Which is best? Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – fight
The Samsung Galaxy S3 has enjoyed its time atop our Top 10 Smartphone list, but it always knew this day would come. Now that the dust has settled from our liveblog, we can pit the King of Android against the mightiest iPhone yet. Let’s see how they fare.
Read our iPhone 5 hands on review
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – design and build
The iPhone 5 has been given a stretch to accommodate its larger screen (more on that below), but counters that by reducing its thickness by some 18 percent to an After Eight-rivalling 7.6mm. It’s also 20 percent lighter at 112g. The Samsung Galaxy S3 is exactly a millimetre thicker than the iPhone 5 and weighs 21g more, although in its defence it should be said the screen is almost a diagonal inch larger.
Looks-wise the iPhone 5 is similar to the 4 and 4S, but the all-glass back has been given a metal centre: on the black model it’s anodised aluminium; on the white it’s raw aluminium. Other changes? The dock is now the smaller Lightning, the headphone jack has moved from the top to the bottom and the speakers are larger (and better quality, according to Apple).
Obviously which of these is the better looking phone is wholly subjective, but personally we’d sway towards the iPhone 5 based on it’s insanely solid and precise build quality, which surpasses any phone we’ve ever had the pleasure of fondling. That’s not to say that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is ugly, but it’s polycarbonate body just can’t compete with premium anodised aluminium and glass materials.
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – screen
The iPhone 5 has the biggest, best screen of any iPhone yet: 4-inch as opposed to 3.5-inch, still retaining the same 326 pixels-per-inch density and now with 44 percent better colour saturation. It’s also possessed of a more movie-friendly 16:9 aspect ratio.
The Samsung Galaxy S3’s 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen (also 16:9) looks wondrous indeed: bursting with deep contrast, vibrant colours and true blacks. The pixel density is slightly lower at around 306ppi, so if sheer sharpness is your goal the iPhone 5 has it beat. But overall we’re inclined to believe this one is simply too close to call – both are superb screens.
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – OS and power
The iPhone 5 will ship with sparkling new iOS 6, which builds on previous, er, builds with improved Siri, FaceTime over 3G, Safari tab syncing over different devices and slicker Facebook integration. Google Maps has been tossed out in favour of Apple’s own map solution which offers super slick panning and zooming as well as a fancy new 3D building Flyover mode and turn-by-turn navigation.
The Galaxy S3 currently rocks Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which isn’t the newest version of the OS (Jelly Bean is expected to be available on the S3 soon), and has Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI laid over the top. Which OS you prefer is largely a matter of personal choice, but iOS is likely to benefit from its focus on a handful of devices (i.e. a lack of fragmentation) with smoother, less bug-addled performance.
The iPhone 5 sports an ARM A6 chip which keeps everything moving swiftly and smoothly (at least it did in our hands-on). The S3’s quad-core 1.4GHz processor is certainly no slouch, providing the slickest Android experience we’ve seen to date and rivalling iOS for stability. This could well prove a draw.
There’s no NFC on the iPhone 5, which is disappointing. The S3 certainly has one over on it there.
In terms of built-in storage, both phones offer 16GB, 32GB and 64GB options. But the Galaxy S3’s microSD slot means you can boost that by up to 64GB.
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – camera
Both smartphones sport 8MP main cameras capable of 1080p video, and front cameras capable of 720p video. Both can take stills while shooting video.
The iPhone 5 features a new integrated panoramic shooting mode and what Apple claims is improved performance due to the sapphire crystal lens cover, improved image stabilisation and A6 CPU offering better photo processing.
The Galaxy S3 is a certified camera heavyweight, offering excellent quality and shooting speed – but Ice Cream Sandwich’s default panoramic and time lapse modes have been stripped out by Samsung (why?). This is destined to be another very close run thing, and we’ll only be able to call it when we’ve compared the two thoroughly.
Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 – initial verdict
It’s a close thing here, it really is. The Galaxy S3 is a fantastically powerful and well-equipped phone – the finest Android has to offer. While the iPhone 5 feels sturdier and more “premium” in your hand, there are other areas (NFC, storage, screen size) where many would gladly choose the Samsung, inferior build or no. In many areas, performance is likely to be extremely similar, or things will come down to personal preference. We’ll give you our full verdict on the iPhone 5 as soon as Apple sends us a review sample – in the meantime, read our initial impression in our hands-on article.
[via stuff.tv]
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Well , I would compare iPhone 5 with Sony xperia p as both are as very similar not with galaxy s3 which is much superior with future proof technology .
i personally think S3 is better but it could change in the future
Whatever you say!.. GS3 is the best smartphone so FAR…
This is a poor review – how can an excellent 4.8 inch screen be too close to call to an excellent 4 inch one….. Even this review suggests that the s3 is way ahead. The lack of NFC is a serious issue.
I phone 5 is very nice phone but galaxy s3 is the best . SAMSUNG GALAXY S3
This review is so in the favor of Apple. Come on now. Its pretty obvious S3 is technologically better. What use is that premium build when ppl are gonna put some fancy cover over it. Why never talk abt the Ram or the processor? Why never talk abt the removable batt or the mem card? There are so many advantages with the S3. why never talk abt the price?
