Anyone used both iPhone 5 and GS3?

[tbayrgs]

Not to nitpick, but it was released June 19th 2009 which is interestingly exactly-ish 3 years and 3 months before iOS 6.0 came out. (September 19th, 2012)

From ArsTechnica:



Not all of those restrictions are due to insufficient hardware; Apple plans obsolescence just like Android phone manufacturers do.

But how many Android devices, excluding the Nexus devices, see more than one major update? And how long after the newest version of Android is released does it come to those devices?

Don't quote me on dates because I wasn't really following Android closely until recently but I believe the Galaxy S2 was released in the US last fall, correct? And didn't those handsets just start getting ICS this past June, after the newest version, Jelly Bean was announced, more than 6 months after ICS was announced in October 2011? How much would you like to bet it will never see JB? And don't start telling me at least you can flash whatever ROM you like because while you and I might be inclined to do so, the vast majority of users would look at us like we were speaking a foreign language, much less have a clue how to do it.

Point is, yes Apple cripples many feature for older handsets--that sucks, but at least the older handsets are still getting updates. How many Android phones are getting OS updates even 2 years after their release, much less 3? And getting them on the same day that all other Android users are getting it?

That reason alone is why I'll ONLY ever get a Nexus device if I want to use Android.

 

[Dave.UK]

Don't quote me on dates because I wasn't really following Android closely until recently but I believe the Galaxy S2 was released in the US last fall, correct? And didn't those handsets just start getting ICS this past June, after the newest version, Jelly Bean was announced, more than 6 months after ICS was announced in October 2011? How much would you like to bet it will never see JB? And don't start telling me at least you can flash whatever ROM you like because while you and I might be inclined to do so, the vast majority of users would look at us like we were speaking a foreign language, much less have a clue how to do it.

Galaxy S2 will get Jellybean.

 

[Honza]

I have owned both, but am sticking with the iP5. I have completely switched how I feel about screen size and aspect ratio. I used to think that to not widen the iPhone would be a horrible mistake, but in practice it is actually the right way to go. First, it is very comfortable to use one handed, something that was impossible with the GSIII. Second, I actually want a study comparison of the same screens of the same apps, websites, movies ect. pulled up with both phones, because it seems like the wider part of the screen is just space wasted in most situations. Most of the top uses for a phone are in list form anyway: texts, email, facebook, twitter, contacts, web browsing (probably about 50% of sites are in mobile or app form); then you have video and gaming, which are much better in a 16x9 widescreen format. In a few situations, like browsing desktop sites or reading a book, it is nicer to have a bigger screen, but does it offset the cost of bulkiness and two-handed use? Those things are better done for a tablet anyway. So as far as the utility and practicality of phone usage, I think the iPhone is the best design. Not to mention that the quality of the screen is far above the GSIII. In the end, it does come down to preference, but many people, including myself (before the iP5), just get caught up with the marketing of bigger is better.

 

[cynics]

I have a friend that just picked up an S3 and she was coming from an iPhone 4. She says it doesn't feel wide to her. I noticed she was using a thin case on the S3 but was using an Otterbox defender on her 4. I looked up the dimensions and a defender is about the width of an S3. It LOOKS a lot wider but it's just because you notice how much wider the screen is but in reality it's not.

I just wish the iPhone 5 was the 4/4S size with a larger 4+" screen. Or move the back button to the bottom in apps, I need to adjust my hand to reach the upper left where most apps keep it.

 

[MacBH928]

I am getting an S3 from a friend to play with today.

Can any one tell me how to get started on this thing? What to download? what features to test out?

I am looking to see what is going to set the S3 from an iPhone.

I think I once saw that you can download ubuntu on an android device!!


btw, why does Android has a browser called Internet , why does it not ship with Chrome since Google owns Android anyway?

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I am getting an S3 from a friend to play with today.

Can any one tell me how to get started on this thing? What to download? what features to test out?

I am looking to see what is going to set the S3 from an iPhone.

I think I once saw that you can download ubuntu on an android device!!


btw, why does Android has a browser called Internet , why does it not ship with Chrome since Google owns Android anyway?

Takes a few days to get used to it. It's not iOS so don't stare at the thing and say to yourself "this is how iOS does it". Do it the way you want to do it, you have that freedom, so find out what works for you. As far as the internet thing, he's the thing that's gonna blow your mind if you've only used iOS, THEY ACTUALLY LET YOU PICK THE DEFAULT. You want to use Chrome, set it as the default. OMFG what a concept? Can you believe it!

Some of the Samsung native features can be gimmicky. Some iPhone should adopt. For instance the GS3 will vibrate when you pick your phone up to let you know you have a notification. If Apple doesn't want to put a LED on the iPhone, that would be a useful feature.

Download any apps you normally use. Someone will chime in if you want to dive into different launchers but I suggest you wait on that and don't dive into to the deep end till you've tested the water.

 

[paulsalter]

btw, why does Android has a browser called Internet , why does it not ship with Chrome since Google owns Android anyway?

