-in. With the exception of the iPhone 5S, all phones includes NFC (Near Field Communication). The other feature absent on the iPhone 5S and the Xperia Z2 is the infrared blaster for remote control, while this won’t go amiss.
Apple iPhone 5S: three-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light and finger print identity sensor
HTC One (M8): Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, infrared port, NFC
LG G Flex: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, infrared port, NFC
Samsung Galaxy S5: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, hall, RGB ambient light, gesture, infrared port, fingerprint, heart rate sensor, NFC [Loaded]
Sony Xperia Z2: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, NFC
Dimensions & Weight
Apple iPhone 5S: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm, 112g [Smallest and Lightest]
HTC One (M8): 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm, 160g
LG G Flex: 160.5 mm x 81.6 mm x 7.9/8.7 mm, 177g
Samsung Galaxy S5: 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1mm, 145g
Sony Xperia Z2: 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm, 163g
Colours Options
Apple iPhone 5S: Space Gray, Gold, Silver
HTC One (M8): Silver brushed metal
LG G Flex: Black
Samsung Galaxy S5: Black, White, Gold, Blue
Sony Xperia Z2: White, Black, Purple
Price (Retail SIM free without contract)
Apple iPhone 5S: £549 (16GB), £629 (32G), £709 (64GB)
HTC One (M8): £549 (Online Retailer £523.12)
LG G Flex: £499 (Online Retailer £420.00)
Samsung Galaxy S5: £550
Sony Xperia Z2: £599 (Online Retailer £549)
Operating System
Apple iPhone 5S: iOS7 (& updates)
HTC One (M8): Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
LG G Flex: Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Samsung Galaxy S5: Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
Sony Xperia Z2: 4.4 (KitKat)
Notable Features
Apple iPhone 5S: Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor built into the Home button, free Apple Apps (iWorks, iMovie, GarageBand, iPhoto and others)
HTC One (M8): brushed metal body, wrap-around unibody frame, fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, Photo Effects (Duo Camera and Ufocus), great sound from front firing stereo speakers
LG G Flex: Curved screen
Samsung Galaxy S5: camera with super fast auto focus, finger scanner, biometric screen lock, camera with superfast auto-focus, Emergency Mode, Ultra Power Saving Mode, S Health (heart rate sensor), Quick Connect, Private Mode, Kids Mode, Download Booster (using both 4G and WiFi) for browsing and download, dust and water resistant. Works with Samsung’s wearable technologies.
Sony Xperia Z2: Digital noise cancelling to cancel out background noise, digital noise cancelling headphones also included, dust and water proof to 1.5m for up to 30 mins, 4K video capture, 20MP camera, Timeshift video model that records 120 frames per second and edit video for slow-motion effects. The camera also works underwater.
What else is out there… Nokia Lumia 930
Also worth waiting for is the Nokia Lumia 930, Nokia’s flagship Windows Phone 8.1 to launch in June 2014. Specifications as below:
2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
2GB RAM, 32GB storage
LTE, 802.11 abgnac, BT4.0 LE
5″ OLED ClearBlack, FHD 1080p (1920 x 1080), 441ppi
20MP Pure View with Zeiss optic rear camera, 1.2MP wide angle front camera
Aluminium frame with polycarbonate back
Dimension & Weight: 9.81 x 137 x 71 mm, 167g
Battery: 2420mAh, Talktime 11.5hrs (2G), 15.5 (3G), standby 18days
Colours: orange, green, black, white
All features and specifications are based on information provided by manufacturer.
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