HTC Desire HD vs Samsung Galaxy S 

After much thinking and looking at various comparison tests, such as this one, I finally went with the Samsung Galaxy S. And I havent regreted it for a second. Battery life and screen are vital for me.

a big thanks for this exhaustive comparison ! keep up the good work ! cheers from france

Great video. Always good videos in phonearena. I just love the attention to details and that you get everything correct, as it ought to be. Btw your English skills are better than that of some native speakers :P

It was so magical when I first got my Galaxy S. As my first legitimate smartphone, I never had a problem with it. I've got the Galaxy Note 2 now but nothing quite compares to your first smart experience.

I've been dithering between these two handsets, and now I feel like I can make a more informed decision due to your comprehensive review - thanks! :)

Actually, as an owner of the HTC Sensation, I found this comparison quite fair.

The studdering can be prevented by turning USB debugging on. My cpu was sometimes used at over 90% to scroll through menu's, but by turning USB debugging on your problems are over. Settings > Applications > USB debugging

@McAeroxX i don't think there was any luck involved here, the guy reviewing the phone said that the htc looked washed out, even if it was to do with angles, shows that the galaxy can retain the clarity whereas the htc couldn't.

Man still undecided as to which one to get when I can upgrade in march. Features wise I'm swaying towards the desire HD, but the battery life is the real deal breaker for me here. Got a couple more months to decide, but I might just wait for the HTC Inspire 4G. Has 4gb built in flash memory (as opposed to 1.5 on the desire HD), and a super-lcd screen as opposed to an LCD screen (the reviewer mentions the desire hd has an s-lcd screen, but i believe he is mistaken). It was announced last month.

Check the benchmark scores on the stock handsets and compare them. The chips are on different levels to each other.

Both great. I have and would still choose the Galaxy S for its support for HD mkv playback with subtiles and because I prefer 4" over 4.3" (talk about specific eh), but I'd reccomend the Desire HD to most people since it doesn't take as much tweaking and is built better.

Depends on the rom. Currently I'm using ViperHD and it records in 1080p (although at 30fps and it's touch and go whether it will work). Stock it will only record 720p (under Gingerbread).

its so good to see the great and hard work samsung put on the samsung galaxy s and galaxy tab, they really cared about this devices being successful on the market :)

Im getting the HTC Desire HD very soon, just can't wait =D

I got a Desire HD about 2 weeks ago. And I can simply say that it's my best phone yet ^^

The battery life gets better! My DesireHD when i first got it. It barely lasted a full day, In the evening it reported 10-15% battery left. But have in mind, i was playing with the thing most of the day. I usualy have about 50% left when i go to bed. Since i use my phone as alarm clock, it sit's in the charger @ night. Battery life is not a problem, unless you compaire it to a "non-smartphone"

was it raining when this was filmed ? in the background

Nice video, The only thing that bothered me is that you were trying to push the phones always even closer then they were already. ;) But, certainly an excellent review.

I just bought the HTC desire HD, and thank you for the comments the people have left on this video, I had the chance to use both phones, and I just fell in love with the desire HD, don't get me wrong, the galaxy S is a good phone, I really think it's just preference, but do read the comments on this video and research! I almost bought the galaxy S since I thought they were just the same phone (and also I love the front facing cam.. LOL). Anyway, goodluck on choosing your next phone.

ugh, I wish that in reviews they would put the phones on the table and put the camera on the table to really show thickness differences.

thanks for this video man, its a great way to make a choice between those phones :)

to all those who review...It's now clear to me that any smartphone review MUST include a good battery test. may i suggest, playing same video, playing music, and streaming to exhaustion. if people wanna also comment on theirs, do something similar so we can evaluate your meaning of moderate/hard use. i know, i know- who wants to spend the time eh? but, you know you its whats needed. you know it makes sense!

Desire HD is benchmarked higher in Quadrant benchmarks. Search it on youtube, Desire HD vs Desire vs Acer. Then at end you'll see some list of benchmark points, you can see the Desire HD is 1/3 faster than Samsung Galaxy S!

Great review, it made me decide between these 2 phones. Thanks

I also had the Galaxy S and I'm glad i got the Desire HD. Regarding the battery life yeah it's true I would have preferred more MAH in the battery but it's an issue i fixed with 6 Euros. When you compare the quality of the interface the fact it's aluminium and the huge screen the HTC is a hands down winner. It's the first review saying that they didn't like this or that... Commission from samsung? :P

you're right there but... Desire HD: 8mp pics - 1080p recording - 4.3 inch screen - 14 mega bits download Galaxy S: 5mp pics - 720p recording - 4 inch screen - 7 mega bits download your only picking out the specs where the galaxy s has the advantage, when actually there are other quite important specs

To make the Desire HD a perfect device: Better - Speakers, Screen and Battery life. I got that device and I think it's really good.

HTC also produce the HD7 which runs Windows 7 mobile. This also has the same size screen. So do HTC need to double up with two phones? Wouldn't it be better to concentrate their attention on one phone?

@DanLoveAde i don't have any problems with power. battery lasts for good 1.5 days with active usage, roughly 1 day with more browsing. it is slower than android, but that is the only disadvatage. because on android you run things like the homescreen which show you a weather dock and 2 icons, whereas on N8 you have lots of idgets, or docks, showing weather which updates automatically, contacts, music player, email inbox etc... that is why it is slower. app open and run quite similarly!

i choose the galaxy s. why? the camrea may have a lower resolution but results are fantastic and look brilliant on the amoled screen. the design may be plasticy for some but in day to day use makes a 4 inch phone very comfortable to hold and carry. samsung has put its top noch tech inside and loaded a TON of cool features like layar and swype which make this worthwile. and the main reason is the amoled display. just use it for a day in person, its absolutely brilliant for media. (opinions)

i have the desire hd nad i didnt notice the colors were washed out, but with the comparison in this video it becomes clear :( I always thought the colors were nice bu tthe colors on the galaxy s has gotta be pretty awesome

@EuroHeliMalta how did u fix the battery issue ? :)

you are comparing to the samsung galaxy s. However, I am now looking at a samsung galaxy s fascinate 3g+ .. would that phone be significantly different? There are so many variations it seems within brands that it is confusing.

I have tried both phones out and agree with the verdict. The Galaxy S has a more attractive UI, better screen and just feels more intuitive to operate. It is also a great size and light to carry. The HTC Desire HD has an impressive screen size, and sure it has a metal case, but the appeal of the case would wear off in a few days. I doubt it would do any better than the Galaxy if if dropped. The HD also feels like a bit of a brick - the whole point of a phone is to be portable.

was it raining when this was filmed ?

I think the phones balance out in terms of quality but with each being better in different areas: Galaxy S has a slightly better processor, larger internal memory(and in my opinions a better screen) whilst the HTC desire HD has a better camera and a flash. In terms of specs it just depends on whether you want a better camera or better processor & more memory. However the Galaxy S is much cheeper so I think its the better option as you get more for your money.

I love the Samsung Galaxy S

@Policestate2000 yeah ridiculous is an understatement. u made the right choice with a galaxy s2. they look sweet

Great review BUT the camera angle (low angle) makes the Desire look really poor and washed out than it really is.

I recommend to actually test the phone in the stores yourselves. In this video the Desire HD screen looks really washed out compared to the Samsung but that was not at all the case when i held it in my hand today.

@ChaunceySeepcrack The DHD uses S-LCD, the SGS S-Amoled. S-Amoled is brighter, has amazing colours, deeper black -> higher contrast, less battary usage, not depinding on viewing angle, more pixels/inch -> bit sharper. Not every point is striking but even if you consider the DHD's screen size, SGS has the better display. No doubt IMO, not in yours i noticed

The samsung galaxy s has a cap that locks fps at 56-58. Check it out on xda if you want to really see how well the gpu can perform, although i have the galaxy s, and you REALLY need to work on it. If you want something that will work out of the box the desire hd is probably better, and the ammount of ram is awesome.

