While there are probably some people who go out to shop for the best Android phone, I suspect that most people want to know which phone is best of all, whatever operating system it runs. In other words, how does the Galaxy S5 compare to the iPhone 5S, Apple’s six-month-old flagship device and the champion to beat?
The answer: Not very well. I’ve been using the new Samsung for about three weeks, and while I do think it is the best Android phone you can buy, it sure isn’t the best phone on the market. By just about every major measure you’ll care about, from speed to design to ease of use to the quality of its apps, Samsung’s phone ranks behind the iPhone, sometimes far behind. If you’re looking for the best phone on the market right now, I’d recommend going with the iPhone 5S.
No surprise there.
Indeed, for many people, there will only be a single obvious reason to buy the Galaxy S5 over the iPhone 5S: The Samsung phone has a much bigger screen. Size isn’t an objective advantage but rather a matter of preference — some people like big phones and some people like small ones. For the next few months, for big-phone lovers, Samsung’s massive size will make it the clear winner.
There’s clearly a presumption there that Apple will release a larger phone. Hard to say how I’d react to a larger iPhone screen. I really love my iPhone 5s, don’t find myself pining for more screen real estate. But if Apple made the choice to create a larger phone, I trust that enough thought would have been put into the design to make it a superior experience.
Regarding the size of the screen: Android is ahead of the game and Apple HAS to offer iPhone with bigger screen. Period.
Steve Jobs made that decision and Apple took too long to react to the market. Now they are late. Very late.
Another “Apple has to…” bull**it comment from an Anfroid fanboy. More teens than ever wants an iPhone, despite its “small” screen: http://www.cnet.com/news/fickle-teens-love-apple-more-than-ever/
I’ve used different Android phones a lot. It’s a perk which most people don’t get.
I like the Nexus 5 best of the Android bunch, and really detest the too big size and slimy feel of Galaxy’s. The problem I have with the larger screens is that it slows me down. I use my phone in short bursts all day and having the larger screen means that at some point I have to grab it with both hands to do things.
Also it doesn’t have the slick app interaction and integration that most iPhones have, at least for the applications that I use. I’ve only found three apps on Nexus that feel as good as their iPhone counterparts: Flipboard, Evernote, and Band of the Day (well, the playback isn’t as good).
I find the integration and the slickness of apps like OmniFocus, Tweetbot and Twitterific, Fastastical, and Mailbox superior. They all also take advantage of one hand usage which means they feel like magic rather than performing a task.
I see smaller screens and one hand usage as an advantage.
You’re making the assumption that bigger is better. Frankly, bigger in phones is a disadvantage.
There’s a sweet spot. I don’t know if Apple’s hit it or not, but I’m certainly not interested in Apple being in a size race.
I much prefer the size of the iPhone 4S or Moto X to the size of the S5 or even the 5s. I’ve got fairly big hands but if I have to strain to reach the top of the screen, that’s no good.
Agree with you, Dave – I think the 5S is the perfect screen size.
Completely agree that the S5 is a much worse phone than the 5S (apart from the screen), but anyone who thinks that the S5 is the best Android phone available has a strange definition of “best”.
Size is a major reason why I’m never going back to an iPhone. I’m glad that you’re happy with the iPhone’s screen size, but making generic proclamations like “bigger in phones is a disadvantage” is pointless; different people use phones differently. If you’re mainly answering texts and making phone calls, an iPhone is great. If, say, you’re reading books or comic books on your phone, or if you’re taking notes on your phone, a bigger screen is a clear advantage.
Teens also tend to have small hands.
And just what makes you think that Samsung is the best Android phone?
You should at least try the HTC One, maybe just play with it for a few minutes at the shop and you will see that it’s far superior. Yes even to the iPhone 5s.
Larger screens tend to be poorer quality, use more power, use tricks to hit the resolution they say they are, etc. They also cause issues for people with smaller hands (young people, women, a lot of men).
Apple will consider all of these in making a move to a bigger screen. And they’ll make the decision to do so when it’s the right thing to do. That may be this year, if the technology has advances, but I doubt we’ll see anything as big as an S5 or Note.
You can’t work out if a handset is ‘far superior’ from a few minutes playing. You have to use it in your life, and see if it ticks all the boxes you need from a device.
I understand a lot of people don’t see any advantage to a larger screen, but as a 50-year-old who is getting ever more farsighted, wincing at 4-point text on the 5s’ screen is getting old.
I’ll be a day-one buyer for a larger iPhone. People like/want/need different things.
“Size is a major reason why I’m never going back to an iPhone.”
Strawman argument. When Apple releases an iPhone that is larger you still won’t “come back”.
If you seriously read comic books on a phone you need more help. Seriously.
While you’re probably right that he won’t switch back when there’s a larger iPhone, that’s not what a straw man argument is.
34 year old male here, I’m just fine with my iPhone 5. And I know plenty of people just like me who are happy with their 5 and 5S, so…
I feel your pain Dmitri. I’ve found the adjustable font settings in iOS 7 have helped a lot.
As I said, there’s a sweet spot. I don’t know if Apple has hit it or not.
My statement is better disclaimed than the one I’m responding to.
You are correct to say that but remember other people have their own opinions too. Some people like small phones, some like larger phones. Not all people have perfectly small hands for iPhones to be a comfortable experience. Some also prefer larger and better readability of the words displayed on the screen. With a larger screen, you can see more content at once. Your point “bigger in phones is a disadvantage” is moot since it’s all about the compromise you are willing to take in choosing a phone. There is no disadvantage for people to choose the right compromise for their own phones. You don’t decide if other people like their own phones. Choice is always good. Just look what Apple did with the iPad, people are free to choose the size they like.
I currently use an iPhone 5 and I love the iOS experience and the screen size. If screen size is not a factor in choosing phones, I’d always recommend iOS. I only hope that when Apple releases a larger phone, the smaller one won’t get left behind. I hope it will turn out to be like the iPad Air and the iPad mini, both are equally great devices.
Well, if reading comic books on a phone works for him and he is happy with it, I don’t see why that’s a problem. The problem is some people care too much about other people’s preferences and being self-centred exacerbates it. Don’t assume yourself in another’s position without considering their experience. Everyone has their own perceptions.
What is his problem? Above average intelligence, as most people I know who read comic books fit in this classification.
Size is a major reason I LOVE the iphone and will NEVER get an Android POS! I want a small phone!!
I helped a friend setup their new HTC phone and it was impossible to use one handed.
You android samsung sheep can keep your oversized phones and pick-up trucks.
Yup, 3.5″ is the perfect size and always will be. I hope Apple comes out with a smaller phone in the future.
bigger isnt better — it’s just bigger. is a Suburban better than a smaller BMW?
yeah i thought that was an odd use-case for cellphones — comic books? youre really going to argue it’s inferior because of the ultra-niche comic book use case? uhhh, yeahh….
link to study proclaiming comic book readers are of higher intelligence than non? thanks
why dont you enable the larger font sizes in iOS? no need to squint…
Apple outsold market expectations – with a “small” phone.
Personally I like iPhone 4 form factor better than iPhone 5 or “larger” iPhone 2014
As long as the iPhones batteries cannot be replace, I’d still choose Android Phones.