htc just pumps out cheap phones that get the job done - we all know that. it's like comparing white box(or generic pc maker ASUS) to apple computer.
One is making the same parts for many people - throw it in a custom case (hp,lenovo,etc) and call it a day. The other is custom building everything.
This is just the apple way. They optimize the piss out of their product to squeeze every last penny of profit margin. Where as HTC has to make so many products for so many people they just throw parts du jour in to meet spec and move on to the next revision.