HTC One (M8) vs LG G2

Introduction

LG might’ve been the last major smartphone maker to announce its 2013 flagship smartphone last year, but the wait was well worth it – partly due to the fact that it trumped many of its rivals in several categories. As for HTC, they were actually one of the first on the scene to deliver a top contender smartphone last year – the HTC One M7. Now that 2014 is upon us, we’re seeing the same trend from before, where HTC is one of the first to globally launch its flagship device.

In our next comparison, we’re pitting the newly outed HTC One (M8) against the formidable LG G2. We know that there’s a significant difference between the two, as one is the regarded as a last-generation model – while the other is a part of the current crop. Naturally, there are going to be some advantages with the newer HTC One M8 (think hardware), but that doesn’t mean that the LG G2 can’t stand its ground and give it a good run for its money.

Design

Even before we’re able to hold each device in our hand, our eyes can instantly tell us from afar which of the two handsets in question is flaunting the more attractive design. At the core here, it’s plastic versus metal – so we know where this one is heading already. With its body comprised out of 90% brushed aluminum, the HTC One (M8) radiates strongly with that premium touch that we desperately desire in a high-end phone. In comparison, the LG G2’s polished plastic casing just can’t compare, since it lacks the sturdy and solid feel of its competitor.

Metal just screams premium, so there’s no hiding the obvious here people. Not only does the HTC One has the superior build quality, but the metallic casing enables the phone to look cleaner – while also repelling nasty dirt and debris. Due to its polished look, the plastic frame of the LG G2 is more prone to being dirtied by those unwanted baddies. Then again, the advantage with going with a plastic casing is that the LG G2 is both the lighter and more streamlined device.

Highly touted for its stylish and stunning design, the HTC One M8 makes the LG G2 look dated, boring, and downright conventional. If you want to raise a few eyebrows as you’re putting your phone to your ear, you’ll surely get more of it with the HTC One in your hand.

Alien at first, the LG G2’s placement for its power button and volume control is something learned over time – thus becoming more natural. Still, they don’t compare to the more accessible set of buttons on the HTC One, which are more distinct to the touch and responsive. Looking around their trims, they sport several common ports. Specifically, they include the 3.5mm headset jack, microUSB port, and IR blaster. However, the HTC One M8 benefits by offering us a microSD card slot for storage expansion and dual front-firing speakers.

Display

Feasting our eyes on their displays, we’re instantly reminded why we love the two phones so very much – they’re packing along super sharp displays! The HTC One M8 features a 5-inch 1080p Super LCD-3 display with Gorilla Glass 3 protecting it. The LG G2 has a slightly larger 5.2-inch 1080p True HD IPS Plus display with Gorilla Glass 2. Technically on paper, the HTC One’s display boasts the higher pixel density count of 441 ppi, versus the 423 ppi tally of the G2. Honestly though, the difference is negligible, seeing that the two produce sharp visuals from all distances.The One M8 has the better color temperature – 7182k vs 8109k for the G2 - white is only slightly blueish on the One, while the blueish hue is more pronounced on the G2. When it comes to color reproduction, they are on par, although color purists will notice the differences and that both displays are not the most true-to-live. Likewise, they both prove to be great when it comes to viewing them outdoors thanks to their strong brightness output. To tell you the truth, it’s rather tough picking out which display we find more attractive.

Interface and Functionality

Being Android smartphones, they deliver the same foundational features that have become a staple of the platform – like their tight integration with Google’s services, diversified personalization options, and a healthy ecosystem of apps. However, seeing that the two flaunt customized Android experiences, they can cater to different individual tastes. Therefore, it’s a matter of choosing between the Sense 6.0 UI of the HTC One M8, or LG’s customized skin (formerly the Optimus UI).

