Samsung GS3 Set To Deliver On Long-Standing Rumored iPhone 5 Features
Posted by Michael Nace on Monday Apr 23, 2012 Under Android, iPhone 5 Opinion
A purported photo of the GS3. Whoop-dee-freaking-do.
A 4.6-inch screen, 8 megapixel camera, 16Gb of storage and NFC technology — at first glance, this seems like a list of long-rumored features that could very well end up on the iPhone 5. But while Appledom has been imagining these features on the next iPhone, so too has the Android sect prognosticated them for Samsung’s new Galaxy S 3, the 2012 Android smartphone set to give Apple its stiffest competition in the marketplace. And with Samsung being first to market with features that are highly coveted for the iPhone 5, the tech community is left wondering if Samsung will manage to siphon off potential iPhone users, thanks to their strategy of preempting iPhone launches with their own competing device.
Samsung has been trying to channel the buzz and mystery that perennially propels the new iPhone each season by setting up a cryptic countdown clock at tgeltaayehxnx.com, which, in true Android form, crashed as a result of heavy traffic. But the heavy traffic is at least a good sign for Samsung, who appears to have made more of a buzz-worthy impact on smartphone consumers this year thus far, what with a relatively successful string of sales reports of the Galaxy Note, and now a steady crescendo of interest for what the Samsung Galaxy S 3 will offer.
The question is, will the GS3 be a true iPhone 5 killer?
In terms of features, the GS3 may very well end up offering the same hardware features as the iPhone 5, and maybe even more: if Samsung delivers on a 4.6-inch screen, it still may turn out to be a larger display than the iPhone 5, which could turn out to have a longer yet thin display. And while NFC payment technology is heavily rumored for the iPhone 5, it could still be a year away, leaving the GS3 as the flagship device for NFC in 2012. More memory, more RAM, an improved 8-megapixel camera sensor, and LTE — all of these iPhone 5 features could be matched by the Samsung Galaxy S 3.
But where the iPhone 5 could excel is in its form factor and software, alla iOS 6.
The photo above depicts a purported photo of the GS3. While it might turn out to be bogus (as photos like these usually do), chances are the GS3 will probably turn out to look something like what is depicted here: a kind of boxy, plastic, Androidy design.
Conversely, the iPhone 5 could turn out to reinvent the already impressive glass and metal design of the iPhone 4 with the advent of a molded LiquidMetal back. LiquidMetal Technologies themselves stipulate that their unique metal alloy, while offering many benefits, such as being lightweight, strong, and moldable, also has the capabilities of being crafted into beautiful designs. The metal alloy is used in jewelry and high-priced watches, after all. So, in terms of pure aesthetics, the iPhone 5 could look like a completely different species of smartphone next to the GS3. That might not count for much to the hard core tech geek, but for the average user, they will seek out the device that makes them look and feel unique, even in spite of the fact that the singular iPhone sells almost as many units as all of Android combined. Finally, just as 2011′s iPhone 4S showcased some major software upgrades via iOS 5, we could see iOS 6 deliver some next-generation user interfaces and voice command functionality that will make it stand out from its Android competition. Apple has long searched for software solutions in contrast to its competitors, who strap on more hardware to keep their new devices fresh. The combination of an impressive, new form factor and mind-blowing iOS features will be hard for even a high-performance smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S 3 to compete against, no matter how many crashed countdown websites or new features they throw up. By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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April 23rd, 2012 at 11:39 am
The leaked device was wearing an fake outer shell to keep phones final design unrevealed until launch day.
April 23rd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Those are very weak features and I don’t understand how the Samsung community could even delude themselves into thinking they will give the GS3 a chance against the next iPhone. Out of the ones you mentioned, only LTE is a big deal, and seeing as there are already LTE phones out there, I don’t see how they could market it as, “hey, you thought you had to wait until the new iPhone to see it, but we have it now.” NFC has also been a long-rumored feature for the iPhone, but I think its importance and appeal have been way overstated by the speculative media. It is, I think, one of those features that only Apple could make you believe you really “need” it in your everyday life. A 4.6-inch screen is too big—I believe polls repeatedly show that users would rather have a screen that’s 4.0 to 4.3 inches, and if rumors are to be believed, the new iPhone will be right within range. Again, larger screens are not something new. There are literally dozens of different smartphones out there with screens larger than that of the iPhone, ranging from barely larger to the size of a small airport (the Galaxy Note). 16 GB and an 8-megapixel camera? Are they kidding us?
