There’s no doubting that smartphones have become a way of life. Instead acting as a novelty device, like their predecessors, today’s generation of smartphones are used by millions to quickly and efficiently accomplish work-related tasks, obtain information, connect socially, enjoy rich and engaging games and watch HD videos.
As of recently, there are two new and improved smartphone models that seem to be the focal point of all talk related to mobile tech, the all-new iPhone 5 and Samsung’s Galaxy S3: arguably the two best smartphones in history.
The question is, which is better? In short, there’s no simple explanation, but rather a multifaceted one. The two phones differ on such a rudimentary level, that it’s near-impossible to say that one is superior to the other.
In this review, we’ll be discuss the design, performance, feel and user interfaces of both the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3.
Design and Build Quality:
The Galaxy S3 is constructed mostly of plastic, whereas the iPhone 5 is completely manufactured from glass and aluminum. Needless to say, the iPhone 5 feels more solid in comparison to the plastic S3, which almost feels cheap.
With that said, the Galaxy S3 is surprisingly light for its size. Moreover, even though the iPhone 5 is both thinner and lighter, the S3 almost seems to weigh less because of its larger form-factor.
iPhone 5 and S3 Performance:
When loading web pages, apps and even returning to the home screen, the iPhone 5 simply outperforms the Galaxy S3. But, is it really noticeable? Unfortunately, for the S3, yes. However, It’s certainly something that can be overlooked if you prefer the Android platform and bigger screen over iOS and the iPhone’s smaller 4-inch display.
Moreover, when running the SunSpider JavaScript test, the dual-core iPhone 5 finished long before the quad-core S3 (a total score of 956.6ms versus 1,425.5ms).
User Interface and iOS vs Android:
iOS versus Android; a topic that has sparked controversy since the two mobile operating systems were first introduced to the public. While this review is mostly focused on the actual devices and how they operate in synchrony with their operating systems, I will say that it’s completely based on personal preference.
Also, as shown in the video embedded above, numerous interfaces on both the iPhone 5 and the S3 have similar appearances and function almost identically, while still offering enough diversity as to be differentiated.
As mentioned numerous times in this review, and its corresponding video, different people have different preferences. With that said, some will be drawn to the iPhone 5′s detail-rich, 16:9 aspect ratio Retina display that can be easily operated with one hand, whereas others might find the larger 4-inch display on Samsung’s Galaxy S3 more enticing.
Stay tuned for additional coverage on both Apple and Samsung and their current flagship smartphones: the iPhone 5 and the S3.
