The last quarter is coming and we haven’t seen any big hit on the smartphone market till now. The situation will change at the end of the year when the two most anticipated smartphones, Samsung Galaxy Note and iPhone 5, are available. The iPhone 5 is expected to be released in later September while Galaxy Note is available for pre-order now and possibly it will start shipping in October.
Read more: Compare iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Needless to say, we can see how the world is looking forward to their release days as they both are from the best smartphone firms. The iPhone generations and Samsung Galaxy Series are competing every year to conquer the first place on the smartphone market and this year will be the competition between Samsung Galaxy Note and iPhone 5. Full features and tech specs of the two handsets have been announced officially, so let’s take a look at some specs and compare them together so that we could get some ideas which device is preferred.
Samsung Galaxy Note
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iPhone 5
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| OS | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich | iOS 6 |
| Display | 5.3” Super HD AMOLED capacitive touch screen with WXGA (800 x 1280 pixels) resolution, pixel density of 285ppi.Digital S pen technology for accurate hand writing experience. | Bigger 4-inch screen, a drastic jump from the iPhone 4S. The Retina display promises the same 326ppi as the 4S with a screen resolution of 1136 x 640. |
| Processor | Dual-core 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor | New A6 chip delivers a CPU 2 times faster than the A5 and up to times better graphics. |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM, 16GB Internal memory + microSD (up to 32GB). | 1GB Ram, offering a choice of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB of flash storage. |
| Camera | 8 MP rear camera with LED Flash and 2 MP front camera for video calls. | 8-Megapixel camera sensor and f/2.4 aperture with the addition of a dynamic low light mode, a new more durable sapphire crystal lens, a new image processor includes a smart filter. |
| Connectivity | Supports 4G LTE, HSPA+, EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. | Supports 4G LTE, HSDPA/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1900/2100, Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity. |
| Battery Life | Standard battery, Li-on 2,500 mAh | The iPhone 5 battery is almost the same as the 4S, so it is 8 hours talk time on 3G or LTE, and 10 hours of Wi-Fi. |
| Pros | – Bigger screen – S Pen and built-in stylus-specific apps – Cheaper – NFC payments with Google Wallet – Google Play content |
– Great build quality – Thinner and lighter than predecessor and competitors -New iOS 6 – LTE battery efficiency – Almost global LTE support – Updated SIRI voice assistant – Passbook – iTunes apps and content |
| Cons | – Bigger screen and physical size can be a usability issue for some (no one-handed operation) – launched October 2011 – No Jelly Bean support yet |
– Higher price – Smaller screen than the Galaxy Note (if screen size is an issue) – Apple Maps inaccuracies – Lack of NFC support – New charger/USB connector (support for older accessories necessitates $29 accessory) – Limited customization |
| Price (without contract) | from $500 (Amazon) | from $649 |
What do you think about the comparison and which one are you prepared to buy? Galaxy Note or iPhone 5?
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Michael Aulia @CravingTech.com says
I’ve heard that based on some leaked cases, it appears that the display is going to be bigger (4″ or something last time I’ve heard). But then again, all of these are still rumors (some might be true, some might not)
Not long now, about a month away!
Tuan Do says
Yeah, there have been a lot of rumors saying that Apple will increase the screen size to compete with recent Android smartphones with massive screens. However, according to the latest rumor I read, iPhone 5 won’t do it because they want to keep the existing Retina Display branding, the screen can’t be bigger than 3.7″. Anyways, I’m still waiting for more official news.
Michael Aulia @CravingTech.com says
I was thinking of this too because the games and apps developer would have to re-design their interface/resolution which is not going to make them happy at all (or is it)
Would be sad if it stays the same :( I love my Galaxy S2 big screen
Kelly Mark says
Hi @ichael Aulia I also love my note 2 and i would say I would say The Galaxy Note II is a huge leap over the previous generation and if any one has galaxy note it would be wise to sell your oroginal asap for an upgrade. according to movaluate’s fair market appraisal, owener could still get $310.00 for his old Samsung Galaxy Note 16GB , which could help pay for the awesome new galaxy note II
TnTonly says
Wow! 5.3″. Thought Deal Streak was crazy enough :|
issa says
galaxy note is rocking and iphone 5 is bullshit comparing it to galaxy note
Optimist G says
well well well. These two biggies of Mobile world has given us good products.
I have seen and used some a bit.Both things has ups and downs through our individual aspects.Hardware wise Galaxy products are good enough. and iPhone has been given quite a hype.From known persons iPhone ain’t user friendly as Android is. Samsung has given many good accessories in there Galaxy series at considerable righteous price. And that where iPhone LACKS.any way i don’t hate iPhone but prefer Galaxy more. for the fact far good rather excellent talk time, good display and good camera,blue tooth can share many thing with other OS genres unlike iPhone. Hope Apple will improve themselves in this regard and in Price as well.Well on price issue they have improved in India by providing iPhone 3gS at INR18000/-( ).And though Galaxy is quite good in ergonomics,but need much improvement. May be iPhone design most admired,but it can be observed that Sony Ericsson Arc is best rather excellent design till date. Thanx friends ,may this war give us more excellent products…..bye..bye. Long live tech world and techwalls.com and Tuan Do.
