The iPhone 6 or the Samsung Galaxy S5? THAT is the question
For the last few years there’s only been two handsets EVERYBODY knew about: Samsung’s latest Galaxy S device and Apple’s iPhone. This year, however, is slightly different as Samsung –– for all intents and purposes –– is struggling to turn 2014’s Galaxy S5 into a hit, following confirmed dips in sales year-on-year of around 40%. Fortunately for Samsung it has the Galaxy Note 4 and the thoroughly excellent Samsung Galaxy Alpha to fill in the gaps.
If it wasn't for these two handsets Samsung's 2014 would have been a complete wash-out devoid of any real contenders.
The Galaxy S5 wasn’t bad; it just lacked anything resembling a compelling USP compared to rival handsets from Sony and HTC. It felt distinctly average and that is never good when you’re talking about a flagship handset, especially one from a company that, at the time, was on top of the world. And it really couldn’t have happened at a worse time, either, as everybody knew Apple was going to storm into the market in late-2014 with a radically altered iPhone proposition.
Samsung is now in the process of completely re-evaluating its Galaxy S line ahead of the launch of the Galaxy S6 during Q1 2015 –– so expect BIG changes. In this comparison we’re going to take a look at how the current Galaxy S5 compares to Apple’s slightly newer iPhone 6. In terms specs and hardware in general both handsets are pretty evenly matched –– generally speaking, anyway –– but are the other differences? And where does one outdo the other? Lets bloody well find out.
But first, the specs in a handy side-by-side table.
For the last few years there’s only been two handsets EVERYBODY knew about: Samsung’s latest Galaxy S device and Apple’s iPhone. This year, however, is slightly different as Samsung –– for all intents and purposes –– is struggling to turn 2014’s Galaxy S5 into a hit, following confirmed dips in sales year-on-year of around 40%. Fortunately for Samsung it has the Galaxy Note 4 and the thoroughly excellent Samsung Galaxy Alpha to fill in the gaps.
If it wasn't for these two handsets Samsung's 2014 would have been a complete wash-out devoid of any real contenders.
The Galaxy S5 wasn’t bad; it just lacked anything resembling a compelling USP compared to rival handsets from Sony and HTC. It felt distinctly average and that is never good when you’re talking about a flagship handset, especially one from a company that, at the time, was on top of the world. And it really couldn’t have happened at a worse time, either, as everybody knew Apple was going to storm into the market in late-2014 with a radically altered iPhone proposition.
Samsung is now in the process of completely re-evaluating its Galaxy S line ahead of the launch of the Galaxy S6 during Q1 2015 –– so expect BIG changes. In this comparison we’re going to take a look at how the current Galaxy S5 compares to Apple’s slightly newer iPhone 6. In terms specs and hardware in general both handsets are pretty evenly matched –– generally speaking, anyway –– but are the other differences? And where does one outdo the other? Lets bloody well find out.
But first, the specs in a handy side-by-side table.
Spec Sheet Shootout
Device iPhone 6 Samsung Galaxy S5 Dimensions 138 x 67 x 6.9mm, 129g 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm , 145g Display 4.7in IPS LCD, 750 x 1334 pixels, 326ppi 5.1-inch Super AMOLED, 1920x1080 pixels,432ppi Camera 8-megapixel iSight,LED flash,1080p video 16-megapixel ISOCELL, LED flash, 1080p video Storage 16GB, 64GB, 128GB 16GB,32GB, microSD up to 128GB Processor, RAM, Graphics 1.4GHz Apple A8 dual-core Cyclone, 1GB RAM, Apple M8 motion co-processor 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core Krait 400, 2GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU Operating System, iOS 8 Android 4.4. KitKat UI N/A TouchWiz Connectivity Lightning,Bluetooth,NFC,Wi-Fi,4G,GPS microUSB,Bluetooth,NFC,Wi-Fi,4G,GPS,infrared,MHL,fingerprint scanner,heart-rate sensor Battery 1,800mAh 2,800mAh (removable)
| Device | iPhone 6 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
| Dimensions | 138 x 67 x 6.9mm, 129g | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm , 145g |
| Display | 4.7in IPS LCD, 750 x 1334 pixels, 326ppi | 5.1-inch Super AMOLED, 1920x1080 pixels,432ppi |
| Camera | 8-megapixel iSight,LED flash,1080p video | 16-megapixel ISOCELL, LED flash, 1080p video |
| Storage | 16GB, 64GB, 128GB | 16GB,32GB, microSD up to 128GB |
| Processor, RAM, Graphics | 1.4GHz Apple A8 dual-core Cyclone, 1GB RAM, Apple M8 motion co-processor | 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core Krait 400, 2GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU |
| Operating System, | iOS 8 | Android 4.4. KitKat |
| UI | N/A | TouchWiz |
| Connectivity | Lightning,Bluetooth,NFC,Wi-Fi,4G,GPS | microUSB,Bluetooth,NFC,Wi-Fi,4G,GPS,infrared,MHL,fingerprint scanner,heart-rate sensor |
| Battery | 1,800mAh | 2,800mAh (removable) |
Build & Design
Despite earlier rumours to the contrary, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is not a massive revolutionary leap for the brand in terms of design. The screen has not expanded much, and as a result the bodywork has only expanded a little in all directions, just about enough to notice when the phone is placed side-by-side with its predecessor.
