Deathmatch: Apple iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S III
Is Apple's svelte, skinny iPhone 5 strong enough to fend off the challenge from the big, bold Android muscle phone?
By Galen Gruman
Executive Editor for Global Content, InfoWorld |
If you're a fanboy (about 5 million of you qualify), you've already ordered your iPhone 5. But for the rest of the world waiting for Apple to replenish its stocks so that they can get a better look at one of the most overhyped products ever, there's a choice to be made.
The iPhone 5 is the new standard-bearer for Apple, the company that invented the modern smartphone, but Android smartphones have made great leaps in the last year. The Samsung Galaxy S III is the first Android device to break into the "Very Good" rating in the InfoWorld Test Center's smartphone reviews, and it's the only non-Apple smartphone to score that highly. Apple's iPhone line has worn that "Very Good" rating for years.
[ See how the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III compare to other Android, iOS, and Windows Phone smartphones. | Also on InfoWorld: "Google's Nexus 7 douses the Kindle Fire" and "Why the new iPad doesn't deserve a '3.'" | Keep up on key mobile developments and insights with the Mobilize newsletter. ]
They're very different smartphones. The iPhone 5 is the skinny model in the understated Chanel dress, whereas the Galaxy S III is the musclebound jock. Compared to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, the iPhone 5 isn't that dramatic of an upgrade, whereas the Galaxy S III is heads and shoulders above the Android offerings of two years ago. On the other hand, the iPhone has been way, way ahead of Android, so Android smartphones needed big improvements to catch up. Apple has had the luxury of solidifying its offerings after making its great leap years ago.
Unless you're already committed to either the Apple cult or the Android cult, the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III are the two smartphones you're likely comparing if you're aiming for the top of the line and need to be meet the security requirements of most businesses. (If you insist on a physical keyboard, then your only real option is the Motorola Mobility Droid 4.)
Read on for what you need to know to choose:
- The hardware
- Web and Internet support
- Business connectivity
- Application support
- Security and management
- Usability
| InfoWorld Scorecard | Business connectivity (20.0%) |
Application support (15.0%) |
Security and management (20.0%) |
Usability (15.0%) |
Web and Internet support (20.0%) |
Hardware (10.0%) |
Overall Score (100%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 5 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S III | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |