There can be only one...Samsung S5 vs iPhone 6

[Fireblade]

That's how I'm seeing it. In 6 months we will probably be seeing a different situation altogether.

Devs will have had more time to support the new features like extensions and widgets. Apple will have rolled out all the new services completely. iOS 8 kinks should be ironed out. Apple watch will be available. Yosemite will be launched.

Then it will make more sense to change out from the S5.

It will be really interesting in about 6 months, IOS 8 will be more supported, and your GS5 will run Android L most likely...
Good times to life for tech nerds like us...

 

[Fanaticalism]

That's how I'm seeing it. In 6 months we will probably be seeing a different situation altogether.

Devs will have had more time to support the new features like extensions and widgets. Apple will have rolled out all the new services completely. iOS 8 kinks should be ironed out. Apple watch will be available. Yosemite will be launched.

Then it will make more sense to change out from the S5.

Or maybe the S6 with Android L baked in from the start will marry both build and UX together?

It has been said before, that the two platforms are crossing paths. Android is working on UX (always catered to the power user) with Apple doing the opposite. Thing with Apple is that we do not know if the quirks are due to software or hardware limitations. I believe them to be software based and am sure Apple will work them out. If it turns out to be hardware, well I guess we'll have to wait for the 6s.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'll keep this brief.

Two weeks ago I got the iPhone 6, and six months ago I got the S5. Here are my quick impressions on some key areas.

Screen:

The iPhone 6 screen is way more usable outdoors, and looks about as sharp as the S5 despite the iPhone having lower resolution and PPI. The auto brightness feature works better on iPhone 6.

In terms of contrast and blacks, the S5 wins because of AMOLED but it's not as dramatic as you'd think. For LCD iPhone 6 blacks are better than S5 whites. The iPhone is on the coolish side, but there is an evident blueish haze on S5 whites.

The bigger S5 screen does games and video more justice, and the larger screen + higher resolution means more content on the screen at any given time.

Sound:

The S5 DAC does better with headphones of all makes, even Apple's. The universal and adjustable EQ helps. Since I am using headphones all the time in the gym, when running, and biking, this is important.

The iPhone has a better speaker. Louder, punchier, clearer.

Build and feel:

LOL not even close. The iPhone 6 feels and looks like the better product.

UI Experience:

iOS 8 just flows smoother, nicer and in a more appealing away. This does not men S5 Touchwiz is slow or lag.s It just feels less refined and chunkier.

iOS 8 has better lock screen notifications.

iOS is not all that simple. Enabling extensions and app to app access is not all that intuitive, where android has this all baked in, so it's just easier.

Camera:

The iPhone 6 camera is better. Clarity, details, color accuracy, shutter speed, interface simplicity.

However the difference is not HUGE expect when we are talking lowlight, where the iPhone does a better job overall.

Battery life:

S5 wins by an hour on average during my average daily use, iPhone is a 10 hour life, and S5 is an 11-12 hour phone not counting ultra power save.

Lifestyle product:

The more iPhone's compact body, Siri, iCloud, Touch ID, full headphone aftermarket support, health tracking apps and ecosystem with my Mac and wife's iPhone 5 just makes it a better lifestyle product for me.

There can be only one...

The iPhone 6 was returned and the S5 stayed.

Why?

iOS 8 is half baked. Limited widget and extensions means the iPhone 6 is hamstrung out the box.

Apple Pay is not functional yet.

No iWatch.

Handoff is still a bit dodgy.

iCloud drive's interface still doesn't make as much sense as Dropbox.

Swiftkey and keyboards don't work right.

In the end there isn't a huge enough reason for me to change in terms of what I do day in and day out. Not enough for me to incur the additional AT&T monthly NEXT costs at least.

So yes, I think the iPhone 6 is the better all around product, but RIGHT NOW, going with the iPhone 6 is a downgrade because iOS 8 is half baked and poorly supported by Devs.

I wasn't too happy about losing dual apps on the screen either. That's a lot of extra iPhone screen with not many new ways to use it. I felt blind on the iPhone because all the widgets I normally use on android aren't on iOS yet and actually opening App's to see my feeds was slow and tedious.

I'll be revisiting the iPhone 6 once the Apple Watch drops. Thats a few months from now so hopefully by then devs will have it together and kinks will be ironed out.

For now I will stick with my Samsung S5.

Nice comparison. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

[ggibson913]

First, thank you for the honest review. It was clear concise and free from bias unlike so many of the "pro" reviews on other sites. I too switched from the iPhone 5 to the S5 six months ago.

I have a Mac and an iPad so I looked at the iPhones of course, and there is a part of me that still wanted an iPhone so I could have that seemless integration but I too am going to wait it out. The only problem I have with my S5 is hard disk space ( I know I can use an SD card and do but I would love to have 64 GB of storage on that puppy).

