Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One: Software Feature Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One are arguably two of the best Android smartphones of 2013, but neither phone is a pure Android smartphone. Samsung and HTC rely heavily on the software features to enhance the user experience and stand apart from each other, and the Nexus 4, in a crowded Android smartphone market.

This plethora of software features is also a strategy to compete with the iPhone 5, and to offer a unique experience that each company feels is better than the vanilla version of Android that Google offers on the Nexus 4.

Samsung focuses on sensors and smart features which come as part of TouchWiz, a fancy name for the skin and special software features that ship on the Samsung Galaxy S4. These software features bring the best features from the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2 and add a few more which will launch with the Galaxy S4.

HTC may not include the same set of sensors, but it does ship the HTC One with HTC Sense 5. As the number suggests, HTC Sense is not a new software innovation from HTC, but with HTC Sense 5 users get a cleaner look and a collection of smart new features.

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One Software Features

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One compete with special software features.

Many users will compare the design, style and specs of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, but a closer look at the software is just as important when trying to pick the best Android smartphone. Of course, check out our Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One breakdown to see how the two devices stack up in this regard.

After spending time with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, it’s time to share how the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One software stack up.

HTC Sense 5 vs. TouchWiz

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One run similar versions of Android, but on top of Android, is a skin that changes the look and functionality of Android. Both phones run a modified version of Android Jelly Bean, but that’s where the similarities stop.

Samsung TouchWiz and Nature UX sit on top of Android, offering up a more colorful version of Android with extra apps and features that connect the phone to other Samsung devices. The Samsung Galaxy S4 builds on the features and designs of the Galaxy S3, and offers a familiar experience.

HTC places HTC Sense 5 on the HTC One. This new version of HTC Sense includes several new features such as BlinkFeed, which takes over the home screen with a news feed and social network section that makes it easy to follow topics and friends. HTC Sense 5 brings a more minimal look to Android icons and other areas of the user interface.

Both of the phones offer a launcher with 4 apps at the bottom of the home screen and customizable app drawers. The HTC One runs Android 4.1.2 with an update to Android 4.2 rumored in the next month and the Samsung Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2.2, the latest version of Android.

Galaxy S4 Smart Features vs. HTC One

The Samsung Galaxy S4 takes the lead in the software department when it comes to smart features. The Samsung Galaxy S4 features nine sensors that let users control the phone with motion, eye tracking and even without touching the display.

The video below highlights the Samsung Galaxy S4 software features such as Air View, Motion control and eye-tracking.

With Air View, Galaxy S4 users can hover a finger above the display to see a preview of a text, email, photo or place in a video. The motion control allow users to swipe over the phone to answer a call or scroll through a web page.

With eye-tracking the Galaxy S4 display can stay on when it detects a user is looking at it. Additionally, it allows a user to combine motion to scroll without touching the screen. The Samsung Galaxy S4 can also use this eye-tracking technology to automatically pause video when a user looks away.

The HTC One is a feature packed phone, but it does not offer any of these features with HTC Sense 5.

HTC Zoe vs. Galaxy S4 Camera Features

The HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 are both designed with mobile photographers in mind. HTC tries something new this time around with an Ultrapixel camera that uses large pixels to deliver better low light photos. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is equipped with a 13MP camera which Samsung enhances with some new photo features.

The HTC One arrives with HTC Zoe, a feature that shoots a 3 second video and 20 photos with the push of a shutter. This makes it possible to capture motion, photos and sound all at once. Users can then share the Zoe as a moving photo or edit it to make a photo that shows multiple frames. On stage HTC Zoe sounded like a gimmick, but ater using it for a week it’s clearly a great HTC One feature.

The video above shows the Sequence shot feature in action, thanks to HTC Zoe. There is also the ability to take a group photo and pick the best face for each person in the photo, something that can accomodate a larger group thanks to the wide-angle camera.

