While it tends to be Samsung’s flagship handsets that take the lion-share of Android smartphone sales, there’s a lot to love about the high-end devices from LG and HTC. There’s a fair argument to be made for the HTC One (M8) handset being the current king of the Android crop, and maybe even the best smartphone on the market full stop. That said, the newly announced LG G3 wins out against the One in a number of key categories. Read on as we compare the two devices in an effort to see whether the G3 has what it takes to topple the Android king.
Size
There’s not a huge difference between the two devices when it comes to size, though the G3 is a little wider and thinner than the competition.
Weight
Despite its larger footprint, the LG handset is a little lighter than the One M8.
Build
While the G3 makes do with a faux metal look, the HTC opts for an aluminium design that feels great in the hand.
Colors
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to color choices for the two handsets. Both manufacturers have gone for somewhat muted tones, with LG offering a couple more variants than HTC.
Display (size)
Both displays here are expansive, though the LG is the larger of the two. Though the G3’s display is only 0.5-inches larger than the HTC’s diagonally, that difference amounts to 21 percent more screen area.
Display (resolution)
The G3’s display is its killer feature, with unparalleled resolution and pixel density. That said, the screen on the One M8 is already extremely sharp, and it's possible to argue that the super sharp display that LG has opted for on the G3 is a step too far.
We’ll have a full verdict on the G3’s display once we’ve had some significant hands-on time with the device.
Processor
It’s a dead heat here, with both smartphones housing a powerful Snapdragon 801 quad core CPU.
RAM
The amount of RAM found in the G3 varies depending on which storage configuration you opt for, with the larger capacity 32GB model housing 3GB RAM. The One M8 carries 2GB RAM regardless of storage option.
Storage
Both devices come in 16GB and 32GB configurations and offer microSD expandability.
Battery
Though the LG handset is fitted with a larger battery than its rival, it’s unlikely to translate to better battery life due to its higher resolution display. We found the new One’s battery life to be excellent in our review.
Removable battery
The G3 is the only device that lets you get at its battery.
Extreme Power Saving Mode
The One features an Extreme Power Saving mode that limits the device to just a few core apps and processes, letting you squeeze extra juice out of the handset when it gets low on power. It’s a useful addition and something that goes some way to compensating for the lack of a removable battery.
Cameras
Both manufacturers have said a lot about the cameras on their devices. While the G3’s main camera boasts a significantly higher resolution than its rival, the One features something HTC is calling Ultrapixel technology, wherein each pixel is effectively bigger and takes in more light.
The G3’s auto focus tech uses a laser to measure the distance between the lens and the subject of the shot, something that the company claims should combine with the new simultaneous focus to capture feature to produce sharp snaps with lightning fast capture speeds.
We found the HTC One (M8)’s 5MP front-facing camera to be excellent in our review, though LG is making big claims about its secondary optics, which feature a larger sensor and aperture than past devices.
Infrared
Both devices feature infrared tech, allowing them to act as a remote control for your TV set and/or set-top box.
Software
Both devices run the latest KitKat flavor of Android, but with each company’s unique UI overlay. HTC Sense has come a long way since its inception, exhibiting a slick and unobtrusive design. LG has reportedly simplified its Android overlay, giving it a more muted, flatter look - definitely a step in the right direction.
Release
Both devices are the 2014 flagship offering from their respective manufacturers, but while the M8 has been on the shelves for a couple of months now, there’s no word yet on specific release dates for the G3. That said, the device is already available in the company’s native South Korea, and we expect it to release in major markets within weeks.
Starting price
The One comes in at a hefty USD$650 off-contract. That should translate to somewhere in the region of $200 with a two year commitment in the US, or if you’re lucky enough to live in the UK you can bag the device for “free” when you commit to a two year agreement.
With LG yet to announce global release plans for the G3, we’re currently in the dark when it comes to a price tag.
That’s it for our comparison of these two Android powerhouses. We’ll have plenty more coverage of the LG G3, so stay tuned. In the meantime, let us know which of these two devices is more likely to win your hard-earned cash by sounding off in the comments.