Now that Apple has announced its latest iPhone, it’s time to start comparing the highly anticipated device against its fiercest competition.
There’s Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S III, one of the newest Android devices. Consumers have reportedly snapped up 20 million S IIIs since it launched in June. Google’s Galaxy Nexus, also made my Samsung, is another direct iPhone rival. And with Jelly Bean OS, it’s one of the only Android phones running Google’s newest mobile operating system. Finally, there’s the Nokia Lumia 920, powered by Windows Phone 8, which is the biggest hope for the nascent Windows mobile platform.
Below you’ll find a spec-by-spec comparison of the iPhone 5 versus the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the Nokia Lumia 920, and Google’s flagship Samsung Galaxy Nexus. (For those who are already 100 percent sure about getting the iPhone 5, you can pre-order the device beginning on Friday.)
Apple iPhone 5
Samsung Galaxy S III
Nokia Lumia 920
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Price
$200, $300, $400 (16GB, 32GB, 64GB models) with two-year contract
Varies, starts at $200
TBA
$100 (two-year contract), $350 (unlocked)
Availability
Sept. 21
Now
Expected in October
Now
Carriers
AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile
TBA
Verizon, Sprint (Google sells unlocked version for AT&T and T-Mobile)
Operating System
iOS 6
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Windows Phone 8
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions and Weight
4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 inches, 3.95 oz.
5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 inches, 4.7 oz
5.21 x 2.78 x 0.42 inches, 6.52 oz
5.33 x 2.67 x 0.33 inches, 4.76 oz
Screen Size
4.0 inches
4.8 inches
4.5 inches
4.65 inches
Screen Resolution and Type
1136 x 640 pixels (326ppi) IPS Retina Display
1280 x 720 pixel (306ppi) Super AMOLED HD
1280 x 786 pixel (332 ppi) PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD
1280 x 720 pixel (316 ppi) Super AMOLED HD
Battery
Unspecified size, company claims up to 8 hours of talk time
2100mAh
2000mAh
1750 mAh
Cellular Connectivity
HSPA+, CDMA, 4G LTE
HSPA+, CDMA, 4G LTE
HSPA+, CDMA, 4G LTE
HSPA+, CDMA, 4G LTE
Processor
A6 dual core
1.5 Ghz dual core
1.5 Ghz dual core
1.2 Ghz dual core
Internal Storage
16GB, 32GB and 64GB models
16GB and 32GB models
32GB
32GB
Expandable Storage
None
microSD
None
None
RAM
1GB
2GB
1GB
1GB
Cameras
Back: 8MP, LED flash, f/2.4; Front: 1.2MP
Back: 8MP, AF, LED flash, f/2.6; Front: 2MP
Back: 8.7MP, AF, LED flash, f/2.0; Front: 1.3MP
Back: 5MP, AF, LED flash, f/2.8; Front: 1.3MP
Video Capture
1080p HD
1080p HD
1080p HD
1080p HD
NFC
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Overall, the four phones don’t have too many differentiating factors in terms of specs. If you absolutely want NFC on your phone, then Apple’s iPhone 5 won’t suit your needs. Then again, if you want an excellent camera, the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920 will likely be the top options. As for people who want as much screen space as possible, the Galaxy S III satisfies that requirement. But hardware isn’t everything, and if you’re looking for the latest Android software, then you’ll want to stick with Google’s flagship Galaxy Nexus. The same goes for people who only want to deal with iOS or Windows Phone OS. While Samsung’s Android-based smartphones have long been the iPhone’s biggest competition, Nokia’s Lumia 920 is now one of the most talked-about new devices. In terms of design, it’s arguably one of the most stunning phones any company has announced in a long time. But is it enough to actually convince iPhone users to switch?
Let us know which phone you want to buy in the poll below.