I think the Galaxy S III legtimately closes the gap with iPhone

**Mr. Marco** · 07-09-2012, 09:14 AM

Since 2008 iPhone really has been the king. Android has been seen as 2nd place. But I think it's different now with the Samsung Galaxy S III. From hardware and with ICS and now Jelly Bean I think Android is neck and neck with iPhone.

Usually it's been Apple bringing out a feature or functionality to the market and then everyone else following suit. Now Apple has followed suit with certain features such as notification center, maps, (still lags behind in native email app functionality), and if iPhone 5 does have a larger screen it's because Android has made 4"+ screens the cool thing to have.

It's an even fight now, a fight that will be fought punch by punch!

**ike1973** · 07-09-2012, 09:42 AM

Personally I think It's already surpassed the iphone. Isn't android already number one in sales worldwide? I'm holding out as long as I can for BB10, but the SGSIII is someting I've got my eye on. If my Bold 9000 doesn't make it until BB10 makes it's debut then SGSIII it is for me. I will never own anything by apple.

**Mr. Marco** · 07-09-2012, 09:54 AM

Android is number one in sales because it is loaded on a million different devices sold everywhere. iOS is only found on Apple devices.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Marco

Android is number one in sales because it is loaded on a million different devices sold everywhere. iOS is only found on Apple devices.

True but it still out sells apple. So what gap is android trying to recover from?

**avt123** · 07-09-2012, 10:03 AM

Meh, I thought the Galaxy Nexus and the release of ICS already took the top spot. Nexus devices are the closest you will get to an Apple like experience.

If I were to buy an Android device right at this moment, I would still buy the Galaxy Nexus over anything else. Come to think of it, the only Android device right now I buy until the next Nexus comes out is the Galaxy Nexus.

I will not touch a skinned Android device ever again. IMO nothing compares to the Nexus experience. Google designs Android around these devices...

The SGS 3 is definitely gorgeous and IMO is easily better than the iPhone 4S.

**Mr. Marco** · 07-09-2012, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

True but it still out sells apple. So what gap is android trying to recover from?

Hardware and OS performance and polish.

**Tre Lawrence** · 07-09-2012, 10:18 AM

Yes, specs-wise, I think iOS ceded the battle a long time ago. Higher end Android devices have always had "better" hardware when compared to contemporary iPhone models, IMHO.

However, I do believe the ecosystem is what wins the battle, and Apple clearly has the edge there. Plus, Apple seems to do a great job of keeping current customers satisfied and committed to he platform. That isn't easy with typical consumers.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Marco

Hardware and OS performance and polish.

Hardware no. The other yes but even with the needed polish they still out sells iPhones.

I thought the ecosystems were pretty equal?

**Tre Lawrence** · 07-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

Hardware no. The other yes but even with the needed polish they still out sells iPhones.

I thought the ecosystems were pretty equal?

I think Apple's is significantly better. Apps are more plentiful, interoperability between Apple products is unmatched, and Apple pretty much wrote the book on media consumption.

And then you have the accessories. Everybody makes third-party stuff for Apple. Cases, docks, car pieces, arm bands, etc. That is where fragmentation hurts Android a bit too.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by trelawrence

I think Apple's is significantly better. Apps are more plentiful, interoperability between Apple products is unmatched, and Apple pretty much wrote the book on media consumption.

And then you have the accessories. Everybody makes third-party stuff for Apple. Cases, docks, car pieces, arm bands, etc. That is where fragmentation hurts Android a bit too.

Who would've ever thought no choice in handset ie 1 size fits all would be the way to go in a world that seems to like choice and being different.

**avt123** · 07-09-2012, 10:43 AM

The only thing significantly better in Apple hardware is the GPU. The ecosystem is better as well. Google is catching up though with advancements to the Play Store. Developers just needs to start writing prettier apps. There are apps that are just as nice as their iOS versions, and there are apps that look like garbaged compared to the iOS version.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 10:49 AM

Ah so android has the same limitations as Linux with these things? I've tried Linux a few times and noticed that most games seemed to be more like dos games and others things just not as pretty or lacking in things like a messenger not being able to send or receive things like winks in win live messenger.

I don't know if that was just the things I found or the norm or if it has caught up now or not.

**avt123** · 07-09-2012, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

Ah so android has the same limitations as Linux with these things? I've tried Linux a few times and noticed that most games seemed to be more like dos games and others things just not as pretty or lacking in things like a messenger not being able to send or receive things like winks in win live messenger.

I don't know if that was just the things I found or the norm or if it has caught up now or not.

I don't know what you mean. Android can do more than iOS. It's the developers who half assed the Android version and don't make it as nice as the iOS version. The same thing happens on BBs. iOS are usually more polished and may offer some features that the Android one doesn't. Someones the Android version is just as polished, has the same features and then some do to it being Android.

