iPhone 5s versus Galaxy s4

From watching movies to surfing the web and sharing content, smartphones have pervaded modern day communication platforms including mobile telephony and the internet. These smartphones are build on mobile operating systems that give them advanced connectivity and computing capability than common feature phones. Earlier models of smartphones made a ground breaking initiative of incorporating personal digital assistant features into mobile phone technology. Later advancements incorporated compact digital cameras, video games, portable media players and GPS systems-just to mention, but a few. These groundbreaking initiatives on smartphones laid a unique ground that would not only make smartphones distinct, but would also create the basis of competition in the smartphones’ market. Currently, the competition in the market is defined by features incorporated into new versions of smartphones. Technologically savvy buyers always make purchases based on the number of features that enhance usability. This is evidenced by the competition between iPhone 5s and Galaxy s4, where the iPhone 5s emerges popular due to its slightly better features.

According to data from the GSM arena, the iPhone 5s measures 123.8 millimetres (mm) by 58.6 mm, and as such, it is smaller in size when compared to the Galaxy s4, which measures 136.6 mm by 6.8 mm. The iPhone 5s is 7.6 mm thick, and therefore it is thinner than the s4 Galaxy, which is 7.9 mm. In terms of weight, the iPhone 5s weighs slightly lower at 112 grams (g) when compared to the Galaxy s4, which weights 130 g (GSM Arena a 1). Due to preferences of portability and compactness, consumers will often prefer the iPhone 5s to the Galaxy s4 because it appears slimmer. However, when it comes to screen size, the Galaxy s4 has a bigger screen at 5 inches, which is bigger than the 4 inch screen of the iPhone 5s. As such, people seeking a bigger screen are likely to go for the Galaxy s4 instead of the iPhone 5s. The Galaxy s4 also beats the iPhone 5s in terms of camera capacity because it has a higher capacity at 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, whereas the iPhone 5s has 8 MP, 3264×2448 pixels (GSM Arena a 1). The Galaxy s4 operates on an Android Operating system (OS), whereas the iPhone 5s operates on iOS 7. Both operating systems are upgradable. Galaxy s4 also has Java as one of the features that iPhone 5s does not have (GSM Arena 1). Both smartphones lack radio as part of their features, and they operate on HTML browsers (GSM Arena b 1).

Features that make iPhone 5s Unique

            Apart from the differences cited on most common features, the iPhone 5s still has more differentiating elements that make it unique. The iPhone 5s has a LED-backlit IPS LCD display. The In-Plane Switching (IPS) display was designed to overcome challenges posed by the TFTs such as small viewing angles and slow response times. The iPhone 5s also has a dedicated camera button, which allows users to take snapshots in an easy manner. The camera feature also has AF tracking enhancement, which allows the user to follow moving subjects through autofocus (Versus.com 1).  This means that with iPhone 5s there no more out of focus shots. As part of better picture taking, the iPhone 5s has three sub-pixels for every pixel. The iPhone 5s is also able to filter background noise and thus enhancing clarity because it has more than microphones. For consumers concerned about radiation, the iPhone 5s has a lower Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Start up is also fast because the iPhone 5s has a 0.15s less start up delay. This ensures that the phone takes less time to turn on and take a picture (Versus.com 1).

Features that make Galaxy s4 Unique

            The Galaxy s4 also has distinct features that make it user friendly. Firstly, the Galaxy s4 has wireless charging, which the iPhone 5s does not have. Secondly, the Galaxy s4 has an external memory slot, which the iPhone 5s does not have. The Galaxy is also DLNA certified-products under this certification are compatible-which allows different devices under the certification to connect to the same network and allow easy data transfer. The Galaxy s4 also has damage resistant glass, which is light, thin and hardy. This allows it to stand damage forces (Versus.com 1). The Galaxy s4 also has more megapixels at 13 MP compared to the Galaxy s4, which has 8MP. The exposure time for the Galaxy s4 is longer when compared to the iPhone 5s, and this allows more light absorption. In addition to these features that enhance picture taking, the Galaxy s4 also has a wider aperture than the iPhone 5s. The Galaxy s4 also has high memory bandwidth at 8.5 GB/s compared to the iPhone 5s that has 8.5GB/s. The RAM memory capacity of the Galaxy s4 stands at 2GB, whereas that of the iPhone s5 stands at 1 GB. Finally, the Galaxy s4’s browser has word wrap, which the iPhone 5s does not have (Versus.com 1).

The Popular Brand

In spite of its numerous distinct features, the Galaxy s4 has been outsold by the iPhone 5s. Etherington notes that according to findings from the Canaccord Genuity research firm the iPhone 5s has outsold the Galaxy s4 in most U.S retail markets. According to an article by Arthur showing similar trends Counterpoint Research firm also shows that Apple is selling because of its iPhone 5s when compared to Samsung whose main sale is the Galaxy s4. These trends in sale show that the iPhone 5s is more popular than the Galaxy s4 (Arthur 1). The table below shows sales of the two smartphones in the recent period.

(Etherington 1)

Summary

Smartphones are taking over the mobile telephony markets and they are becoming more popular than ‘dumb phones,’ which have fewer features. This popularity is mainly spurred by features, which enable the smartphones to connect to the internet. The enhanced connectivity coupled by features that allow gaming, taking of pictures and videos among many other possibilities greatly attracts clients to the smartphones’ market. Based on the same need and urge to have greater features that enable usability clients seems to be going for smartphones that have more usable and convenient features. In turn, smartphones manufacturers are also developing designs based on this trend in the market. As such, competing brands and their competition is often influenced by the number and type of incorporated features.

Works Cited

Arthur Charles. iPhone 5S puts Apple back on top in the US as Samsung slips in September. The Guardian. 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

Etherington, Darrell. Analyst: Both iPhone 5s and 5c Outselling the Samsung Galaxy S4 at AT&T and Sprint. 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

GSM Arena a. Apple iPhone 5s. 5 Jan. 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

GSM Arena b. Samsung Galaxy s4. 7 May 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

Shanklin, Will. Under the Microscope: iPhone 5s vs. Samsung Galaxy S4. 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

Versus.com. Samsung Galaxy s4 versus iPhone 5s. 5 Apr. 2013. Web. 5 Nov. 2013

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