If you're in the market for a new smartphone this year, chances are good you're seriously considering two highly anticipated handsets: the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.
Both offer tempting helpings of powerful components, advanced features, and cutting-edge software.
Screen
Samsung Galaxy S4
Perhaps the most striking thing about the GS4 is its massive 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display. It also features a sharp 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi (pixels per inch).
HTC One
HTC gave the One a 4.7-inch LCD screen that's slightly smaller than the Galaxy S4's but boasts the same 1,920x1,080 resolution. As a result, the HTC One's display has a higher pixel density of 468ppi.
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S4
The GS4 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB configurations, though not for every market in which it'll be sold. Expect U.S. carriers to sell it in the smaller capacities, starting at $199 for the 16GB version and $249 for double that amount.
Unlike HTC, Samsung isn't a fan of sealing up devices; as a result, the Galaxy S4 comes with a microSD card slot that can handle up to 64GB of additional memory goodness for storing photos, videos, games, and apps.
HTC One
One consequence of the HTC One's beautiful , aluminum unibody design is that its chassis is sealed. Add in the phone's thin design, and you've got no room for a microSD card slot to add extra storage. HTC does its best to alleviate the situation by eschewing a 16GB model and packing the handset with either a sizable 32GB, or a whopping 64GB of internal memory. Significantly, the on-contract price of the 32GB One starts at the same $199 price of a 16GB S4.
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung equips the Galaxy S4 with a 2,600mAh battery that's user removable. It pops out when you remove the back cover, which makes swapping it out for a fresh one a simple maneuver. Samsung will also offer batteries that are compatible with wireless chargers.
HTC One
By contrast, the HTC One features a slightly lower capacity 2,300mAh battery, which is embedded. That means you can't remove it on the fly for a fully charged battery pack. Also, if the HTC One's battery fails, you'll need to send the device in for repair, or replace the phone for a fresh handset.
Operating system
Samsung Galaxy S4
Right out of the box, the Galaxy S4 will run Google's latest version of Android Jelly Bean, Android 4.2.2. That's great news for Android fans who can enjoy the all important bragging rights that come with owning a cutting-edge smartphone. However, Samsung does have its own user interface, formerly known as TouchWiz, so you're not getting a pure Android Jelly Bean experience.
HTC One
The HTC One uses the slightly older iteration of Jelly Bean, Android version 4.1.2. Nevertheless, the HTC One does support the enhanced Google Now search function, which can also be used as a dedicated widget on the phone's home screen. Of course, HTC layers its latest Sense user interface over Android, which many have blamed for holding up Android updates in earlier HTC smartphones.
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