Proving itself time after time, HTC has a meticulous itch when it comes to design. Of course, we see it manifest in the actual design of the phone, but it also extends well into its Sense 6.0 UI as well. Sporting the cleaner, more modern looking interface, Sense 6.0 has a breathtaking look to it. Both simple and colorful, it’s never too overpowering! As for LG’s customized interface, it just can’t compare with its cartoonish looks. Indeed, we’re given control of every aspect of the LG G2’s interface, like the arrangement of the on-screen Android buttons, but the overall presentation value is outdated.



Lacking in the area of visual design with its interface, the LG G2 goes above and beyond the HTC One M8 in the features department – there are just a ton of them throughout the experience. From its knock-on feature, to its true multi-tasking implementation, there’s an excessive amount of functions and features that some people might find either practical or redundant. Conversely, Sense 6.0’s features are relatively kept to a select few that we appreciate – like its various Motion Launch gestures and HTC BlinkFeed.

Like we’ve mentioned already people, the software experience is going to be a matter of personal preference. The two have their strengths and weakness, but there’s one thing to bear in mind when finalizing a decision. For those who prefer a diversified portfolio of features, stick with the LG G2’s customized Android experience. However, if you take pride on visual presentation and simplicity, side with the HTC One M8.

Processor and Memory

Don’t think for a moment that a newer phone is automatically going to deliver a better overall performance, which is evident here with these two. Certainly it’s going to be more prized nowadays, seeing that the HTC One (M8) is powered by a newer quad-core 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC with 2GB, but we can’t count out the LG G2’s equally snappy quad-core 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM. Frankly, running the same set of operations, the two smartphones exhibit the same lovable responses.

In this day and age, the LG G2’s internal storage capacity of 32GB is the minimum we’d want to find on any smartphone – whereas, the HTC One's 16GB tally is just downright a tease. Nevertheless, we really appreciate that HTC’s prodigy is packing along a microSD card for better flexibility.

Internet and Connectivity

When their performances rival one another so very closely, it’s not all that surprising to see that they also produce rich results when it comes to surfing the web. In fact, they have all the quality elements that make the experience so enjoyable – such as their speedy 4G LTE speeds for fast page loads, and their butter smooth operations with kinetic scrolling and pinch zooming. Even though the LG G2 has a slight size advantage with its screen, it’s nothing profound to make it the preferred handset.



Expected to sell widely throughout the world, it’s no surprise that they’re produced in GSM and CDMA flavors – with 4G LTE in tow as well. Beyond that, they also include the same set of connectivity features as well. They include aGPS with GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 801.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, NFC, IR blasters, and video-out functionality with the aid of optional adapters.

Camera

From our reviews, we already know that these two prized stallions are equipped to snap some sharp looking photos that are worthy for sharing via social networking. Yet again, HTC chooses to stick with its ‘UltraPixel’ camera for the new HTC One, which features a 4-megapixel 1/3” sensor, an f2.0 aperture lens, dual-LED flash, and BSI. Meanwhile, the LG G2 is donning a beefy sized 13-megapixel 1/3.06” sensor, f2.4 aperture lens, a single LED flash, and optical image stabilization.

If features and options are what you require when it comes to snapping photos, you won’t be disappointed by either device. First and foremost, we have to mention that the two camera apps offer us a wide array of manual controls – allowing us to adjust several settings like the ISO, white balance, exposure, and much more. Sure, they also lay claim to several shooting modes as well, but there are more ‘fun’ selections with the LG G2. It’s not to say that the HTC One M8 is inept, but most of its ‘fun’ is found post shot thanks to the various Duo Effects it offers, which really enhances its photos by utilizing the handset’s secondary camera that measures depth information, allowing for faux-bokeh and animated effects in the background.



Comparing the same set of captured photos, we come to the ultimate conclusion that the LG G2 is quite simply the superior device for the occasion. We’re not saying that the HTC One can’t produce good-looking photos, which it can for outdoor settings with plenty of sunlight, but it’s lacking most in the details department. Naturally for the LG G2 and its higher 13-megapixel sensor, we can zoom into our photos or crop them, without losing too much detail in the process. Furthermore, we should note that LG’s flagship excels over its rivals in the areas of color reproduction and indoor shots as well.

