Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Apple iPhone 5 Specs Compared

When it comes to technology, and especially to smartphones, there always seem to be the latest-and-greatest device out on the market. Two favorite series among consumers have proven to be Samsung's Galaxy S series, as well as Apple's iPhone.

In April, Samsung released the latest iteration of the Galaxy S, the Galaxy S4. Although it feels like yesterday the Galaxy S III was released, it seems unavoidable to stack the two consumer-favorites against one another.

ManufacturerSamsungApple
ModelGalaxy S4iPhone 5
Dimensions5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 inches
Weight4.6 oz3.95 oz
Operating SystemAndroid 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean"iOS 6.1.4
Total Integrated Storage16, 32, or 64 GB16, 32, or 64 GB
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad-CoreApple A6
Processor Speed1.9 GHz1 GHz
Screen Size5 inches4 inches
Screen Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels1136 x 640 pixels
Screen TypeFull HD Super AMOLEDRetina
Screen Pixels Per Inch441 ppi326 ppi
Camera Resolution13 MP Rear; 2 MP Front-facing8 MP Rear; 1.2 MP Front-facing
Video Camera Resolution1080p both cameras1080p Rear; 720p Front-facing
802.11x/Band(s)802.11 b/g/n/ac802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth Version4.04.0
GPSYesYes
NFCYesNot available
microSD SlotUp to 64 GB microSD cardNot available
Battery Life (as claimed by manufacturer)Undisclosed, but in user tests 13 hours talk time8 hours talk time

Looking at the specs alone, it is easy to see that the Galaxy S4 is the more recent, as well as the more developed device. In fact, the iPhone 5 does not even come close in the feature department. It lacks NFC, HD display, quad-core processor, removable battery, expandable storage, etc.

However, when it comes to functionality, the two different operating systems Android and iOS, along with their respective ecosystems, are very different animals. Both are easy to use, but the iOS offers a more streamlined what-you-see-is-what-you-get experience, while the Android can become as simple or advanced as you wish it to be through almost endless customization capabilities.

In the end, it really comes down to personal chemistry, and how well the device taps into your own workflow or entertainment preferences. Some people can truly appreciate the iPhone's well-packaged functionality over the Android's sometimes overwhelming flexibility. On the other hand, that flexibility can result in incredible functionality in the hand of the right Galaxy S4 owner