HTC also bundles in an eraser feature that lets users remove unwanted people and objects from a photo. The video below highlights the feature.

Another cool HTC One feature relates to video. Users can pick between slow motion and regular speed, slowing down a video at a dramatic point. Check it out in action in the video below.

Rounding out the camera software features on the HTC One is the Video Highlights feature which creates a video highlights reel of an event. Check out one we made in the video below.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 doesn’t deliver an HTC Zoe competitor directly, but with a collection of features it delivers a similar experience. The standout Samsung Galaxy S4 camera feature is Dual camera mode, a setting that combines the front and rear facing cameras to let the photographer be part of the photo or video. Check it out in action below.

In addition to combining the cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S4 can also combine sound with a photo. The Sound & Shot feature is similar to HTC Zoe’s combination of photos and sound, but there is no video component. The Samsung Galaxy S4 ad below shows how this works, and why you might want to use it.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 camera app also includes familiar favorited like a group shot that lets you pick the best face and a new eraser mode that helps users remove unwanted people from photos.

HTC BlinkFeed vs. Samsung Home Screen

The HTC One delivers BlinkFeed, a new way to check updates from friends and favorite news sources. HTC Blinkfeed is customizable, and the HTC One software hands on video below shows it in action.

HTC BlinkFeed allows users to pick from a wide variety of sources, topics and connect to social networks. In addition to showing social networks, it also lets users update Facebook and Twitter from that main screen. This is the main home screen, but users can swipe to get a familiar Android home screen with apps and widgets.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a more common Android experience with multiple home screens, support for widgets and some built in widgets like the Galaxy S3 shipped with, but there is no direct BlinkFeed competitor.

Samsung S TV vs. HTC Sense TV

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One both include IR which allows users to control an HDTV with the phone. The HTC One ships with Sense TV, which includes fast access to favoriet shows. Tap once on a show and the software automatically changes the channel to it.

HTC Sense TV is a companion app that turns the HTC One into a remote control.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 uses WatchOn software to deliver a similar experience. The WatchOn software includes a similar looking interface that allows users to pick a show and have the S4 change the channel. This software also offers a search function which can search TV channels as well as Samsung’s movie rental and sales service. The Galaxy S4 also features a Peel Smartphone app for manual control.

Multi View vs. HTC One

The Samsung Galaxy S4 includes Multi-View, a feature that lets users run two apps on the screen at the same time. This is a very nice way to do more on the 5-inch 1080P HD display. We may see some limits to the apps that can runin dual screen mode on the U.S. model based on the Galaxy Note 2.

The video above highlights the Multi-View feature on the Galaxy Note 2. The user experience is the same on the Galaxy S4.

The HTC One does not offer such a feature to users, so there is no way to use two apps on the screen at the same time with the HTC One.

Two vs. Three Buttons

The Samsung Galaxy S4 features three buttons, while the HTC One only offers two. This changes some of the Android interaction and in many apps leads to an extra bar at the bottom of the screen. Because there is no menu botton on the HTC One, some apps will show one on screen, like in the screen shot below.

The HTC One does not feature a menu button, and instead shows one on screen.

By removing one button, there are a few other limitations, though HTC does a decent job of adding in multiple taps to address them. The HTC One home button can; take a user home, launch Google Now with a long press or launch Multitasking with a double tap. The back button only goes back, but there is a tweak that allows it to also act as a menu button, removing the on screen menu bar. This may ship as a standard feature on the HTC One for T-Mobile AT&T and Sprint.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a physical button which acts as the home button, a menu key and a back button. The home button offers similar functionality with a single press, long press and double tap. A single press goes home, a long press opens the multitasking menu (where access to Google Now is found) and a double tap opens S-Voice.

S Voice Drive vs. HTC Car Mode

The HTC One features a Car mode which offers some in car voice control, but it is only able to use the built in music app and make calls. The Samsung Galaxy S4 includes S-Voice Drive, which is more full featured and an extension of S Voice.