Beating out the HTC One in many areas, it’s rather interesting to find the LG G2 being beneath the HTC One M8 when it comes to snapping photos under night time situations. Specifically, the HTC One M8 has a better balanced tone with its results – whereas with the LG G2, it typically casts a softer look. Despite that, we’re going to tip our hats to the LG G2 for having the superior overall results.




Recording high-definition 1080p videos on the other hand, the differentiator is mainly isolated to their night time production. Needless to say, we like the quality of the two phones with their daytime shots, but the LG G2 falters under low lighting situations with the absurd amount of motion blur evident throughout the video.

Multimedia

Functionally, the two music players deliver the same options when it comes to music playback, but when it comes to flaunting the snazzier looking player, we have to tip our hat to the HTC Sense 6.0 music player. Why’s that? Well, it simply has a more profound dynamic and animated quality, as there’s a snazzy looking visualizer running while a song is being player. In addition, it also provides us with a karaoke-like function with its ability to display lyrics.

Armed with dual front-firing speakers with HTC BoomSound, which directs the flow of audio towards us, instead of against us, the audio quality from the HTC One M8 is cleaner, more commanding, and basically punchier in tone. Taking all of those things into consideration, there’s no wonder why it trumps the LG G2 – more so with its peak audio output of 75.2 dB, versus the 66 dB mark of the LG G2.

Playing high definition 1080p videos with either device isn’t an issue, seeing that they play them flawlessly – aided also by their immaculate displays. However, we appreciate the HTC One M8’s dual front-firing speakers again, since its placement makes perfect sense when watching in landscape. Oppositely, the LG G2 has the useful function of being able to “minimize” a video, so that it can be played on top of other apps – giving it a practical multi-tasking element.

Call Quality

Pumping out strong volume tones through its earpiece and speakerphone, the call quality is undoubtedly superior with the HTC One. Not only are voices ample in tone through it, but they’re clear, distinctive, and noise-free. As for the LG G2, our biggest complaint is that the microphone tends to make our voice choppy on the other end of the line.

Battery

Never the one to back down in a fight, the LG G2 amazed us over the most recent holiday season because of its extensive battery life. For a smartphone bearing a monstrous sized 5.2-inch display and a 3000 mAh battery, we were undeniably impressed by the 6 hours, 48 minutes of battery life it produced with our battery benchmark test. Well, it gets better with the HTC One (M8)! Even though it’s packing a smaller capacity 2600 mAh battery, it still manages to exceed our expectation by blazing through 7 hours, 12 minutes in our benchmark test. The superior battery life, of course, can be attributed to the battery optimizations of the phone and its newer Snapdragon 801 chipset.

Conclusion

Two flagship Android smartphones, two fantastic performances amongst them in several key areas. There’s just no going around the obvious here people, they have nearly all the elements we want to find in a smartphone that would cement their statuses as being flagship things. Making a logical decision in what to choose is tough no doubt, especially when each device has their unique characteristics to pull in certain consumers.

Consequently, pricing is a driving factor that can fine tune a decision for some. Taking into account that it’s been out for a longer period of time, the LG G2 naturally benefits from having a lower price point than the HTC One (M8). Depending on where you shop, you can even snag it for as low as free with a 2-year contract – or $465 outright if you prefer not being stuck with an agreement. Meanwhile, the HTC One M8 is priced at $200 on-contract, or $650 outright through several carriers. Savings is something you’ll get more sticking with the LG G2.

Overall, the decision will mainly hinge on what you like – and pricing too if that matters to you. Pick up the LG G2 if you want an inexpensive smartphone that can still hold its own ground by offering us a ton of software features, and being the superior phone when it comes to snapping photos and videos. However, if you want a phone that can stand out from the crowd for its beautiful design, produce some cool post photo effects, boasts a long lasting battery life, and has an excellent call quality performance, then the HTC One M8 is going to be the device for you.