One of Android’s top seller versus Apple latest iOS smartphone goes one-on-one — the iPhone 5 vs. the Galaxy S3. But OS aside, we looked at both devices and pit their hardware features against each other.
Samsung’s Galaxy S3 has been launched in the Philippines since May this year and Apple’s iPhone 5 is yet to be released. Samsung’s got a head-start but Apple has the advantage of time to polish its contender.
Display. The Galaxy S3 comes in a large 4.8-inch Super HD AMOLED display while the iPhone 5 only has a 4-inch Retina Display. Both screens have pixel density that’s above 300ppi so there’s no noticeable difference in resolution. Samsung gets the score for a bigger screen, a move that Apple is following by increasing the display size of the iPhone. Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 0.
Network. The iPhone 5 can run on selected LTE networks and so is the Galaxy S3 (in some regions). The international version of both phones also supports HSPA+. It’s an easy tie for the two phones. Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 1.
Camera. Both the Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5 sport an 8-megapixel rear camera that records full HD 1080p videos at 30fps. It’s a tie again for both. We made numerous tests on the Galaxy S3 in our previous review here and so far, the sample photos/videos we took using the iPhone 5 is as impressive. We say it’s a tie.Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 1.
Storage. Internal storage is normally at the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB range for the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3. However, you can extend the storage of the Galaxy S3 with an additional 64GB microSD card (to a total of 128GB). This gives the S3 an edge. Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 0.
Battery. Battery is a huge consideration with any smartphone. The Galaxy S3 has a removable 2100mAh battery while the iPhone 5 has a non-removable 1440mAh battery. The S3 wins by a mile, not because it has a higher capacity but because it’s user-removable. Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 0.
Build Quality. Samsung takes a bit of criticism for using plastic materials in the Galaxy S3’s body. Apple has been doing impressive work with the build quality and materials for the iPhone 5 with a combination of aluminum and glass parts in a thinner body. The iPhone 5 wins this round. Galaxy S3: 0, iPhone 5: 1.
OS. The choice between iOS and Android is a matter of personal choice. The strength of iOS integration and refine-ness is contrasted by Android’s flexibility and customizability. Both platforms have their merits so it’s a tie. Galaxy S3: 1, iPhone 5: 1.
Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300 specs:
4.8-inch Super HD AMOLED screen @ 1280×720 pixels (306ppi)
1.4GHz Samsung Exynos 4 Quad processor
Mali-400MP GPU
1GB RAM
16GB, 32GB, 64GB internal storage
up to 64GB via microSD card
HSPA+ up to 21Mbps, LTE 100Mbps
Bluetooth 4.0
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with WiFi Bonding
8MP rear camera with LED flash
1080p @ 30fps video recording
1.9MP front-facing camera
720p HD video recording
NFC
GPS w/ aGPS support
2,100mAh Li-Ion battery
Android 4.0 ICS with TouchWiz UX
Apple iPhone 5 specs:
4-inch display @ 1136×640 pixel, 326 ppi
Apple A6 chip @ 1.2GHz dual-core
16GB, 32GB, 64GB
HSPA+, LTE up to 100Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band
Assisted GPS and GLONASS
Bluetooth 4.0
8MP rear camera, LED flash
1080p video recording
1.2MP front-facing camera @ 720p
1440mAh battery
iOS 6
There are other several minor features we no longer highlighted in the match-up above — like NFC and FM Radio tuner.
We wanted to include the suggested retail price as another criteria but since the iPhone 5 is not yet officially released in the country, we can’t really compare them yet. However, based on previous year’s pricing, both smartphones might be within the same price range.
In our tally above, the Galaxy S3 got 6 points while the iPhone 5 got 4 points. The Galaxy S3 wins by several notches against the iPhone 5. Again, it’s still a matter of personal taste and for this case the lines are drawn not by the hardware but mostly by the operating system.
I agree with everyone else here, it’s a poorly written review. BUT maybe yuga is only preventing a flame war. That’s why on his last paragraph, he said that it’s a personal choice on this case.
Here’s a benchmark of the iPhone 5 and S3. You can see that it’s not all about the specs. iPhone 5 wins on these tests.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/22/3371818/iphone-5-vs-galaxy-s3-gpu-benchmarks
Hindi mo ata nabasa yung pinost na link ni martinalmighty yung nauna sayo. Ito yung sabi doon sa post niya:
“A CNET iPhone 5 benchmark report stirred some controversy on Google Plus where xda-member Adam Outler called out the publication on Google+ for misrepresenting iPhone 5 tests:
CNET posted a bogus report on benchmarks. I had problems believing that a dual core from apple would be faster than every Android device so I decided to go to the source. Turns out the Galaxy S3 and the Nexus7 both score higher benchmarks than the iPhone 5.
