Apple relies on sturdy build quality coupled with performance to woo customers. Android smartphones are trying to outperform Apple by offering quicker processing speed, bigger and more responsive touch screens and added hardware.
However, due to the associated premium feature on every Apple device, there is a lack of serious competition in the market. While most people consider Samsung as a direct rival, Apple loyalists beg to differ.
Design:
Both the iPhone 5S and Galaxy Alpha are rectangular shaped while the sole difference lay in the Alpha’s polished aluminum exterior casing as the rest of the smartphone is composed out of Samsung’s familiar plastic. Apple holds the bragging rights here as the iPhone 5S is composed solely out of aluminum, making it sturdier than its rivals.
While the iPhone measures 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, the Galaxy Alpha measures 132.4 x 65.6 x 6.7 mm. While the iPhone weighs 112 gram, the Galaxy Alpha weighs 115. While the Galaxy Alpha sports a removable battery, the iPhone lacks the ability.
Display:
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha boasts of a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED 720p display while the iPhone 5S offers a 4-inch IPS LCD panel sporting 640p resolution. The Alpha’s higher pixel resolution does not imply better display quality due to pixel density. While the Galaxy Alpha’s 4.7-inch display packs in 312ppi, Apple offers 326ppi.
Both devices are quite evenly matched ion terms of resolution and pixel density on paper. However, we have not been able to conduct a hand-on test of the Alpha. Hence, the result is inconclusive.
Hardware:
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is powered by an Octa-Core Exynos 5 1.85 GHz processor alongside 2 GB of RAM. The Apple iPhone 5S, on the other hand, is powered by a Dual-Core 1.3 GHz processor along with a 1 GB RAM. Hence, in terms of performance, the Galaxy Alpha should be the clear winner, at least on paper.
Thanks to Apple’s tailor-made OS, the iPhone 5S is one of the quickest devices on the planet, known for butter-smooth operation. Despite the numerous feats achieved by Android, Apple’s iOS still beats it hands down. However, the Android OS used in the Galaxy Alpha is highly capable.
Camera:
The Apple iPhone 5S packs in one of the most popular cameras around the globe and there are quite a few reasons highlighting its superiority. The primary 8 MP camera is accompanied by a dual-tone LED, sapphire lens and digital image stabilization.
The Galaxy Alpha, on the other hand, is powered by a 12 MP primary camera with a single LED flash. It sports a 2.1 MP secondary camera, which is a huge leap over Apple’s 1.2MP lens.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha poses a serious threat to Apple’s iPhone 5S. However, what the device feels like in real is yet to be seen.