Is it obivious that the iPhone 5S will be better than the Samsung Galaxy S4?

[Mrbobb]

Is it obivious that the iPhone 5S will be better than the Samsung Galaxy S4?

This is classical conundrum for someone who's always looking for greener pastures on the other side of the fence.

Remember, new features seems excited until u find out they don't work, work shabbily, or u rarely use them in real life, then they are really of no consequent to your final decision.

 

[gdourado]

If rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 5s will come with a same sized and resolution screen as the 5. That will automatically make the s4 and HtC one better.
The screens are amazing! And it is what you use to interface with the phone anytime you wake it up or use it.
The iPhone 5s having a 4 inch not even 720p screen is really disappointing...

Cheers!

 

[Shanghaichica]

It depends what you mean by better. Last year the s3 had better specs than the iPhone 5, yet with Apple specs don't matter in the same way they matter with android. I think better is a subjective term. The iPhone 5 was better than the s3 in my opinion but who knows how the 5S will go. The iPhone has never needed the fastest processors to equal or even outperform the high end android phones.

 

[robjulo]

The iPhone 5 is already better than the S4 so yes it's obvious about the 5S.

Based on what? What is your criteria? What is the plusses and minuses of both?

 

[noisycats]

Yes it is obvious.

 

[MRU]

So basically this is just another 'I need someone else to justify my desire to buy a {insert device name}' thread.....

OP buy whatever - at the end of the day you are going to be the one using it. It makes jack poop difference what anyone else here thinks or has preference for as that has NO baring on your usage of whatever device.

Seriously...... decide yourself, and just be content whatever you decide, if your not - get something else until you are content.

Just remember the grass is not always greener - often it's just 'different' grass.

 

[jamezr]

So basically this is just another 'I need someone else to justify my desire to buy a {insert device name}' thread.....

OP buy whatever - at the end of the day you are going to be the one using it. It makes jack poop difference what anyone else here thinks or has preference for as that has NO baring on your usage of whatever device.

Seriously...... decide yourself, and just be content whatever you decide, if your not - get something else until you are content.

Just remember the grass is not always greener - often it's just 'different' grass.

++++++ ^^^^^^^^ this is great advice......you don't have to put put something down to validate your choices. Pick what is best for YOU....to hell with what anyone else thinks.....

 

[onthecouchagain]

I've resisted jumping on the "Apple is doomed" bandwagon before because I simply didn't agree. To some degree, I still don't. I think they'll still be mostly be fine if they release another S-version of the iPhone, but I do get a general sense that this year will be crucial for them -- much more so than previous years.

It's the coming together of many many factors, I think; exact conditions coming together to make the perfect storm. I've been thinking about this and not everything is formulated perfectly, but I'll just lay them out here:


-Android has really matured and many/most of the issues of yesteryear have been resolved. Most new Android mid-range and flagship devices will be launching with 4.1 and on. 4.1 is more than capable of appealing to the masses than ever before.

-More than one OEM is putting out a really good flagship phone. Before, it sort of used to be HTC, then Samsung took it over, but now, you have HTC putting out a successful flagship, Samsung obviously, Sony doing decently well, Motorola up and coming, and LG throwing in a beast of a phone, and potentially other smaller companies getting into the fray. OEMs are sort of figuring out the game and most of them are pumping out amazing Android handsets in tandem and in full force.

-OEMs are also getting more adventurous with their options. Google Play Edition phones are an amazing opportunity to own the latest flagship but still be treated like a near Nexus-like experience. And soon, Motorola will enter the fray with a controversial but still very interesting take on hardware. And soon there will be an influx of "Minis". In general, the mid-range market is going to get filled in nicely. And there are the "Active" waterproof phones, the phablets, etc. There is such a wide-range of variety on the market, all generally good with few compromises. The choices are flourishing.

-Even OEM skins are becoming more acceptable. Sense and TouchWiz all have their varying degrees of acceptance. Some people even prefer them. (But again, if stock is your game, there are choices for that too). Whether features are gimmicky or not, people are talking about them. That's what extra features do; they help sell and they help get it into people's mindsets and people's conversations.

