The latest generation of smartphones is pushing the boundaries of what these powerful devices can do, and Apple’s iPhone 6 along with the HTC One M9 for the Android mobile OS represent two of the most advanced products on the market. Each of these premium devices offers a host of upgrades over their predecessors, but only one can be considered the best of this generation.

iPhone 6

The base model iPhone 6 features an all-new internal processor for faster, smoother operation as well as expanded 4G connectivity and a full HD 1080p 4.7 inch screen. It has an improved battery rated for up to 24 hours of talk time along with an upgraded camera with enhanced facial detection and low light performance capabilities.

Many of the core expansions to the iPhone platform are through its new operating system, iOS 8. This new mobile OS brings several improvements to the iPhone, such as enhancements to Apple’s digital assistant Siri, access to the iOS mobile payments service Apple Pay, and an overall updated look and feel.

HTC One M9

The HTC One M9 is a similar update to the popular M8 smartphone, outfitted with a larger 5 inch screen when compared with the iPhone 6. Check out the HTC One M9 at Harvey Norman to see its 20 megapixel dual-LED flash built to outperform the 8 megapixel camera of the standard current generation iPhone, and the camera is equipped with several advanced features such as panoramic shot and simultaneous video and image capture.

Where the iPhone boasts iOS 8, the HTC One M9 also benefits from a revolutionary new operating system. The latest version of Android, known as 5.0 or “Lollipop,” adds a new interface optimized for user interaction, enhanced animations, streamlined operation and advanced notifications management that ensures you receive the communications that matter most.

As for internal specs, the M9 has an ungraded processor as well, with a single 32GB version due at launch, and enjoys 3GB of RAM compared to the 1GB claimed by the iPhone 6. The HTC One M9 also has space to accommodate Micro SD storage for added memory. The battery of the HTC One has a slightly higher capacity than the iPhone 6 as well, rated for 25 hours of talk time.

While the iPhone has established itself as a top player in the industry, HTC’s latest offering is engineered to stand up to any device on the market. The iPhone 6 may garner more anticipation than the HTC One M9, a direct comparison shows that not only is it a capable competitor, it may be a superior alternative.