HTC One (M8), LG G3, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 Price Plans Comparison

HTC One (M8), LG G3, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 Price Plans Comparison 

With the LG G3 going on sale this weekend, there is a four-cornered fight among the Android flagship smartphones. If you are having difficulties choosing the right smartphone, perhaps this compilation of contract pricing will help you make a more informed decision. We start off by comparing the specs of the One (M8), G3, Galaxy S5 and Xperia Z2 below:

1. Do note that the contract pricing is based on this week's promo which is valid from June 28 to July 4. Prices may change thereafter.



2. Other miscellaneous costs such as early re-contract fees, SIM card charges and registration fees are not included in this table.



3. These comparisons are solely based on the contract pricing of the respective phones.



4. With a two-year contract tied to each phone, we have compiled a table comparing the total amount you have to fork out (at minimum) over the two-year span for each plan category. For this calculation, we took into account the monthly subscriptions for two years and the contract pricing as listed for the respective telcos. 



5. The LG G3 is only available in 32GB at the telcos while the Samsung Galaxy S5 comes in both 16GB and 32GB. For uniformity's sake, we will use the contract pricing for the Galaxy S5 (16GB). Do take this into consideration when looking through the price comparison below.

Telco Basic Plans Comparison
 

Telco Mid-Tier Plans Comparison
 

Telco High-Tier Plans Comparison
 

Telco Premium Plans Comparison
 

Our Inputs 

There is without a doubt that all four Android flagship smartphones are very strong contenders. Here's our recommendations: 

• If the design, build quality and handling of a phone matter to you, there is no better choice than the HTC One (M8). Its all-metal (90%) chassis provides a premium, solid and comfortable feel in the hands. The G3 comes at a close second with its excellent handling. 
  
   
• Want a phone that is durable and protected from the weather elements? Go for the Samsung Galaxy S5 or Sony Xperia Z2. The Galaxy S5 is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance while the Xperia Z2 is rated IP55 / IP58. Against dust, the Galaxy S5 has a higher level of protection than the Xperia Z2. However, the Xperia Z2 can survive deeper waters (1.5m compared to 1m on the Galaxy S5) and is protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions. On a side note, fitness-orientated consumers should consider the Galaxy S5 for its suite of health-related features such as S Health fitness app and a heart rate sensor.
  
   
• Should you want to consider your next flagship device based on the best user interface, both HTC Sense 6 and LG's new interface should be on your shopping list. Both feature a simpler and lighter interface that makes them easy to use. Nevertheless, you should head down to the shops to try out the phones and see which interface appeal to you.
  
   
• Shutter bugs and photography enthusiasts can choose either the LG G3 or Samsung Galaxy S5. While we haven't compared the image quality from the Galaxy S5 and G3, the Samsung smartphone emerged the winner in our earlier camera phone shootout with the One (M8) and Xperia Z2. The G3 is quite a capable shooter with its laser autofocus, which helps it take photos faster in any lighting conditions. 
  
   
• In terms of overall performance, the Galaxy S5 also emerged the victor in our shootout article although the G3 isn't included in the list. Overall, the four phones have distinct features that set themselves apart. Some may like the metallic chassis of the One (M8) while others prefer the Galaxy S5 which seems to have everything but the kitchen sink.

For more information on the different phones, hit the links below to the respective reviews:

• HTC One (M8)
  
  
• LG G3 
  
   
• Samsung Galaxy S5
  
   
• Sony Xperia Z2

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