S Voice from the Galaxy S4 on the Nexus 4 (left) vs S Voice on the Galaxy S3 (right).

S Voice drive can control navigation, music and phone calls as well as check weather and other information while you are driving. Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users can try out S Voice Drive right now.

Best Galaxy S3 Accessories

The Galaxy S3 is popular enough that users can find a range of great Galaxy S3 accessories to extend the usefulness of the phone. From Galaxy S3 cases and bluetooth speakers to adapters that connect the Galaxy S3 to a HDTV or projector, here are some of the best, and essential, Galaxy S3 accessories.

We don’t see the same number of accessories as the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, but because the Galaxy S3 is available on all major U.S. carriers and across the world there are more accessories than we’ve seen for many Android phones in the past.

Read: Best Galaxy S3 Cases

Even with the Galaxy S4 release approaching, we expect to see several new Galaxy S3 accessories launch in 2013 from Samsung and from third-party vendors.

Check out the best Galaxy S3 accessories below, and check back for updates as they become available.

Galaxy S3 Flip Cover

One accessory that any smartphone needs is a case or cover. While some may feel it may not be necessary to have one for their device, a case can help prevent scratches, screen cracks and other harm that may happen to the device. For the Galaxy S3 a good option is the Samsung Flip Cover. The Flip Cover replaces the back battery cover of the phone to prevent damage to the device. The Flip Cover also has a front section to protect the screen from accidental scratches and drops. When the flip cover is not in use it can fold behind the phone so that it is not in the way. $39.99 at Samsung

1 / 7

6 Ways the HTC One Could Beat the Samsung Galaxy S4

Yesterday, HTC launched its 2013 flagship, theHTC One, a phone that was long rumored as the HTC M7. The device will be a competitor to not only devices on the market right now, but to devices that will be coming to shelves in the future. One of those devices is the Samsung Galaxy S4, a device that like the HTC One, has been rumored to be coming this year.

Since late 2012, two rumored Android smartphones have dominated the news. One of those phones was the HTC M7, a device that was rumored to be replacing the HTC One X and HTC One X+, two of the company’s flagships from 2012. HTC was rumored to be announcing the phone at press events on February 19th, yesterday, and sure enough, HTC delivered.

Read: 6 Ways the Samsung Galaxy S4 Could Beat the HTC One.

The HTC One is a specimen to say the least, combining serious hardware including a 1080p display and quad-core processor with a new version of HTC’s well-known Sense software that will sit atop Android.

The device, unlike its predecessors, will also be coming to several carriers in the United States including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. HTC and those carriers still haven’t set a release date or pricing but the HTC One is slated to hit Europe on March 15th and rumors suggest that the U.S. may get the HTC One on March 22nd.

That March 15th date, while several weeks off, is extremely interesting given the rumors surrounding one of the HTC One’s likely competitors, the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Samsung has long been rumored to be announcing a Galaxy S4 to replace the wildly popular Galaxy S3, a device that went on to sell over 40 million units around the world, and it has been rumored to be doing so in the near future.

Current rumors suggest that the Galaxy S4 will launch at an event on March 14th, just a day before HTC is supposedly going to be releasing the HTC One in the UK.

Read: HTC One Release Could Crash Galaxy S4 Launch.

The HTC One will compete with the Galaxy S4.

As we’ve suggested, it might be a little revenge on the part of HTC as the Galaxy S4 launch date rumor/confirmation came just a day ahead of the HTC One’s announcement.

Whether or not the Galaxy S4 is coming on March 14th is up for debate. What’s not up for debate though is whether or not it will be a high-end smartphone, and one that competes with the HTC One. It will be.

Yesterday, we took a look at several ways that the Samsung Galaxy S4 could beat the HTC One and today, it’s time to do the reverse.

