Phones iPhone 4S vs Galaxy S3

[paulro]

'Perfectly usable' is pushing it. I think the iPhone screen is borderline usable in the sun. I still tend to cover my screen with my hand if possible in direct sunlight. The SIII must be even worse then in direct sunlight.

I find it really odd that you were self conscious about using a large phone in public. That would honestly be the last thing on my mind.

By perfectly usable, I mean that on an iPhone, you can see the icons, bring up the camera app, take a picture, compose a text, make a call etc etc.

Without any exaggeration, you cannot see the screen well enough on an S3 if the sun's out to do any of the above easily.

 

[blairh]

By perfectly usable, I mean that on an iPhone, you can see the icons, bring up the camera app, take a picture, compose a text, make a call etc etc.

Without any exaggeration, you cannot see the screen well enough on an S3 if the sun's out to do any of the above easily.

 

[ndpuckhead]

By perfectly usable, I mean that on an iPhone, you can see the icons, bring up the camera app, take a picture, compose a text, make a call etc etc.

Without any exaggeration, you cannot see the screen well enough on an S3 if the sun's out to do any of the above easily.

That's a major concern of mine since I do a lot of fishing and other outdoor activities. I'm going to Verizon today, its looking like an iphone more and more.
I just wish it had 4G.

 

[aldo82]

I'm surprising myself in being genuinely interested in the Galaxy S3. I've aways ignored Android in the past and have been happy with iOS, always defening apple against the apple-haters! But the 4S didn't really get me going and for the first time I didn't upgrade. Then I had every intention to get the new ipad but again it didn't feel like a big enough change from the ipad I had so again I skipped the upgrade. Now with what's been announced for iOS6 I'm disappointed and find myself looking elsewhere.

I appreciate as an OS becomes more mature upgrades will be less significant but having checked out Android ICS I wonder whether iOS is now lagging Android which is something I never thought I'd say! Whilst the fact you can change themes and have more customisation on Android might not be that bigger deal for some, I think the ability to change keyboard or use a different browser or different email client for example is really important and apple have got it wrong by not allowing this. I feel the iphone 5 has to be something big as apple are now behind the game. I feel they've been resting on their laurels a bit and that is now starting to loose them some customers...

So, I'm very close to getting an S3. The only thing stopping me is as someone with a mild vision impairment I like how iOS offers screen zoom (using 3 fingers) as an OS wide option. This is something Android doesn't have. I only use it occasionally and don't need things like screen readers etc. Having played around with an S3, fonts are large and there are options to change the system font size so maybe it'll work for me. iOS has some small fonts (app store for example) with no option to change. Anyone any comments on font size/legibility for android vs iOS?

I feel I might need to try Android just to see what its all about and the S3 seems like a good way to do so!

 

[0m3ga]

The actual claim was 9 million preorders by global carriers. Not by people, humans.

Samsung doesn't generally release shipped or sold data for smartphones.

Unprecedented? Only if you don't count the iPhone.

And that's despite the nebulous claims of 9 million preorders.

Well, if Samsung claims are nebulous, then I have a tough time believing Apple sold millions of pre-orders for the 4s. i know you have a tough time believing another phone can produce the same hype, but the facts are this is an amazing phone and millions want it.

And here is a claim for you from mypersonal experience. My own pre-ordered S3 got slightly delayed because there were so many damn pre-orders. All of Canada got delayed a week. How's that for 'nebulous'?

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By perfectly usable, I mean that on an iPhone, you can see the icons, bring up the camera app, take a picture, compose a text, make a call etc etc.

Without any exaggeration, you cannot see the screen well enough on an S3 if the sun's out to do any of the above easily.

How many S3's have you used outside? I own both an iP4 and a S3 and can tell you that both are equally hard to see in direct sunlight. in other words, either one is difficult to see without shading tHe phone.

 

[mbell1975]

Nothing exciting inside? It has a dual-core processor and an 8 megapixel camera, something most phones still have today. Sure it doesn't have 1GB of RAM, but it doesn't seem to need it. It's funny because the iPhone has a dual-core processor and runs buttery smooth, but even some of the quad-core Android devices with 1GB of RAM still lag, yet people boast that quad-core is so amazing.

There is zero lag on the quad core S3 and its benchmarks put the 4s to shame.

