Samsung Galaxy S5 is No Match for Apple iPhone 6: iPhone 6 Features Dwarf Samsung Galaxy S5?
Everyone thought Samsung got a killer smartphone with the release of its new Samsung Galaxy S5. The opposite happened following the company's unpacked event. In fact, on February 27, Apple (APPL) increased by 2% because Samsung fell short in meeting the market's expectations. Analyzing the announced features of Samsung Galaxy S5 against Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 provides a good idea on how Samsung may lose to Apple according to analysts. Did Samsung really set the bar low?
Design and Display
These days users have become very particular about the design of their smartphones. Aside from the functionality, consumers have been focused on looking for a handset with a premium feel. The market expected Samsung to focus more this way as competitors like Apple already have a reputation in this segment. However, most reviews agree that the Samsung Galaxy S5 falls short of the premium appeal.
According to Android and Me, Samsung even went backwards. The Korean tech giant did not explore any innovative design features. The bezels were larger and the company retained the physical buttons. Seeking Alpha claimed that the design philosophy on the Galaxy S5 was below par compared to what Apple and other Android manufacturers like Sony and HTC have been putting. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a perforated" polycarbonate exterior on the back, the front, on the other hand, sports a 5.1-inch display offering 1,920 by 1,080 pixels.
This does not appear to impress as many sources and analysts. Samsung's executives noted that the company wanted to go back to basics and make sure the handset addresses the needs of users.
"With the Galaxy S5, Samsung is going back to basics to focus on delivering the capabilities that matter most to our consumers," JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung, explained.
"Consumers are looking for mobile tools that inspire and support them as they improve their everyday lives. The Galaxy S5 represents an iconic design with essential and useful features to focus on delivering the ultimate smartphone on the market today through people inspired innovation."
Apple's iPhone 6 appear to be gathering as many unfamiliar and new patents as possible. Some of the reported features include sapphire glass display, quantum dot technology and bezel free design. According to Business Insider:
"There's reason to believe that we'll see quantum dots in Apple displays this year."
"Together, the techniques Apple describes would let its screens not only show colours more accurately," says the report, "but also show a wider gamut of colors."
Unlike Samsung Galaxy S5's design it appears that Apple's iPhone 6 will be featuring new functions and design framework that should spark enough interest in the market.
Processor and Performance
According to Engadget, the Samsung Galaxy S5 appeared like a safe bet to Samsung. It seemed that Samsung went on to shop a processor for its next flagship instead of developing its own. Apple spent years on its A7 chip and lately there have been talks about a new A8 processor for release.
According to reports, Samsung made sure to scout the market for the best chipset. The device runs on a highly overclocked version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 chip also known as MSM8974AC or Snapdragon 801. It is only a hair line faster compared to the MSM8974AB Xperia Z2. People can expect excellent battery life and performance but not deep-level integration. The A7 is already a whole new level of chipset from its competitors. In fact, from its release, people have been expecting Samsung to match the 64-bit architecture. Apple wants to go a notch up higher and bring more competition with the new A8.
"This is another sign Apple has been shifting more orders away from Samsung," AFP quoted an anonymous analyst. "But how far Apple may push remains to be seen. It could be up to how many the Samsung-made parts and components could be replaced by those of other suppliers."
Other reported features for the iPhone 6 include: a liquidmetal shell, liquidmetal components, curved screen, sapphire glass and dynamic user interface allowing the device to recognize gesture controls from afar.
People will to wait for Apple's announcement to know the final details.