The corners are a little squarer, although on slightly – it’s still a very rounded-off shape on the whole. While that rumoured metallic build hasn’t emerged, the silver (plastic) surround now has a ridged texture as seen on the Galaxy Note 3, meanwhile the back panel has a matte finish and a dimpled texture.
There’s also a cover on the microUSB port, a telltale sign of the IP67 dust and water proofing. As is increasingly the case with heavily rumoured launches, the iPhone 6 turned out to be everything we'd heard already, and indeed everything we'd seen in the torrent of leaked dummy mockups.
That means a new-yet-familiar shape with more rounded corners and edges, and an aluminium back panel that hugs round to the front. It's 6.8mm thick and sports a stainless steel Apple logo on the back. There is, however, no waterproofing and none of that rumoured Sapphire Glass on the front to stop the screen from smashing if you fumble it. Apple has managed to make the iPhone 6 look distinctive enough from its predecessor while maintaining that unique Apple aesthetic. It's a larger phone to accomodate the bigger display, but the screen-to-body ratio is more or less unchanged. There's a striking new design to the end caps at either end of the phone.
Despite earlier rumours to the contrary, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is not a massive revolutionary leap for the brand in terms of design. The screen has not expanded much, and as a result the bodywork has only expanded a little in all directions, just about enough to notice when the phone is placed side-by-side with its predecessor.
The corners are a little squarer, although on slightly – it’s still a very rounded-off shape on the whole. While that rumoured metallic build hasn’t emerged, the silver (plastic) surround now has a ridged texture as seen on the Galaxy Note 3, meanwhile the back panel has a matte finish and a dimpled texture.
There’s also a cover on the microUSB port, a telltale sign of the IP67 dust and water proofing. As is increasingly the case with heavily rumoured launches, the iPhone 6 turned out to be everything we'd heard already, and indeed everything we'd seen in the torrent of leaked dummy mockups.
That means a new-yet-familiar shape with more rounded corners and edges, and an aluminium back panel that hugs round to the front. It's 6.8mm thick and sports a stainless steel Apple logo on the back. There is, however, no waterproofing and none of that rumoured Sapphire Glass on the front to stop the screen from smashing if you fumble it. Apple has managed to make the iPhone 6 look distinctive enough from its predecessor while maintaining that unique Apple aesthetic. It's a larger phone to accomodate the bigger display, but the screen-to-body ratio is more or less unchanged. There's a striking new design to the end caps at either end of the phone.
Hardware, Connectivity & Storage
The iPhone 6 comes in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage variants - the 32GB model is dead and buried. Samsung’s Galaxy S5 comes with either 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage plus microSD support for cards up to 128GB.
Both devices feature fingerprint scanners, while the Galaxy S5 has a hear-rate sensor on the back. Touch ID delivers more consistent fingerprint recognition performance while th Galaxy S5's scanner can be fiddly and temperamental.
