The Apple iPhone 5 is finally real. While its specs are premium, the iPhone isn't the only worthwhile smartphone on the block. We compare it, spec to spec, to the top Android and Windows phones: the Samsung Galaxy S3, and Nokia Lumia 920.
Design and build
Apple's aluminum-and-glass iPhone 5 retains its super-industrial aesthetic, metal buttons and all. Its new, all-metal backing could look slightly less luxe than the iPhone 4S', but it will survive far more drops.We find the GS3's design appealing, but shiny, glossy plastic doesn't scream "quality." That isn't to say that the GS3 is more prone to breaking or shattering than the other two; in fact, plastic has the benefit of scuffing rather than shattering. However, we do really love the GS3's in-hand feel, which is comfortable despite its much larger size.
Our winner so far: Based on looks alone, we're digging the iPhone 5's familiarly crisp lines most, but we also love the Lumia 920's colorful unibody statement.
Camera prowess
This is a tough call since all three phones bring their A-game here. The iPhone has set the benchmark in terms of camera phone performance for quite a while and the improvements to the iPhone 5's imaging system will no doubt cement its lead. These include improved low-light performance and a new panorama shooting mode that catches up to Android.Of course Android devices in many cases surpass the iPhone. Samsung's Galaxy S3 has a sensor that offers the same 8-megapixel resolution as the iPhone 5, plus it features tons of fancy shooting modes like panorama and multishot burst mode.
The Nokia Lumia 920 is the real dark horse in the smartphone camera phone arms race. On paper, its 8.7-megapixel camera and PureView technology promise better performance than both the iPhone and Galaxy S3. It also will be able to run special apps within the camera application itself, allowing you to upgrade its functionality greatly over time -- at least that's the theory.Our winner so far: Though we haven't seen the iPhone 5's camera in action, chances are high that it'll trump the Galaxy S3 since the iPhone 4S matches the GS3 now. Because Nokia's Lumia 920 is still unproven and the Lumia 900's camera wasn't awe-inspiring, we're tempering our hopes with doubts.
LTE and network promise
A this point, LTE on the iPhone 5 was an inevitability, and a feature that's been in the hopper for some time. Verizon has already sworn that all its new smartphones will have LTE, and AT&T and Sprint are expanding their respective networks.Our winner so far: Samsung phones have long been LTE-capable and the Nokia Lumia 920 will be Espoo's second LTE phone. Apple is just now catching up.
Battery life
Nokia plans to equip its Lumia 920 with a 2,000 mAh battery, which should provide a good amount of run time, especially considering that Windows Phone has traditionally been a very economical operating system. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S3 comes with a slightly larger 2,100 mAh battery that lasted for well over 9 hours playing video. Apple is coy on the iPhone 5's capacity, but promises that its will offer 10 hours of video playback and 8 hours of Web surfing over LTE.Of course, if you're constantly using battery-draining features like S-Voice on the Galaxy S3, or streaming video, no phone will last as long as you'd like.Our winner so far: It's hard to say since we haven't put the Lumia 920 or iPhone 5 to the test, but the Galaxy S3 is a sure bet for most, plus it offers a removable battery.
 |
| iPhone S3 |
 |
| NOKIA Lumia 920 |
 |
| SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 |
| Apple iPhone 5 | Samsung Galaxy 3 | Nokia Lumia 920 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 6 | Android 4.0 | Windows Phone 8 |
| Display | 4-inch IPS LCD; 1,136x640 pixels, 326 ppi | 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED; 1,280x720 pixels, 306 ppi | 4.5-inch AMOLED; 1,280x768 pixels, 332 ppi |
| Price | $199.99, $299.99, $399.99 | $199.99-$329.99, depending on carrier | Unannounced |
| Carrier | Sept. 21: AT&T, Sprint, Verizon | Now: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon | Unannounced |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 8-megapixel, 720p front-facing | 8-megapixel, 1.9-megapixel front-facing | 8.7-megapixel, 1.2-megapixel front-facing |
| Processor | Proprietary A6 CPU | 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 | 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 |
| Memory | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | 16GB or 32GB; 2GB RAM | 32GB; 1GB RAM |
| Expandable memory | No | Up to 64GB | No |
| Battery | Capacity TBA (Talk time up to 8 hours on 3G); embedded | 2,100 mAh, removable | 2,000 mAh, embedded |
| NFC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Weight and thickness | 3.95 ounces, 0.3 inches | 4.7 ounces, 0.34 inches | 6.5 ounces, 0.42 inches |
| Colors | Black, white | White, blue, red (AT&T); Also, globally: black, brown, gray | Black, white, yellow, red, gray |
Apple's aluminum-and-glass iPhone 5 retains its super-industrial aesthetic, metal buttons and all. Its new, all-metal backing could look slightly less luxe than the iPhone 4S', but it will survive far more drops.We find the GS3's design appealing, but shiny, glossy plastic doesn't scream "quality." That isn't to say that the GS3 is more prone to breaking or shattering than the other two; in fact, plastic has the benefit of scuffing rather than shattering. However, we do really love the GS3's in-hand feel, which is comfortable despite its much larger size.
Our winner so far: Based on looks alone, we're digging the iPhone 5's familiarly crisp lines most, but we also love the Lumia 920's colorful unibody statement.
This is a tough call since all three phones bring their A-game here. The iPhone has set the benchmark in terms of camera phone performance for quite a while and the improvements to the iPhone 5's imaging system will no doubt cement its lead. These include improved low-light performance and a new panorama shooting mode that catches up to Android.Of course Android devices in many cases surpass the iPhone. Samsung's Galaxy S3 has a sensor that offers the same 8-megapixel resolution as the iPhone 5, plus it features tons of fancy shooting modes like panorama and multishot burst mode.
The Nokia Lumia 920 is the real dark horse in the smartphone camera phone arms race. On paper, its 8.7-megapixel camera and PureView technology promise better performance than both the iPhone and Galaxy S3. It also will be able to run special apps within the camera application itself, allowing you to upgrade its functionality greatly over time -- at least that's the theory.Our winner so far: Though we haven't seen the iPhone 5's camera in action, chances are high that it'll trump the Galaxy S3 since the iPhone 4S matches the GS3 now. Because Nokia's Lumia 920 is still unproven and the Lumia 900's camera wasn't awe-inspiring, we're tempering our hopes with doubts.
LTE and network promise
A this point, LTE on the iPhone 5 was an inevitability, and a feature that's been in the hopper for some time. Verizon has already sworn that all its new smartphones will have LTE, and AT&T and Sprint are expanding their respective networks.Our winner so far: Samsung phones have long been LTE-capable and the Nokia Lumia 920 will be Espoo's second LTE phone. Apple is just now catching up.
Battery life
Nokia plans to equip its Lumia 920 with a 2,000 mAh battery, which should provide a good amount of run time, especially considering that Windows Phone has traditionally been a very economical operating system. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S3 comes with a slightly larger 2,100 mAh battery that lasted for well over 9 hours playing video. Apple is coy on the iPhone 5's capacity, but promises that its will offer 10 hours of video playback and 8 hours of Web surfing over LTE.Of course, if you're constantly using battery-draining features like S-Voice on the Galaxy S3, or streaming video, no phone will last as long as you'd like.Our winner so far: It's hard to say since we haven't put the Lumia 920 or iPhone 5 to the test, but the Galaxy S3 is a sure bet for most, plus it offers a removable battery.
.jpg)
