Samsung has launched the Galaxy S3 which it says is selling pretty well. Apple's iPhone 5 is nearly upon us so compared the two heavyweight smartphones. Updated on 13/09/2012 See also: iPhone 5 review.
The two rival firms will see their flagship smartphones go head to head once the iPhone 5 arrives on 21 September.
What's coming after the Galaxy S3: Samsung Galaxy S4 release date, specs and rumours
Before we get any further, this article will look at the specifications of the Galaxy S3 compared to that of the iPhone 5 so you can see what the differences are. We won't be deciding on a winner.
Take a look at the following two articles for more details on each handset.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Dimensions
The Galaxy S3 measures in at 71 x 137 x 8.6mm and 133g. The iPhone 4S, is thicker and heavier than the Galaxy S3 but Apple has outdone Samsung with the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5 is 59 x 124 x 7.6mm and 112g, according to Apple.
See also: Group test: What's the best smartphone?
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Screen
The Galaxy S3 has a 4.8-inch display and while every single iPhone in the past has had a comparatively tiny 3.5-inch one, the iPhone 5 has a 4in display.
Apple has increased the screen size and also the resolution to 640 x 1136, retaining the Retina quality pixel density of 326ppi. Samsung's Galaxy S3 has a slightly lower but respectable pixel density of 306ppi from its 720 x 1280 resolution.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Processor
Samsung uses its own Exynos 4 Quad chip for the Galaxy S3 which is unsurprisingly quad-core. It's clocked at 1.4GHz and is based on the ARM Cortex A9 architecture.
As expected the iPhone 5 has an A6 processor which Apple says is twice as fast as the A5 chip found in the iPhone 4S, including graphics performance. Apple hasn't revealed any technical specifications for the A6 so it's hard to compare with the Galaxy S3's. It is believed that the A6 is dual-core.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Storage
Both the Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5 come with three storage options, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Samsung does, however, include a microSD card slot for expansion (up to a further 64GB) which Apple does not.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Cameras
The Galaxy S3 has a rear facing camera rated at 8Mp with the ability to record video in full HD 1080p quality which Apple matches with the iPhone 5's rear iSight camera, although each has different software features.
Both front cameras on the smartphones can record HD video at 30fps but the Galaxy S3's has a slightly higher rating at 1.9Mp compared to 1.2Mp.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5: Software
Apple’s iPhone runs its own iOS software while Samsung’s Galaxy S3 uses Google’s Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and a TouchWiz overlay.
Samsung will be updating the S3 to the latest version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean while Apple's iPhone 5 comes pre-loaded with iOS 6. There are too many differences to go into here so read our review of each below.
Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.
Comments
dicksplash said: RIM invented the smartphone its called the Blackberry
Dylan said: Apple inc also invented smartphones so if people say that apple inc is copying the Samsung well then they are liers
Dylan said: I heard that the iPhone 5 runs twice as fast as the other iPhones and it doesnt need wifi to get in the Internet and its lighter than the Samsung galaxy s3
Anonymous 777 said: Apple is really an incredible company They marketed some of the most restrictive phones in the world and got millions to but them Kudos to them for robbing Apple fanbois blind
Android vs IOS said: But what they copied is better and has more options so u just got pwned
Me said: Are you kidding me Your an idiot Microsoft and Blackberry created the smartphone almost a decade before the iphone Can you say Hitachi G1000
Carstev said: Sorry Bob I had a sony Erricson smart phone long before the iphone Touch screen camera video wifi and 3 g browsing So how did Apple invent the smart phone
danny said: Eduardo youre actually patheticly stupid and should probably be ashamed of yourself besides apple give you a fast phone its also limited to what it can be done with restriction after restriction after restriction where as android and samsung have shown us time and time again that they have absolutely no restricion as to the custimization of their hardware not only that from allowing file transfer between any pc inferface regardless of what brand or type it may be without having to run a specific program such as itunes The possibilites of what can be done are endless where as Apple have restricted every user to what THEY want you to be able to do with their device besides having the majority of the exact same apps free instead of having to pay for them all apple are out to do is make more money of any little thing they can think of and charge through the nose for it you sir need to just give up already and realise that the day of apple is literally starting to come to an end
paul condren said: eh the first smartphone is credited to theBlackberry in 2002 the firstiPhone was 2007 do you believe everything Apple tells you
Orwell72 said: It matters not who started the race or experience The race is an old game Betamax vs VHS or PC vs MAC it not always the best product that may win I have had both IOS and android devices both have advantages but Apple have a choice of a few selected products that fall to apples rules Android sit in the marketplace on many different products across a spectrum of cost for device Lets face it Samsung have now launched a Android camera While Apple may be high endAndroid is what is brought on cheaper devices given to younger members of society what do you think the will turn to as they grow Apple maybe worth 1 trillion but Microsoft was huge rested missed the phone market and it now trying to be a late player to the game So while the iOS diehard argue andriod fill the grass roots offering more attractive features that draw the wow factor and apple knows this why do you think apple spends so much on lawsuits
UnNews said: Since Samsung makes close to 30 of the iPhone Apples tagline should be Samsung Inside
Shauny_boy83 said: Apple didnt invent the smart phone they just branded it Smart phones have been around way before the iPhone with Sharp leading the way running Microsoft
Ariffazha said: take noted some user are rather watching movie lonely or collection in just one device such as smartphone
Ariffazha said: Yea download is freenuff saidso far Im know that most free app in apple store are trialeven Free tag on every each app in apple market are scammer
Ariffazha said: Same here I have both of emandroid phone and ios phonebut in terms of user-friendly I rather choose android due to slot memory capability and price of course
Rasheiks said: True story the I sucks big cock n will never do what the galaxy Slll does simply no con test for all u apple dumbies get on bored dang bats
Michael Dance said: Apple users need a life Apple didnt make everything they created products from other products And for your information Apple DIDNT Make the smartphone idiotEricsson created the first smartphone Shows how much he is a stuck up apple user Iphone5 is coming out YEY lets just buy another copy of the current phone I have as it has a new OS its smaller Come on get a life Get a swift cover
Matt Egan said: You have an intriguing way of not commenting Look - you have your opinions and because you feel they arent reflected in this piece you accuse it of bias and corruption I think it is a perfectly balanced piece unlike your criticism It may interest you to know that the author chooses to use an Android phone although not the S3 And your Apple-funded jibe is beneath being worthy of a response
Filmspoiler said: Sorry guys but this article has been put together by an author who is already infected with the i idiot -viruscultreligion associated with Apple Note how in the first trivial comparison heshe is quick to say Apple has outdone Samsung with the iphone5 but only a few sentences before this says but we wont be deciding on a winner Er no Well just start by trying to steer u into our idiotic religion When Samsung slaughters Apple where it matters the author tries to play down Samsungs superiority with phrases like slightly better believed to be unsurprisingly Apple hasnt revealed etc etc Utter garbage but I too wont be commenting on the quality of this Apple funded article
Smileyanz said: Apple are making our lives harder if we all were like apple and kept our great inventions to our selves we would be going no where and the same people would be controlling our lives for ever it really is so plain to see Sick to death of people who have or is working for these companys give petulant lies