In addition as a fellow switcher I can offer these day to day comments on my Android Experience.

- The Application Interfacing with other Apps is terrific and I would miss it.

- I know it isn't much but I do like 1080 P, full screen video watching.

- I like being able to see the weather on a widget in the AM and not have to
open an app.

I also want to wait and see what Android L brings. I did get to look at the Note 4 and Build quality is catching up and I am want to see the Nexus 6 when it gets released. I do disagree on headphone sound, I thought the iPhone 5 anyway had better sound.

 

[Fanaticalism]

For anyone who wants a nice look into what L will look like from an app perspective, check out this app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.underwood.calendar_beta&hl=en

 

[TechGod]

That's how I'm seeing it. In 6 months we will probably be seeing a different situation altogether.

Devs will have had more time to support the new features like extensions and widgets. Apple will have rolled out all the new services completely. iOS 8 kinks should be ironed out. Apple watch will be available. Yosemite will be launched.

Then it will make more sense to change out from the S5.

This is absolutely true. Although I am running the Yosemite beta on my rMBP

 

[jrswizzle]

I totally agree.

The iPhone is a great device, but we are not in 2011 anymore. Android has improved a lot, and the 6s with iOS8 are not a big step forward.

Now, if you just want to Instagram/Snapchat, then the story is different.

Oh, I get it.

That must be all I do since I prefer the 6/6+. Wow, I didn't even know I instagrammed and snapchatted at all.

I wonder how those apps got so much use considering I never even downloaded them. But as you say, that's really all an iPhone is good for, so that's all I must be doing.

I'm so sick of crap like the bolded....if you think the GS5 is better, fine. But don't belittle those of us who legitimately prefer the iPhone and use it for FAR more than Instagram and Snapchat.

/rant over

 

[Technarchy]

This is absolutely true. Although I am running the Yosemite beta on my rMBP

I'm running Yosemite beta on my MBA 2012. The way iOS 8 and Yosemite work together is quite impressive. I was enjoying hand off especially quite a bit.

Once Yosemite comes out of beta and iOS 8.1 drops the experience and viability of the features should improve dramatically.

 

[TechGod]

I'm running Yosemite beta on my MBA 2012. The way iOS 8 and Yosemite work together is quite impressive. I was enjoying hand off especially quite a bit.

Once Yosemite comes out of beta and iOS 8.1 drops the experience and viability of the features should improve dramatically.

Exactly, after playing around with a iPhone 6+ yesterday, iOS has changed so much since I last used it as my personal phone(that was a 4S) I was impressed. I actually was impressed after using it.

I cannot wait till December to get a job and buy one for myself.

 

[fedecape]

Oh, I get it.

That must be all I do since I prefer the 6/6+. Wow, I didn't even know I instagrammed and snapchatted at all.

I wonder how those apps got so much use considering I never even downloaded them. But as you say, that's really all an iPhone is good for, so that's all I must be doing.

I'm so sick of crap like the bolded....if you think the GS5 is better, fine. But don't belittle those of us who legitimately prefer the iPhone and use it for FAR more than Instagram and Snapchat.

/rant over

Damn... people here take it so personal.

What I tried to say is that some people just don't care which device is better.

iOS is restricted/limited, and that's a fact. But that doesn't mean it's bad.

 

[Switchback666]

I don't understand how people can get "sick" or mad about certain posts on the forums, I can understand being tired

 

[jrswizzle]

Damn... people here take it so personal.

What I tried to say is that some people just don't care which device is better.

iOS is restricted/limited, and that's a fact. But that doesn't mean it's bad.

The only thing I take personally is the idea that one cannot do "real work" or more than social networking on an iPhone.

I've owned a variety of Android devices. And while I don't have the most demanding use case, I've found the iPhone to be every bit as capable as an Android device.

The differences I see stem from HOW something is done. Not whether or not it can be done.

Just getting sick of hearing about how the iPhone is a kiddie device not suitable for those who want a "REAL smartphone".

These quotes aren't you obviously, but things I've read in my time here.....there are plenty of reasons why one can say an Android device is better for them. Be specific - don't use generalities like this, especially ones that demean what others do on their iPhones.

----------

I don't understand how people can get "sick" or mad about certain posts on the forums, I can understand being tired

It's an idiomatic expression - one in which the words don't necessarily mean what they normally mean.

I'm not physically ill at these comments. I'm tired of them too.

 

[Switchback666]

The only thing I take personally is the idea that one cannot do "real work" or more than social networking on an iPhone.

I've owned a variety of Android devices. And while I don't have the most demanding use case, I've found the iPhone to be every bit as capable as an Android device.

The differences I see stem from HOW something is done. Not whether or not it can be done.

Just getting sick of hearing about how the iPhone is a kiddie device not suitable for those who want a "REAL smartphone".