Here now are six ways wherein HTC’s latest and greatest smartphone, the HTC One, could beat the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S4, a device that is already the most anticipated smartphone of the year.

6 Ways the HTC One Could Beat the Samsung Galaxy S4

Design

While Samsung has been content on releasing smartphones with polycarbonate plastic designs, case in point the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2, HTC has taken a different route, an almost Apple route, to the design of its smartphones.

The HTC One X delivered one of the best smartphone designs of 2012 with its sleek aluminum unibody design that was as pleasant to look at as it was to hold.  With the HTC One, HTC has gone down the same road.

HTC’s One is comprised of a full metal design that the company touts as minimalistic and rugged. HTC also claims it has no gaps in its construction and the result of this design is a device that keeps virtually the same texture throughout.

The HTC One features a full metal curved design.

It also includes Gorilla Glass on the front, a camera ring on the back – something that HTC is known for, and curved glass. All in all, the device is quite the specimen and it’s one that, like the iPhone 5, feels like a device that costs $199.99.

Yes, the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 designs are sleek but for quite awhile now, consumers have been hoping for a change from the plastic. Unfortunately, there are no signs that indicate that the Galaxy S4 will sport anything but plastic.

Instead, the device is rumored to look like the Galaxy S3, and possibly the Galaxy Note 8.0, both of which should offer plastic designs.

Ultrapixel Camera

One of the features that HTC touted at the HTC One launch was the new Ultrapixel camera that will be coming on board the device. For those that take a lot of photos and video with their smartphone, and many consumers do, this should be a huge plus and one that could potentially dwarf the Galaxy S4′s camera.

The Ultrapixel camera features a 4-megapixel BSI sensor with a f/2.0 lens. HTC claims that the HTC One’s Ultrapixel camera lets in 300 percent more light than the average smartphone which translates into better low light performance. Low light photos have been the downfall of many smartphone cameras, its certainly a weakness of the iPhone 5′s, so HTC’s inclusion of this new sensor is a big upgrade.

A photo sample from the Ultrapixel, in comparison to the iPhone 5, can be seen below.

HTC One camera versus the iPhone 5 camera.

Rumors suggest the Galaxy S4 camera will be 13MP, an upgrade over the cameras on the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2. Based on the past though, there is reason to believe that HTC’s camera could potentially best the Galaxy S3′s.

The HTC One X camera from last year was far and away better than the Galaxy S3′s and Samsung didn’t even bother to change the camera in the Galaxy Note 2 from the original Galaxy Note’s.

We could see more emphasis placed on the camera this year with a new sensor, but HTC has the proven track record and it could be that the HTC One’s biggest advantage is its camera.

Wide Angle Front-Facing Camera

For some a good front-facing camera doesn’t matter. But for a host of other people, a fantastic front-facing camera is important.

The HTC One will certainly appeal to the latter group as it contains a wide angle front-facing camera that is able to capture far more on-screen content than the HTC One X and many of the other phones from 2012.

The inclusion of a wide angle camera will make for better conference calls with multiple employees, improved chats with a son or daughter with a new born, or just silly video chats with groups of friends.

The HTC One will have a wide angle front-facing camera.

There is no evidence that Samsung will be including anything similar on the Galaxy S4 and given its past with cameras, it could be that it comes with a simple front-facing camera, perhaps 2MP in nature.

For many people it will do the trick, but for those that are constantly using Google+ Hangouts or Skype or any of the other video chat services out there, a wide angle front-facing camera will be preferable. So again, this could be an area where the HTC One bests the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Audio

While other smartphones often making sharing videos and music with friends a hassle due to their poor performing speakers, the HTC One comes with some impressive audio that could put the Galaxy S4 to shame.

HTC is calling its new dual front-facing speakers HTC BoomSound which the company says will deliver louder sound with far less distortion than typical smartphones. They also utilize built-in amplifiers which should mean that owners won’t have to cup the speakers in order to share a song or video with a friend nearby.

