Apple has finally announced the much awaited iPhone 5. This new device comes with a 4-inch screen with a 1136 x 640 resolution, LTE connectivity and Apple A6 processor that claims to be twice as fast compared with the A5 chip. This A6 chip also offers graphics performance that’s up to twice as fast as the A5, which is no doubt an improvement over previous generation of iPhone.
Now that we know the technical specs of iPhone 5, we can compare this handset with Samsung’s flagship phone – the Galaxy S3. The Samsung Galaxy S3 is Android based handset that features 4.8-inch screen, as compared to the 4-inch screen of iPhone 5. The screen is bigger but the pixel density is 306 ppi whereas the iPhone 5 has 326 ppi.
The build quality of Galaxy S3 isn’t that great. When holding it in hands, it feels like cheap plastic is used in the manufacturing of the device. While, the iPhone 5 excels in the build quality. It uses materials that gives it a premium feel. The handset has a unibody aluminium construction that gives a premium look and feel.
Comparing both the devices storage wise, than Apple gives the choice of three storage capacity – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. You cannot add a Micro SD card in this device. While the Samsung Galaxy S3 comes with options for 16GB and 32GB. Unlike the iPhone 5, you can insert a Micro SD card up to 64GB.
The below table is a comparison between the iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy SIII. This table compares the technical specs of both the phones.
| Device | Apple iPhone 5 | Samsung Galaxy S3 |
| OS | iOS 6 | Android 4.0.4 (ICS) |
| Display size | 4 inches | 4.8 inches |
| Resolution | 640 x 1136 | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 306 ppi |
| Display tech | LED-backlit IPS | Super AMOLED |
| Processor | Apple A6 | 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 Quad (Quad-core) |
| Graphics processor | Apple A6 | ARM Mali-400/MP4 |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM | 1 GB RAM |
| Storage | 16/32/64 GB internal memory | 16/32 GB internal memory |
| Body | Aluminium and glass | Plastic |
| Card slot | No | Yes, expandable via microSD card (up to 64GB) |
| Rear camera | 8 megapixels (3264 x 2448 pixels) | 8 megapixels (3264 x 2448 pixels) |
| Flash | LED | LED |
| Video recording | Yes, 1080p at 30fps | 1920×1080 (1080p HD at 30fps) |
| Front camera | 1.3 megapixels (720p at 30fps) | 1.9 megapixels |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | Standard battery, Li-Ion | Standard battery, Li-Ion 2100 mAh |
| Talk time | 8 hours (3G) | 11.60 hours |
| Stand-by-time | 225 hours | 790 hours |
| Browser | Supports HTML, HTML5 | Supports HTML, HTML5 |
| Flash support | No | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 b, g, n, a |
| Headphones connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| E-book reader | iBooks | Google Books |
| Weight | 3.95 oz (112 g) | 4.69 oz (133 g) |
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Gray, Brown, Blue, Red, White |
| NFC | No | Yes |
Apart from these technical specs, remember that app ecosystem also matters. Sometimes you may want to run a particular app, but unfortunately that app may not be available with your platform. But this happens in rare cases and mostly, there’s an app that can provide the functionality that you are looking for.
Adam says
Also the new S3’s have a 12mp camera not an 8mp.
Kloster says
Japan version (+few other countries) have dual core 1.5 Ghz and 2 GB ram.
Rest of the world have quad core 1.4 Ghz and 1 GB ram.
so you are both right :D
Andy says
Samsung S3 have 2gb of RAM