Ppl have the rights to choose so be more unbiased with the reviews.
And a Fiat 500 can probably corner faster than a Ferrari F40. But like most Apple customers, I would rather have the Ferrari…
Ferrari is owned by Fiat, Spa.
Except that your paying for a Ferrari outer shell with in innards of a Fiat 500. But hey, as long as it has an Apple badge, it worth paying a premium for, right?
Here’s a better discussion of the iPhone 5 ‘features’ for existing Android users.
http://android-zone.com/should-android-users-worry-about-the-iphone-5/
In Eastern Europe people buy Apple iPhone 4 because it is about 20% to 30% more expensive than Galaxy S2, not because it is better…it’s all about the prestige of having an overpriced, expensive phone, not the technology advancement of the Galaxy. People are so stupid they even put Apple symbol decals on the back of their automobiles or even on the front of their appointment calendars if they have an iPhone so everyone will be impressed with the fact they have one. I have a Galaxy S2 and it is a superior smart phone, as admitted by engineering friends who have both. I read this article with interest as I am looking at buying another smartphone and I may consider the iPhone 5 or an iPad, but I definitely won’t have a stupid Apple decal on my car or anywhere else…
I am really tired of hearing about the “premium” feel of iPhone other phones compared to the “plasticky” fell of the S3. That is total nonsense. I own an S3 and it does not feel plasticky or cheap at all. This is just one last thing iPhone users can try to use against the S3. Also, why would I want a heavier phone when I am using my phone 24/7? I would naturally want a lighter one. S3 in build and quality and specs right now is the best phone out there bar none.
Thats funny. Iphone is made out of aluminum, whereas the s3 is made of mainly plastic. That makes iphone have a more prestine feel.The iphone is also 112 grams while the s3 is about 135 grams. If you are carrying a phone 24/7, wouldn’t you want a lighter and thinner phone?? Iphone is 7.6mm, thinner than the s3.
s3 is much better having memory card and blue tooth . i have previously used 4S but s3 is much easier.
hellloi
hello
This was a poor comparison and seems to heavily favor Apple.
You claim the CPU’s are a draw, however I do believe the benchmarks will find in favor of the Exynos 4412. Perhaps the A6 can beat the American S3 with dual Kraits though.
You also claim that Samsung removed panorama mode from the camera. This is not correct. I’m looking at it right now. 7th option from the top.
I can think of quite a few things the S3 can do that the iPhone 5 can’t. Is there anything the iPhone 5 can do that the S3 can’t? Anything at all?
if i had given a choice; i would like to choose iphone 5. I think iphone 5 i better
This article is obviously written from the bias of an iPhone user.
It leaves out one of the most important parts about the phones; the RAM.
It fails to include how the Samsung Galaxy S III has 2 gigs of the most up to date RAM, while the iPhone 5 only has 1 gig of RAM.
This is one of the most important deciding factors of any smartphone because it greatly affects the performance.
I am very disappointed in this article.
Ya but since the iPhone is efficient, it doesn’t need to use 2 gigs of ram. So actually is not than important. And by the way, how much faster is the s3? It is a very small difference. And just because he favors iPhone doesn’t make him biased. I’m disappointed in you
Hi,
I feel this review seems biased towards Apple. I am currently using an iphone 3gs and have been holding out for 6 months waiting to see what Apple could come up with. I have been impressed by the Samsung GS3. It’s a lovely phone and I would agree on the whole that it is better than the iphone 5.
I still find myself hesitating though and it’s certainly not because of any status symbol associated with owning an iphone. Maybe people can help.
These are the points I think are important to me.
1. GS3 is cheaper then the iphone, although not by a huge amount. They are both expensive in the grand scheme of things
2. Camera, processor, weight. Largely the same
3. Screen. Samsung clearly wins, but I have a genuine fear that it is too big. I’m not worried about it being to big for my hands, but on a practical level, I’m a bloke who finds pocket space is already at a premium and I think it would be tricky to fit in a pair of jeans. I’m talking about a normal pair of trousers, nothing skin tight.
4. I like the idea of NFC, and I feel that if Apple had backed it, there would be a greater chance of it becoming a payment option in shops sooner. The reality is that even if they did, it would take a year or so before you could seriously contemplate leaving your house without a wallet.
5. The most difficult thing is moving away from apple when you have apps, itune songs etc already. This makes everything very sticky. To rebuild everything would be very time consuming and expensive. I admit that this certainly makes me prepared to pay slightly more than I should or at least wait until I see a product on the market that blows away anything that apple can come up with.
I’d be interested to hear any thoughts you may have on the points I make. As I said, I’m with Apple and I do concede Samsung have a great product that more than rivals it but I still find myself hesitating. I guess jumping ship isn’t as simple as yes or no.
Samsung SIII is Better than Iphone 5
Apple’s iPhone5 sucks…it’d make a bugs in my pocket. Choose to SG3 better so far
thank you for updating my info with new information.
sincerely.
east or west samsung galaxy s3 is the best