-The market has matured. More and more people have smartphones. Before, when new people would jump to a smartphone, they'd understandably go with something simple like iOS/iPhone. People know of Android now at the very least. And people are a lot more tech-literate than ever before; that's the trend anyway. I think more and more people are ready for a smartphone that can do a little more in ways of customization and functionality.

-I think the "honeymoon" (<-- can't think of a better word, though I'm sure there is) of Jobs' death is coming to an end and people will now really scrutinize Tim Cook and Apple. Especially because this is the iPhone. What's more, I think more and more people are realizing Apple isn't in that game to offer many options and a lot of freedom to customize. Apple's been criticized for their minimal updates before, and I think people are getting tired of waiting. That's the sense I get from people around my life that are iPhone owners. I have seriously not seen or heard so many people switching to Android for larger screens, for more battery, for more functions (people I know love swiping; I have not heard a person hate it), etc. than ever before.

-The fact that iOS is rebooting the look and feel of iOS might send people the wrong message. It's a subtle admittance that iOS has gotten stale and needs a fresh new look. How polarizing is this new look? I'm not sure. The sense I get from reading people's reactions are that it's quite polarizing. Even die-hard iOS fans have expressed disdain for the new look. Who really knows, but a software reboot is always risky. Truthfully, though, I think people will warm up to it eventually.


There were a few more things that I thought about but I can't recall them or form the ideas properly so I'll leave it at that. Everything I discussed is open for debate and I'm not sure I've fully formulated everything, but I do just get a sense that this year is crucial for Apple and the iPhone. I think people are seeing through Apple's "perfect" image (Samsung vs Apple trials doesn't really help Apple's image and really revealed a bit of vulnerability; people are starting to know about Apple's profit-driven decision like intentionally withholding certain upgrades, etc.

Everyone that I talk to when this subject comes up are starting to grow tired of Apple. More and more people are asking about alternatives or whether it's time to jump ship. Those that I know that are more tech savvy have long jumped and have no interest in going back, and have said that people that they know of are doing similar things; a rippling effect.

So, I could be 100% wrong on all this and I'm still not going as far as saying "Apple is doomed" because that's an unbelievably hard thing to become; doomed, but I don't know if many will tolerate or be happy with just another S-version upgrade and a cheaper plastic iPhone (so much of this will be dependent on the unlocked price).


TL;DR:
Not saying Apple is "doomed" necessarily but it does feel like it's a crucial year for Apple and the iPhone because of so many "perfect storm" conditions happening in favor of Android and their OEMs.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

Above post couldn't have said it better. The Q3 figures will be eye opening in the smartphone race. Samsung and HTC will annihilate the Iphone in sales. My only question is why Apple is so slow to react. They better figure out that they can't actually build an anti-gravity machine, and just design a competitive phone.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Above post couldn't have said it better. The Q3 figures will be eye opening in the smartphone race. Samsung and HTC will annihilate the Iphone in sales. My only question is why Apple is so slow to react. They better figure out that they can't actually build an anti-gravity machine, and just design a competitive phone.

Apple will really be in trouble if the HTC outsells the iPhone. The HTC one is doing well but not that well.

 

[Technarchy]

It depends what you mean by better. Last year the s3 had better specs than the iPhone 5, yet with Apple specs don't matter in the same way they matter with android. I think better is a subjective term. The iPhone 5 was better than the s3 in my opinion but who knows how the 5S will go. The iPhone has never needed the fastest processors to equal or even outperform the high end android phones.

iPhone 5 was better than the S3.

The S4 is a bit tougher competition by a wide margin.

 

[egoistaxx9]

No, 5S won't be better than the GS4, just check out the rumored specs. but if the fingerprint scanner too awesome for you, go for the 5S, if not go for the GS4.

it'd be wise to read reviews and comparisons of both devices before buying.

one more thing, which reviewers usually miss out, search about the problems in the phone, it's bad side, it may also affect your decision.

