iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Camera
Smartphone cameras are growing increasingly popular, so all four smartphones have had some level of special attention paid to them. The iPhone 5S comes with an upgraded 8MP camera, with an f/2.2 aperture, True Tone flash and a 15% larger sensor area than the iPhone 5. According to Phil Schiller, bigger pixels make for a better picture.
Bigger pixels, better picture. Sounds like HTC's UltraPixel sensor. The HTC One comes with a diminutive sensor measured at "only" 4MP. That's where the UltraPixels come in, with each pixel being larger, allowing more light in. It also records Full 1080p HD video, and has HTC Zoe on board to bring your gallery to life. The 2.1MP front sensor is also no slouch.
Samsung's offering brings a 13MP sensor on the back, with a 2MP sensor on the front. Amongst the Galaxy S4's camera features are Dual Shot, Sound and Shot, Animated Photo and Drama shot. The Samsung also records Full HD video.
Completing the group, the LG G2 also comes equipped with a whole 13MP. It matches the HTC on the front sensor count, at a whole 2.1MP.
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Dimensions
Being an iterative update, the footprint of the iPhone 5S is identical to that of the iPhone 5. Measuring in at 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm and at 112g, the 5S is by no means a heavy being.
The HTC One is the heaviest of the four, weighing in at 143g. It's also considerably larger than the iPhone, at 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3mm.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is 13g lighter at 130g. It's also shorter and thinner, at 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm. The LG G2 measures in at 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9mm, putting it around the same size as the other Android handsets.
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Build and Colours
When it comes to build quality, Samsung has often been criticized for their plastic chassis, something that has made it across to the Samsung Galaxy S4. The LG G2 is also built out of plastic, matching its Korean brother. The G2 only comes in black, with the S4 being available in black and white, as well as blue.
Both the HTC One and the iPhone 5S come built out of aluminium, with the HTC available in Black, Silver, Red and Blue. The iPhone 5S comes in gold, silver and "space grey."
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Battery
In sheer size, the biggest battery is in the LG G2, clocking in at 3000mAh. It's also removable, like the Samsung Galaxy S4, which has the second largest juice pack at 2600mAh.
The HTC One comes in third, 300mAh smaller at 2300mAh. True to iPhone tradition, the battery size hasn't been officially confirmed, however 10 hours of 3G call time, and 10 hours of LTE browsing don't smack of something low key.
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Connectivity
Being flagship handsets, all four devices come packed with Wi-Fi and 4G for web browsing, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS and GLONASS for location systems. DLNA streaming is available on all handsets, barring the iPhone, which comes with an AirPlay app.
NFC is also unavailable on the iPhone 5S, but is available on the Galaxy S4, One and G2.
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Extra Features
Apple, keen to take an initiative before it kicks off elsewhere (perhaps the HTC One Max), has fitted the iPhone 5S with a finger print scanner. Thankfully, Apple doesn't back the data up to its servers or iCloud. It does, however, mean that the you can unlock and make iTunes purchases using your fingers.
Apple has also got a new M7 chip in the iPhone 5S, which is a motion coprocessor that continually manages data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass. This will lead it to creating a whole load of health apps, with Nike announcing the Nike + Move app.
Health apps have long been around, with Samsung having the S Health app. Samsung has also created a range of smart covers, something that LG has copied.
HTC's killer features on the One are the dual frontal Boom Sound speakers, and the Ultra Pixel technology in the camera coupled with its Zoe image capture.
iPhone 5S vs HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S4 vs LG G2: Early verdict
It takes a bold man, or a crazy man to say that the iPhone 5S will fail. That is purely because it won't. Apple have a knack when it comes to releasing new devices, a knack to make them so appealing.
Yes its charm has worn off a little, with certain communities becoming a little disillusioned that the iPhone isn't a TARDIS or a working alchemy kit. What the iPhone 5S is, is a fantastic bit of tech that builds further on the iPhone brand.
As for the competition provided by the new iPhone 5C, we shall have to see what happens there. A cheaper iPhone will always sell. Apple will have a fight on its hands, given that the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 have already established themselves, but to many, September 20, 2013 is a day that will be marked and heavily ringed on the calendar.
The iPhone 5S will sell in droves, but whether it will get the five stars that the HTC One got is another matter, you'll have to check out our upcoming iPhone 5S review. While you wait, why not check out how the Galaxy S4 managed 4.5 stars, how the HTC One went one better, or our early look at the LG G2.
