HTC Desire HD vs Samsung Galaxy S
If you're looking for a big-screen beast of a phone, which offers power, a rich visual experience and all the other trappings of a cutting edge smartphone, chances are you've already had the Samsung Galaxy S and HTC's Desire HD on your radar for some time.
You've probably 'ummed' and 'aaahed' because there really is little to separate these two great smartphones, but we decided to take on the impossible task. Who will win in our face-off between the two best big-screen hitters on the market?
Operating System
Both of these devices run Google's Android OS, a cutting edge mobile platform, which is easy to use while being suitably complex for those that like to dig a bit deeper.
With Android you have power and simplicity – and all the apps you can shake a stick at! HTC's Desire HD shipped with Google's latest revision of the OS, Android 2.2, which comes with a host of speed and stability improvements as well as important updates for running future applications and is also boosted by HTC's own Sense UI overlay, a graphical user-interface that makes Android more intuitive and attractive thanks to custom widgets, icons and shortcuts.
Samsung have their own custom UI, TouchWiz, but it just isn't a patch on Sense, which really sets the bar for all Android handsets. The Galaxy S is also a little behind with system updates, with some customers still waiting for their rollout of Android 2.2, we feel that between Sense UI and Froyo, HTC have this bout sewn up.
Winner - Desire HD
Camera
The Desire HD marks something of a change of tack for HTC who have, until now, been criticised for their devices image capture facilities. The HD comes packing an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, autofocus and face detection.
In contrast the Galaxy S only comes with a 5 megapixel sensor, face and smile detection, though it has no flash. Just looking at the stats doesn’t do the Samsung justice though, as it produces fantastic pin-sharp images in good light conditions. The Desire HD, while toting the larger pixel count does take decent images but it's nothing out of the ordinary, so we're going to be controversial and give this round to the Galaxy S. It may be lacking on a couple of fronts but the proof of the pudding is always in the eating, and the images produced are simply better.
Winner - Galaxy S
Display
This is it – the big one. If you're looking at these devices you must want something special and they both deliver, with huge vibrant displays that will make your mobile movie viewing an immersive experience.
The Desire HD comes with a 4.3-inch LCD while the Galaxy S weighs in with a 4-inch Super AMOLED, both offer the same pixel count of 480 x 800 and its tough to choose one over the other because, quite honestly, they're both amazing.
What does separate them though is the Super AMOLED's power consumption. It's around 20% less power hungry than the Desire HD, which already has issues in the battery life department, so while it may be a bit larger (and a tiny bit brighter) it won't keep you entertained for as long as the Galaxy S, which to its credit offers higher pixel density and better colour saturation.
Winner - Galaxy S
Overall Verdict
In comparing these devices we chose what we perceive to be the three most important features for a big-screen, media device to have and the Samsung edges it, but only slightly. Both devices are powerful, highly usable and amazingly fun to use.
They'll keep you in touch with your social networks, your office and your friends and you'd be hard pressed to find something better in today's market.