Info: The HTC 8XT vs the Samsung Galaxy ATIV S Neo

Nokia has really been promoting Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows Phone 8 on their smart phones. But, with Microsoft’s latest purchase of Nokia, I have to wonder whether Microsoft will release any “exclusives” on their newly acquired smart phone brand. For now, I am going to compare two smart phones that are both running on Windows Phone 8 but aren’t manufactured by Nokia. That’s right I’ll be comparing the HTC 8XT and the Samsung ATIV S Neo. Which is the better Windows Phone 8 smart phone? Read on to find out...

Phone	HTC 8XT	Samsung ATIV S Neo
Image
Operating System	Windows Phone 8	Windows Phone 8
Processor	Dual Core, 1400 MHz, Krait 200	Dual Core, 1400 MHz
System Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930	??
System Memory	1 GB	1 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 305	Yes
Display	4.3” WVGA Screen	4.8” TFT Screen
Screen Resolution	800 x 480 pixels	1,280 x 720 pixels
Pixel Density	217 ppi	306 ppi
Storage	8 GB User Memory + expandable memory microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC (up to 64 GB)	16 GB User Memory + expandable memory microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	8 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	1.6 MP	1.9 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n	Yes
Bluetooth	3.0	Yes
Battery	1,800 mAh	2,000 mAh
Weight	140 g	144 g
Dimensions	132 x 66 x 10 mm	135 x 69 x 9 mm
Announced	26th June 2013	26th June 2013

Size and weight

Let me start by saying that there is very little between both these smart phones and therefore, all these points will be quite close. That being said, the HTC 8XT measures 132 x 66 x 10 mm while the ATIV S Neo measures 135 x 69 x 9 mm. It is important here to keep in mind that the ATIV S Neo has a 0.5” larger display which means that the ATIV S Neo is indeed the more compact smart phone. In terms of weight, the HTC 8XT is slightly lighter at 140 g to the 144 g of the ATIV S Neo.

The ATIV S Neo is going to pick up this point because of its better use of space.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - One)


Display

The display on the HTC 8XT is a big letdown. It comes with a 4.3” WVGA touch screen which is extremely low resolution. On the other hand, the ATIV S Neo comes with a 4.8” TFT touch screen which is miles ahead as far as technology is concerned. This is evident even when you compare the pixel densities between both smart phones. The HTC 8XT has a pixel density of just 217 ppi while the ATIV S Neo has a pixel density of a much more respectable 306 ppi.

This is the second point in a row that the ATIV S Neo picks up.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Two)


Memory & Storage

When it comes to memory and storage, there really isn’t anything much to separate both these smart phones. Both come with 1 GB of RAM which means programs will run quite smoothly. Both smart phones even have storage expansion up to 64 GB which means you will never run out of space with either. The only difference between them is that the HTC 8XT has 8 GB of internal storage while the ATIV S Neo has 16 GB. Not a major difference I know, but still it has to be mentioned.

Neither of these smart phones do enough to deserve this point and therefore it’s a draw.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Two)


Camera

Again, there is nothing to separate both these smart phones when it comes to the camera. Both come with an 8 MP camera on the back and an LED flash. Both smart phones even allow video recording at 1080p HD. When you compare front facing cameras, the HTC 8XT has a 1.6 MP camera while the ATIV S Neo has a 1.9 MP camera. Both smart phones even allow “picture taking during video” which is quite cool.

Who should win this point? I’m going to go with the ATIV S Neo because it has HDR (High Dynamic Range) which means you will get much better pictures.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Three)


OS & Performance

Both smart phones on the latest Microsoft operating system Windows Phone 8 and have very little between them in terms of hardware. While I’m not really sure which Qualcomm Snapdragon chip is used on the ATIV S Neo the HTC 8XT uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930 chip and both smart phones have a Dual Core, 1400 MHz processor.

I’m going to call this one a draw but not because I’m not sure which chip is used on the ATIV S Neo but because I used both smart phones recently and they perform similarly.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Three)


Battery

There is very little between both these smart phones as far as the battery is concerned. While the HTC 8XT has a 1,800 mAh battery, the ATIV S Neo has a 2,000 mAh battery. The standby time advertised for the ATIV S Neo is 13.8 days while there isn’t any official announcement on the standby time of the HTC 8XT. But, if we compare the talk time between both smart phones, the HTC 8XT has a talk time of 14 hours on 3G while the ATIV S Neo has a talk time of 15 hours. So, I’m guessing the standby time can’t be that bad on the HTC 8XT.

This point is a draw.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Three)


Price

I don’t really know how much Samsung is planning to sell the ATIV S Neo for or if they are selling it free of contract at all. On the other hand, the HTC 8XT can be purchased for $ 400 free of contract.

I don’t think I will be able to compare this point between both smart phones because of a lack of information and therefore, it’s going to be a draw as well.

(HTC 8XT - Zero / Samsung ATIV S Neo - Three)


Conclusion

At the end of this comparison, the score reads 3 points to 0 in favor of the Samsung ATIV S Neo. So, if you are thinking of buying a Windows Phone 8 smart phone and don’t want to buy a Nokia, your next best bet will have to be the Samsung Galaxy ATIV S Neo. I don’t really understand what happened to HTC in this segment. I mean, the HTC One is doing so well against top end smart phones, why doesn’t the HTC 8XT perform in its segment? Then again, I don’t have an idea what is going on at HTC, the HTC 8XT has an 8 MP camera while the HTC One has a 4 MP camera. I don’t even know what to say... The Samsung ATIV S Neo is definitely the better smart phone here.

Similar Posts:

Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 vs Nokia Lumia 520
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Samsung Galaxy Grand
Samsung Galaxy Grand vs Nokia Lumia 925

---

› See More: The HTC 8XT vs the Samsung Galaxy ATIV S Neo