 

[gdourado]

I have been hearing a lot about the fingerprint scanner... But what is the real added value if such a tech? I can understand a better camera technology. You use it to store pictures and share your moments and memories.
A higher resolution screen is great. You use it when doing any kind of task on the phone.
But a fingerprint scanner?
Will it be like the gimmicks on the s4 like waving your hand or scolling with your eyes? Gimmicks that add no value to the actual use of the phone?

Cheers!

 

[srkmish]

I know many people like it, but samoled's cartoonish oversaturated look doesn't appeal to me. The neutral color quality of iphone screen is much better.

If i were to pick a top android handset, i wud pick HTC one for sure due to much better screen in terms of color reproduction.

 

[F123D]

In my opinion, Samsung's build quality is very poor. If you like plastic that will burst and reveal a battery after the first drop

You mean the removable back cover that gives users the option to swap out the battery and insert a micro SD card for additional storage. That's awful!

I sure hope iPhone users aren't using cases made of this plastic material you speak of to protect their phones. Oh wait.

 

[Fireblade]

iPhone 5 was better than the S3.
.

In what?
In being expensive?
In having a tiny screen?

 

[Vegastouch]

So I was planning on selling my iPhone 4S for a samsung galaxy S4, but hopefully, I thought about the iPhone 5S. The S3 beats 4S, the 5 beats S3, the S4 beats 5, so i guess now the 5S beats S4? But that i'm not sure because it is almost impossible from Apple to introduce: a larger screen, wave gestures, eye controll, at least 12 MGP camera, finerprint sensor, etc in just one phone? I guess alll this features will come gradually to the next gen iphones, but certainly not all in one. but what I really like about android is that you can download torrents, open up skype files else than just photos, etc, but I also like iOS 7's simplicity, and i find siri much "nicer" and able to keep up a conversation, unlike S Voice. I don't know what to do, since I already have someone who is willing to buy my 4S, but i'm scared that if i wait late september she would say no, or i don't wanna stay a month without a phone. If That Helps, I Have a 2011 iMac, and I will be getting iPad 5.
Thanks for your advice.

Well thats your opinion of the pecking order. I dont see how the 5 beats the S3 at all. Overall i dont think it does beat it and frankly, i wouldnt want a iPhone the way they are. Screens too small and they just dont have as many features or do as much and iPhones are limited.

IMO Apple has been behind the last two years. A few days ago, i read an article on Flipboard that said Apple investors arent happy with how slow they have been to bring out something that is eye popping and innovative which means..Cook is probably on the hot seat.

 

[T5BRICK]

Sell your 4s and find a cheap smartphone to tide you over. You've got just under a month to wait.

That being said, take a look at the other Android phones besides the S4.

• 
  I've got an HTC One and the build quality is fantastic and Sense 5.0 is way better than the TouchWiz junk that Samsung puts on their phones. Personally, I don't like any of the manufacturer skins, so I've since flashed the Google Edition ROM and am using what is essentially vanilla Android now.

• 
  The new Moto X looks pretty awesome. Aside from the mid-range looking specs, it seems to be a great phone. The "always listening" functionality, while potentially creepy, is a killer feature. You just say the trigger words and it wakes up and starts listening.

• 
  The LG G2 is a beast. I don't know a whole lot about it, but from what I've read, it's a powerhouse.

 

[Technarchy]

In what?
In being expensive?
In having a tiny screen?

The S3 screen is ass. Big but horrible. Dark, poor clarity, pentile artifacts...

Dual core S4 was blah

The adreno 225 sucks

And the S3 is ugly.

 

[Vegastouch]

The S3 screen is ass. Big but horrible. Dark, poor clarity, pentile artifacts...

Dual core S4 was blah

The adreno 225 sucks

And the S3 is ugly.

