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HTC One max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs LG G2: specs comparison

posted by Chris P. / Oct 14, 2013, 5:38 AM

HTC One max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs LG G2: specs comparison

The HTC One Max is now a reality, and though product unveilings are usually a joyous occasion for the companies behind them and consumers both, it falls down on the latter to roll up their sleeves and start weighing the product's relative pros and cons. And though the general user experience is arguably only partially reliant on specs, they do remain an important reading that we go through every time a new flagship device enters the market.

Today, we're comparing three of the hottest flagships currently (and soon, in the case of the HTC One Max) available. Unlike the software side of things, where the trio features a wildly different value propositions, down under in the world of hardware, things are simpler and far less subjective. This, for example, means that we can easily call HTC on using a somewhat cheaper, slightly outdated chipset with the One Max – the Snapdragon 600 (Adreno 320), whereas the competition in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the LG G2 has already moved to Snapdragon 800 with Adreno 330 graphics. On the other hand, at 5.9-inches, the HTC One Max has the largest screen real estate of the group, and this one should prove to live long enough to see more than a day of heavy usage, thanks to the large 3300mAh battery that HTC has snugged inside the One Max. While we're still at the topic of displays, it's probably also worth mentioning that the three contenders have all opted for a somewhat different display tech, each with its respective cons and pros – Super-LCD 3 for the One Max, Super AMOLED for the Note 3 and an LG IPS LCD panel for the G2. In our experience, Super-LCD 3 panels are a tad superior to some IPS LCDs (S-LCD3 is also an IPS panel) and also have a hand over AMOLEDs (though that gap has been significantly reduced with the Note 3).

Another rather more substantial win for the HTC One Max is its dedicated fingerprint sensor, not a first for Android or the world of smartphones as a whole, but definitely the first in a truly modern smartphone. Whether the said sensor delivers, however, remains to be seen (or tested).

With those in mind, and taking into account the extensive specs break-down we've provided for you below, do you think the HTC One Max will manage to sway consumers off rival propositions?

HTC One max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs LG G2

Display

Display size

5.9 inches

5.7 inches

5.2 inches

Resolution

1080 x 1920 pixels

Pixel density

373 ppi

386 ppi

423 ppi

Technology

S-LCD 3

Super AMOLED

IPS LCD

Screen-to-body ratio

70.63 %

74.78 %

76.28 %

Colors

16 777 216

Peak brightness

450 cd/m2 (nit)

Camera

Rear

Yes

Main camera

4 megapixels

13 megapixels

Hardware Features

Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)

Autofocus, CMOS image sensor, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)

Sapphire crystal lens cover, Optical image stabilization, Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)

Specifications

Aperture size: F2.0; Focal length: 28 mm; Sensor size: 1/3"; Pixel size: 2 μm

Aperture size: F2.2; Focal length: 31 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.06"; Pixel size: 1.12 μm

Aperture size: F2.4; Focal length: 29 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.06"; Pixel size: 1.12 μm

Flash

LED

Software Features

Digital image stabilization, Digital zoom, Geo tagging, White balance presets, HDR, Panorama, Effects

Digital image stabilization, Touch to focus, Smile detection, Face detection, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Burst mode, HDR, Panorama, Scenes, Effects

Touch to focus, Face detection, Voice activation, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Burst mode, HDR, Panorama, Scenes, Effects

Video recording

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (60 fps)

3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (120 fps)

1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps)

Features

High Dynamic Range mode (HDR), Continuous autofocus

Continuous autofocus, Video light, Digital image stabilization, Video calling

Optical image stabilization

Front

2.1 megapixels

2 megapixels

2.1 megapixels

Video capture

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps)

Design

Dimensions

6.48 x 3.25 x 0.41 inches (164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29 mm)

5.95 x 3.12 x 0.33 inches (151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm)

5.45 x 2.79 x 0.35 inches (138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm)

Weight

7.65 oz (217 g)

5.93 oz (168 g)

5.04 oz (143 g)

Materials

Back: Aluminum

Biometrics

Fingerprint (swipe)

Features

Touch sensitive control keys

Stylus, Interchangeable covers

Hardware & Performance

System chip

Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T

Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974

Processor

Quad-core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300

Quad-core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400

Quad-core, 2260 MHz, Krait 400

GPU

Adreno 320

Adreno 330

RAM

2 GB LPDDR2

3 GB LPDDR3

2 GB LPDDR3

Internal storage

32 GB

64 GB

32 GB

Storage expansion

Slot Type

microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD

microSDHC, microSD

OS

Android (4.4.2, 4.4, 4.3), HTC Sense UI

Android (5.0 Lollipop, 4.4.4, 4.4, 4.3)

Android (5.0 Lollipop, 4.4.2, 4.2.2)

Battery

Capacity

3300 mAh

3200 mAh

3000 mAh

Talk time

28.00 hours

25.00 hours

34.30 hours

Stand-by time

16.4 days (393 hours)

22.0 days (528 hours)

34.2 days (821 hours)

Talk time (3G)

25.00 hours

21.00 hours

21.30 hours

Stand-by time (3G)

24.4 days (585 hours)

17.5 days (420 hours)

34.4 days (826 hours)

Stand-by time (4G)

15.8 days (380 hours)

Music playback

84.00 hours

Video playback

13.00 hours

Cellular

LTE (FDD)

Bands 3, 7, 8, 18

Bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 17, 18

Bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20

UMTS

900, 1900, 2100 MHz

850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz

GSM

850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

Data

LTE, HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS

LTE Cat 4 (150/50 Mbit/s), HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS

LTE Cat 4 (150/50 Mbit/s), HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s

Multimedia

Screen mirroring

DLNA, MHL, TV-out

DLNA, MHL

DLNA, Wireless screen share, MirrorLink, SlimPort

Check out our Specs Comparison tool to compare the specs of the HTC One Max to those of any other smartphone!

