HTC One (E8) CDMA vs. Samsung Galaxy S23: A Clash of Eras

The HTC One (E8) was a flagship in its time, boasting a premium design and respectable specs. Now, let's see how it stacks up against the powerhouse that is the Samsung Galaxy S23, a modern marvel of smartphone technology. This comparison will explore the key differences and help you decide which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 utterly dominates this comparison. While the HTC One (E8) holds nostalgic charm, the S23's superior performance, camera, display, and battery life make it the clear winner for anyone seeking a modern, high-end smartphone experience. It's a generational leap.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC One (E8) CDMA Samsung Galaxy S23
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands25, 26, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2014, August. Released 2014, August2023, February 01
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, February 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions146.4 x 70.7 x 9.9 mm (5.76 x 2.78 x 0.39 in)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper LCD3Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8975AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 330Adreno 740
OSAndroid 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI 6Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal16GB 2GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, AF12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video1080p@30fps8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, HDR10+
Single5 MP12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, aptX5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging-25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3900 mAh
Misc
ColorsPolar White, Misty GrayPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsOneSM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
PriceAbout 350 EUR$ 237.95 / C$ 336.75 / £ 255.00 / € 322.41 / ₹ 49,990
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9) GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC One (E8) CDMA

  • Classic Design
  • Compact Size
  • Affordable (used)

  • Outdated Performance
  • Poor Camera
  • Short Battery Life
  • Limited Software Updates

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Exceptional Performance
  • Stunning Display
  • Excellent Camera
  • Long Battery Life
  • Fast Charging
  • Modern Features

  • Premium Price
  • Large Size (for some)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S23's display is in a different league. Its 1198 nits max brightness and infinite contrast ratio offer stunning visuals, far surpassing the HTC One (E8)'s older LCD panel. The S23's resolution and color accuracy are also significantly better, providing a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy S23's camera system is vastly superior. It offers significantly better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Features like advanced image stabilization and computational photography are absent in the HTC One (E8). The S23's video recording capabilities are also far more advanced.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Galaxy S23 is a beast, easily outperforming the Snapdragon 801 in the HTC One (E8). The S23 handles demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the E8 shows its age with occasional lag and slower processing speeds. The S23's newer architecture and fabrication process (4nm vs 28nm) contribute to its efficiency and power.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 boasts exceptional battery life, with an endurance rating of 101 hours. The HTC One (E8) had a decent battery for its time, but it pales in comparison to the S23's efficiency and capacity. The S23's fast charging capabilities (25W wired, 15W wireless) are another advantage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the HTC One (E8) CDMA? Primarily collectors or those seeking a retro Android experience on a budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S23? Anyone wanting a top-tier smartphone with cutting-edge features, exceptional camera capabilities, and long-lasting battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the HTC One (E8) still usable in 2024?
Yes, it can still be used for basic tasks, but its performance is significantly limited compared to modern smartphones. Software updates are no longer available, posing security risks.
❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?
The biggest difference is the technology gap. The Galaxy S23 represents the pinnacle of modern smartphone technology, while the HTC One (E8) is a relic of a bygone era.