Optimist G{optimist Gireesh R D}
Ibrahim Mohsin says
Am shocked what i have seen between 2 big GSM maker, but in fact I was more optimistic about Samsung, instead of apple what is still in deep thinking… for nothing I guess!
Moreover, apple should beat the market because they was more advance in Tech-computer filled, and I don’t no whats wrong?
Lets wait for more what will come in future.
I can’t predict.
Aamir says
Samsung galexy note….becoz iphone’s no bluetooth system and ….
Faye says
I saw the new Samsung Galaxy Note today but read in the first posting above that the Note was coming out in October. Is this another version or has the Note been released early. I have been given an iphone which I hate but love the look of the Note but also don’t want to buy one tomorrow if a new one is coming out soon. Anyone got further info??
Tuan Do says
Hi Faye,
Yes there is a new Galaxy Note but it’s more like a tablet with 10.1″ screen. The Galaxy Note phone released earlier has 5.3″ display.
faye says
Thanks Tuan. Ended up buying the galaxy s3 today and am impressed but also disappointed as no other apps apart from samsung can be used. Thanks for your assistance.
Margaret says
I absolutely agree that the Note is far superior to the Iphone5. Way better! I have an unlocked one and it is amazing.I also love the sizeof it. There are so many great apps and absolutely NOT limited to the samsung apps. Such a great selection of androids.
Try internatuonal translator and the amazing radio app with radio stations from anywhere in the world! In any language and in real time. I am in heaven! Forget Apple!
Hameed Bhatti says
For those of you that went from an iPhone to an Android device, how did you migrate your iTunes purchased music to the Droid device? Is this process straightforward?
I’m considering getting the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 instead of the iPhone 5 simply because I don’t make that many calls with my iPhone 4, but use other features a lot more that require a bigger screen (browsing the net, reading books, watching movies, texting, gps etc)
nedlof says
To move iTunes music to Android is quite easy if you use ‘play music’ by google. Import music to ‘play’ and it is all in the cloud. Listen to your music library on any computer, over networks on Android, or pin them on your device for airplane mode.
There are other ways to move iTunes to Android, but this was the easiest for me which made it possible to just carry my Android and leave ios.
J. Jardin says
CORRECTION:
It is widely known that the Samsung not accepts 64GB microSD cards in addition to the factory memory.
J. Jardin says
Samsung Note* accepts 64GB microSD cards
jas says
for me, the best is galaxy note and waiting for galaxy note 2.
Anon says
Gonna have to wait for the Galaxy Note III (still in contact, lol) :(
Sandy says
I love my iphone but I love the size of the galaxy note. Will I still be able to use my same apps? Will I regret giving up my iphone?
Tuan Do says
Hi Sandy,
Most apps are now developed on both iOS and Android, so you don’t have to worry much about it. There are even more free apps on Android. :)
Dharam Jadav says
Hi Tuan Do, yes i total agree what you explained about mobile’s specification.. Of course apple have millions of best application same as andriod application… Iphone 5 and Samsung galaxy note two are very good but once iphone 5 dont accept to share with any model mobile by bluetooth. So that’s why many people like other model mobile. I found this reasons in detail.. Hope Job Steve’s Prime minister may suggest for that soon.. hnm.. thanks.
kingwicked says
I have a galaxy note n7000 and i am planning to replace it with galaxy s3 red . I simply have loved being the owner of a galaxy note. It is AWESOME and no apple phone can compete with it wether a small 3.5 in iphone 4S ,or an old outdated 4 inch iphone5
The only reason i am not buying note2 is that i have small hands.Otherwise no other phone matches for a person who wants an amalgamation of a phone and tablet.
I love the freedom of customizing my phone, call it overclocking,rooting,installing custom roms and basically do whatever with my phone i feel like.
unlike isheep population who has lower IQ and wants a firm like Apple to suck more money out of them for an outdated device. Iphone 3g was revoultionary, rest all other apple models are crap.
Salute to isheep generation who still want to bury there heads in sand like an ostrich and say everything is fine we are the best ;)
Pooh says
Can the note be upgraded to Jelly Bean?
If one buys a note with gingerbread, will a notification about the update pops up or something? Or you have to go to a mobile store to get it upgraded for you?
Sorry, I’ve never used an android before and I am planning to get a pink note soon.
Tuan Do says
Hi Pooh,
I think the Note will receive the Jelly Bean upgrade but it will take 1-2 months. Even the Galaxy S3 hasn’t get the upgrade yet.
You will receive the notification when it is available and then it will be installed over the air. If you love the Jelly Bean and can’t wait, go with Note 2. :)
chandralekha says
Hi Tuan Do,
I just want to know that in i phone 5 how the call log deletion features work?
I mean can we select a particular call of the same caller for same day and delete?I have to dcide which one should i buy Samsung Note or iphone 5.
Thanks!
Tuan Do says
Yes, you can on both Galaxy Note and iPhone 5.
Just go to the call log and you will see the option to edit it.