97 replies to this topic 6 votes

[+imachip]

To me, there really is only one difference between the S3 and the iPhone 5, and that really comes down to iOS vs Android. The Android platform of course has more variety over the screen size and aesthetics.

The hardware differences between them are negligible in flagship devices.

The upside of the Android OS is the freedom that application developers have to use the full range of features, just as a desktop device has plus Google Maps. The upside of iOS is that it's simpler, more polished and applications tend to be cleaner around the UI. You trade complexity for ease of use (for the average user I would still recommend an iOS device over Android).

I wouldn't get hung up over the technical details and focus more on what you need it for and are you bothered about the above.

For reference, I have just purchased an S3 btw. (from an iPhone 3GS).

[@Leo]

Astra.Xtreme, on 10 December 2012 - 17:46, said:

I have an S3 sitting on my desk at home and the screen is pixilated and slightly over-saturated. It's big and bright, but the quality is nowhere near that of the iPhone. Personally what I care about most on a phone is the build quality and the screen quality. The Galaxy phones are simply not good in both those departments. I was extremely impressed with how smooth Android ran on the S3, but I couldn't look past the physical shortcomings.

If anyone wants to boast a good Android screen, it should obviously be HTC One X. Other than that, Android devices are mostly pentile, over-saturated, wink to the idiot masses who have no idea what color accuracy is and think "poppy" colors are cool.

[Shadrack]

Meh, this whole argument is so stale right now it isn't really worth having. These are devices that we email, text, phone call, surf the web and run some apps on. They all have that functionality. Do we really need to belittle each other of which phone has the best email client or what have you?

Any platform is going to have its strengths and weaknesses. Everyone can argue until they are blue in the face about which platform they like more and why. So long as folks realize that just because someone made a different choice doesn't make them stupid or unable to handle complexity.

[TheLegendOfMart]

@Leo, on 10 December 2012 - 17:53, said:

If anyone wants to boast a good Android screen, it should obviously be HTC One X. Other than that, Android devices are mostly pentile, over-saturated, wink to the idiot masses who have no idea what color accuracy is and think "poppy" colors are cool.

Yeah because you really need a professional IPS 99% colour reproduction screen on your freaking phone.

[@Leo]

I didn't need a color screen either in 1998. Guess what, I have a color screen now.

[TheLegendOfMart]

My point was that you are unlikely to be doing any professional photo editing or graphic design that would necessitate a screen other than S-LCD or Super AMOLED, thus keeping the cost down, it has nothing to do with "idiots" who buy it just for the popping colours.

[Luis Mazza]

@Leo, on 10 December 2012 - 17:53, said:

If anyone wants to boast a good Android screen, it should obviously be HTC One X. Other than that, Android devices are mostly pentile, over-saturated, wink to the idiot masses who have no idea what color accuracy is and think "poppy" colors are cool.

Did you know that you can choose between four profiles that decrease saturation? Did you know that to really see any pentile difference you have to be told to look for it? Did you also know that only idiots are strictly tied to specs?

Also, I love poppy colors on my phone, but not on my monitor to work with footage and effects (I'm a professional).

[zeta_immersion]

wife has iPhone and I got the android ... always getting confused when using the iPhone. the os is more polished (kindof) but to me navigating the OS is very hard - fiding settings are in odd places under alot of menus - again it could be just me

ideally each mobile OS is going to be loved by some and hated by others that is why these options have been created to the masses (oh and the BBos - not sure about that one)

[@Leo]

TheLegendOfMart, on 10 December 2012 - 18:05, said:

My point was that you are unlikely to be doing any professional photo editing or graphic design that would necessitate a screen other than S-LCD or Super AMOLED, thus keeping the cost down, it has nothing to do with "idiots" who buy it just for the popping colours.

Has nothing to do with professional photo editing. Looking at photos is enough of a reason to demand more quality of the screens. Not like they can't make them if the wanted. If HTC can, and LG can, and Apple through Samsun can make good panels, everyone can.

Luis Mazza, on 10 December 2012 - 18:07, said:

Did you know that you can choose between four profiles that decrease saturation? Did you know that to really see any pentile difference you have to be told to look for it? Did you also know that only idiots are strictly tied to specs?

