Galaxy vs. HTC. Which of these 3 phones is best? (Verizon $60/mo)

[GoodEnough]

I am migrating to Verizon's "loyalty" program.
$60 unlimited text/talk and 2GB data.

At the same time, I am eligible for a new smartphone.

Verizon is offering these 3 options for a 2 year contract:

• 0$ for Samsung Galaxy S III mini
• $50 for Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini
• $50 for HTC One

Which would you do?

 

[Ravynmagi]

That's the regular HTC One right? If so, this isn't even a debate, HTC One definitely.

 

[GoodEnough]

Says this.....

HTC One®
Bring your mobile world to the next level with the new HTC One®. With fast Verizon 4G LTE speeds, a home screen that streams your favorite content, a camera that springs your action to life and dual front stereo speakers, this Android™ smartphone will redefine your mobile experience in ways you may not have imagined.

 

[GoodEnough]

HTC one seems to be the best...

It has a f/2.0 camera lens. Wow.
32GB RAM
Better battery
Was originally much more expensive.

 

[s44]

Why aren't you looking at the regular S4? It's smaller and lighter than the One, with a superior camera.

Btw, the battery on the S4 mini will last longer than on the One, because the screen is smaller and the processor isn't as power-intensive. But of course that also means it isn't as fast.

 

[GoodEnough]

I can get the Galaxy S4 for $99.
Has the most reviews.

Good point about larger screens draining battery faster.

Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One
Standby Time* 288 hours vs. 259.2 hours
Usage Time* 1020 minutes vs. 684 minutes

 

[GoodEnough]

I don't need a big screen.
I might prefer the smaller Incredible 2 / S3 Mini dimensions.
The larger phone is a downside.

 

[s44]

The Moto X may be what you're looking for; I think we recommended it to you in the other thread. You should be able to get a credit/clickthrough from VZ to customize it on the Moto site too.

Inc 2 is so old you shouldn't even consider it. If you want smaller than the X then only the Droid Mini (X in a smaller frame--but just as heavy!) or S4 mini are worth considering.

Btw, I would go to the store and at least play with the LG G2. The battery life is insane, performance is superior, and despite the massive screen it's very close in size and equal in weight to the HTC One you're considering. And at $50 on contract straight from Verizon...

(You'll probably end up with the X though.)

 

[JEDIYoda]

motoX......yeah right!

 

[Bateluer]

I can get the Galaxy S4 for $99.
Has the most reviews.

Good point about larger screens draining battery faster.

Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One
Standby Time* 288 hours vs. 259.2 hours
Usage Time* 1020 minutes vs. 684 minutes

Don't pay any heed to those ratings, they're totally bogus.

Among the devices you listed though, the HTC One is clearly the best device, at least, from a technical perspective. I wouldn't touch the S3 Mini, its the oldest and least powerful, and probably abandoned by both Samsung and Verizon as far as updates go. The S4 Mini may still be a decent buy, but I'd still give props to the HTC. I have one myself.

 

[GoodEnough]

Ok, which one?
* MotoX
* LG G2
* HTC One
All are $50.

Anything else in the Verizon lineup worth considering?
Otherwise, I will go with the HTC One for $50 and commit to 2 years for $60/mo.

 

[s44]

Don't get the One. If you want big, get the G2 (we're talking nearly twice the battery life vs the One). If you want medium, get the X. If you want small, get the S4 mini.

Go play with them at the store.

 

[GoodEnough]

Ok, so LG G2 is better than the HTC One?

 

[Yuriman]

LG G2 is practically in a different league.

Also, the Moto X is quite nearly the same size as the S4 Mini, it just has a much larger percentage of the front as screen. I have the X and I'm incredibly happy with it.

Those two are basically the only two phones I'd consider, just pick your size.

 

[Dari]

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3

 

[GoodEnough]

Can someone tell me why the LG G2 is so much better than HTC One?