And mine runs just fine and is still more usefull to me than an iPhone. Apple has done NOTHING to the iPhone that even makes me think about going back and doubt they will anytime soon...or at all.
They both are fast. Size and features are to me what makes GS3 better. Couldnt care less about benchmarks or what processor is in them.

And, i dont think the GS3 is ugly at all while the iPhone has the same front since 2007.

 

[Fireblade]

And mine runs just fine and is still more usefull to me than an iPhone. Apple has done NOTHING to the iPhone that even makes me think about going back and doubt they will anytime soon...or at all.
They both are fast. Size and features are to me what makes GS3 better. Couldnt care less about benchmarks or what processor is in them.

And, i dont think the GS3 is ugly at all while the iPhone has the same front since 2007.

That's what she said.

And ugliness is in the eye of the beholder, I find the iPhone to be some kind of ugly because it's massive bezels, looking so 2008.

 

[appleisking]

you can get metal backcovers for the galaxy. But that's not the thing: let's say you drop both the S4 and the 5, which is harder to replace the back? the S4 is just plastic so it's really cheap therefore if you brake it, it's not that of big deal because you just gotta pay what, 5 $ for that plastic. On the 5 you gotta have the glass and aluminium replaced.. and that cosst alot.

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I used someone elese's S4 and honestly, I think both now are very stable. that argument isn't valid anymore. and even if you have a small lag when opening camera app, with android you get to do alot! When I go on trips, I always download the movie on my mac, convert it to iphone format, then put it on my phone. With android you can download it right from the device itself and that is really one major thing that makes me go to Android.
oh gosh i cant believe i'm saying all that! I used to be anti-android!

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I totally agree but i'm scared Apple does their usual thing, introduce a killer feature. Or many. Because it's obvious Apple won't realese an iPhone that can't beat the S4.

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I do listen to music and on my friend's S4, when she put on the music, I was like blown away by how loud it seemed to me. and with earphones, I did not see any single difference.

But just as i mentioned earlier, downloading movies from the device itself just made my choice clear: S4.

And the google play store has 800 000 apps versus 900 000 for Apple's appstore.....really not huge difference

but on the other hand I don't want to be with my S4, once the 5S is out, to be like "oh no why didn't I wait" and then later in march to have the S5 in my head.

The google play store may have caught up in quantity, but quality is def. superior in ios. If you're app centric, ios is def the way to go but then android let's you do quite a few things without the need for apps.

 

[maxosx]

So I was planning on selling my iPhone 4S for a samsung galaxy S4, but hopefully, I thought about the iPhone 5S. The S3 beats 4S, the 5 beats S3, the S4 beats 5, so i guess now the 5S beats S4?

There's one word above that stands out: Guess.

It's all a matter of personal preference and what one values most.

I enjoy iPhones so I have an iPhone 5.

Yet my iPhone 4S was a far better phone for my preferences. It was more scratch resistant, and I'm very careful. It was more well proportioned, I hate the narrow elongated iP5 display. And the 4S was excellent at phone calls. Very clear, a great range of volume adjustment, with better battery life.

I enjoy Android... A lot.

So I own a Galaxy S4, & a couple others.

It's all about what one likes.

 

[appleisking]

There's one word above that stands out: Guess.

It's all a matter of personal preference and what one values most.

I enjoy iPhones so I have an iPhone 5.

Yet my iPhone 4S was a far better phone for my preferences. It was more scratch resistant, and I'm very careful. It was more well proportioned, I hate the narrow elongated iP5 display. And the 4S was excellent at phone calls. Very clear, a great range of volume adjustment, with better battery life.

I enjoy Android... A lot.

So I own a Galaxy S4, & a couple others.

It's all about what one likes.

Yup I still think the iphone 4 was the best phone ever invented at its time, set the standard for all smartphones, and it's my fav. iphone (the only thing I like better about the 4s is the camera never was a fan of siri) to date. The design is spectacular and I feel like Apple took a wrong turn with the aluminum switch, just not a fan of the 5.

 

[gotluck]

Totally preference based.

IMO it comes down to whatever screen size you want.