Galaxy S3 vs Iphone 5

[Geekbabe]

I went to Verizon today to actually put hands on both devices.The iPhone 5 is a very nice phone but in the end I went with the SG3 because I prefer the bigger screen. Btw, I have no bias against iOS, I have both an iPad & a MacBook so if anything you'd think my prefernce would have tilted towards iPhone.

The screen is king here & is my deciding factor on a lot of devices.

 

[s44]

For me the Galaxy S III is too big, and I don't like the custom skin for the OS. I much prefer the Nexus stock Android, and I also prefer a smaller phone.

For the iPhone 5, I haven't had a chance to play with it, but I'm told it's built like a tank, and despite its length, having the same width as the 4/4S makes it feel similar to those. Soon enough I'll knock on my friends' doors to check out the iPhone 5 myself.

One thing I wonder is... doesn't iOS put the back button at the top left of the screen, maximally far from a righty's thumb base? On Android it's always at the bottom (soft or fixed). This might make the smaller iP5 actually *more* likely to be too "big" than some larger non-iOS devices.

Not sure what folks are making of that. Is it not noticeable? Does the letterboxing hide any such effect at the moment?

 

[Eug]

Not sure, but I tend to hold my thumb closer to the middle of my iPhone 4. Or maybe bottom third.

However, on my Nexus 7, I hit the back button and home button my accident occasionally. I never hit that back button by accident on my iPhone 4 because it's out of the way.

I guess that wouldn't be so much of an issue on the GS3 though because of the custom launcher.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

One thing I wonder is... doesn't iOS put the back button at the top left of the screen, maximally far from a righty's thumb base? On Android it's always at the bottom (soft or fixed). This might make the smaller iP5 actually *more* likely to be too "big" than some larger non-iOS devices.

Not sure what folks are making of that. Is it not noticeable? Does the letterboxing hide any such effect at the moment?

I think at 3.5" it was pretty easy to hit that back button. Furthermore, if you hold your phone to interact with the top half of the phone, it's different than holding to interact with the bottom half of the phone. With an iPhone 4S it was small enough I don't think you need to even shift the phone around to use any aspect of it.

 

[badb0y]

Grabs a handful...

No one invited me

On Topic: Kenmitch said it best, you should go to the store and actually use the phones before you buy them. We can argue all day which one is better but at the end of the day none of us are going to be using the phone you choose.

 

[Infrnl]

One thing I wonder is... doesn't iOS put the back button at the top left of the screen, maximally far from a righty's thumb base? On Android it's always at the bottom (soft or fixed). This might make the smaller iP5 actually *more* likely to be too "big" than some larger non-iOS devices.

Not sure what folks are making of that. Is it not noticeable? Does the letterboxing hide any such effect at the moment?

The back button is on the lower left. I honestly think the iPhone is a bit too narrow. Would have loved them to make it a bit wider as well. I'm fine with apples quality and os but I'm jumping ship this time. I plan to try Verizon over AT&T and try a razr maxx hd.

 

[Yongsta]

I have an iphone 4s and next month I'm eligible for an upgrade. Between the iphone 5 and Galaxy S3 I would choose the latter. I recently played around with the Galaxy S3 and I kind of miss the Android ecosystem, iOS seems a bit dated. I also like the ability to swap batteries, larger screen, and microsd slot. However, I'm probably not going to get the S3 nor iphone 5... my upgrade will most likely be the Galaxy Note 2.

 

[Rayb]

except no one cares about NFC but a few. The touch to share and mobile payments is a real gimmick....

LOL!

Except that when it comes to the iP5s next year, it will be the best thing ever, revolutionary!!!

Deluding yourself that something isn't useful 'cause you're not using it has no purpose. I'm amazed at how insightful you are... not.

 

[bearxor]

The screen is king here & is my deciding factor on a lot of devices.

Size queen...

 

[psych2]

I'll bite, one has good maps, the other doesn't!

 

[bearxor]

If the iPhone 5S has NFC with a mobile payment wallet, I will upgrade on day 1.

 

[MrX8503]

LOL!

Except that when it comes to the iP5s next year, it will be the best thing ever, revolutionary!!!

Deluding yourself that something isn't useful 'cause you're not using it has no purpose. I'm amazed at how insightful you are... not.

It'll be a big deal when apple does it because apple is the only one to be able to push it mainstream.

 

[pm]

Merged Glenn's thread with the original one

Mod PM

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

LOL!

Except that when it comes to the iP5s next year, it will be the best thing ever, revolutionary!!!

Deluding yourself that something isn't useful 'cause you're not using it has no purpose. I'm amazed at how insightful you are... not.

I do think mobile payments ARE overhyped. It's nothing that interesting or to write home about.

I think if anything else, apps like gopago are more interesting in that you can pay a store through your phone AND order through it. That's really changing the traditional process of buying something. NFC payments only intend to replace your credit card in your wallet, and in the end you're just showing off contactless payment, but it's still the same concept as swiping a card but instead you're tapping it.

Look, if apple DOES deploy NFC and it becomes a hit, what does that show? That Google failed miserably to deploy technology? I mean if it was THAT impressive with the Nexus S, why did the HTC Sensation and SGS2 flagship phones of 2011 lack it? And if it's that amazing now why are the HTC One X and SGS3 blocked from Google Wallet (at least the US ones). Worldwide, it seems no one even accepts Google Wallet payments.