 

[blairharrington]

Ok, so LG G2 is better than the HTC One?

Better camera and battery life. Double tap to wake phone or weird buttons on the back. Slimy plastic back. If you use a case it's irrelevant. Bigger screen.

The One has superior speakers and is made of metal.

You should go to your local Verizon store, hold both phones, and then decide. We can only make suggestions and tell you pros and cons. I personally don't like the G2, but that's me. I don't really like the One either.

I personally would get the S4 if I had to pick today. If you don't really care about the camera than the Moto X is a good choice too. If you can wait a few weeks the follow up to the One, called the all-new One is coming for probably $200 in April. Same with the S5.

 

[ImDonly1]

Can someone tell me why the LG G2 is so much better than HTC One?

Because the G2 has a bigger battery. Also it has a newer CPU.
See the battery life here
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7251/lg-g2-and-msm8974-snapdragon-800-a-quick-look/3
It is pretty much why everyone likes it.

HTC One is a very nice phone and you would be happy with it, the G2 is just slightly newer.
The HTC One is last year's phone, a new version of it is coming out in a month or two.

The G2 is fairly new I believe.

 

[jacktesterson]

Can someone tell me why the LG G2 is so much better than HTC One?

Screen, Camera, Battery Life, Performance, Hardware...


Battery life on the LG G2 is amazing. Camera is on another level. S800 vs S600 CPU. Adreno 330 vs 320.

LG G2 is just the better phone IMO.


Only advantages I'd give the HTC One over the G2 is

1) Capability of Converting to GPE - Run Stock 4.4.2

2) Looks nicer

3) Headphone volume is louder.

 

[blairharrington]

OP if you are going to hold onto this phone for 2 years and would consider the S4 then you should spend $100 more and get the new HTC One next month or the S5. That's my take.

If you don't want to spend more than $100 then I'll vote S4.

 

[GoodEnough]

Thanks for the ideas.
I currently have a HTC Incredible 2, and I love it.
I would frankly use it for another 2 years with no problem.

I do like the small size of the Inc2.
Do you guys carry these 5" phones in your jeans pocket?

HTC Inc2 = 4"
Moto X = 4.7"
HTC One = 4.7"
S4 = 5"
LG G2 = 5.2"

 

[blairharrington]

Thanks for the ideas.
I currently have a HTC Incredible 2, and I love it.
I would frankly use it for another 2 years with no problem.

I do like the small size of the Inc2.
Do you guys carry these 5" phones in your jeans pocket?


Moto X = 4.7"
HTC One = 4.7"
S4 = 5"
LG G2 = 5.2"

It's not about the screen size. It's about the height and width of a phone. You'll be able to carry these 4 phones in your jeans pocket with no problem.

 

[GoodEnough]

Good point.
I traced out the size of the LG G2 and it's not that much bigger than my Droid Inc2.
So, any of these phones will fit into my pant pocket.

If I don't care about size, it seems like LG G2 is the best bet, right? It will cost me $50.

 

[GoodEnough]

OP if you are going to hold onto this phone for 2 years and would consider the S4 then you should spend $100 more and get the new HTC One next month or the S5. That's my take.

If you don't want to spend more than $100 then I'll vote S4.

How do you know what the new HTC One is going to cost next month?
Does Verizon have a pre sale? How much? $199?

 

[blairharrington]

How do you know what the new HTC One is going to cost next month?
Does Verizon have a pre sale? How much? $199?

I don't. But it's most likely going to be $200. That has been the standard price for a flagship the past few years that isn't a phablet. You can pretty much bank on it and the S5 being $200 on-contract.

The keynote for the One is March 25th. We should know that day when it will be available for pre-order and purchase. Keep in mind that the Verizon One's box was sold on Ebay this past week. Assuming it's real. That makes me believe that the One will be available no later than mid-April. HTC will also want the phone in stores as close to or before April 11, which is the day the S5 will be for sale.