Apple iPhone 5 Specs Versus the Competition’s: Which Will You Buy?

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.)

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• 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.

Which smartphone are you going to buy?

Apple iPhone 5

Nokia Lumia 920

Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

I don't plan to buy a smartphone

Create your own poll

Apple EarPods

MRP: 1600

Digit Rating: Good

4/5

NA

Features:

NA

Performance:

NA

Value:

NA

Design:

PROS

• Great sound for the price
• Surprisingly strong bass considering it's not an in-canal design
• Inexpensive
• Includes small carrying case

CONS

• Design still doesn't fit everyone
• Doesn't block out any external noise and some sound leaks out

Summary

Apple's new EarPods are the better-fitting, better-sounding earbuds iPods and iPhones should have had all along.

Review

After 11 long years, not counting a very minor mid-cycle update, Apple has finally completely redesigned its trademark white earphones that come bundled with every iPod and iPhone. And with good results. In fact, Apple may have achieved the impossible: The EarPods ($29 direct, if purchased separately) actually deliver some bass punch, without resorting to an in-canal, rubber-tipped design that accumulates ear wax (ick). Despite Apple's claims, the EarPods still don't fit everyone. But for doing what the Apple earbuds should have done all along—providing good sound quality and comfort on a budget—the EarPods are an easy recommendation.

Concept and Fit
Remember that the goal here isn't for Apple to deliver a high-end pair of earphones that compete with our favorites from AKG, Sennheiser, or Shure. Instead, the question is, are the EarPods good enough that you won't feel like you need to upgrade immediately? And if they break and you need another set, or if you're looking to replace a worn pair on an older iPod or iPhone, should you get these, or head to Amazon or Best Buy and pick up a different pair?

Let's talk about the unique design first. The EarPods are made entirely of white plastic. They look custom molded, thanks to the unusual earbud shape. Apple claims the idea is to build the diaphragm out of both rigid and flexible materials, which minimizes sound loss, while adding acoustic vents in the stem of each EarPod to improve bass. A few inches down the right earbud wire, you'll find inline call controls that will work with all iPhones; you get prominent volume buttons and an indented multi-function button.

The EarPods are compatible with any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack, including all iPads, iPods, and iPhones, though Apple says some models may not support the inline volume controls. Apple includes a small plastic carrying case that takes a little work—you need to wrap the earbuds in, then the inline controls, and then the wire around the edges—but it's a nice touch and infinitely preferable to untangling them every day on the subway.

First welcome surprise: The EarPods fit and don't fall out, at least for me. Not everyone has this problem, but for whatever reason, the original Apple Earphones (not to mention many Bluetooth headsets) have never stayed in properly. I guess I'm lopsided, but the right earbud always falls out, which is one of the reasons I prefer in-canal earphones and over-the-ear headphones to earbuds. The EarPods are the first ones I've tried that are made entirely of plastic yet still stay put. On the other hand, my editor tried them, and they wouldn't stay in her ears. We'll call the fit a toss-up, but certainly not the sure thing Apple implies.

Performance and Conclusions
Second welcome surprise: Bass. In my tests, Muse's "Uprising" had all the kick drum and midbass rumble it was supposed to have. In Metallica's Mastered-For-iTunes "Hate Train," I could still hear the kick drum even with the guitars crushing down, albeit barely. On The Knife's "Silent Shout," our standard bass test track, there is actually some decent tail "boom" on the 808 kick drum, although some details in the bass synth behind the kick drum are a bit lost and distorted at higher volumes.