The HTC One features impressive smartphone audio.

There is no evidence that Samsung will include something similar with the Galaxy S4 and in the past, we haven’t seen the company focus on the audio of the smartphone as much as HTC has.

So again, the HTC One’s audio, which also utilizes a dual-microphone for better phone and video quality, could best the Galaxy S4′s.

Home Theater

One of the lesser talked about features of the HTC One is actually, in our opinion, one of the features that many users are going to actually care about.

Rumors suggested that the HTC One might come with an IR Sensor on board, and sure enough, HTC announced the HTC One with that very ability only it didn’t announce it in that way.

The HTC One’s IR sensor will turn it into a virtual remote.

Instead, the company refers to the feature as Sense TV, and it will allow users to use the HTC One as a universal remote, much in the same way as remotes like the Logitech Harmony. Those who love watching content on their television without the clutter will come to appreciate being able to flip channels with their phone while keeping the clutter around the TV to a minimum.

An IR sensor has not arisen in any of the Galaxy S4 rumors thus far and it’s entirely possible that Samsung skips out on including one in the Galaxy S4 which would make the HTC One a better choice for those that wish to be able to control their home theater, very easily, with their smartphone.

Android UI

With the HTC One, HTC revealed its brand-new software dubbed Sense 5.0. It’s the latest in its line of Sense software and it also is a big departure from the previous incarnations of the UI.

The software, in line with the hardware, offers a more minimalist version of the HTC Sense skin which should be familiar to anyone that has owned an HTC smartphone. The HTC Sense 5 skin though features new flatter looking widgets that are reminiscent of Windows Phone 8 design.

Along with the new design, it also features some new software including a feature called BlinkFeed that HTC touted on stage. BlinkFeed is a widget news that aggregates news and photos from a variety of sources including ESPN, MTV, LinkedIn and others. Think of it as a more ambient version of Flipboard.

Users can also still access the standard Android home screen simply by swiping to the left.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will almost certainly feature new software though it’s unclear exactly what it might have on board. There are whispers about some bold news features and it could be that Samsung delivers some fantastic new functionality to its Nature UX.

However, we can’t count HTC Sense 5.0 out as it appears to be close to if not HTC’s best effort yet and the addition of new features won’t necessarily translate into a better UI which means that HTC Sense 5.0 could still top anything new in TouchWiz.

Verizon Galaxy S4 Sign Up Live, No Pre-Order Yet

Just a day after Verizon confirmed that itsSamsung Galaxy S4 release date would fall in May, the carrier has put up a sign up page for those interested in buying its Galaxy S4 when it does go on sale. Unfortunately though, the sign up page was not accompanied by the arrival of a pre-order for the device.

Read: Verizon Galaxy S4 Release Date Confirmed for May.

While many other U.S. carriers have confirmed information in regards to the Samsung Galaxy S4, Verizon Wireless has been relatively quiet about its version of the 5-inch, 1080p smartphone. That is, until yesterday, when Verizon finally confirmed that the Galaxy S4 would be arriving at some point in May, though it does not yet have a specific release date.

The Verizon Galaxy S4 sign up page is live.

Today, Verizon has taken another step towards release with the debut of a sign up page for the official Galaxy S4 which will allow prospective buyers to sign up to get more information in regards to the device’s release. The arrival of this sign up page did not bring a pre-order for the device and there is still no date set for a pre-order, if one does arrive.

AT&T, U.S. Cellular and Sprint are currently taking pre-orders for the device while T-Mobile seems content on simply releasing the Galaxy S4 on April 24th, potentially ahead of the other carriers.

So far, release dates include April 24th for T-Mobile, April 27th for Sprint, and potentially April 23rd or April 24th for AT&T which recently moved up its shipping time for the device from April 30th to April 23rd. U.S. Cellular, which is also taking pre-orders, has declined to offer a specific date other than to say it will arrive by the end of April.

