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HTC One vs. Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 5: Spec Showdown

Galaxy S3, HTC One, iPhone 5
Image used with permission by copyright holder

HTC just refreshed its One flagship device in an attempt to join the ranks of smartphone legend. It’s not the same do or die moment we experienced with the BlackBerry Z10, but there is still a lot riding on HTC’s latest Android device. The old One and its subsequent spin-offs were great devices in their own way, but weren’t able to grab the same traction that the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 have. It does seem like HTC has put a lot of effort into the newest One though, packing it full of neat features like BlinkFeed, which – aside from the horrible name – looks like a great addition to sense. It is basically a built-in Flipboard replacement that pulls information from RSS feeds and social networks. There’s also the new camera, which promises to deliver supreme low-light capabilities and gorgeous photos using only a 4-megapixel sensor. The compulsory software treats are there, but what about the physical specs? Check out how the HTC One holds up against the competition and choose your own winner.

 

iPhone 5

iPhone 5 display
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Galaxy S3

galaxy s3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

 HTC One

New HTC One
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 (mm) 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 (mm) 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 (mm)
Weight 112g 133g 143g
Screen 4.0-inch LCD 4.8-inch Super AMOLED 4.7-inch LCD
Resolution 1136×640 pixels 1280×720 pixels 1080p
OS iOS 6.0.1 Android 4.0 with TouchWiz UI Android 4.1.2 with Sense 5
Storage 16/32/64GB 16/32GB 32GB/64GB
SD Card Slot No Yes No
Processor Dual-core A6X Dual-core Snapdragon S4 (US) Quad-core Snapdragon 600 
RAM 1GB 2GB 2GB 
Connectivity Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+ Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+
Camera Front 1.2MP, Rear 8MP Front 1.9MP, Rear 8MP Front 2.1MP, Rear 4MP
Bluetooth Yes, version 4.0 Yes, version 4.0 Yes, version 4.0
Battery 1440mAh 2100mAh 2300mAh
Charger Lightning connector Micro USB Micro USB
Marketplace Apple App Store Google Play Store Google Play Store
Price $200+ $200+ TBA
Availability AT&T, Sprint, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mob, Verizon AT&T, T-Mob, Sprint

Bottom Line: On paper, the new and improved HTC One certainly matches the specs of its competition, even surpassing both devices in the display department. Stellar specs have never been HTC’s problem, but rather its devices haven’t captured the world’s attention for whatever reason. We also have to keep in mind that the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5 are both due for a refresh this year and may very well surpass the HTC One in every department. For now though, the HTC One is a fine choice for any Android fans out there. With compelling software features and killer hardware, this looks like HTC’s time to shine.

Andrew Kalinchuk
Andrew covers news and opinions pertaining to smartphones, tablets, and all else mobile for Digital Trends. He recently…
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