Okay, there's still not much low-end extension. Hip hop, rap, and other electronic music lovers, not to mention classical listeners looking to vibrate their skulls with a pipe organ's low notes or rumbling timpani rolls, should stick with an in-ear rubber-tipped set—even an inexpensive pair, because the tight seal you get automatically enhances those frequencies. But there actually is some low-end extension, which is surprising, particularly once you turn up the volume. The only thing I worry about here is that while the EarPods can get pretty loud, they don't really punch until you turn 'em up, which is not good for your hearing. Watch the volume dial and add a little EQ if you need more bass.Apple EarPods

Otherwise, the EarPods sound fine, but by no means exceptional. You don't get a lot of midrange or high-end detail. In fact, from the midrange on up, they sound a lot like the original Apple earbuds, though they're a bit smoother and more detailed. There's also some slight audible harshness in the upper midrange, but it's not offensive. And that's expected for less than $30. Metric's "Youth Without Youth" had tons of energy, and didn't distort at all (besides what it was supposed to do). Ludovico Einaudi's "A Fuoco" lacked a sense of air around the instruments that you'd get with higher-end earphones, and you don't hear the little noises that indicate a bow on strings, but at least the piano and violin sound smooth and natural.

Note that there's also some sound leakage that people nearby will hear. It's a bit more than you'll get with in-canal earbuds, but a little less than with the regular Apple earbuds. Also, for the same reason, the EarPods don't block out much external noise; if you want something that minimizes train or airplane noise, for example, go with an in-canal design or a noise-cancelling pair.

Finally, for phone calls, voices sounded fine in both directions, with a warm tone in the earpiece. Transmissions through the inline microphone were clear and well balanced, if slightly muffled.

So the EarPods aren't perfect—far from it—but in most cases, you're not paying for them since they come with iPods and iPhones. And many missteps can be forgiven with a $29 price tag. Our budget Editors' Choice earphone pair, the AKG K 350 sound better all around, particularly with midrange and high-end detail and low-end bass extension, but they also costs a lot more. Apple is still selling the original "classic" earphones for the same $29. Steer clear of those and grab the EarPods instead; you'll be glad you did. Even better if they came with your new iPod or iPhone.

Source - Digit

iPhone 5 Comparison with other iPhone's

		A6 chip	A5 chip	A4 chip
		Black & Slate White & Silver	Black White	Black White
1		Height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm) Weight: 3.95 ounces (112 grams)	Height: 4.5 inches (115.2 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.37 inch (9.3 mm) Weight: 4.9 ounces (140 grams)	Height: 4.5 inches (115.2 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.37 inch (9.3 mm) Weight: 4.8 ounces (137 grams)
		4-inch (diagonal) Retina display 1136-by-640 resolution 326 ppi	3.5-inch (diagonal) Retina display 960-by-640 resolution 326 ppi	3.5-inch (diagonal) Retina display 960-by-640 resolution 326 ppi
		GSM model: GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA+ DC-HSDPA CDMA model: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B LTE3 Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz) Bluetooth 4.0 GPS and GLONASS	GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA - CDMA EV-DO Rev. A2   - Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz) Bluetooth 4.0 GPS and GLONASS	GSM model: GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA - CDMA model: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A   - Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR GPS
		Nano-SIM iPhone 5 is not compatible with existing micro-SIM cards.	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
4		Siri Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more.	Siri Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more.	-
		8 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Five-element lens Face detection Hybrid IR filter ƒ/2.4 aperture Panorama	8 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Five-element lens Face detection Hybrid IR filter ƒ/2.4 aperture Panorama	5 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Four-element lens - - ƒ/2.8 aperture -
		1.2MP photos 720p HD video Backside illumination sensor	VGA-resolution photos VGA-resolution video	VGA-resolution photos VGA-resolution video
5		FaceTime iPhone 5 to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or cellular	FaceTime iPhone 4S to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or cellular	FaceTime iPhone 4 to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi
		1080p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light Improved video stabilization Take still photos while recording video Face detection	1080p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light Video stabilization - -	720p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light - - -
		Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic Storage and travel case	Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic	Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
		Lightning	30-pin	30-pin
6		Talk time: Up to 8 hours on 3G Browsing time: Up to 8 hours on LTE Up to 8 hours on 3G Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 225 hours	Talk time: Up to 8 hours on 3G Browsing time: - Up to 6 hours on 3G Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 200 hours	Talk time: Up to 7 hours on 3G Browsing time: - Up to 6 hours on 3G Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 300 hours

7		16GB $199 32GB $299 64GB $399 Buy iPhone 5	16GB $99 Buy iPhone 4S	8GB FREE Buy iPhone 4