Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 are definitely two of the most outstanding 2014 flagship devices out in the market today. So much so that it's quite hard for one to decide which one is better than the other. Many reviews on both devices readily give them 5 stars for their incredible built, but let's try to set that aside and focus more on weighing their pros and cons as the successors of their equally popular predecessors. So how does the Samsung Galaxy S5 fare compared with the HTC One M8? Let's take a look at the four-one-one of these two devices.

Samsung Galaxy S5 over HTC One M8

While both the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 sport full HD display, the screen size of the S5 is bigger by a smidgeon than that of the HTC One M8. At 5.1-inch, the Galaxy S5's display is slightly bigger, but this is not readily noticeable even if you put both handsets side-by-side. What's more is that the 432 pixel density in the Samsung Galaxy S5 screen gives it an edge over HTC One M8's 441ppi. Users will also enjoy how more vibrant and bright the S5's display is compared to that of the M8. Thus, outdoor viewing is always a delight with the S5, which even has this clever feature that allows it to automatically adjust the brightness of its screen depending on the lighting conditions.

Now when it comes to processors, the Samsung Galaxy S5 still triumphs with its Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz. In contrast, the HTC One M8 sports the same Snapdragon 801 processor but it's clocked at 2.3GHz (only).

As a daily driver, the Samsung Galaxy S5 has the edge of encasing a 2800mAh battery. Samsung even did a great job in incorporating a new Ultra Power Saving Mode which helps the smartphone get that extra 30% longevity that is enough to last for 3.3 days. Contrariwise, the HTC One M8 comes with a 2600mAh battery that is not that impressive when it comes to providing enough fuel to its powerful software.

Another thing that gives the Samsung Galaxy S5's battery the edge as opposed to that of the HTC One M8 is the fact that it is removable. For users who prefer to carry around a spare battery for their device this is a spot-on advantage.

When it comes to camera technology, Samsung is sticking with its cram-the-megapixels strategy. Its 16MP camera takes very high quality photos that are rich in detail. Furthermore, the built-in camera features will surely blow everyone away. Plus! Samsung even claims that the S5's camera technology is ultra-fast, it takes photos in 0.3s.

Finally, just like Apple iPhone 5s' fingerprint scanning technology, the Galaxy S5 also comes with a very similar feature. You can use this technology in authorizing PayPal transactions and in unlocking the device. On the other hand, the HTC One M8 does not come with a fingerprint scanner unlike the HTC One Max.

HTC One M8 over Samsung Galaxy S5

A single look on the two handsets, it is undeniable that the HTC One M8's built and design speak volumes when compared with the Galaxy S5. The full-metal body of the M8, coupled with its rounded edges make HTC's latest flagship device more attractive and quite premium-looking. Consumers, who prefer smartphones with premium feel, will surely favor the HTC One M8. On the other hand, although the Samsung Galaxy S5 sports the same plastic material its predecessors flaunted, the new look and feel of its removable back casing is somehow strikingly beautiful.

Despite the fact that the S5's camera is significantly impressive, the innovative camera technology of the HTC One M8 is something that will win the interest (and curiosity) of everyone. The dual-camera technology takes impressive photos that can be tweaked to the extreme. The new flash also gives the phone another advantage when it comes grabbing pictures in murky or low-lighting conditions.

It is not surprising that both the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 sport the latest version of Android, 4.4 KitKat. However, their disparate skin is what gives the M8 the upperhand. The beautiful and striking HTC Sense 6 interface is more remarkable than the new Samsung TouchWiz. The main attraction of which is Blinkfeed, which melds social media updates with RSS feeds, calendars, etc. On the contrary, the new TouchWiz interface of Samsung's latest flagship device sports a rip-off of Blinkfeed called My Magazine. Nevertheless, it's nowhere near the former when it comes to integrating RSS feeds and calendars into a unified vertical-scroll display.