 

[Fireblade]

Having my S3 for 2 weeks now, and all I can say is WOW!
For my needs its really close to perfect.
IOS6 was so underwhelming, and if the iPhone5 doesnt get some killer-features, which I doubt, they will lose lots of customers.

It is really getting hard for iDiehards defending their oldschool iPhones these days.

 

[OneMike]

I've been on this site for years and I know 9.9/10 any response not in favor of Apple will be looked at negatively or within the last year or so get the down vote.

That said, I've been using iPhones from the original 4GB model in 2007 through the 4S since launch up until a week ago or so when I got the S3.

That said, I am enjoying my S3 a lot more than I enjoyed any iPhone. Why?

In a nutshell android is more open. iOS talks about being PC and it has come a long way. However, when I want to add or remove content it's a lot more straight forward with the S3 and typically can be done on the device.

With iOS I usually have to get on my main computer or remote login to it for simple tasks.

I also have found myself printing a lot more pictures in the last few days by just being able to go into a store and pop my card from the phone in.

Apple works great with other apple products, android so far is working great with everything.

I don't see one better than the other. iOS and Android can both be great in their own ways.

At first, the S3 was just going to be my toy until the next iPhone came out. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm going to switch back to iOS anymore.

One thing I will say though is I feel if I drop my S3, it's going to break into 8 billion pieces. iPhone build quality is definitely better.

 

[matttye]

By perfectly usable, I mean that on an iPhone, you can see the icons, bring up the camera app, take a picture, compose a text, make a call etc etc.

Without any exaggeration, you cannot see the screen well enough on an S3 if the sun's out to do any of the above easily.

S3 screen is so much clearer than the iPhone in the sun, you may have a dud.

 

[nefan65]

Having my S3 for 2 weeks now, and all I can say is WOW!
For my needs its really close to perfect.
IOS6 was so underwhelming, and if the iPhone5 doesnt get some killer-features, which I doubt, they will lose lots of customers.

It is really getting hard for iDiehards defending their oldschool iPhones these days.

Opinion. The same was said when the 4s came out. "Apple better release something epic, or they'll lose a lot of customers!". Didn't happen...

Oh, and if you refer to people as iDiehards, etc. you lose all credibility.

 

[nooaah]

Opinion. The same was said when the 4s came out. "Apple better release something epic, or they'll lose a lot of customers!". Didn't happen...

Oh, and if you refer to people as iDiehards, etc. you lose all credibility.

It's an easy way for him to dismiss anyone who disagrees with his opinion. I really don't get the need to have religious loyalty toward any company; especially if you don't work for them or you're not invested in them.

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From what I've read, the stock SGIII keyboard is pretty poor too. Luckily, there are great alternatives out there. For thumbing, I recommend the stock ICS, Smartkeyboard, or Swiftkey. For swiping, I'd try Swype.

Either way, you'll find something good.

Yup, that's what I've read. I still haven't found any sort of Jailbreak alternative for the iPhone. It's been really disappointing.

 

[batting1000]

its benchmarks put the 4s to shame.

I wouldn't say that...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1390806/

 

[nefan65]

I would say that...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1390806/

Uh Oh...now you went and confused him with facts.

 

[Sensamic]

Its been now 4 days since I got the SGS3 and everyday I like it even more.

More impressions:

- The LED light is awesome to know when you have new notifications. It has different colors for calls, sms, etc.

- I was afraid of syncing my contacts with Facebook and all but its great. I can see their status and updates right inside contacts. And pictures too.

- On iOS I though I never needed a file browser. Now, Im using the stock file browser everyday for hundreds of things. Its essential. Same thing goes for widgets! I though they were not that important, but now... I love the news widgets (NNC, NYT, USATODAY, CNN), weather, Facebook, Twitter, Contacts (to tap to call or sms directly to one person via the desktop), google search (using my voice to search anything or do stuff), google reader (awesome widget to read your feeds!), etc. There are soooooooo many widgets, and all of them are useful.

- I tried Nova Launcher and it has an awesome feature: a desktop icon for multitasking, just like the one stock in Galaxy Nexus. That way I don't need to hold the hardware home button and its faster and nicer. Still, I went back to TouchWiz because I like it much more. It has everything I need and is nicer.

- Android uses a lot of RAM. Still, the phone has no lag or slow downs. It manages the RAM kind of the same way iOS does I think.

