HTC One (M8) vs Apple iPhone 5s: Which is better?

Which is better, the Apple iPhone 5s or the brand new HTC One M8? We compare these two premium handsets, both flagship smartphones, to see which boasts the most value.

Get your outraged comments at the ready chaps, because today we’re pitting the shiny new HTC One M8against Apple’s flagship phone, the iPhone 5s. It’s Android vs iOS in a grudge match from hell, with the very best of both worlds entering the ring…

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Design

Neither HTC nor Apple took many risks with their new flagship phones when it came to look and feel. The HTC One M8’s design is very close to the original HTC One M7, except that metal plate now stretches right around the handset - and the freshly-brushed aluminum surface is absolutely gorgeous. A definite step up, even if the tweaks are purely aesthetic.

Meanwhile, the Apple iPhone 5s sports an almost identical body to the iPhone 5, retaining that ‘stretched’ look and the half-shiny, half-matt rear end. Some tech junkies might be getting iPhone fatigue by now, with most iterations rocking a very similar frame, but there’s no denying it’s still a very good looking phone.

In terms of pure desirability, HTC is our personal pick of the pair. Of course, there’s more to life than good looks, and you’ll also want to consider size. The HTC One M8 is bigger than the iPhone in every dimension, with its 5-inch screen dwarfing Apple’s 4-incher. Surprisingly, the One M8 is even a little chunkier - that sleek, curved finish is rather deceptive - so if you want a compact phone to slip inside your favourite figure-hugging jeans, the iPhone 5s is your best bet.

The iPhone 5s also boasts an awesome feature that’s missing on the HTC One - the fingerprint scanner, which is cunningly built into the home button. The scanner works surprisingly well, accurately reading your print almost 100% of the time, so it’s a quick and cool alternative to entering a PIN code every time. Best of all, you can register a few different prints (up to five in all), so you can enroll a number of users on a single phone.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Screen and media

Providing you don’t mind your mobile being a bit of a handful, the HTC One M8’s spacious display is a better way to take in a movie on the go, especially given the Full HD 1080p resolution. The iPhone 5s’ Retina screen is still crisp and colourful, and produces brighter images than the One, but that extra space really does make the viewing experience more comfortable.

 

While the One M8 comes in 16GB and 32GB flavours, it also boasts a memory card slot for expanding and carrying around all of your music, movies and more. The iPhone goes all the way up to a very tasty 64GB, but it doesn't boast expandable memory - so you're stuck with what you opt for. And that 64GB model ain't cheap...

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Performance and apps

Performance-wise, the HTC One and the iPhone 5s will happily run everything you throw at them, and there’s no danger of either of them being out of date in the near future. The iPhone 5s has the honour of being the first handset to boast a 64-bit processor, compared with the One M8’s 32-bit chip, but that doesn’t really make a difference right now - that’ll become more important when phones pack more memory, and we start to see 64-bit apps emerging en masse.

Speaking of apps, Apple is still the king. The Google Play store is an excellent and well-stocked effort, but the App Store edges it out with a fuller range of creativity software and some brilliant exclusive games. So, this round to Apple.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Battery life

As for battery life, the iPhone 5s is a jump up from previous models, comfortably lasting over a day even with constant hammering. However, the HTC One M8 comfortably wins this round with a solid two days of life per charge. All-round a sterling effort, with only LG’s G2 handset coming close.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Cameras

On to cameras, and the iPhone 5s beats the HTC One in terms of pure specs, with an 8-megapixel snapper versus the HTC’s measly 4-megapixel effort. In close-up shots, both cameras perform fantastically well, capturing rich colours and minutiae detail, but wider scenes look sharper with the iPhone’s camera.

 

HTC One M8 (left) vs Apple iPhone 5s (right)

However, the HTC One’s camera has the benefit of larger sensors which suck up more light, meaning photos in dingy locations like pubs are brighter and more attractive.

 

HTC One M8 (left) vs Apple iPhone 5s (right)

Both phones pack in a couple of cool individual camera features - for instance, the HTC One M8’s dual lenses mean you can change a photo’s focus after you’ve shot it, while the iPhone boasts a retroactive slow-motion mode for video.

Overall, both cameras are great for everyday shots, but the HTC One’s low-light performance makes it our personal pick.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Experience

Of course, what it all comes down to is that age-old battle, Android versus iOS. Both operating systems have their pros and cons, with iOS rocking a clean, simple interface, and Android boasting greater customisation and personalisation with the likes of desktop widgets. Of course, HTC has buried Android under its Sixth Sense interface, giving it a very distinctive look, while adding even more features like the BlinkFeed news streamer.

Here at Recombu Towers we’re big fans of HTC’s dense look and feel, but if you prefer a simple, no-fuss experience, or are new to smartphones, you’ll probably get on better with the iPhone 5s.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Verdict

The HTC One M8 and the Apple iPhone 5s are two of the best flagship mobiles you can buy right now, but which one should you splash your cash on? Well, we personally think the HTC One M8 provides better value, with its glorious 1080p screen, snazzy camera features and gorgeous design, but the iPhone 5s is still the better option for smartphone newbies and anyone who wants a streamlined experience in a more compact form.

Think we’re talking guff? Be sure to leave a comment below, explaining which smartphone you think is the real king. Check out our full HTC One M8 and Apple iPhone 5s reviews for more info, and don't miss our HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5 feature.

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