You can see here for yourself. IPhone scores 1590, Galaxy S3 scores 1766. These are the benchmarks mentioned in the article below.
Android benchmarks: http://browser.primatelabs.com/android-benchmarks
iPhone benchmarks: http://browser.primatelabs.com/ios-benchmarks”
Paki-basa na lang po yung link niya para mas maliwanagan tayo.
I agree with Nikko. This post is BS! What kind of comparison is this? sana tinable mo na lang tapos may check marks spec per spec… may pa point system ka pang nalalaman!
http://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-5-vs-galaxy-s3-benchmarking-which-one-is-better-117284/
What kind of review is this? Did you rush this or something? First off, just ’cause the screen is bigger, doesn’t mean it’s better. The iPhone 4, 4S, and 5 still has the best screen resolution on a smartphone at 362 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone 5’s screen is also tougher than the SIII (watch the drop test video, SIII’s screen cracked with the 2nd drop while the 5’s screen remained untouched even after the 4th drop). Performance-wise, iPhone 5 is the king and is even compared to the new iPad in terms of benchmark scores. The SIII is just bigger and has longer battery life. Nothing more. And Android is very unstable and does not give convenient updates like Apple does.
It’s an objective review. It’s basically a comparison of hardware of each phone. He never indicated it’s an “in depth” review. To quote what Abe specifically said in the 1st paragraph:
“But OS aside, we looked at both devices and pit their hardware features against each other.”
So as Abe is comparing “hardware” features, to reply to your first point, bigger IS better, hardware wise. PPI above 300 is barely noticeable. Re: Drop test, wtf dude, if Apple did include that as a “feature”, then it surely would’ve won. But it’s not.
Also, can you elaborate completely how unstable Android OS is? I have the 4S and the S3, and I can’t seem to find anything “unstable” about the Android OS. I have no qualms with the iOS either.
Basically to the guys who were quick to give off a negative reaction to this article…
…Read
@mike…they read but failed to comprehend
“First off, just ’cause the screen is bigger, doesn’t mean it’s better.”
then tell me, why is it that the latest iPhone has bigger screen compared to the previous models??
Seriously? I think the point system here is a bit biased. Both cellphones are incomparable. Daanin nalang natin sa patibayan yan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M5q5TRuAsY
Put more thought on your reviews. This is like a review made by a kid. Just ’cause the SIII has 4.8in screen it gets a point? And they don’t have the same pixel per inch. iPhone still has the best screen display at 362ppi. And its screen is tougher too (watch iPhone 5 VS Samsung Galaxy SIII Drop Test). 2 drops of SIII and the screen cracks. 4 drops of iPhone 5, screen is untouched. Also consider perf
not thorough, but very objective :) good job!
Very objective? Hardly!
Abe, I have some point I wouldn’t agree with you. How is it that the S3 got the point on the screen without giving a point to iP5? Is it just because of its bigger screen? Being bigger isn’t always a plus factor considering the usability and operability as a phone. I think it should be tie. Another is the battery, again the s3 has a bigger battery but how it fares when both phones put in operation? Have you checked how long both phone lasted during operation? Other than those… It’s a good comparison though :-)
Since Abe is comparing the 2 phones, yes for me Samsung Galaxy S3 is the winner… But still Nokia Lumia 920!!!
“it doesn’t take a genius.”
Sir Yuga! Should I get the SIII or wait for the SIV or the Note 2? My iPhone 4 is in dire need of an upgrade so I’m not sure whether to wait or not.
If you are to keep on waiting, I’d say you wait for the S IX. LOL Kidding aside, get whatever you want and stop yourself from salivating about the latest there is!
Gotta agree with Deuts. This is smartphone we’re talking about. If you’re about to wait and wait, you’ll end up waiting forever.
The transition is fast and I suggest, you must consider a device that’s been future-proof.
Waiting for s4 would end you up getting it around june 2013.
Getting s3 now would end you up getting a not the highest end few months from now.
I suggest you better get Note 2 or Optimus G or the rumored HTC 5-incher device that has 1080p resolution. The three latter mentioned device would give you the highest end android device few months from now. And also, would be future-proof for up to two years.