- Battery is awesome. One of the main reasons I went with this phone instead of others like HOX. With normal use you can get a full day easy. Right now its been four days of intensive use and I can notice its a big battery.

- After 4 days I know it would be IMPOSSIBLE to go back to a smaller screen. 4.8 is really great. 3.5 would be a nightmare now.

- I don't know why people say android apps are bad. 90% of the ones I have are excellent in design and use. Most apps are just the same that iOS. I even like them better because I have much more screen space to view stuff and write. On 3.5 you just can't use iMovie or Pages. 4.8 makes Facebook, twitter, videos, music, web and more a better experience.

By they way, today I just got my first software update. 24MB. Over the air.

 

[matttye]

I would say that...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1390806/

He said quad core S3; the US is a dual core.

 

[batting1000]

He said quad core S3; the US is a dual core.

Performance can't be too far off, after all the dual-core S4 is right up there with the Tegra 3.

 

[comatose81]

So people still enjoy arguing with anonymous message board posters over whose purchase from a multi-billion dollar company is more justified?

Cool.

 

[sentinelsx]

So people still enjoy arguing with anonymous message board posters over whose purchase from a multi-billion dollar company is more justified?

Cool.

First world problems ftw

 

[cardinalryan]

I'm not even sure why there needs to be a thread on this; it's not even debatable, the SGIII is so far ahead of iPhone it makes the iPhone 4s look like a Fisher Price toy.

Anyone who says their iPhone is better than the SGSIII has either, A) Never seen a SGSIII (which is entirely possible since they are a bit scarce right now) or B) Doesn't know tech.

Now, I'm not saying the iPhone isn't best for you...it may well be, but if it is, then you prefer using an antiquated device, that's all.

 

[matttye]

Performance can't be too far off, after all the dual-core S4 is right up there with the Tegra 3.

The quad core Exynos pisses all over Tegra 3, and the quad core international version also has a vastly superior GPU.

 

[nooaah]

I'm not even sure why there needs to be a thread on this; it's not even debatable, the SGIII is so far ahead of iPhone it makes the iPhone 4s look like a Fisher Price toy.

Anyone who says their iPhone is better than the SGSIII has either, A) Never seen a SGSIII (which is entirely possible since they are a bit scarce right now) or B) Doesn't know tech.

Now, I'm not saying the iPhone isn't best for you...it may well be, but if it is, then you prefer using an antiquated device, that's all.

Sorry to break it to you, but most people don't know tech and just want their phone to play music, send texts, and browse the web with minimal effort.

 

[cardinalryan]

Sorry to break it to you, but most people don't know tech and just want their phone to play music, send texts, and browse the web with minimal effort.

You aren't breaking any news to me, and my statement still stands on it's own.

 

[BaldiMac]

Well, if Samsung claims are nebulous, then I have a tough time believing Apple sold millions of pre-orders for the 4s. i know you have a tough time believing another phone can produce the same hype, but the facts are this is an amazing phone and millions want it.

And here is a claim for you from mypersonal experience. My own pre-ordered S3 got slightly delayed because there were so many damn pre-orders. All of Canada got delayed a week. How's that for 'nebulous'?

I like how you latched onto one word and ignored the actual argument. I called Samsung's preorder claim "nebulous" because it has been continuously misreported and misinterpreted (by design, in my opinion). I don't doubt that they had 9 million preorders from global carriers. It' s extremely impressive for Samsung. It just doesn't come close in actual sales to the iPhone.

9 million preordered, but they aren't expected to sell 10 million until July. Two months after launch. Not quite the same hype. But it is an amazing phone and millions want it.

 

[blairh]

I'm not even sure why there needs to be a thread on this.....

It's good to have an iPhone vs SIII thread in this forum. I don't think the SIII is the clear superior choice for everybody. Yes, spec wise it's almost no contest. But the SIII will be too big for some and iOS will still be preferred by others. My female cousin in Milan just wrote me an email saying that she did not like the look and feel of the SIII.

I like this thread very much. Excited to share my SIII impressions once it's released in the States.

 

[batting1000]

The quad core Exynos pisses all over Tegra 3, and the quad core international version also has a vastly superior GPU.

Meh, whatever. It's like god only knows what you people do with your phones that you need a quad-core processor or the best GPU.