It really depends on the keyboard you're using. If you're using the default HTC keyboard then click on HTC Sense Input then deselect vibration feedback.
I think the S4 will have a slight advantage in this, though I have never used it at all. Iam using my HTC One with the Mophie case so overall I have a battery of 4800mAh which gives me about 8 hours of continous heavy usage.
This, if all of it is true, then this device is gonna be very big ( not to mention the size ). I am glad that finally someone stood up to challenge the giant Samsung.