These quotes aren't you obviously, but things I've read in my time here.....there are plenty of reasons why one can say an Android device is better for them. Be specific - don't use generalities like this, especially ones that demean what others do on their iPhones.

----------



It's an idiomatic expression - one in which the words don't necessarily mean what they normally mean.

I'm not physically ill at these comments. I'm tired of them too.

I think whe all tired of the same thing too but i guess its just part of macrumors now lol would not be the same i guess.

 

[mib1800]

U

The only thing I take personally is the idea that one cannot do "real work" or more than social networking on an iPhone.

I've owned a variety of Android devices. And while I don't have the most demanding use case, I've found the iPhone to be every bit as capable as an Android device.

The differences I see stem from HOW something is done. Not whether or not it can be done.

Just getting sick of hearing about how the iPhone is a kiddie device not suitable for those who want a "REAL smartphone".

These quotes aren't you obviously, but things I've read in my time here.....there are plenty of reasons why one can say an Android device is better for them. Be specific - don't use generalities like this, especially ones that demean what others do on their iPhones.

----------



It's an idiomatic expression - one in which the words don't necessarily mean what they normally mean.

I'm not physically ill at these comments. I'm tired of them too.

What is real work? Surf the web, receive an email, open an app to do stuff...well we can do these on both platforms.

But the problem with ios a lot of the times you have to beat around the bush to get things done...sharing, email attachments, loading files or just having shortcuts to anything from anywhere. .. and many more.

Getting work done also means having the phone do automatically for you. On android you can do lots of automation like auto send Sms or changing the ring volume based on events and many more...none which you can do on ios.

 

[Technarchy]

What is real work? Surf the web, receive an email, open an app to do stuff...well we can do these on both platforms.

And this is what most smart phone buyers care about. While Samsung is in decline, as many predicted when speaking about the Samsung model, and everyone else if fighting for scraps at a loss (HTC, LG, Sony), Apple continues to shine globally.

Why?

Because the stuff you belittle ("Surf the web, receive an email, open an app to do stuff."), is what most people care about more than anything else. Apple knows this and focus on doing those things well. Especially apps.

How many reviews in a short period of time describe the iPhone 6 as the best smartphone you can buy? Lots. This stems from its competence at doing core, integral tasks. The stuff people care about.

I get your point to an extent, which is why I returned my iPhone 6 and stayed with my S5, but there is a reason Apple creates lines around the block in every market with a new release, and android devices don't.

If your response is anything about iSheep, fanboys or anything else equally insipid, then you're not living in reality.

 

[mib1800]

And this is what most smart phone buyers care about. While Samsung is in decline, as many predicted when speaking about the Samsung model, and everyone else if fighting for scraps at a loss (HTC, LG, Sony), Apple continues to shine globally.

Why?

Because the stuff you belittle ("Surf the web, receive an email, open an app to do stuff."), is what most people care about more than anything else. Apple knows this and focus on doing those things well. Especially apps.

How many reviews in a short period of time describe the iPhone 6 as the best smartphone you can buy? Lots. This stems from its competence at doing core, integral tasks. The stuff people care about.

I get your point to an extent, which is why I returned my iPhone 6 and stayed with my S5, but there is a reason Apple creates lines around the block in every market with a new release, and android devices don't.

If your response is anything about iSheep, fanboys or anything else equally insipid, then you're not living in reality.

I am not belittling those basic stuff. Since ios can't do any better than android on these basic stuff and ios can't do any of those "advanced" stuff I mentioned. .. then let me ask you this... what is so good about iphone other than the badge and the subjective the design.

Why pay a premium price for something less?

 

[ravipiero]

I am not belittling those basic stuff. Since ios can't do any better than android on these basic stuff and ios can't do any of those "advanced" stuff I mentioned. .. then let me ask you this... what is so good about iphone other than the badge and the subjective the design.

Why pay a premium price for something less?

OMG Android is so cool! I can change my default browser 3 times a day, beat that iOS.

By your logic, why pay for $1000 watch if you can buy a $10 watch with built in calculator and wait for it... a built in FLASH LIGHT!!!

And if you really wanna know what is so good about iPhone other than badge and design, there are plenty of threads and posts already addressing that. Either you haven't read it or you're just too ignorant to accept that it excels in some ways and some people do prefer it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

This isn't directed at you specifically, but I am finding it ironic that the tide of opinion is slanting from iOS being the polished, ''just works'' OS and Android being the laggy, unpolished mess to the other way around now after iOS 8's release.

Google has slowly and methodically improved the look and feel of the OS to work on many devices and I think it is paying off now. Apple seems to be struggling for some reason here in the early days of iOS8. I'm not worried though, as I know it will get better and devs will update apps quickly to fix issues.