You can use Samsung's scanner with Paypal and Google Wallet for remote payments via NFC, but Apple has set up its own Apple Pay service. It will kick off in the US in October, and we don't yet know when it will arrive elsewhere, but you will be able to use the iPhone 6 (and a paired Apple Watch) for contactless payments using the built-in NFC chip and the Touch ID scanner at point-of-sale.
The iPhone 6 comes in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage variants - the 32GB model is dead and buried. Samsung’s Galaxy S5 comes with either 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage plus microSD support for cards up to 128GB.
Both devices feature fingerprint scanners, while the Galaxy S5 has a hear-rate sensor on the back. Touch ID delivers more consistent fingerprint recognition performance while th Galaxy S5's scanner can be fiddly and temperamental.
You can use Samsung's scanner with Paypal and Google Wallet for remote payments via NFC, but Apple has set up its own Apple Pay service. It will kick off in the US in October, and we don't yet know when it will arrive elsewhere, but you will be able to use the iPhone 6 (and a paired Apple Watch) for contactless payments using the built-in NFC chip and the Touch ID scanner at point-of-sale.
Display
There are multiple size variants of the iPhone 6 (well, two), but the regular one sports a 4.7in IPS LCD Retina HD touchscreen. It packs a 1334 x 750 pixel resolution at 325 pixels-per-inch.
Samsung’s display has enlarged ever-so-slightly from the Galaxy S4’s 5-inch panel to 5.1-inches and has remained Super AMOLED with a full HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution. This should result in a pixel density of 430 pixels-per-inch (ppi) for some sharp image quality and Samsung’s tech consistently delivers great colour, brightness and contrast.
There are multiple size variants of the iPhone 6 (well, two), but the regular one sports a 4.7in IPS LCD Retina HD touchscreen. It packs a 1334 x 750 pixel resolution at 325 pixels-per-inch.
Samsung’s display has enlarged ever-so-slightly from the Galaxy S4’s 5-inch panel to 5.1-inches and has remained Super AMOLED with a full HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution. This should result in a pixel density of 430 pixels-per-inch (ppi) for some sharp image quality and Samsung’s tech consistently delivers great colour, brightness and contrast.
Processor and Performance
We've known for some time the iPhone 6 would feature an A8 chipset, but we didn't know all the details. Well, we still don't know ALL the details, but Apple's revealed a few more now.
It's running on second-generation, 64-bit, 20 nanometre architecture, which boils down to 20% faster performance than the iPhone 5S and 50% faster graphics performance too. Apple has also modified the chip to deliver improved "sustained performance", meaning it can avoid overheating even if it's running at high levels for long periods.
Apple has also added an updated M8 motion co-processor which can measure air pressure with a built-in barometer - it can use this to calculate elevation as well as distance, so it knows whether you ran round the block on the flat, or if you went up a mountain instead. It can also distinguish between different activity types such as cycling or running.
Pre-launch leaks did suggest the possible specs for the iPhone 6 A8 chip. It's thought it may be a dual-core 1.4GHz chip using 1GB of RAM and Apple's second-gen Cyclone architecture. Post-launch benchmarks appear to have confirmed this spec too.
Samsung has opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.5GHz, with 2GB of RAM and an updated Adreno 330 GPU. This is certainly fast, but not the 64-bit leap forward some were expecting, nor is it a Snapdragon 805 - Qualcomm's more fearsome chip which we've see inside the Galaxy Note 4.
We've known for some time the iPhone 6 would feature an A8 chipset, but we didn't know all the details. Well, we still don't know ALL the details, but Apple's revealed a few more now.
It's running on second-generation, 64-bit, 20 nanometre architecture, which boils down to 20% faster performance than the iPhone 5S and 50% faster graphics performance too. Apple has also modified the chip to deliver improved "sustained performance", meaning it can avoid overheating even if it's running at high levels for long periods.
Apple has also added an updated M8 motion co-processor which can measure air pressure with a built-in barometer - it can use this to calculate elevation as well as distance, so it knows whether you ran round the block on the flat, or if you went up a mountain instead. It can also distinguish between different activity types such as cycling or running.
Pre-launch leaks did suggest the possible specs for the iPhone 6 A8 chip. It's thought it may be a dual-core 1.4GHz chip using 1GB of RAM and Apple's second-gen Cyclone architecture. Post-launch benchmarks appear to have confirmed this spec too.
