iPhone 6 vs HTC One M8 Comparison: Specs and Features Review

This is a battle where there is no clear winner. The long-standing competition between Android and iOS for the heart and mind of smartphone consumers still appears to be a draw.

Android and iOS remain as the two most popular and best mobile operating systems in the universe, and it's up to individual users which one they prefer or are used to.

The experts' advice is that if you are a long-time iPhone user, you'd better stick with what you're familiar with.

The same is true with users of Android phones, like the HTC One M8. iTunes music files also work in Android phones anyway.

For the sake of comparison, experts have matched Apple's current flagship iPhone 6 with the HTC One M8, one of the top Android phones in the market today.

Both phones have smooth aluminum unibody designs, but that's where their similarity ends.

Experts have listed down the features and specs of the iPhone 6 and HTC One (M8).

Display

The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch display. It has an LED-backlit IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors encased in a shatter proof glass with an oleophobic coating. The display has 750 x 1334 pixels, making for a pixel density of 326ppi. This allows for sharp pictures, realistic color reproduction and good viewing angles – the same quality as in previous iPhones for the last four years.

HTC's One M8 has a 5-inch display, but the difference with the iPhone 6 screen is really nothing much. The screen's resolution stays at Full HD (1920x1080). With the larger screen size, pixel density decreases to 441ppi -- but that is still sharper than iPhone 6's pixel density. The One M8 display has the edge over iPhone 6 with its crisper and more vibrant screen resolution. HTC also made sure its latest phone has an improved contrast ratio and viewing angles.

The M8's screen has a silkier gloss finish than other phones.

Dimensions

If you want a bigger phone, HTC's One M8 is the one since it's about 6 percent longer and 6 percent wider than the iPhone 6.

But if you crave for thin devices, then the iPhone 6 is the better choice since it is 27 percent thinner than the One M8. However, with its insane 6.9 mm (0.27-in) thickness, the iPhone 6 has some rigidity issues to deal with.

Weight

For its size, the iPhone 6 is also very light, weighing 19 percent lighter than the One M8.

Colors

The iPhone 6 has the same three-color options as the iPhone 5s. The One M8 offers four hues to choose from – with the Gun Metal version standing as the flagship color.

NFC chips

The iPhones 6 and 6 Plus have the distinction of being the first Apple phones with NFC chips that allow for NFC-based (tap-and-pay) payments. But Apple Pay is not the first NFC-based tap-and-pay system. Google Wallet and Softcard (formerly Isis) came before Apple Pay but had little success in gaining popular acceptance. Apple's popularity and tieups with retailers, however, could spell success for Apple Pay.

Motion Launch

The One M8 has a series of sensor-based features known as Motion Launch. Double-tapping the phone's sleeping display turns it on. Swiping the display enables you to go straight to your home screen. Holding down the volume button (while in landscape) will activate the phone's camera.

Power Saving Mode

Borrowing a feature from Samsung, HTC introduces its Extreme Power Saving Mode in the One M8. The feature limits your available apps and processes when battery power is getting low.

Infrared

Like many new Android phones, the One M8 has a built-in IR blaster, which lets you use your phone as a TV remote control.

Camera

The iPhone 6 and One M8 cameras both made little improvement with their pixel count, but this is not at all noticeable. However, the One M8 has a second rear camera devoted to sensing depth. This feature allows for HTC's UFocus effect, where users can simulate the bokeh (blurred background) look than can be produced in a DSLR.

Both phones have flashes that use two LEDs, enabling you to light up your subject more evenly.

Front-facing speakers

The One M8 takes pride in its front-facing "BoomSound" speakers which no other phones have.

Processors

The iPhone 6 comes with an Apple A8 processor - a dual-core chip running at 1.4 GHz with 1GB RAM. In contrast, the M8's Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor has a clock speed of 2.3GHz with 2GB of memory.

Smartwatches

Both phones offer the option of having companion watches. The iPhone will be compatible with the upcoming Apple Watch (due in early 2015), while the One M8 can be linked to Android Wear watches like the Moto 360.

Software

The iPhone 6 is powered by the latest iOS 8. This brings HealthKit, HomeKit and third-party keyboards to Apple's mobile operating system. The One M8 is powered by Android 4.4 KitKat.

Experts' verdict

The HTC One M8 enjoys an advantage in design, build, and sharper display. Although storage options are limited, it has an expansion slot.

However, long-time iPhone users have shown such loyalty to Apple that they would prefer to keep or upgrade their iPhones rather than shift to an Android handset – despite the attractions offered by Apple's rivals.