Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S4
I have heard numerous rants, raves, put-downs and put-ups for a person's smartphone of choice, but today there are really only two devices at the forefront: Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S4. Call it hype. Call it marketing. But these are the two most popular phones most mobile users chose between this year. So - which one is the best? Well, that's not an easy question to answer, but I have now had an opportunity to drive the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 for a while - here is my comparison analysis:
1. Hardware Features
Samsung loaded my Galaxy S4 with a ton of specialized hardware features. The phone's front-facing camera can detect when I'm looking at it, so it can do things like keep the display bright when reading - which I like, or let me tilt the phone to scroll through pages, or move my eyes to scroll pages (I never use this - I found the feature bothersome). The phone also lets you swipe through photos and other items just by waving your hand over the screen - which I thought was rather cool.
The iPhone 5 doesn't have as many gee-whiz features as the Galaxy S4 does; it's much more simplistic. In fact, the iPhone 5 doesn't have many special hardware features that you can't get on other phones. It's pretty basic: 4G LTE connection, dual-core processor, and a high-resolution 'Retina' display.
Bottom Line: If simplicity suits you, go for the iPhone 5. If you want a bunch of flashy extras, go for the Galaxy S4.
2. Apps/Content Selection
Even though there are more Android users out there, developers prefer to make apps for the iPhone first. Apple has a unified system for all its mobile devices, which makes it easy for developers to make an app once and push it out to millions of users. Since the Android ecosystem is scattered across several different manufacturers and devices, Galaxy S4 owners have to wait longer than iPhone 5 owners to get new apps and significant updates.
Bottom Line: If you want the best apps, get the iPhone 5.
3. Operating System
Samsung's Galaxy S4 runs on Google's Android operating system, but Samsung has modified the look and feel with its own 'skin' called TouchWiz. Still, Samsung does keep Android's core features, so the experience isn't radically different from other Android devices. The benefit to using Android over using the iPhone is that it allows me greater level of customization, meaning I can do things like remove apps I don't want and tweak my home screen with widgets that update with live information.
The iPhone's operating system, iOS, is much more simplistic and easier to use. It's basically just a screen of static icons for apps. A lot of people criticize the iPhone software for being too simplistic, but I can also argue that's been a key to the iPhone's success.
Bottom Line: If you like customization, go with the Galaxy S4. If you want something simple and easy to use, go with the iPhone 5.
4. Design
I was disappointed when Samsung decided to build the Galaxy S4 out of plastic. The build quality is OK, but not nearly as good as the iPhone 5's all metal and glass design. But my Galaxy S4 does have a 5-inch screen, which is a full inch larger than my iPhone 5's screen. That screen size difference has been a big draw for users out there.
Bottom Line: If design and build quality matter to you, choose the iPhone. If you want a big screen, go with the Galaxy S4.
Conclusion
It's a matter of preference. Both the iOS 6 and the Android 4.2 have seen some nice updates. None of these updates are revolutionary, rather improve two already great mobile operating platforms. Android OS has the disadvantage on not being available on a wider scale - while iOS is available on every iPhone. Which one do I think is better?? Well I found features on both that were superb - So I have both. By the way, in the simplest terms both phones do well at what I bought them for in the first place; to make and receive phone calls!
Just 4 2day -
Greg
The Davenport Projex
Image: My Samsung S4 and Phone 5
Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S4
I have heard numerous rants, raves, put-downs and put-ups for a person's smartphone of choice, but today there are really only two devices at the forefront: Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S4. Call it hype. Call it marketing. But these are the two most popular phones most mobile users chose between this year. So - which one is the best? Well, that's not an easy question to answer, but I have now had an opportunity to drive the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 for a while - here is my comparison analysis:
1. Hardware Features
Samsung loaded my Galaxy S4 with a ton of specialized hardware features. The phone's front-facing camera can detect when I'm looking at it, so it can do things like keep the display bright when reading - which I like, or let me tilt the phone to scroll through pages, or move my eyes to scroll pages (I never use this - I found the feature bothersome). The phone also lets you swipe through photos and other items just by waving your hand over the screen - which I thought was rather cool.
The iPhone 5 doesn't have as many gee-whiz features as the Galaxy S4 does; it's much more simplistic. In fact, the iPhone 5 doesn't have many special hardware features that you can't get on other phones. It's pretty basic: 4G LTE connection, dual-core processor, and a high-resolution 'Retina' display.
Bottom Line: If simplicity suits you, go for the iPhone 5. If you want a bunch of flashy extras, go for the Galaxy S4.
2. Apps/Content Selection
Even though there are more Android users out there, developers prefer to make apps for the iPhone first. Apple has a unified system for all its mobile devices, which makes it easy for developers to make an app once and push it out to millions of users. Since the Android ecosystem is scattered across several different manufacturers and devices, Galaxy S4 owners have to wait longer than iPhone 5 owners to get new apps and significant updates.
Bottom Line: If you want the best apps, get the iPhone 5.
3. Operating System
Samsung's Galaxy S4 runs on Google's Android operating system, but Samsung has modified the look and feel with its own 'skin' called TouchWiz. Still, Samsung does keep Android's core features, so the experience isn't radically different from other Android devices. The benefit to using Android over using the iPhone is that it allows me greater level of customization, meaning I can do things like remove apps I don't want and tweak my home screen with widgets that update with live information.
The iPhone's operating system, iOS, is much more simplistic and easier to use. It's basically just a screen of static icons for apps. A lot of people criticize the iPhone software for being too simplistic, but I can also argue that's been a key to the iPhone's success.
Bottom Line: If you like customization, go with the Galaxy S4. If you want something simple and easy to use, go with the iPhone 5.
4. Design
I was disappointed when Samsung decided to build the Galaxy S4 out of plastic. The build quality is OK, but not nearly as good as the iPhone 5's all metal and glass design. But my Galaxy S4 does have a 5-inch screen, which is a full inch larger than my iPhone 5's screen. That screen size difference has been a big draw for users out there.
Bottom Line: If design and build quality matter to you, choose the iPhone. If you want a big screen, go with the Galaxy S4.
Conclusion
It's a matter of preference. Both the iOS 6 and the Android 4.2 have seen some nice updates. None of these updates are revolutionary, rather improve two already great mobile operating platforms. Android OS has the disadvantage on not being available on a wider scale - while iOS is available on every iPhone. Which one do I think is better?? Well I found features on both that were superb - So I have both. By the way, in the simplest terms both phones do well at what I bought them for in the first place; to make and receive phone calls!
Just 4 2day -
Greg
The Davenport Projex
Image: My Samsung S4 and Phone 5