@tommychanyokethean hey Tommy, tks for your answer, didnt understand the amoled thing... so... does the samsung have a better screen than the HTC?

Galaxy S with MiUi blows everything away. M using it and love it.. Tomorrow ill buy HTC Desire HD for my sis.. Will compare it both then. I hate Samsung's Touchwiz though, but love HTC sense.

@loadstone007 - these are android phones, if you want to compare the Win7 HD7 check the comparison between HD7 & Samsung focus.

@ChaunceySeepcrack actually not from the US n we have already got the update.... i thought the video was being shot in the US.......

From people I know, I've NEVER heard anything good about the Galaxy S. On the other hand, all I've ever heard about the Desire HD has been all positive feedback. The HTC Desire HD takes this no problem.

the samsung galaxy s or htc desire hd? im planning to get one of these for x-mas but i don't know which one to pick. (: thanks (:

@Marioseg0 so is the samsung. but that just goes to show how vibrant it is

this was a very good comprehensive comparison video....... gonna get the galaxy s. ...not that i hate htc but i really like the s.amoled display and the galaxy is much lighter...and that helps when ur carrying two phones.

correct me if im wrong.... but the Samsung screen looks more intense? better color than the htc?????

which one should i buy (going to buy one of them today)

Samsung Galaxy S no.1

@ryankkk98HD yes you can get Apps from the android market. there aren't as many apps as there are for the iPhone, but there's still thousands, and android apps are catching up.

@vectraB97 the screen resolution is the same? and in fact galaxy s has smaller screen so the pixels in galaxy s has smaller pixels. Also the most noticeable difference IS the amoled technology. The colours are brighter and blacks are more black than any other screens in the market even the retina display. I don't think you know what you're talking about. When it comes to the display.. nothing beats the amoled display. The only thing I like about HTC android devices is the Sense UI.

I need to make a choice Galaxy S , iPhone or Desire HD? D:

@lolwutica I accidentally replied on your comment... I wanted the question to be headed to @PhoneArena

which one is better in terms of gaming? and internet speed.

@ChaunceySeepcrack It sounds like I am gonna get the Desire HD cause the bigger screen is one of my favorite features. I couldn't find the HD on stores yet to check it properly. Well...thanks for your feedback.

Went on to ebay and bought a 1600 mah batery... simple :) i still can't get over this review... I think that apart from the screen quality the DHD wins hands down!

@hbroo69 did you look at the screen my friend? what about the colors ?

@metroidM1A1 Like many of the other comments on this page, my freinds samsung galaxy S is falling apart. Also when i bought my Desire HD for £549.99 my freinds Galaxy S was £539.99, so very similar. But which one has held its value? Well the Desie HD is still selling for £450 in carphonewarehouse, and the Galaxy S isnt in production. So I think that not only shows the desirability of the desire hd (exscuse the pun) but also shows the build quality, as many people think it is a new phone.

i was supposed to get a galaxy but now im getting a HTC, so i was searching up which one was better just to make sure

@MrHaughom on the galaxy you could see 17:40 so it is PM;)

@ChaunceySeepcrack faster only in htc phone or faster than all phone?? have another brand and have fast processer too??

@TheSwishtv mistake, it was actually Varna, guess there are more streets with the same name than I though. I az taka, no jiweq w chujbina.

Sense UI + Samsung Galaxy S appdrawer + Super Amoled 1024 x 600 + 1,5 GHZ Hummingbird processor or 2:nd generation qualcomm snapdragon processor would make up for an awesome HTC Galaxy HD or a Samsung Desire S

I just ordered my htc desire hd and it was really great when I tested it in the shop, and the screen was very good. but next to the galaxy's see the very poor out, so do not be fooled! and it is not so much the better, for sure a top mobile! and like the more natural colors of desire hd than the galaxy's, this is my opinion!

@CAHbIK thx :D thx guys for the support

hehehe.. it's funny how you keep correcting the phones positions. :) very handy review though!