Samsung has opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.5GHz, with 2GB of RAM and an updated Adreno 330 GPU. This is certainly fast, but not the 64-bit leap forward some were expecting, nor is it a Snapdragon 805 - Qualcomm's more fearsome chip which we've see inside the Galaxy Note 4.
Software & UI
This is the part where the fan boys crawl out from the shadows and begin looking up new ways to insult each other in their thesauruses. Operating systems can cause some real arguments and it always ends in tears, believe us, we run a smartphone website with a comment section.
But both Android and iOS are now so fully developed with minuscule feature differences it really is down to your personal preference.
The big advantage here for the iPhone 6 is it’s running the latest and greatest software. Apple’s iOS 8.1.1 software has just launched on the platform and all those who have the handset will be able to download it and get the best iOS experience right away.
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. That isn’t the most up to date version of KitKat (it goes up to Android 4.4.4) and since then Google has released the next update toAndroid 5.0 Lollipop.
This is the part where the fan boys crawl out from the shadows and begin looking up new ways to insult each other in their thesauruses. Operating systems can cause some real arguments and it always ends in tears, believe us, we run a smartphone website with a comment section.
But both Android and iOS are now so fully developed with minuscule feature differences it really is down to your personal preference.
The big advantage here for the iPhone 6 is it’s running the latest and greatest software. Apple’s iOS 8.1.1 software has just launched on the platform and all those who have the handset will be able to download it and get the best iOS experience right away.
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. That isn’t the most up to date version of KitKat (it goes up to Android 4.4.4) and since then Google has released the next update toAndroid 5.0 Lollipop.
Keyboard Woes
One thing worth noting is that while a new feature boasted by iOS 8 is the addition of support for third party keyboards, their actual implementation isn't quite up to the same standard as Android, where it's been a fixture for some time. Android's had third party keyboards for yonks and there's one for every taste with a whole host of varied functionality, some of the most famous include Swype, SwiftKey, and Fleksy. But on Apple's platform, while developers of these apps have sensibly created iOS equivalents now that they're supported, the delivery is hampered somewhat by some built-in iOS functionality. KYM Editor Richard Goodwin penned this article to explain what the rumpus is, and here's an excerpt:
"If you haven’t yet tried out third-party keyboards on iOS, there are a few things you need to know before you go dropping £0.69 on one. First, you cannot use a third-party keyboard in certain iOS applications, meaning you constantly have to switch between SwiftKey, for instance, and Apple’s stock keyboard. Apple says this is for security."
"Even when you set SwiftKey as your de facto keyboard in all applications outside the core ones Apple locks it out of, you still see the stock Apple keyboard ALL THE TIME, meaning you have to then go into keyboard settings and reselect SwiftKey once again. Yep, it’s LONG."
He goes on to add that current builds of these apps are also pretty damn buggy on their own. Seems there's plenty of work for Apple and its devs to do here.
One thing worth noting is that while a new feature boasted by iOS 8 is the addition of support for third party keyboards, their actual implementation isn't quite up to the same standard as Android, where it's been a fixture for some time. Android's had third party keyboards for yonks and there's one for every taste with a whole host of varied functionality, some of the most famous include Swype, SwiftKey, and Fleksy. But on Apple's platform, while developers of these apps have sensibly created iOS equivalents now that they're supported, the delivery is hampered somewhat by some built-in iOS functionality. KYM Editor Richard Goodwin penned this article to explain what the rumpus is, and here's an excerpt:
"If you haven’t yet tried out third-party keyboards on iOS, there are a few things you need to know before you go dropping £0.69 on one. First, you cannot use a third-party keyboard in certain iOS applications, meaning you constantly have to switch between SwiftKey, for instance, and Apple’s stock keyboard. Apple says this is for security."
"Even when you set SwiftKey as your de facto keyboard in all applications outside the core ones Apple locks it out of, you still see the stock Apple keyboard ALL THE TIME, meaning you have to then go into keyboard settings and reselect SwiftKey once again. Yep, it’s LONG."
He goes on to add that current builds of these apps are also pretty damn buggy on their own. Seems there's plenty of work for Apple and its devs to do here.
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