Remember when flagship phones were a bit more…distinct? The HTC One (M8) and Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo represent a fascinating era of Android. Both offer a glimpse into the past, but which one holds up best today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC One (M8) CDMA edges out the Galaxy S5 Neo thanks to its superior processor and iconic design. While the S5 Neo offers a slightly more modern software experience, the M8's raw power and premium build quality make it the better choice for those seeking a nostalgic flagship experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - Sprint, Verizon | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - for Sprint | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F |
| 4G bands | 25, 27, 38 - Sprint | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 3, 4, 7, 13 - Verizon | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, March. Released 2014, March | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm (5.76 x 2.78 x 0.37 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD3 | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow), Sense UI 6 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama, dual-LED dual-tone flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 4 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, 720p@60fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/operator dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 73 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 290 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver | Black, Gray, Gold |
| Models | HTC6525LVW | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
HTC One (M8) CDMA
- Premium build quality (aluminum unibody)
- Powerful Snapdragon 801 processor
- Excellent front-facing BoomSound speakers
- Good camera with OIS
- Iconic design
- Outdated software
- No water resistance
- Battery life could be better with heavy use
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Water and dust resistance (IP67)
- Modern Android experience (relatively)
- Decent camera with higher megapixel count
- Super AMOLED display
- Weaker processor than the HTC One (M8)
- Plastic build quality
- Less premium feel
Display Comparison
The HTC One (M8) boasts a 5.0-inch Super LCD3 display with a 1080p resolution, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Galaxy S5 Neo features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, also with a 1080p resolution. AMOLED generally provides deeper blacks and potentially better contrast, but the M8's LCD is known for its color accuracy. It's a close call, leaning slightly towards the S5 Neo for its AMOLED technology.
Camera Comparison
The HTC One (M8) features a dual 4MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 5MP front camera. The Galaxy S5 Neo has a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. While the S5 Neo has higher megapixel count, the M8's OIS and image processing often produce better low-light photos. Both offer decent image quality for their time, but the M8's camera is generally considered slightly superior.
Performance
Here's where the HTC One (M8) truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU significantly outperforms the Galaxy S5 Neo's Exynos 7580 Octa (1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the M8. The S5 Neo's processor is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S5 Neo has a 2400 mAh battery, while the HTC One (M8) has a 2600 mAh battery. Considering the M8's more powerful processor, battery life is surprisingly comparable. Both devices will likely provide a full day of moderate use, but the S5 Neo might offer slightly better longevity due to the less demanding processor.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the HTC One (M8) CDMA? Android enthusiasts craving a premium design and strong performance from a classic flagship. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo? Users prioritizing a more modern Android experience and water resistance, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC One (M8) still worth buying?
If you appreciate a premium design and powerful performance for its age, the HTC One (M8) is still a compelling option. However, be aware of its outdated software and lack of water resistance.
❓ Which phone has better water resistance?
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo has IP67 water and dust resistance, while the HTC One (M8) has no official water resistance rating.