Meanwhile in all the world saying: "...get this app for iphone". Why no for samsung for htc for android, etc etc.? Because they know what is the best mobile, (practical, sexy, commercial, innovative, etc)

I've had a week with both and even though I own a Nexus S now which is kinda similar to galaxy s, I would choose Samsung galaxy s for so many reasons but the most important reason is the battery life. HTC desire HD has a very poor battery life, sometimes I had to charge the phone 2 times a day. So yeah Choose Galaxy s! You wouldn't regret it!

@Djdubblemm For me, the screen is very sharp. Reds are reds and so on...though it is very sharp and I understand people not liking it. As for the lags, my phone works very fast. In fact the internet is quicker that on my computer. As for the camera...well, the only problem I see is that its missing a flash. Though I also know that it is not as good as it should be for a smartphone, but I really don't care that much. I think the velocity problem's a fault on your phone, so check that out :) xx

Thanks for the review. Very helpful

@oOJakkeOo if you listen through the whole sentence, he mentioned AND, next gen chipsets.

How's that? My new Desire HD A9191 screen black doesn't look grey and colors do not vanish. In fact, they looks like in Galaxy S screen. I've tried to see it in the bright sunlight and it still doesn't looks like in this video. Any ideas ???

Galaxy S is the best android smartphone

I have htc desire HD. The resolution in this video seems really washed out compared to the samsung galaxy but when I look at my own phone it looks really similar to the galaxy I can't see the washed out look at all. My phones running 2.2 froyo, would that explain the difference between wat i see in this video and in front of me? Or would it be the video camera he's using?

@xpenditure u would take touchwiz over sense??

can the htc desire HD add application like the iphone?

Personalize button on the Desire HD in the begining is green :P

You are from bulgaria. And i'm from bulgaria. Desire hd is the best at the moment.

HTC Desire S or Samsung Galaxy S? Which will you choose??

@ChaunceySeepcrack Personal opinion can be rational or heavily biased. Isn't saying "SGS = great screen, poor at everything else" misleading, too? It wasn't a great phone when it came out..but with the lag fixed, which admittedly I didn't think Samsung would accomplish, and GPS improved (from terrible to meh, usable).. I think the differences are minor and it's really up to personal preference.

can you go left and right in the menu on the Desire HD like on the S ?

although samsung galaxy s won I still feel closer to htc, I don't know why. maybe it's the gray blackness or being the underdog :)

i prefer the htc, that phone looks really good !

I am telling the Samsung Galaxy S here in Brazil has a built in digital tv receptor.. You don't need to stream nothing at all to watch tv, don't need an internet connection.

@91shady17 I would probably get the Htc. I am going to be upgrading my phone soon and have been stuck with the same dilemma you are facing. I think the iphone would potentially be best (just) but not worth the outrageous price. Going to be getting my Htc Desire HD soon and think so should you :D

hi can somebody give the name of the samsung's ringtone?

You have a problem man... At 3:25 min you tell us about how gray is the black of desire hd. At 8:25 min the black of desire hd seems to be black... I'll choose desire hd

I love both of these phones

@if you want only 1 GB and a "weak" LCD-screen in an oversized phone, go for Desire HD. If you phone with a screen that no phone made yet can compare to, with 8 GB, go for the Samsung.

both running 2.2 right?

please help me choose. SAMSUNG GALAXY S or HTC DESIRE

@aaaaaaleon scratch away the megapixel fact. galaxy s does not support external memory card?

Omg!! how cool. I didn't know Apu from The Simpsons did smart phone reviews!!!!

the galaxy s screen makes the desire hd look like a toy..

Galaxy s or htc desire hd? Help me choose please

Take what yo like. Both phones are HD superphones with top datas. You cant make a misstake. I prefer the Galaxy but I like sense very much on the HTC. Also i want a light handy not such a big one. When you like good materials and a nice userface take the HTC HD and when you like a colourful screen and a light handy take the Galaxy S. You must decide what you like more. (BUT NEVER TAKE AN ASSPHONE)