HTC One Max Vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

First came the smartphones, then the tablets, and now the latest fad is "phablets" - devices that sit somewhere between oversized phones and undersized tablets. 

License: Image author owned 

The latest phablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 3, has had tremendous success on the market, and now HTC is entering the scene with the HTC One Max. 

License: Image author owned 

Can it stand up against the Note 3? Let's look at the specifics and find out.

Size

When it comes to size, it all depends on whether you're more excited about the phone or the tablet part of the phablet. It makes a difference here, since the One Max is significantly larger and heavier than the Note 3. Samsung's device measures in at 5.95" x 3.12" x 0.33" with a weight of 5.93 oz, while the HTC is a whopping 6.48" x 3.25" x 0.41" and weighs 7.65 oz. If you're on the fence about whether to get a phablet versus a regular smartphone, you probably don't want to start off with the One Max. Its formidable size makes it fall much more solidly in the "tablet" category. If, however, you're looking more for a tablet that can call and text, the One Max's size won't throw you at all. Of course, the Max's 6" screen is a nice bonus when it comes to watching movies or reading text.

Internal Specs

When it comes down to the numbers, the Note 3 easily wins this race, with its 2300 MHz processor and ridiculous amount of RAM - a full 3 GB - trumping the One Max's 1700 MHz processor and 2 GB of memory. In practical use, however, most will not notice the difference. The HTC One Max has enough memory and processing power to effortlessly handle the average user's workload. The Note 3 will be heavily discounted at Sprint Black Friday 2013 sale on November 29. Given the impressive specs, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a better buy for the holiday shopping.

Input Options

The Galaxy Note 3 was designed to be used with a stylus and even ships with one. This makes it easier to accurately access what you want. The HTC One Max has chosen instead a touchscreen method. Will most people miss the stylus? Maybe not, unless they've gotten used to it on a Note. What the One Max does have that is unique is its fingerprint sensor. Taking its cue from the iPhone 5s, the sensor sits on the back of the device, allowing you to securely unlock your phone with just a touch of the finger, rather than inputting a passcode or something more time-consuming.

Software

Both these devices are up-to-date with Android 4.3, the latest version of Google's Android operating system. Each phablet's manufacturer has put its own user interface on top of Android. Samsung's TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 offers heavily-advertised features like S Pen functionality and Air Command, while HTC Sense 5.5 includes a feed reader on your homescreen and Zoes, a video clip recorder connected to the camera app.

Which Is Better?

The HTC One Max, in many ways, has just taken its popular HTC One phone and made it larger. The Galaxy Note 3 is more technologically innovative, has better specs, and better demonstrates why a phablet might be preferable to a smartphone. That's not to say the Note 3 is for everyone. The HTC One was an excellent phone and its larger counterpart has many of the same great qualities. If you're set on a phone-tablet combination, however, you can't beat the Note 3 for convenient phablet-centered features.

David Johnson loves to review gadgets and share money saving tips. He recommends buying a new smartphone during Sprint Black Friday sale to get the best price of the season. 

*by andreascy*

HTC One Vs Samsung Galaxy S4: Which One Should You Buy?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

They’re the two new kids on the smartphone block. But when it comes to picking the difference between the latest offerings from smartphone experts HTC and Samsung, it can be tricky to decide which cool new device is the right one for you. 

The answer really depends on who you are and what you want from your phone. To help you make the decision between these phones that are fresh off the conveyor belt, here is a run down of each of their best features.

For a reputable brand with reliable support: The Samsung Galaxy S4

When we expect so many things from our phones, it is inevitable that not all of these things will work perfectly for the amount of time that we use our device. Smartphones are designed with a short life-span in mind, but sometimes this can be too short.

So, if you’re after a strong support service and a brand you can trust, it is probably best to stick with the Samsung, as it is a larger company with a better reputation for solid customer service. 

For a pretty phone: The HTC One

It sounds really vain to choose a phone on the basis of its looks, but if you (or your teenage daughter) prioritise aesthetics above all other features, than the HTC One is the smartphone for you. Its contoured aluminium edges and pleasing home screen design make for a welcome change from the functionalist, plastic style of the Samsung. The HTC One also comes with a strong metal case, which looks a lot nicer than the flimsy plastic one that comes standard with the Samsung.

For extra storage space: The Samsung Galaxy S4

If you’re the sort of person who needs an SD card full of all of your movies, photos, songs and games sitting in your smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 should be your pick. The Samsung has expandable storage, which means that you can keep more of your stuff on your phone, without needing to offload onto a home device (like a laptop or a hard drive.) The HTC One does not allow for expandable storage, so you’re stuck with the 32 or 64GB memory with no opportunity to use additional memory cards.

For a cost-effective solution: Possibly either, but your best bet will probably be the HTC One

If you want the cheapest contract you can get for a high quality smartphone, the HTC One should be the phone that you are enquiring after. Most major phone dealers are offering their cheapest plan for the HTC One at a lower rate than their cheapest plan for the Samsung S4, but it will depend on your provider. 

For great battery life: Either

Both the Samsung and the HTC report similar battery life - unfortunately, neither is that astounding when it comes to the juice in the phone. So, ultimately, it just comes down to which features are the most important to how you use your phone, rather than how long you use it for between charges.

Frances Ward is a tech nerd from Sydney. When she’s not trying to figure out who is the best provider for her managed cloud, she’s comparing smartphones on the internet.

*by andreascy*