HTC One pre-orders started at AT&T today and will being with Sprint tomorrow. The HTC One hype is leading some potential smartphone buyers to reconsider their allegiance to popular choices like the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. All three are among the top smartphones on the market.

But how do you choose between phones that seem similar but provide distinctly different experiences.

First and foremost, consumers care a great deal about size. Finding that balance between something that can handle complex tasks and doesn't weigh down pockets is key.

HTC One - 4.7-inch, 1920 x 1080 resolution
Galaxy S3 - 4.8-inch, 1280 x 720 resolution
iPhone 5 - 4-inch, 1136 x640 resolution

As you can see the Galaxy S3 has the largest display 4.8 inches. The iPhone is 0.1 inches smaller and the iPhone 5 is the most pocket friendly at 4 inches. Bigger screen = bigger keyboard, which means editing your multimedia will be a little easier. I can personally wait to crop my photos on my Mac until I get home, so I'd choose the iPhone 5, at least for when it comes to display size.

The Galaxy S3 does feature a new Multi-Window view, which allows users to work on two windows at once. Multi-Window is not featured on the iPhone 5 and HTC One.

The screen isn't the only size factor. Weight and dimensions also play a big part in overall comfort.

HTC One - 5.40 x 2.70 x 0.36 inches (4.1976 ounces)
Galaxy S3 - 5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 inches (4.69 ounces)
iPhone 5 - 4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 inches (3.95 ounces)

The iPhone 5 is the lightest and thinnest of the three. The Galaxy S3 and HTC One are very similar however. Even when held back to back, the difference is marginal.

The Galaxy S3 does have a plastic back that pop off, allowing users to switch batteries or install a Micro SD card, adding 32GB for only $20.

Check each individual retailer for pricing and carriers.