Technological innovations are nice, but inventions come in left and right. It's execution in the end that matters. Google showed that it failed in execution with NFC and Google Wallet. In it's current implementation, it's an absolute disaster. So yes I'm right about it's something that people don't care about.

Maybe Apple can implement it better.

Edit: Also to see a post like this from someone whose avatar is an Android pissing on an apple...

 

[Rayb]

I do think mobile payments ARE overhyped. It's nothing that interesting or to write home about.

I think if anything else, apps like gopago are more interesting in that you can pay a store through your phone AND order through it. That's really changing the traditional process of buying something. NFC payments only intend to replace your credit card in your wallet, and in the end you're just showing off contactless payment, but it's still the same concept as swiping a card but instead you're tapping it.

Hasn't it occurred to you that we are headed precisely in that direction?

Smart wireless interaction in everyday life is inevitable, it isn't up to you whether you think NFC is relevant or not. That's just technology moving forward efficiently, the lack thereof in your favorite product makes no difference. Overall, makes it even funnier because Apple will be copying Samsung after all is said and done.

http://youtu.be/X09Wa-hyUxM

Look, if apple DOES deploy NFC and it becomes a hit, what does that show? That Google failed miserably to deploy technology? I mean if it was THAT impressive with the Nexus S, why did the HTC Sensation and SGS2 flagship phones of 2011 lack it? And if it's that amazing now why are the HTC One X and SGS3 blocked from Google Wallet (at least the US ones). Worldwide, it seems no one even accepts Google Wallet payments.

I wouldn't say Google failed to deploy it, showcasing what is possible with the technology and making it work is more than I can say for Apple.
The reasons behind the failure, had to do with the security of the interface or lack of it.

Technological innovations are nice, but inventions come in left and right. It's execution in the end that matters. Google showed that it failed in execution with NFC and Google Wallet. In It's current implementation, it's an absolute disaster. So yes I'm right about it's something that people don't care about.

Maybe Apple can implement it better .

Once again, see above.

I don't see how Apple can implement it better by introducing a phone that lacks the basic technology to begin with. Maybe next year, try again. :whiste:
The one thing you're right about is, that none wins when they want total control.

Edit: Also to see a post like this from someone whose avatar is an Android pissing on an apple...

What of it? Does it offend your sensibilities?

 

[MrX8503]

http://www.forum.anandtech.com/show/6324/the-iphone-5-performance-preview

Performance preview up. The iPhone 5 is a beast. Fastest CPU and a GPU similar to the iPad 3.

 

[Oyeve]

The only thing I like on iPhone is the yelp integration in its maps. Map app sucks otherwise. Not really a sgs3 comparison tho.

 

[Zaap]

Remember, even if Apple doesn't have it... their nonexistent version is still better.
Apple will rename NFC iTap and it'll suddenly be the greatest thing since they invented the round corner .

 

[krumme]

http://www.forum.anandtech.com/show/6324/the-iphone-5-performance-preview

Performance preview up. The iPhone 5 is a beast. Fastest CPU and a GPU similar to the iPad 3.

Anandtech presentation of this situation is just depressing and looks more like Apple spin than objective presentation.

We have been over the details in the cpu section, memory dependant bm and very cache agressive browser skewing the bm for the cpu part.

Why do we need a15 paired with av7 in the future, when av7 is just faster alone?

Anand must know how those bm are used and interpreted without context understanding. The graphs are used directly without understanding the context.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Remember, even if Apple doesn't have it... their nonexistent version is still better.
Apple will rename NFC iTap and it'll suddenly be the greatest thing since they invented the round corner .

While we all know your suggestion is a bit over the top let's say that does happen. If Apple releases a device with NFC next year and then NFC suddenly takes off doesn't everyone (who cares about NFC) win?

 

[shortylickens]

More like Fanboy A vs. Fanboy S, amirite?

 

[shortylickens]

While we all know your suggestion is a bit over the top let's say that does happen. If Apple releases a device with NFC next year and then NFC suddenly takes off doesn't everyone (who cares about NFC) win?

Yup. We had smartphones but they were messy clunky things before Apple made a new one.
We had cute games but they kinda sucked until Apple got good ones.
We had app stores but of course Apple improved that.
I really dont mind Apple reinventing the wheel and calling it new so long as the community benefits.

My beef is when they sue OTHER people for ripping them off when all they've ever done is taken old ideas and improved them.

 

[Zaap]

While we all know your suggestion is a bit over the top let's say that does happen. If Apple releases a device with NFC next year and then NFC suddenly takes off doesn't everyone (who cares about NFC) win?

If they start suing everyone else, no.
Besides, I'm just poking fun at how Apple fans dismiss everything simply because they don't have it, but then they'll turn right around and praise Apple for revolutionizing the same thing... even though it doesn't exist. How about waiting until that actually happens before starting up with all the usual smugness. So far I see Apple playing catch up with things like Maps and notifications,multitasking and fully modernizing iOS. A little too early to declare them beating Google with NFC.

 

[dguy6789]

This is the first time since the iPhone 3GS that Apple launched a new iPhone that wasn't outclassed by Android phones already on the market in CPU performance. I wonder if they're starting to take specs seriously now that competition is tougher than before.

 

[Fingolfin269]

A little too early to declare them beating Google with NFC.

Who declared this?