If the developers keep the apps polished, IMO the Android versons would always be better.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by avt123

I don't know what you mean. Android can do more than iOS. It's the developers who half assed the Android version and don't make it as nice as the iOS version. The same thing happens on BBs. iOS are usually more polished and may offer some features that the Android one doesn't. Someones the Android version is just as polished, has the same features and then some do to it being Android.

If the developers keep the apps polished, IMO the Android versons would always be better.

I was going by what trelawrence said and my experience with Linux. So it's all in what developers choose to do then. Thanks

**Mr. Marco** · 07-09-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

Hardware no. The other yes but even with the needed polish they still out sells iPhones.

I thought the ecosystems were pretty equal?

Yes even hardware. Android devices had better raw specs, but the iPhone hardware along with iOS outperformed and was way more polished. Like I said in my original post, with the most recent crop of Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III running the latest Android OS, the gap between iPhone and Android no longer exists. They are now neck-and-neck.

And again, Android outsells iPhone because it's loaded on many devices sold everywhere. iOS spent years in the US locked to AT&T and only on one device, iPhone.

**kbz1960** · 07-09-2012, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Marco

Yes even hardware. Android devices had better raw specs, but the iPhone hardware along with iOS outperformed and was way more polished. Like I said in my original post, with the most recent crop of Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III running the latest Android OS, the gap between iPhone and Android no longer exists. They are now neck-and-neck.

And again, Android outsells iPhone because it's loaded on many devices sold everywhere. iOS spent years in the US locked to AT&T and only on one device, iPhone.

The hardware is definitely better on some androids. If the OS isn't taking advantage of it isn't the hardwares fault. Yes it spent years on the one carrier. It has been on the big three for awhile now so the iPhone should be outselling androids in the latest data if this is true.

I get there are tons of androids from way low end to high end. I wonder what the numbers are when the low end androids are taken out of the picture.

**Tre Lawrence** · 07-09-2012, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

The hardware is definitely better on some androids. If the OS isn't taking advantage of it isn't the hardwares fault. Yes it spent years on the one carrier. It has been on the big three for awhile now so the iPhone should be outselling androids in the latest data if this is true.

I get there are tons of androids from way low end to high end. I wonder what the numbers are when the low end androids are taken out of the picture.

I think the low-end devices make up for a LOT of Android sales.

But then again, I am sure low-end iPhones (older models) make up for a good percentage of iOS sales as well.

**avt123** · 07-09-2012, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

I was going by what trelawrence said and my experience with Linux. So it's all in what developers choose to do then. Thanks

Yea if the developers skimp out, it's on them.

**jcp007** · 07-09-2012, 07:57 PM

GS3 has a larger screen, more RAM. 4G LTE, expandable memory, LED notifications, faster processor, better camera, and overall better customization potential. The ICS and TouchWiz overlay reflect a more intense UX focus whereas the unibody design of the iPhone reflects the take or leave it, we know better than you what you want ecosystem. The iPhone is not a bad device but has survived on small tweaks to a dated design to survive. Unless the new iPhone has some drastic improvements, it will lose marketshare much the same way as RIM which also makes very good devices. All in all, it is all about personal preference and what works best for you.

**Greenghost** · 07-09-2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by trelawrence

I think the low-end devices make up for a LOT of Android sales.

But then again, I am sure low-end iPhones (older models) make up for a good percentage of iOS sales as well.

I don't know many people that has a low end Android device but I do have a lot of friends who has Android devices or plans to get one I only have 2 buddy's with iphones

Sent from my Nexus S 4g using Tapatalk 2

**howarmat** · 07-09-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by jcp007

GS3 has a larger screen, more RAM. 4G LTE, expandable memory, LED notifications, faster processor, better camera, and overall better customization potential. The ICS and TouchWiz overlay reflect a more intense UX focus whereas the unibody design of the iPhone reflects the take or leave it, we know better than you what you want ecosystem. The iPhone is not a bad device but has survived on small tweaks to a dated design to survive. Unless the new iPhone has some drastic improvements, it will lose marketshare much the same way as RIM which also makes very good devices. All in all, it is all about personal preference and what works best for you.

while this is all true, there will be another iphone here soon and no one knows what that will be like. The GS3 will have to go up against that and will make for a more interesting comparison

**jcp007** · 07-09-2012, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by howarmat

while this is all true, there will be another iphone here soon and no one knows what that will be like. The GS3 will have to go up against that and will make for a more interesting comparison

I will be interested to see what innovations the iPhone brings but a uni-body design and only a marginally larger screen with no next generation enhancements is not going to get it done. It will also be interesting to see if Apple runs into the LTE patent lawsuits and where it has to go get the chips for its phones.

**Frosty_Power** · 07-10-2012, 12:10 AM

To the OP, I still think the SG2 is still better than the iP4S, yet alone the S3. I have yet to get my hands on an S3, but with the reviews I'm reading, compared to the S2, this looks like an amazing device. Apple will have to bring it with the next gen iphone.