But if you’re willing to wait, you better get the s4 :)
RJCA, sagutin ko tanong mo. If you want to get a bigger screen, go for S3. There is a big difference between iphone 4’s 3.5 inch vs S3’s 4.8″ screen.
If you want functionality of pen stylus and a good phone and almost tablet screen size, get a Note 2. Note 2 is big so it will not fit in your tight pocket.
In my own opinion, save your money and spend it once a “game changer” phone comes. iPhone 4 is a good smartphone so better to stick to it. I guess phones these days are not quite different since the original iPhone was released. Same touch screen interaction with improved camera and hardware speed.
“The Galaxy S3 has a removable 2100mAh battery while the iPhone 5 has a non-removable 1440mAh battery.”
This is not a good way to compare the battery life considering that both operating systems are different as well as the screen size and processor. How efficient is the operating system? How does the processor affect the battery life? Actual tests need to be conducted before determining the winner in that area.
You nailed it right! http://youtu.be/XdORocXrWf8
I couldn’t believe this post came from one “expert” in tech. Don’t get me wrong, I like Yuga and I own an S3 but the comparison is plain stupid. Tech journalism fail.
How is a 2,100 mAh battery better when it drains faster than the 1,440 mAh battery?
It’s no different than comparing a 2,500 mAh Akari AA rechargable battery to a 2,000 mAh Eneloop AA battery.
to sirs grumphus and tarush….well said..tumbok nyo ang battery ish. kaso ang big disappointment ko lang eh walang wireless charging sila. pero depende na talaga sa user yan.
Maka-comment lang., dinatungan pa ng mga toh., basa basa din muna bago mag comment., meron pang “I own an S3 (bert)” na nalalaman., utak “isheep” naman…
as i recall, the global version of the s3 sports the Exynos 4412 processor which doesn’t support LTE. on the other hand its the US version which runs on Snapdragon S4 + LTE support.
NETWORK s3(exynos)0 iphone5;1
s3(snapdragon)1 iphone5;1
Connectivity s3;NFC iphone5;0
Processor s3(exynos)1 iphone5;0
s3(snapdragon)1 iphone5;1
connectivity NFC support s3;1 iphone5;0
but then again, if you’re really considering the “ultimate” android, consider the LG’s latest flagship(rumored to be named Nexus) Optimus G!
OptimusG for ORGASM!
Optimus G is a no nexus device. It was launched few days ago in Seoul,SK.
@abe, should have considered the battery life, not the battery capacity. Not an apple fan here, but I’m always amaze on how Apple optimizes its battery with the system making it last longer even with a low mAh value.
:)
Accept the facts that S3 is more advance in features compare to iphone5 which is just upgraded of iphone4s.
Dude it’s not all about how many features and fancy specs the device is carrying. It’s all about performance and usability.
How useful is IP5’s map BTW?
@ude. I am talking about overall function and usability. Let me ask you this, can you name any other device that trumps the fluidity and functionality of the iPhone? Heck you can name a lot but I am sure it will just you own personal thought not a majority of people out there. You are asking me the usefulness of iPhone 5 maps? Just ask yourself, how often do you use it… If you don’t want apple maps in ios 6 it’s up to you, you can still use google maps througt their web app. It makes me think how uninformed you are when you ask me that question, that you look like you don’t know how to put the google map on ios
S3 is the best among the two!
– much more superior specs
– removable battery
– microSD
– most popular mobile OS in the world
– more affordable
– much more possible uses(bluetooth, mass storage mode, widgets, launchers etc)
haha
“Most popular mobile OS in the world.”???
Luuh!!
It’s like “Most unstable/cheap mobile OS in the universe.”
I hope that people would understand that nowadays, hardware doesnt necessarily translate to a more superior phone. That’s why there are benchmarks. Hardware is misleading sometimes. Like 8 megapixels on one phone does not mean it has the same photo quality with the another phone with the same mega pixel camera. I hope Yuga would put more thoughts on his posts.
Abe, check your scoring on the second part (network). It’s either you missed giving a point to Samsung or you accidentally gave a point to Apple.
its a tie so both of them got a point
possible to change galaxy 3 to galaxy s3 in title?
Add the HTC One X!
Koooya! Gawa ka pu sareleng mong blag! Baket nman pu idadagdag ang WanX?? Bisaya ka dung??!!
Here come the fanbois…
^ here comes the Fooritah Avila y Vitter Occamfooohtah!
And what’s the sense of your word eh? If you have something in mind that is related to the article other than trolling, then you may contribute to a healthy conversation…
sIII is good smart phone ^_^