You say it yourself though it is still early days for iOS 8. It was only released just over 2 weeks ago and the issues are being resolved. It may be one of the more buggy releases but I have no doubt Apple will improve it and it will be back to what we expect. Personally I've had very little problem with it so far. I know we use different apps on our phones and I guess I have been lucky. Once apps are optimised again for the jump in screen size I think iOS will be quite a polished OS.

 

[mib1800]

OMG Android is so cool! I can change my default browser 3 times a day, beat that iOS.

By your logic, why pay for $1000 watch if you can buy a $10 watch with built in calculator and wait for it... a built in FLASH LIGHT!!!

You said it. I didnt. So Iphone is just a overpriced status symbol. Then again there is no such thing as overpriced status symbol if you dig the status thing.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I am not belittling those basic stuff. Since ios can't do any better than android on these basic stuff and ios can't do any of those "advanced" stuff I mentioned. .. then let me ask you this... what is so good about iphone other than the badge and the subjective the design.

Why pay a premium price for something less?

It depends how you measure 'less'.

In your opinion because the iPhone can't do some of the 'advanced' things you demand, it is therefore a lesser product. Well sorry to spoil the bash party but we all use our mobile phones in different ways. There are things Android lets you do that the iPhone can't and vice versa. Superior and inferior are simply an individuals subjective opinion.

At the end of the day we buy what we can afford and what we like. It doesn't need to be justified. If you are so happy you have a device that is so much better than the iPhone (in your opinion), why does it matter that others spend more money on a product you don't use? There seems to be a quest for massaging a superiority complex with mobile tech and it makes no sense to me. I don't feel the need to ridicule my friends who buy Android phones or convert them to what I like. It makes no difference to me.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

OMG Android is so cool! I can change my default browser 3 times a day, beat that iOS.

I'm one of those guys that never picks a default app. I always select my choice app at the time from the pop-up and choose "just once". Love having that luxury, cause I actually need differ apps for differ uses instead of having a default.

So yea ........ beat that iOS.

 

[mib1800]

It depends how you measure 'less'.

In your opinion because the iPhone can't do some of the 'advanced' things you demand, it is therefore a lesser product. Well sorry to spoil the bash party but we all use our mobile phones in different ways. There are things Android lets you do that the iPhone can't and vice versa. Superior and inferior are simply an individuals subjective opinion.

At the end of the day we buy what we can afford and what we like. It doesn't need to be justified. If you are so happy you have a device that is so much better than the iPhone (in your opinion), why does it matter that others spend more money on a product you don't use? There seems to be a quest for massaging a superiority complex with mobile tech and it makes no sense to me. I don't feel the need to ridicule my friends who buy Android phones or convert them to what I like. It makes no difference to me.

I don't think I have ridicule anyone on their choice. Many apple fans laud the iPhone like it is the ultimate phone in a class superior to any android.

But from a functionalities, specifications and price point of view, the iPhone 6 is indeed inferior to say the note4/s5. So the million dollar question is what does the iPhone have over android?...is it just a status symbol for the vain or the "perceived" quality given by the apple badge?

 

[ravipiero]

There can be only one...Samsung S5 vs iPhone 6

You said it. I didnt. So Iphone is just a overpriced status symbol. Then again there is no such thing as overpriced status symbol if you dig the status thing.

I said that some people consider those android features as gimmick and rather have better overall device experience

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I don't think I have ridicule anyone on their choice. Many apple fans laud the iPhone like it is the ultimate phone in a class superior to any android.

But from a functionalities, specifications and price point of view, the iPhone 6 is indeed inferior to say the note4/s5. So the million dollar question is what does the iPhone have over android?...is it just a status symbol for the vain or the "perceived" quality given by the apple badge?

For me the iPhone has iOS and that is a deal breaker for my personal needs. Its a nice interface to use and its reliability and ease of use is the draw for me. Status symbol? Come off it, they are far too popular to be claiming they divide the classes and enhance somebody's status.

If the iPhone was inferior as a product then I highly doubt so many people would buy it, and a brand will only go so far. To ask such a ridiculous question I think it is quite telling or your own perceptions concerning people who buy the iPhone. If you see somebody using an iPhone do you honestly think they have just bought it because of the brand and are somehow showing off because they think it enhances their status?

My question is what is so special about Android that would make me consider it over an iPhone? I'm guessing the answer to that will be highly subjective.

 

[mib1800]

I said that some people consider those android features as gimmick and rather have better overall device experience

When you put it like that then I would give you some pointers to think about?
Hmm. ...Superior device experience like
- centralized settings which takes ridiculous number of steps
-locked down silo data architecture. Need to duplicate every file for every apps that need them. And your valuable data will be wiped if you uninstall the app.
- crippled attachment capability in email
-very slow scrolling compared to android.
-can't do shortcuts. On android I can make shortcuts to anything.
- can't do simple things like pressing the home button to answer call.
....and the list goes on and on and on.....