The HTC Rezound for Verizon Wireless and the iPhone 4S for Sprint are both popular smartphones ranked highly by consumers. So how do they compare to each other in terms of design and features?

The HTC Rezound is certainly bigger. Its 4.3-inch display is incredibly sharp with 720p resolution. The tradeoff, of course, is that the phone is rather bulky and heavy at 5.1 inches long and 6.1 ounces. The iPhone 4S also features a sharp display, with 960 x 640 pixels. However, the screen is considerably smaller at 3.5 inches. Those lost fractions of an inch can make a difference if you plan to watch videos and view pictures on the phone. The iPhone 4S is smaller and easier to carry, measuring 4.5 inches long and weighing 4.9 ounces.

Both the HTC Rezound and the iPhone 4S have cameras with 8 MP and video recording. The former also has a 2 MP front-facing camera that allows you to participate in video chats. However, we noticed that the Rezound’s camera speed can be a little slow. The iPhone 4S’s camera lets you shoot videos clips in 1080p HD and edit photos through the phone. The picture quality is quite sharp and clear, even in low light.

Each phone also has its major selling point. For the HTC Rezound, it’s the Beats Audio technology that vastly improves the sound quality of your music and works in conjunction with the Beats earbuds included with the set. The iPhone 4S features Siri, a female-voiced personal assistant who vocally answers your questions and demands.

You always want to get as many talking minutes as possible out of your phone per charge. In this case, the iPhone 4S comes out ahead, offering 14 talking hours under 2G conditions. The HTC Rezound allows 6.75 talking hours. With both phones, however, you’ll have to stay near your charger as they both drain down the battery every day with regular use.

Additionally, the HTC Rezound is a 4G phone, a quality that the iPhone 4S sorely lacks. The Rezound’s 4G capabilities allow you to surf the web with incredible speed. Once you’ve experienced the lightning-fast qualities of 4G, it will be hard to go back to a slower speed.

Price, of course, always matters, and in this case the HTC Rezound is better for your wallet at $199, compared to the iPhone 4S, which is $399. Siri is a pretty cool feature, and incredibly convenient too. But considering that the Rezound has a larger screen, a rear- and front-facing camera, excellent picture and sound quality, 4G connectivity, and lower price, we think it edges out the iPhone 4S.

^{JB Burden has been reviewing, and researching TVs and Electronics for more than 9 years. His topical “interests” include pixel orbiters, louvered screen filters, and in-plane switching panels… among other things. See more about JB}

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