Read: Verizon Teases May 22nd Announcement: 5 Possibilities.

This is the Verizon Galaxy S4.

This likely means that Verizon will be the last major U.S. carrier to offer the Galaxy S4 as it plans to offer it sometime in May. Rumors have suggested that the arrival could come as late as May 30th. Verizon is hosting some sort of launch event on May 22nd at CTIA in Las Vegas though its unclear if that is connected in any way to this device.

The carrier has also been rumored to be announcing the HTC One, a Lumia 928 and a Motorola X Phone which could arrive at Google I/O shortly before that event.

Whatever the case may be, Verizon is moving fast towards its Galaxy S4 release date.

Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5 vs. HTC One: Best Smartphone Screen Battle

The Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and the iPhone 5 are some of the best smartphonesavailable on any carrier in the U.S. and one of the most noteworthy parts of each phone is the display.

These three top smartphones offer a range of sizes, resolution and screen technology that offer shoppers a lot of choice. Depending on how you plan to use each smartphone, there are clear advantages to some of the screen technology.

A new collection of screen comparisons with close-ups, viewing angle tests and brightness comparisons show where the iPhone 5, HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 shine.

These new set of photos come from PhoneArena, a mobile site with early access to the Samsung Galaxy S4, offering a round of comparisons to not only the HTC One and the iPhone 5, but also the Nokia Lumia 920, Sony Xperia Z and Samsung Galaxy S3.

The iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S4 screen.

In the following photos we can see how the screens of the best smartphones of 2013 compare to each other, which can help shoppers plan which smartphone they want to buy. The Samsung Galaxy S4 pre-orders start on April 16th in the U.S. and the first Samsung Galaxy S4 release date s just two weeks later on May 1st.

Read: See What The Samsung Galaxy S4 Looks Like Next to the Best Smartphones

The iPhone 5 is already widely available, as are the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. The Sony Xperia Z is available in the UK and other regions, but may never make it to the U.S. The HTC One was originally planned for a U.S. release date by now, but delays are pushing the phone back into late April.

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One vs. iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 vs Sony Xperia Z Screen Comparison

The collection of images below show a close up of the Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5, Sony Xperia Z, HTC One, Galaxy S3 and Nokia Lumia 920.

These phones feature varying resolutions and screen technology which results in varying looks and screen quality. The biggest thing we notice in Samsung displays is the lack of a bright white, something these images show. This is thanks to the Super AMOLED technology used in the display. The overall look of the screen is not as green as shown below when viewed in person, but there is less than white look to the display while viewing text on white backgrounds.

This image shows the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen compared to the best smartphones on the market.

The image also makes it possible to take a look at the difference in screen quality. The Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z and HTC One offer slightly sharper text definition than the iPhone 5, thanks to the higher resolution. These phones use a 1080P HD display, while the iPhone 5 Retina Display is 1136 x 640.

The images below shows a close up of the text on the Phone 5, Galaxy S4 and HTC One. This is closer than a user will ever get to the screen, but it hows how the higher pixel-per-inch rating looks up close.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Screen

This is a close up of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display. Here we get a look at the pixels, and the reason behind the less than white, white that we see on the Galaxy S4 display.

Samsung Galaxy S4 screen close up.

Even up close it is difficult to distinguish the actual pixels on the screen. This translates into better looking text and photos.

iPhone 5 Screen

This close up of the iPhone 5 screen shows where the bright white background comes from, and highlights why some users prefer a higher than Retina Display resolution.

Apple iPhone 5 screen close up.

In this image we get a look at the pixels and can see a clear difference between the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S4. Again, this is closer than you will be to the screen, but it highlights a difference between these displays.

HTC One Screen

The image below shows a close up of the HTC One display. Here we get a good look at how HTC delivers a bright white background and very defined text.

HTC One screen close up.

Compared to the iPhone 5, the HTC One’s higher resolution is a plus in this example.