Samsung Galaxy S6 vs. HTC One M9: Choosing Between Android's Heavyweights

Right after the Samsung Galaxy S6 was announced, Android fans were already looking toward HTC and its own flagship. And surely, the Taiwanese manufacturer did not disappoint.

Since then, a number of Samsung Galaxy S6 vs. HTC One M9 comparisons have already been made, placing both devices among the best in the Android market. According to a report by Business Spectator, there's a lot to like about both devices. In its comparison, here are some crucial points it tackled:

Design

This year's Samsung flagship is definitely more flashy and professional-looking than the Galaxy S5 which was considered to have a 'bandaid' cover design. This year, the Korean manufacturer replaced its usual plastic cover with a metal frame, to the delight of its fans. Samsung finished it with a Gorilla Glass 4 panel on both sides of the device, making it stylish and durable at the same time.

On the other hand, HTC is already known to produce among the most gorgeously-designed handsets in recent years. The only major drawbacks of its previous flagships were the cameras and the small compromises the Taiwan-based maker takes. This year though, the One M9 is looking good so far, with its aluminum cover and all metal design.

Display

In the display department, the Galaxy S6 is the clear winner with its 5.2-inch screen with QHD or 2K (2560 x 1440) resolution. Its Super AMOLED screen provides very crisp colors and really dark blacks. On the other hand, HTC's IPS display cannot be taken for granted. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution for the One M9 may be a deal-breaker for some who prefer the highest possible resolution. In previous reports, HTC may have opted for FHD in order to get longer hours for its battery.

Performance

Because both devices are not yet available in the market, the performance comparison will be based on some of the benchmarks tested on both devices. The Snapdragon 810 is the latest offering from Qualcomm, although there has been some issues with overheating. Still, an Android Authority report stated that the heating issues may be due to the fact that the device under testing is not running the final build, software or tweaks.

Meanwhile, Samsung decided to use its own Exynos chipsets, which boast 64-bit compatibility as well. The chip also has eight cores running simultaneously, like the Snapdragon 810.

Verdict

Based on the three points mentioned above, the Galaxy S6 may have the initial advantage over the One M9. However, that does not include other features yet such as storage options, microSD card slot and the camera department. Stay tuned for part two of this comparison.