The Samsung Galaxy S4 wins our award for Best Android Smartphone with a design that's attractive and comfortable, a slew of features, a great camera, and overall top-notch hardware.

In the world of Android smartphones, shoppers are spoiled for choice. There are dozens of great handsets available at every major wireless carrier in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Sifting through the reviews of the top-tier Android phones, two devices emerge as clear favorites among tech writers and tech buyers: the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.

The two phones have a lot in common. Both have large displays in compact bodies, specs that make them speedy, two of the best smartphone cameras available, and a ton of features. Most other Android handsets are playing catch up to these two devices both on the hardware and software sides. But, when it comes time to make a decision, which is the best?

My pick for the absolute best Android phone goes to the Samsung Galaxy S4. Here's why.

The Interface

In addition to all that is good about Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Samsung adds its own enhancements to the operating system of the GS4 via a skin (or interface) called TouchWiz. It makes Android a bit easier to use for newbies and, in some areas, makes the OS more efficient. The GS4 also benefits from a ton of pre-loaded apps and services. It's true that the dozens and dozens of Samsung extras and features and apps can get overwhelming. Thing is, everyone who owns a GS4 will find a use for at least a handful of them and most people will have one or two they can't live without. With few exceptions, every other feature can be turned off if you don't want it. The level of customization and choice is deep but not necessary, making the GS4 a very malleable phone.

If you're the type of person who really dislikes interface skins and would rather have a phone loaded with Android the way Google intended it, you can choose the Google Edition Galaxy S4. It's identical to the "regular" GS4 hardware-wise, but doesn't have a skin, extra apps or most of the extra features Samsung highlights. This model is available directly from Google and is expensive ($649) because it's not offered through a carrier and not subsidized.

Design & Display

One of the most impressive aspects of the GS4 is how slim and light it is, even with a substantial display. The 5-inch screen offers a good balance between size and holdability (if that’s a word) because it's relatively narrow; most people will be able to use the phone one-handed.

Much has been made of the GS4's polycarbonate plastic body, particularly in relation to the HTC One's all-metal frame. The benefits of Samsung's approach are more practical than aesthetic. Thanks to the plastic back, owners can access the battery and a microSD card slot. With a smartphone that puts so much emphasis on taking pictures and media, the ability to add more storage is important. And while the GS4's battery life is decent at the outset, batteries have a tendency to lose their longevity over time. If that happens before two years is up, owners can replace the battery instead of being stuck with a phone that needs topping up all the time.

Specs & Camera

Being a top of the line phone, the Galaxy S4 boasts top of the line specs, including a crisp and vivid 5-inch, 441ppi display, quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM for speed, 16GB - 32GB of internal storage, and the most recent version of Bluetooth, 4.0. The one place the GS4 could use substantial improvement is in the audio quality. The rear speaker is decent but not great, unlike the HTC One's front-facing stereo grills.

The rear camera sports the trendiest number of megapixels: 13. The performance of the camera is more than hype. The GS4 benefits from a good sensor and great software in the camera app. Even when just taking normal shots, the results are crisp and detailed enough to print out. With the extra settings and features on board it's possible to create complex images without an extra photo editing program.

Availability

The GS4 is available on all four major carriers—another big plus. Pricing varies by carrier with T-Mobile requiring the least amount of money up front ($149), followed by AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless ($199). All prices are on-contract or on a payment plan. The Google Edition Galaxy S4 is $649, as mentioned, and is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile's networks. Before you buy from the carriers, though, check the prices on Amazon Wireless. You can save up to $50, depending on the plan.

The Samsung Galaxy S4

Runner up: the HTC One

A close runner up to the GS4. The HTC One's design is undoubtedly gorgeous and feels as premium as it looks thanks to the metal construction. However, the laser cut edges don't feel that great when your hand is wrapped around them. Plus, if an Android device is going to have a physical Home button, it should always be in the center. That aside, HTC kept the One compact, even with a 4.7-inch display, and the overall detail and crafting is above impressive.

The stereo speakers on the front are a good example of that. They add a singular aesthetic touch and deliver really loud audio. If you want a smartphone that serves as a media player, the HTC One is a great choice. The Beats Audio enhancements -- most prominent when listening through headphones -- make everything from music to video to games sound better than the average phone, including the Galaxy S4.

Specs-wise the One matches the GS4 in most areas, though the camera on back is 4MP instead of 13MP. Technically, the One's megapixels are twice as large as normal ones, making them “Ultrapixels”. The greater size means they can capture more light, and the benefits are evident when taking low light shots; the One excels at these, and is overall faster with the shutter than the GS4. The resulting images aren't as crisp or detailed as the GS4, but plenty good enough for sharing on social media.

The HTC One