The OS is older than Chrome, Chrome for Android came out earlier this year (it is available from the app store for ICS)

ICS and before where earlier than this
JB does come with Chrome as default browser

 

[Zman5225]

download swift key free, its a 30 day trial but a great improvement over the stock samsung kb. Like mentioned above, it does take a day or two, or maybe even a week or more before you appreciate android. Get used to the menu button (bottom left next to the home). It'll open up a world of settings in almost every app, page, keyboard, browser or anything you can think of. The back button is sweet. Hmm....just really get used to the settings. Tweak it tweak it tweak it until you like it....thru the settings button haha

Once your comfortable with stuff, venture into launchers. Widgets are sorta neat but a novelty to me and I don't use them anymore except the google widget and the alarm clock. You'll come to love the notification bar and all the settings available in it and how fast you can do things on the phone. Disable s voice (at least I did, I hated it)

That's a starter haha

 

[Zman5225]

Oh and if you don't want shortcuts added to your home screens when you download new apps, open the google play store, hit the menu button, hit settings, then disable it from there. Also check the box for update on wifi-only

 

[joshwithachance]

I left the 4S for the S3, and then gave up the S3 for the iPhone 5. I have to say that the 5 is the best overall device of the 3.

I think the screen size is actually the perfect compromise between these behemoth Androids and past iPhones.

The battery life is better on the iPhone 5 somehow, even with the much smaller battery.

The screen looks better and uses less power when compared to the S3.

While the 5 is a lot lighter than previous iPhones it still has this premium feel in the hand that you do not get with the S3 due to it's all plastic body.

Also, most apps are designed with the iPhone in mind, and then ported to Android. You can really tell this in the poor execution of most apps on Android.

On top of that, syncing your content from a Mac is a total pain in the ass with the Galaxy S3 due to the MTP file transfer mode, and no longer supporting USB mass storage.

And finally, if something ever goes wrong with your iPhone you can just take it to Apple. This is a luxury often overlooked, and unmatched by any other manufacturer.

To each their own, but the iPhone 5 is the best smartphone on the market.

 

[oBMTo]

I left the 4S for the S3, and then gave up the S3 for the iPhone 5. I have to say that the 5 is the best overall device of the 3.

I think the screen size is actually the perfect compromise between these behemoth Androids and past iPhones.

The battery life is better on the iPhone 5 somehow, even with the much smaller battery.

The screen looks better and uses less power when compared to the S3.

While the 5 is a lot lighter than previous iPhones it still has this premium feel in the hand that you do not get with the S3 due to it's all plastic body.

Also, most apps are designed with the iPhone in mind, and then ported to Android. You can really tell this in the poor execution of most apps on Android.

On top of that, syncing your content from a Mac is a total pain in the ass with the Galaxy S3 due to the MTP file transfer mode, and no longer supporting USB mass storage.

And finally, if something ever goes wrong with your iPhone you can just take it to Apple. This is a luxury often overlooked, and unmatched by any other manufacturer.

To each their own, but the iPhone 5 is the best smartphone on the market.

You forgot about fragmentation. You are a walking cliche.

 

[Mrg02d]

I left the 4S for the S3, and then gave up the S3 for the iPhone 5. I have to say that the 5 is the best overall device of the 3.

I think the screen size is actually the perfect compromise between these behemoth Androids and past iPhones.

The battery life is better on the iPhone 5 somehow, even with the much smaller battery.

The screen looks better and uses less power when compared to the S3.

While the 5 is a lot lighter than previous iPhones it still has this premium feel in the hand that you do not get with the S3 due to it's all plastic body.

Also, most apps are designed with the iPhone in mind, and then ported to Android. You can really tell this in the poor execution of most apps on Android.

On top of that, syncing your content from a Mac is a total pain in the ass with the Galaxy S3 due to the MTP file transfer mode, and no longer supporting USB mass storage.

And finally, if something ever goes wrong with your iPhone you can just take it to Apple. This is a luxury often overlooked, and unmatched by any other manufacturer.

To each their own, but the iPhone 5 is the best smartphone on the market.

I actually found the complete opposite to be true...

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

You forgot about fragmentation. You are a walking cliche.

Can't say much about that, 3.5in apps on a 4in screen. They can only hope the letterboxes aren't a permanent fixture.

 

[mzjin]

The S3 screen is far from horrible. If saturated colors are so bad than why did Apple make the screen colors 44% more saturated on the iPhone 5? Blacks are stunning on OLED displays. At my normal 18" viewing distance I cannot see any pixelation or graininess on the pentile display @ 720p resolution (the same thing pretty much every review of the phone says.) The blue screen tint is only noticeable when you hold it up next to a phone with an LCD, not in normal use. My iPhone 4 display looks washed out and boring in comparison to my S3 but I wouldn't call either one "horrible."

The S3 screen is god awful.

Half the brightness of any LCD.
Blue shift
Viewing angles that color shift at even dead straight angles
Awful accuracy
Non-whites
Visible pixels

Owned an S3, hated the screen.

 

[Dunbar]

Owned an S3, hated the screen.

To each their own, I like mine. I really like the extra screen real estate. Screen brightness and blue shift have proven total non-issues for me in real world usage. Someone who calls it god awful probably can nitpick any smartphone to death.

