Apple iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S III: All rise

25 October 2012
When we review phones we try to put them in context, and tie everything up with a snapshot of the market and the closest alternatives. Now, we usually keep droids and iPhones separate because honestly they just don’t mix. But every now and then...

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  • C
  • CJ-Smile
  • tSu
  • 27 Oct 2012

Spec: S3 is better.
Software: Jelly Bean is better, even smoother now.
Resale Value: iPhone 5.
Usability: Personal Preference...

Well, to pick a phone nowadays, it all comes down to personal preferences, really. Apple fanboys will always love iPhone no matter what. Even that their iOS is becoming tiresome like many reviewers have mentioned. The hardware isn't as solid as before, and not to mention their outdated design. Android has been growing real fast. It's already gone ahead of iOS since ICS; even further more that Apple's using it's own map app. Oh well, what am I saying, no matter how many good points to be pointed out here, fanboys will always be fanboys. Personally, I"m not too impressed with the feeling of Samsung's phone in my hand; they feel cheap. Everything else...find it really hard to argue that iPhone5 is better than S3 in any way other than its resale value; even iPhone5's cheap aluminum casing's build quality is now questionable.

Bottom line, just buy anything that you like. No matter how awesome the phone is now, by next year, it's antique.

    • P
    • Paw
    • myF
    • 27 Oct 2012

    I own a phone. It hasn't got as good specifications as some of the other phones on the market. But I like my phone. I chose my phone because it does what I need it to do.
    It's all well and good fanboys from both sides commenting that this is better than that and some things beat other things but at the end of the day people should choose what works for them.

      • s
      • sam vs apple
      • uWE
      • 27 Oct 2012

      Look
      Price half
      blutooth can't connect with iphone
      sd card no place
      I tunes secure but hactic
      Cemra s3 good
      some extra sensors in S3
      screen size is bigger
      Applications
      And iph5 back and sides stuff can't stop scratches
      Black iph5 have white handsfree in his box
      Bettery s3 better

        • A
        • Apple hater
        • p@5
        • 27 Oct 2012

        As Samsung said it doesnt take a genius for choosing s3

          • M
          • MANOJ RAJANI
          • uu$
          • 27 Oct 2012

          man just go for blindly s3
          cons of apple i5
          small screen, no bluetooth data transfer, no nfc, no hd screen, battery pathetic compared to s3, costly ,and lest ios6 and android
          its look for spple
          and everything for samsung galaxy s3
          howtaht s3 is a clear winner

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • mbB
            • 27 Oct 2012

            so mutch to read :) a nice video will be fine too :) think about it next time..

              • n
              • nonynous
              • t7X
              • 27 Oct 2012

              how come that gsmarena only make a passing comment with the purple haze on the pictures? its not normal to have it. i dont have it on my 3gs and 4s, how come the 5 have it?

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • vGr
                • 27 Oct 2012

                Clearly SGS 3 is the winner

                  • S
                  • S3
                  • TIE
                  • 27 Oct 2012

                  iPhone 13 S3 15. We have a winner

                    • i
                    • iDroid
                    • iDY
                    • 27 Oct 2012

                    in the end, you can't go wrong with either one. these two puppies are both awesome smartphones.

                    then there's Lumia 920 coming soon, and it has some serious hardware. WP8 is not my cup of tea, atleast not yet, but it has the potential to become a huge success.

                      • i
                      • iDroid
                      • iDY
                      • 27 Oct 2012

                      i'm extremely happy with my iPhone 5. switched from Android HTC, and i'm glad i did. not that Android is bad by any means.

                      i still hate the iTunes bullshit and some other Apple inconveniences, but overall it's all well worth it. it's such a stellar mobile device, and i like that they didn't go too big on the screen. i prefer smaller phone over larger screen.

                      btw, i personally wouldn't choose SGS3 if were to buy Android phone. i like HTC's and Sony's designs and build quality more. it doesn't matter to me if they are not quite as powerful as SGS3, and i'd like the phone to be a bit smaller. somewhere between 4"-4,3".

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • fXs
                        • 27 Oct 2012

                        In others words iphone just managed to keep its nose close enough to the s3 so that its loyal flock wont feel too bad spending a fortune on something they could have had 5 months ago if they bought the s3. this race is now over, iphone should have been ahead with the release of the iphone5 to keep us interested. it is almost a given conclusion that samsung will be pulling ahead going into the future. iphone six will be a flop and then we will see massive earth shattering sales with the iphone7. the loyal flock wont be able to to keep their iphones 5 running any longer. they will stay loyal just like the toyota flock.

                          • M
                          • Mustfarhan
                          • swu
                          • 27 Oct 2012

                          Apple Fan, 25 Oct 2012Love both but prefer the fruit!!!!Me too,. Apple all the way.. Rooted Android and jailbreak apple, then Apple all the way, waiting for jailbreak...

                            • M
                            • Mustfarhan
                            • swu
                            • 27 Oct 2012

                            Blankman, 25 Oct 2012Throwing aside fanboy opinion, what we have here are two gr... moreVery well said

                              • M
                              • Mustfarhan
                              • swu
                              • 27 Oct 2012

                              Cesar, 25 Oct 2012GSMARENA, Please, make another review like this when the... moreYes i agree. I need a future comparison of these twoo flagships with Lumia 920. Bye the way what a balanced and professional article... High 5 for GSMArena

                                • p
                                • phone master
                                • 27 Oct 2012

                                Why iphone 5 wins in audio output and camera s3 is much better

                                  • N
                                  • Nishith
                                  • bC6
                                  • 27 Oct 2012

                                  Depending on your use, requirements and preference of screen size, OS and build quality.. anyone of these devices can be the best choice right now in mobile industry.!! Now dont waste time in arguing which is better.. coz till you decide on taking a side.. these both giants will come up with next generation models.. So better pick one and enjoy it (flaunt it too) till it is the top notch handset..!!

                                    • d
                                    • didjital
                                    • Mfx
                                    • 27 Oct 2012

                                    Easy to pick, even with tied hands and closing eyes. SGS 3

                                      • H
                                      • HTC Desire HD
                                      • Nv9
                                      • 27 Oct 2012

                                      jim, 26 Oct 2012rooted s3 is better than iphone 6 periodWell said man..Rooted android device is very powerful..my old DHD is better than an Iphone 4S..

                                        • I
                                        • IROCU
                                        • nx2
                                        • 27 Oct 2012

                                        As a gaming device, there is no comparison. The S3 with controller support. USB on the go is also now something I can't live without.