When you line up the HTC Droid DNA and the LG Nexus 4, at first glance, you think of the average Android smartphone. We beg to differ. These two heavyweight flagship contenders each have great features, but let’s see which one best fits your lifestyle:
Quick Side-by-Side Comparison
HTC Droid DNA
- 5-inch Super-LCD 1080p display w/ CorningWare Gorilla Glass 2
- Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM
- 8-megapixel rear-facing HD camera, 2.1-megapixel front facing camera
- 16GB non-expandable onboard memory
- Runs Android 4.1.1 (Jellybean)
- Price: $199 w/ two-year Verizon Wireless contract; $599 without contract
LG Nexus 4
- 4.7-inch HD WXGAÂ IPS 330PPi, CorningWare Gorilla Glass 2
- Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
- 8-megapixel rear-facing HD camera, 1.3-megapixel  (in front)
- Runs Android version 4.2 (Latest Jellybean version)
- Pricing & Memory [2 options]: 8GB/ $300 and 16GB/ $350, 2GB of RAM
- The Nexus 4 is carrier unlocked and doesn’t require any contract
Design
Keeping it simple, HTC uses a sealed unibody form (with a rubber-like, soft black back) that makes the DNA easy to handle and grip. Awkwardly placed on the back of the phone, there is a notification light next to the rear camera. However, its position makes sense for times when your phone is placed facedown; you can still be alerted if you’ve received an email, call or text message. The DNA’s large, 5-inch screen only weighs a meager 5 ounces. The display is made of CorningWare’s extremely durable Gorilla Glass, which all adds up to ensure that its screen is durable and looks vivid under bright lights. Not to mention, the phone has a very slim physique.
Similar to the iPhone 4 and 4s, the Nexus 4 also has a sealed unibody bar-like structure and is suited with glass on both the front and back. The only downside to the glass back is that it’s not Gorilla Glass, so it’ll get easily scratched and scuffed. The front display gives you all of the real estate needed, as it is edge to edge–an important trait for a mobile gadget. The Nexus only weighs 139 grams, which is pretty light for a solid, glass-made phone. Needless to say, both phones’ exterior design is very clean and simplistic.
Winner: Nexus 4 [size does matter and glass on front and back make it more appealing]
Performance
Under the DNA’s all-in-one housing, you’ll find a powerful quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. Adding fuel to the fire, 2GB of RAM surely helps speed up any download or upload. Web browsing was quick, even though under Verizon’s 4G LTE network; we had a few of those lagging load times.
The Nexus 4 is also equipped with the same quad-core processor. Even though it doesn’t run on an official 4G LTE network, browsing the web and watching high-quality videos is fast, but may end up draining your battery. When it came to Google’s Chrome browser app, loading a webpage packed with serious graphics and live visuals wasn’t a problem. The Nexus has its lagging moments, but you give it the benefit of the doubt because it’s on the HSPA+ network, which is not quite 4G, but way faster than a 3G connection.Winner: Nexus 4
Battery Life
To be frank, we were a bit weary of the Droid’s daily battery life expectancy. Smartphones of this caliber like an HTC flagship usually totes a better battery performer (2,100 mAh battery and higher). However, to our surprise, the technology used to power the high-demand screen doesn’t drain it that much. You’ll be able to get at least 4 to 5 hours of multitasking done before you see that dreadful redline warning you to connect your charger.
The Nexus 4’s large battery (2100 mAh) doesn’t last too long either. After talking on the phone for close to two hours and then watching a few YouTube videos, the battery drained about 60%. We advise walking with your charger if you expect to be out all day.
Winner: Droid DNA
The Camera
The Droid DNA’s camera is excellent. It’s an 8-megapixel digital point-and-shoot. It has a multi-shot, One-Press continuous shooting feature that enables you to seamlessly snap 4 pictures in one second, and up to 99 pictures in a row.
Just like the DNA, the Nexus 4’s has the same megapixel camera, which has the ability to take pics with zero shutter lag. Besides that, it has the awesome 360° panorama view picture option, allowing you to capture your entire surroundings.
Winner: Tied up!
Audio
The DNA comes with built-in Beats Audio. The audio playback from the Droid DNA is vivid and packs a bass-filled punch. It’s just about as loud as the Nexus 4, but sounds better. What we did notice is that when blasting music at its loudest through the phone’s speaker, the back of the phone (near the top) released an annoying vibrating sound.
Since the Nexus 4 is Google’s flagship smartphone, everything is set to the company’s standards. It doesn’t have any additional third- party software, or Beats by Dre audio enhancements, but it’s loved by Google’s most loyal fans for that very reason. The native Google Play App doesn’t give you the “umph” you’d like when listening to music like the DNA does. There’s a speaker in the back that doesn’t pump out enough sound at times, but the front speaker makes up with excellent call quality.
Winner: Droid DNA
The LG Nexus 4 takes the win. Despite the Droid DNA’s enticing and vivid large 5-inch screen, which may be overkill for some, there are lots of reasons why this phone will fit your lifestyle. Â The Nexus 4’s performance, camera and battery life are top notch for smartphones of its class. Lastly, not having to deal with any additional third-party software like the Droid’s HTC Sense 4+, will give you the creative and productive freedom for anything on the go.
DFRAGG is an online digital magazine that focuses on technology, culture and lifestyle. Founders Julian Boyce and Sajjad provide readers up with the latest happenings in the world of mobile devices, apps, social media tools, gadgets and the larger tech space.