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49 Comments

1. MobileKicker

Posts: 212; Member since: Sep 19, 2013

The galaxy note 3 wins

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:39 AM 22

12. o0Exia0o

Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013

How do you figure? The LG G2 seems to be a fairly decent offering.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 6:19 AM 7

30. EarnYourLeather

Posts: 87; Member since: Feb 14, 2012

Because Galaxy is now a household name and people like to feel like they're a part of a successful brand.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:39 PM 1

32. Windsponge

Posts: 97; Member since: Nov 01, 2009

I checked out LG a lot finally bought note 3. Button on go really ruin a pretty good phone. Note 3 is much smoother. Much better features for me. I think 3 is better.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 2:30 PM 1

39. cheetah2k

Posts: 2149; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

Note 3... no way.. Not if you put them side by side and watch all the UI lag in the Note 3. The LG G2 is so fluid, and also natively supports LTE-A, plus that "knock knock" to turn on is simply brilliant without the need to press a button or anything!. The Note 3 camera lags like a pig.. much like the S4 camera, you just can't capture a moment without it passing by before the shutter works... ugh.. FTL LG have made a cracking phone in the G2. After their previous 2X and 4X flagship phone failures, they've really pulled their fingers out and given us something awesome

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 8:20 PM 1

46. maccess

Posts: 742; Member since: Jan 16, 2013

"UI lag" lol it's obvious you know nothin about note 3.. please mind yourself to check all note 3 reviews on youtube.. you'll see no lag.. or maybe you didn't know what lag means??

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 5:28 AM 0

2. zhiae unregistered

next best media consumption on the way.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:45 AM 0

36. GTR722

Posts: 270; Member since: Oct 20, 2012

I love how PA always "forgets" about Sony Phones....where is the ZUltra PA ??

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:55 PM 0

45. Chris.P

Posts: 567; Member since: Jun 27, 2013

Here:http://www.phonearena.com/news/HTC-One-max-vs-Sony-Xperia-Z-Ultra-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-Mega-6.3-specs-comparison-phablet-heat_id48268 We split them up in two.

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 1:19 AM 0

3. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Nice day to show this comparison, PA coz tomorrow all of'em will be dethroned by ........;) :D

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:46 AM 0

11. o0Exia0o

Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013

That is assuming that you are putting your faith in rumors seeing as no invites have been sent out for a scheduled event. Just so you know I hope that you are right though.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 6:16 AM 0

19. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

They are not rumors anymore. It is all 99.9% confirmed. All that is missing is an official announcement.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 7:43 AM 0

21. o0Exia0o

Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013

So you have official proof that it will be released tomorrow? Would you care to share said proof that it will be released tomorrow? If you don't then your comment is invalid. Nobody was talking specs here, just announcement/ release date.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 8:31 AM 0

4. zhiae unregistered

message to HTC : u dont sell well there is nothing wrong with ur device it is our mind change it fake us like any other company's do.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:46 AM 2

5. Smokin

Posts: 120; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Wait. In GSMArena its 6" IPS LCD. I dunno wheres right

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:52 AM 0

15. Chris.P

Posts: 567; Member since: Jun 27, 2013

Super-LCD3 is also an IPS panel. Problem with getting a more consistent naming is that manufacturers rarely talk about specifics like this and instead just use blanket terms, like IPS. I've edited the wording a bit to reflect this. Good eye, by the way ;)

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 7:02 AM 0

7. emadshiny

Posts: 1144; Member since: Dec 05, 2012

Another weak device by HTC. That's why they are falling.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 5:57 AM 9

9. Retro-touch unregistered

Have to agree, only a blind and retarded person would go for this over a Note 3, which outclasses it in every department save for build quality

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 6:14 AM 9

23. dratomic

Posts: 483; Member since: Oct 09, 2013

metal is not equal to build quality. if ygis metal clad breaks with a drop like htc one (which is not repairable) then in my opinion it's not build quality. Watch note 3 s drop test to get what I'm saying.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 10:24 AM 1

31. EarnYourLeather

Posts: 87; Member since: Feb 14, 2012

"Metal is not equal to build quality." I wish I could put that on a billboard somewhere.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:41 PM 0

25. almostdone

Posts: 421; Member since: Sep 25, 2012

With all that metal making the phone so big and heavy 217g.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 10:49 AM 1

26. ngo2dd

Posts: 896; Member since: Jul 08, 2011

Or people who are jt spec Whore. Beside benchmarks there is not really different. You will have similar battery life in all three. The G2 have a much better camera then the note 3. Apple prove that it s not all about spec but user experience. That is why Google only went with a duel core for the Moto X. But only dumb people call other retard for not careing about the new spec. A cellphone is like a computer I don't care about the newest thing spec but something that work and last longer

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 10:49 AM 1

27. dratomic

Posts: 483; Member since: Oct 09, 2013

GSMArena says note3 camera >>g2. so your opinions are invalid

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 11:18 AM 3

40. cheetah2k

Posts: 2149; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

GSMArena obviously didnt care about the Note 3 camera startup lag then.. Also the low light video and still photos are terrible... Looks like another rushed device like the S4 IMO. LG G2 >> Note 3 for sure, especially out door photo colour reproduction and IS

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 8:27 PM 0

44. dratomic

Posts: 483; Member since: Oct 09, 2013

GSMArena is the most null and unbiased site ever (sure their reviews were skewed towards samsung in the past but they have been clean for 5 years now!) and I buy my devices based on their review and fortunately I've never regret it