 

[mzjin]

To each their own, I like mine. I really like the extra screen real estate. Screen brightness and blue shift have proven total non-issues for me in real world usage. Someone who calls it god awful probably can nitpick any smartphone to death.

In real world usage the S3 is unusable outside in any sunlight. Which made the phone a complete fail.

 

[kiltedthrower]

In real world usage the S3 is unusable outside in any sunlight. Which made the phone a complete fail.

It's weird you say that since I'm using an S3 in direct sunlight and reading and responding to this without any issues.

 

[Technarchy]

The S3 screen is god awful.

Half the brightness of any LCD.
Blue shift
Viewing angles that color shift at even dead straight angles
Awful accuracy
Non-whites
Visible pixels

Owned an S3, hated the screen.

Some would call you a liar...but what you say is true.

 

[blackhand1001]

The OS is older than Chrome, Chrome for Android came out earlier this year (it is available from the app store for ICS)

ICS and before where earlier than this
JB does come with Chrome as default browser

JB still does not default chrome and for good reason. Chrome for android needs a ton of work. The stock jellybean browser is so much smoother, faster, and more stable. The only device that for some dumb reason defaults chrome is the nexus 7 but you can sideload the stock browser which is still so much better.

 

[Dunbar]

In real world usage the S3 is unusable outside in any sunlight. Which made the phone a complete fail.

It would make any smartphone a complete fail for me since I wear polarized sunglasses in direct sunlight rendering all screens unreadable. I almost never use my smartphones in direct sunlight so I've found this to be a complete non-issue. Man, you sure do love to nitpick though. I bet you're loving that maps app in iOS6.

 

[mackinmike]

I currently own both and I prefer using the S3. I came from BB and I like the fact there's a dedicated back button. For iphones, there is none except for the back button that part of the app.... and it's usually up on the left corner. I hate the fact that when i'm reading thru emails or chats, I have to move my thumb to the top left corner instead of a dedicated back button located at the bottom of the phone. It's a bit of a stretch when I'm using it one handed and trying to hold it securely.

Screen size, the ip5 is tiny. Once you go bigger, it's hard to look at the ip5's tiny screen. Whatsapp still isn't updated for the larger screen... while there was an great update to whatsapp on android 2 days ago. WTH?

Functionality-wise, all the apps I use are on both platforms. Iphones just doesn't have the edge anymore.

In the end, what do I use most? The S3.

 

[mzjin]

I currently own both and I prefer using the S3. I came from BB and I like the fact there's a dedicated back button. For iphones, there is none except for the back button that part of the app.... and it's usually up on the left corner. I hate the fact that when i'm reading thru emails or chats, I have to move my thumb to the top left corner instead of a dedicated back button located at the bottom of the phone. It's a bit of a stretch when I'm using it one handed and trying to hold it securely.

Screen size, the ip5 is tiny. Once you go bigger, it's hard to look at the ip5's tiny screen. Whatsapp still isn't updated for the larger screen... while there was an great update to whatsapp on android 2 days ago. WTH?

Functionality-wise, all the apps I use are on both platforms. Iphones just doesn't have the edge anymore.

In the end, what do I use most? The S3.

Whatsapp? Lol. The fact that you use this instead of Google Voice or iMessage...

What do you still use AIM on your phone too?

 

[mackinmike]

Whatsapp? Lol. The fact that you use this instead of Google Voice or iMessage...

What do you still use AIM on your phone too?

yea whatsapp. what's wrong with that? i have overseas friends and friends on different platforms that continue to use it. the world doesn't revolve around imessages or google talk. SMH.

 

[dmelgar]

1) It is interesting that you say Vendors dont maintain phones for long , especially when Apple almost kills its devices in 3 years. I am pretty sure 3gs is almost absolete by now


2) What do you mean manage memory and proccesses? Even on iOS you have to shut down apps and restart some times?

Apple may stop support after 3 years, but most android phones don't receive updates after a few months.

On iOS you do NOT have to shut down apps. That's confusion from the android world. iOS does not permit apps to run in the background. What you're referring to is a list of recently run apps. They may still be in memory but are suspended. It's generally not possible for them to be running unless your jail broken.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

On iOS you do NOT have to shut down apps. That's confusion from the android world. iOS does not permit apps to run in the background. What you're referring to is a list of recently run apps. They may still be in memory but are suspended. It's generally not possible for them to be running unless your jail broken.

Some apps do. Mostly some default apps. Also I remember I used an instant messenger app before and it pretty much would kill my battery. iOS is not immune.

Anyways, having no control over this has it's drawbacks. Like when safari feels like refreshing when you go back to it or you have to log into an secure app again when you just used it less than a minute ago. I even had some note and document apps do a complete refresh, losing everything I just wrote even though it suppose to auto save. Sometimes when an app acts up, you do have to manually close it out. Stuff like this doesn't happen often for me on iOS, but it does happen.

On the GS3, not only does it do a great job in managing multitasking and memory usage. You can also control how background processes are able to run at once if you run into problems. Or you can choose to auto close every app after you leave it.