Also, I love poppy colors on my phone, but not on my monitor to work with footage and effects (I'm a professional).

Nothing to do with "profiles". This is how the hardware panel was calibrated. Using these "profiles" makes quality even worse.

[Luis Mazza]

@Leo, on 10 December 2012 - 18:18, said:

Has nothing to do with professional photo editing. Looking at photos is enough of a reason to demand more quality of the screens. Not like they can't make them if the wanted. If HTC can, and LG can, and Apple through Samsun can make good panels, everyone can.


Nothing to do with "profiles". This is how the hardware panel was calibrated. Using these "profiles" makes quality even worse.

Tell that to consumers...

[Shadrack]

zeta_immersion, on 10 December 2012 - 18:11, said:

wife has iPhone and I got the android ... always getting confused when using the iPhone. the os is more polished (kindof) but to me navigating the OS is very hard - fiding settings are in odd places under alot of menus - again it could be just me

ideally each mobile OS is going to be loved by some and hated by others that is why these options have been created to the masses (oh and the BBos - not sure about that one)

It is just whatever you are use to. I was new to Android, and found most things that I was looking for easy to find. The exception being that dang vibrate key tap effect being under Languages or something...I found that kind of odd but there were other keyboard settings there so whatever.

For iOS, I would have to agree. I think the "where do I find settings for this app" question is tricky because sometimes it is in "Settings" in the app list and other times it is actually inside the app itself. Sometimes it is in both places and sometimes there will be some settings inside the app and other settings outside the app. I think it makes the most sense to have any app settings inside the app.

Settings should have a place for app permissions which is an area I think iOS and Android could be improved on. There should be system level settings to control the permission of an app to do just about anything on your mobile device: access contact or calendar data, use cellular data for the app, location data, filesystem access, etc. Apps should not have any access to things outside of what the user wants to give them access to.

[Scorbing]

Astra.Xtreme, on 10 December 2012 - 17:46, said:

I have an S3 sitting on my desk at home and the screen is pixilated and slightly over-saturated. It's big and bright, but the quality is nowhere near that of the iPhone. Personally what I care about most on a phone is the build quality and the screen quality. The Galaxy phones are simply not good in both those departments. I was extremely impressed with how smooth Android ran on the S3, but I couldn't look past the physical shortcomings.

You must have a bad screen. My GF has an S3 and I have the Note 2 and I don't see pixelation or over-saturation of an kind on them. This whole "iPhone has a better screen then the Samsung phones" thing is very simple:

Not everyone sees things the same way. What may be beautiful to me, might be ugly to you and vice versa. No human being can see colors the exact same way as others. We all see colors and light differently. You find the iPhone screen better looking? Then good for you. You like the way it looks. It makes you happy...Good.

I like the Samsung screen. I find it bright, colorful and fine. My eyes are happy with it. You are happy with your Retina display and I am happy with my Super AMOLED+ screen. It's all about preference and how your eyes sees things.

End of story.

[@Leo]

Luis Mazza, on 10 December 2012 - 18:20, said:

Tell that to consumers...

By posting here, what do you think I am doing? Also, f`ck if I care what Hurrdurr Joe thinks? Popularity means zero when assessing quality.

[TheLegendOfMart]

@Leo, on 10 December 2012 - 18:18, said:

Has nothing to do with professional photo editing. Looking at photos is enough of a reason to demand more quality of the screens. Not like they can't make them if the wanted. If HTC can, and LG can, and Apple through Samsun can make good panels, everyone can.

Which brings me back to, why?

You aren't going to notice much difference on a 4" screen unless you have a better quality phone side by side. Phone cameras are pretty mediocre so why people are using mobile phones as a primary means to look at high quality images I do not know.

I'd rather have a cheaper phone with a good screen than an expensive phone with a great one.

[Shadrack]

Luis Mazza, on 10 December 2012 - 18:20, said:

Tell that to consumers...

People decide what they like and what they will live with (generally) before they purchase the phone. I bet that the vast majority of people don't really care what the color quality is on their display. Those that do will shop for what they want, and there is nothing wrong with that. But I don't think any OEM is trying to trick users into buying a crappy product. It may be overpriced...however...