They’ll have to do much better to come even close to the new iPhone. Samsung’s advantage has always been on the hardware side, and if this is the best they’ve got, then that advantage will be gone come this new generation of phones. At the very least, we can be positive that the new iPhone will have an 8-MP camera (again, very least), NFC, LTE, and more RAM than the 4S (although possibly less than the GS3, but matching its every performance measure). A 4.6-inch screen versus a 4.3 is not an advantage—it’s a matter of choice. I don’t like big screens, for example.
Most importantly, though, this new iPhone will also feature a new design–and we know that Apple doesn’t ditch previous designs without bringing about completely revolutionary features along with it. Last time it happened, we got a front camera and a retina display that wasn’t matched until earlier this year in quality. (And, of course, the most beautiful phone design we’ve ever seen.) This time, I’ve just got the feeling something even bigger is coming. And rest assured, Samsung won’t be able to match it, not if they launch their product before Apple. They know it–that’s why they’ve been trying to force Apple to show them their design schemes.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the new iPhone will absolutely blow us away and will be an even greater success than the juggernaut that is the 4S.
April 23rd, 2012 at 5:00 pm
I agree andres. I love my 4s. I love how android users try to show off they’re unique, but when doing so, a glitch almost always occurs and I laugh at them. I’ve never had a problem with my iPhone, but if I do, at least I have a store I can bring it to where people are hired to ONLY work on my phone.
April 23rd, 2012 at 7:58 pm
I think Apple will be smart to release the new iPhone in June, not only because of the increasing demand for LTE capable devices but also because of this and the 20,000 other Android phones that will come out before October. Apple will be letting themselves fall behind if they wait. I know the 4S is an amazing/great phone but Android has been ahead for a while with LTE alone especially seeing how the carriers are pushing LTE over others. It just doesn’t make sense to me to wait that long to release the new iPhone when the GS3 is coming and the HTC One and others.
April 23rd, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Remember all u guys…………..Apple is far behind than Android. 4S not even support 4G u r still in 3G……….and Samsung I admit the build quality is always chip. But what about Ipad only retina display…………….u guys may not seen Teaser video for Samsung Galaxy S III takes shot at Apple iPhone users by calling them sheep.
STEVE JOBS was genius…. I feel sorry for Him.
April 24th, 2012 at 1:55 am
@Andres – mate, I hope you are right, but I have a horrible feeling that Apple will not blow us away with a fantastically new phone design and will keep to the existing design format and maybe increase screen size and thin the phone, but that will be all.
I actually like the glass and as I have said before I hope they retain some glass elements, if, they redesign the phone.If they move to the liquidmetal, I don’t see how this will give an exclusive/unique feel to the phone – yes, most Androids are plastic copies of each other, but there are some other metal backed phones out there, but none with a glass front and back.
Let’s see – I hope they do create an awesome new device, but I’d rather have lower expectations rather than higher ones as in the past Apple has definitely let people down – classic example is of last years 4s release – a great phone, but not what everyone was expecting…
April 24th, 2012 at 2:27 am
Keep in mind, Moo, that liquidmetal is not the same as the chrome back that previous iPods have, let alone the cheap “metal” backs that some Androids sport. It is a completely revolutionary material developed by Caltech. It will be something far more unique and intriguing than the glass back which, while admittedly gorgeous, is quite fragile.
SpasticPat, given the success of the iPhone 4S, Apple has no need to rush the launch of the new iPhone whatsoever. On the contrary, it would be a disservice to all those millions who have bought the 4S. And I know that Apple doesn’t give much thought to that if it’s in the pursuit of a greater, practical goal. But the 4S customer base is much too big to ignore, and I suspect the bulk of us are not willing to buy a new phone less than a year after having bought the 4S. An October launch would be right when people expect the phone to be launched. There would be no controversy and not as many 4S users reluctant to buy the new one.
April 24th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Just curious, does the jailbreak issue play a role in determining when you upgrade to the Iphone 5? I bought the 4s on release date, and had to deal with a lot of spam calls until I could install iblacklist. That took a few months, and was extremely annoying. I would be hesitant to upgrade until the new phone was jailbroken, or Apple released this app (or similar one) to the market.
April 24th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
The 4S already has the 8 mega pixel camera so that truly isn’t too impressive. If the iPhone 5 remains an 8 mega pixel phone, you know Apple will do something to make editing photos a whole lot better, that’s for sure!
May 2nd, 2012 at 8:52 pm
The Answer: Ed McMann: “June”.
The Question: Carnac the Great: “What happens in October?”