There is a lot of anticipation on HTC’s next major upgrade to their Sense UI, HTC’s own customized version of Android that features in the majority of their smartphone and tablet products. Sense 5 is coming sometime this year, but so far we haven’t had a confirmation of which device will be first to receive the update or perhaps more importantly, if Sense 5 will be supported for existing HTC smartphones.

The elusive HTC M7 phone could be the device that ships with Sense 5 out of the box, but an fresh image surfacing from China appears to suggest that Sense 5 could also be possible on older handsets as well – or in this case, the still new Droid DNA on Verizon Wireless.

Hold on a minute, as you may be thinking – another China Sense 5 leak? It was only at the start of January that we shared images of the HTC M7 running on Sense 5, images which originated from the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, Weibo. Now we have another image to show you coming from Weibo again, this time showing the Droid DNA as the device in question.

It’s worth pointing out however that the Weibo link has now expired, meaning that it is either legitimate and HTC wants to remove all access to the image, or it has just been exposed as your bog standard Photoshop image. It goes without saying that it would be great if newer HTC handsets are getting an update to Sense 5 and if that is the case then the Droid DNA surely has to be on the list.

From feedback we’ve seen though, a lot of you are not liking the new Sense 5 features too much. Take a look at the image above and let us know your thoughts on it, assuming it is genuine.

There will always be a certain feature that is the dealbreaker when looking for a new smartphone, and in this case the Verizon HTC Droid DNA vs. Samsung Galaxy S3 is being shown in a video review that runs for just under 8-minutes, which both devices contain the Verizon logo in the video, so it will be the features you need to look at if the carrier has already been decided.

The reviewer points out they’ve already compared the HTC Droid DNA to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and LG Optimus G, which both of those videos can be seen below the first video review. Each of these visual reviews delivers some insight that is to the point, and they run for just long enough to gain a nice close up with the main specs analyzed. We mentioned above the first video runs for just under 8-minutes, but it is worth noting the HTC Droid DNA vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 runs for almost 11-minutes, and the LG Optimus G hand-on runs for just over 8-minutes.

Each of these visual reviews is performed by the same reviewer, Michael Fisher, and takes a look at the US edition of the HTC Droid DNA. The last two videos not only look at the smartphones mentioned and compare them to the main Droid DNA specs, but they also look at a few key areas different to the first video, which is why the latest review runs for a shorter period. The first video below will focus on the Droid DNA build, display, camera, and benchmark results. It is fair to say each of the reviews compare the smartphones in the same manner, which you’d love or hate, so take a look and let us know what you think in the comments.

How do you think the HTC Droid DNA compares to the Samsung Galaxy S3 / Note 2, and LG Optimus G? You can also see the Nexus 4 vs. Droid DNA in a specs comparison here. It is worth pointing out that some people won’t like the idea of the HTC Droid DNA vs. Samsung Galaxy S3, as seen in the first video, which is due to the fact that one of these smartphones is much newer with a better display and more powerful processor, and would be better suited to a comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S4 when it arrives. It is also good to remember that the Galaxy S3 features a removable battery and less square design that some people will prefer.

The Droid DNA attracted some fairly unsavory attention recently, when consumers found out that the device only shipped with 16GB of memory and no chance to expand on this with a lack of MicroSD card. What everyone seems to have forgotten is that the Nexus 4 is in the exact same boat, with no MicroSD card slot either and an even worse situation for those getting the 8GB model as opposed to the 16GB model.

Automatic system allowances will mean that consumers won’t even get the advertised 16GB or 8GB of storage memory, meaning that consumers are going to run into a problem very quickly if they tend to take lots of photos or videos. Then again, there is cloud storage available don’t forget and it’s not exactly the first time where we have seen a Nexus device without a MicroSD slot – it is a common occurrence across the Nexus smartphone line.

Away from the memory problems for both devices, the Droid DNA and the Nexus 4 have some very luxurious hardware on offer and it is going to be a difficult choice deciding on which one is better. HTC can claim that they now have the world’s first 5-inch 1080p display in a phone, while Google Nexus 4 buyers will be buying a device that ships with the latest version of Android and can live a life of freedom without any carrier restrictions.

The Droid DNA on the other hand ships with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which is great. Ultimately though, Verizon customers may run into the very same problems that Galaxy S3 owners are having now, when we get to the point where the Droid DNA is waiting for an update to Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. When that happens, we will probably already see the Nexus 4 updated to Android 5.0, which is a great incentive to think about now while you choose which is better.

Elsewhere on the Nexus 4 vs Droid DNA specs clash, we see both phones fitted with a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, both phones with 2GB of RAM and both also have an 8 megapixel rear camera as well. NFC technology is included on both, while the Droid DNA perhaps edges out the Nexus 4 in battery life, with a 2200mAh on the DNA and a slightly smaller 2100mAh battery on the Nexus 4.

The battery capacity may be on the small size for both devices, but don’t forget that we’re likely to see some battery extender juice packs a few months on from release which will give you that extra power you need. As you can see, both devices are incredibly similar to each other – so maybe the real test will come down to whether you want the superior display screen (Droid DNA), or the benefit of receiving official software updates first without carrier delays (Nexus 4).

What device wins out in your opinion? Let us know if you have recently ordered (or attempted to order) the Nexus 4 or Droid DNA and what the deciding factor was for you.

If the answer is yes, you are probably already scouring the likes of YouTube for some visual eye candy and some expert opinion on whether the device is really worth Verizon’s asking price of $199 on another two year contract, or $599.99 for those of you willing to take the full plunge without a contract.

We have one particular Droid DNA video review for you to check out now, which does a fine job in providing the needs that you’re looking for, specifically a well rounded professional opinion on the device from the chaps over at Phone Arena. We get an initial introduction to the feel of the phone, letting you just see just how thin the device actually is compared to some of the fatter phones that HTC have released in the past.

As for one of the main highlights, the video also gives you a good look at the stunning 5-inch 1080p display, which HTC has pulled out all of the stops for their fans – 440 pixels per itch really is an impressive feature on paper when you look at some of the rival handsets out on the market, like the iPhone 5 which can ‘only’ manage 326 ppi in comparison with its infamous Retina Display.

Towards the end of the video, there are also some nice sample photos on offer letting you see just how crisp the included 8MP rear camera is, with its ability to shoot 1080p videos as well with a range of supported video formats also included out of the box. As we discussed in an earlier article though, most of you still can’t see past the huge issue involving internal memory and the lack of expandable memory with MicroSD cards – regardless of how nice the device may look in this video review.

With an estimated 12GB of storage available with no means to extend this, do all other aspects of the device now seem irrelevant? Take a good look at the video below and let us know if you are willing to look past HTC’s apparent memory crisis.