Introduction
We have a good one for you today – the large HTC Desire 820 versus the even larger, Google Nexus 6. Two completely new devices by different companies for a different audience – so why compare them you ask – because that is what we do. We are trying to show how different devices stack up against one another and ask ourselves if the price difference is worth it or not…are you really going to use all of the features of the higher end device?
Let’s take a look at these two devices and see just what they might have in common, before we take a look at their differences – not the display, not the processor, not the RAM nor the memory. Wait, I found one – the main camera on both devices is 13MP with auto-focus. Then we start again, the front-facing cameras (FFC) are very different, so are the batteries. Both are about the same size all around, although the Nexus 6 weighs 30 grams more.
They do have the usual Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a microUSB connector for charging and data transfer. They both have dual, front-facing stereo speakers and both are running Android…just different versions.
Please take a close look at the detailed Specification chart below and really dig down to see exactly where these two devices differ. After that, we will look at each individual smartphone and pick out some pros and cons in our search to justify the winner of this comparison.
Specifications
HTC Desire 820
The new HTC Desire 820 falls within HTC’s low-midrange group of devices generally destined for a far off country or on the domestic front as a prepaid device. However, when were able to finally see the final specs, it no longer sounded like it should be classified as a low-midrange device…more an upper mid-range smartphone. After all, it is HTC’s first 64-bit device and has a 5.5-inch HD display. It comes in a lot of fun colors and is an ideal device for young people or those into social media.
The Desire 820 comes with a 5.5-inch HD LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and 267 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – while a decent display, is nowhere in the same ballpark as the 493 PPI on the QHD Nexus 9. The Desire 820 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 as its processor – a 64-bit Octa-Core clocked at 1.5GHz and 1.0GHz. This is quite a processor for this device and one that could take real advantage of Android 5.0 Lollipop…is it in the same league as the Snapdragon 805 Quad-Core found on the Nexus 6…not quite. The Desire 820 comes with 2GB of RAM versus the 3GB on the Nexus 6 and only comes in one 16GB memory option, although it does have a microSD slot to add up to an additional 128GB, where the Nexus 6 only has a 32GB or 64GB option and no room for expansion.
The camera on these two devices come a lot closer than one might think. They both have a 13MP sensor for the main shooter and both have auto-focus, but then they start to diverge – the Desire 820 has an LED flash, but the Nexus 6 adds a dual-LED flash ring that goes around the lens and then serves up Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The Desire 820 does have the Nexus 6 beat with its 8MP FFC for social media selfies and video chatting with friends or family…the Nexus 6 only has a 2MP FFC. Battery wise the Desire 820 only has a 2600mAh battery versus the 3220mAh found in the Nexus 6…of course it would need more power to run the QHD display.
The Desire 820 does come with a dual-SIM for using on more than one network – something common in Asia. It also has HTC’s famous BoomSound on its dual stereo front-facing speakers, an FM Radio and is running Android 4.4.2 with Sense 6.0. The Desire 820 can be purchased on Amazon or online for $360 – 400 off contract.
Google Nexus 6
Motorola builds the new Google Nexus 6, so it has its roots in the Moto X, except those roots grew quite a bit – in both size and specifications. This was a BIG shock to the usual Nexus buyers, who were used to getting a solid device at a very reasonable price. This year they were offered a high-end device but at a high-end price as well.
The Nexus 6 comes with a QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a whopping 493 PPI. It also has a Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor clocked at 2.7GHz backed up with 3GB of RAM with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Unlike the Desire 820, the Nexus 6 does not have an option to expand that memory. We talked about the camera areas before, so just a quick recap – the Nexus has a 13MP camera with auto-focus, a dual-flash ring and OIS…and a 2MP FFC. This is quite an improvement over past Nexus cameras, and the main camera is better than the one on the Desire 829 that lacks a dual flash and OIS. The 8MP FFC camera on the Desire 820 is certainly topping the 2MP of the Nexus 6.
The Nexus 6 uses a generous 3220mAh battery that should easily get you through a day…and if you need a quick charge, the Snapdragon 805 makes it possible to charge the device 60-percent in just 15 minutes with the included Motorola Turbo Charger.
When it comes to extra features, the Nexus 6 does have NFC capability, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, full metal frame, nano-coating for water resistance, wireless charging, and it comes with the Motorola Turbo Charger. It arrives with Android 5.0 Lollipop and can be purchased on all major U.S. carriers for $249 on a two-year contract or $649 no contract.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
I am sorry folks, but I had to go with the Nexus 6 as the winner of this comparison. The pricing was tempting on the HTC Desire 820, but that just cannot save it from a full-featured Nexus 6 that can be purchased for $249 on a two-year contract. The availability for use on the U.S. carriers is also an issue I cannot get over.
The Nexus 6 has a better display, better processor, better camera, larger battery, NFC, nano-coated for water resistance, Quick Charge, it can be used on all major U.S. networks and has the newest Android 5.0 Lollipop operation system.
The HTC Desire 820 is a nice upper-midrange device that seems destined for young people into social media and in emerging nations. It is a well-built smartphone and a fun device with its many colors available…but it simply cannot stand up to the Nexus 6.
Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know which one of these two devices you believe should have won the comparison and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.