Battle of the super phones: iPhone 4S vs Samsung Galaxy S II

by Chris Jager , Sophie Charara | Friday 7 October 2011

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iPhone 4S HD video

Camera

Galaxy S II: The 8MP shooter on the S II is so good it really puts the pressure on the camera market as a whole. With built in features like panoramic picture tethering and 1080p 30fps video this really is the cream of the Android crop.

iPhone 4S: And now the iPhone 4S can bump the iPhone 4 off the iOS topspot with identical specs to the Galaxy S II. 8MP? Check. 1080p video at 30fps? Yes, sir. Plus you can now crop and rotate your images inside Photos – and prettify your pictures with one of the tons of photo apps and filters available on the App Store.

Winner: Draw

iPhone 4S iOS 5

OS

Galaxy S II: The excellent Android 2.3.3 with TouchWiz 4.0 makes access to everything simple and personalized. The pull-down options are convenient with smooth transitions. The addition of Swipe also makes typing a breeze; whether you're creating a text message, word document or email.

iPhone 4S: If you've got a house full of Apple products, you'll like the new Mirroring feature in iOS 5 which lets you play your iPhone 4S's 720p video on your Apple TV, via AirPlay tech that's usually reserved for music streaming. There are also pull-down Notifications, Reminders and iMessage integrated into your SMS and Twitter is – unsurpisingly – all over the new OS.

The iPhone 4S's secret weapon is its voice recognition feature, Siri – see how much we loved it in our hands-on review – but there's nothing to stop Android app developers stepping up their voice control game.

Winner: iPhone 4S

Apps

Galaxy S II: The Galaxy S II uses the Android Market, which provides a cornucopia of good, bad and ugly apps. Quality control is a serious issue when it comes to Android apps, but on the plus side there are a lot more freebies than the Apple Store.

Google recently overhauled the Android Market to emphasise featured apps, which makes it easier to find worthwhile purchases. It's still a bit of a lucky dip though, and malware concerns are always lurking in the background. Samsung has also just launched Music Hub in Australia, a music streaming service with access to a whopping three million tracks at launch.

iPhone 4S: Apple might keep a tight (some would say draconian) grip on what Apps are marketed in its App Store, but the tradeoff is better quality control and a higher level of security. With a significant head start on Android, the Apple Store has a wider variety of apps, although the gap is beginning to narrow with every passing month. All things considered, Apple's storefront comes out on top due to its user-friendly interface and better range of apps.

Winner: iPhone 4S

VERDICT

So, we've tiptoed along the fence so far but finally fallen off into Apple's side with the temptation of the superior App Store beckoning – the same reason the iPhone 4 has ruled our top ten since its launch last year. The iPhone 4S hasn't stunned us spec-wise but it has done enough to edge itself ahead of the best of Android – in other words the Galaxy S II.

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amcmo 7 October 2011	I'm a little surprised at the verdict. Sounds to me as though there is so little in it that either would be the phone to own. At the end, just personal preference. Comment made about the PC & Tech Authority article: Battle of the super phones: iPhone 4S vs Samsung Galaxy S II? We pit What do you think? Join the discussion.
rubaiyat 7 October 2011	I got to finally play with a live Galaxy SII in a shop. Why do they make this so difficult? They are quite similar but the iPhone seems to have the edge on visual clarity and smooth operation. The voice dictation/recognition that I got to try on the Android, essentially was a useless gimmick. We'll see what Siri on the iPhone 4s is like and whether it too is just demo-ware.
turbodewd 7 October 2011	For me the Samsung screen size and lighter weight were hands-down huge selling points. The Iphone is prettier...but that just doesnt cut it.
amcmo 7 October 2011	Just threw a couple of items on our postage scales. I would defy most people to know a difference in weight unless you actually were picking them up one after the other and concentrating on the weight. Let's face it we're talking very light on both of them. Screen all down to personal pref. To me it would be apps that make the decision and there I would have to give a slight edge to iPhone. The other to me is battery life, and there the iPhone supposedly has a win (though not covered in this review), though you can always buy another battery with the Samsung and swap over during the day if you're doing a lot of talking.
j876 7 October 2011	You do notice the weight difference straight away. I agree about the screen personal preference but the samsung has much better contrast and the iPhone has a higher pixel density. Case quality goes to the iPhone as the back cover of the Samsung is flimsy. Battery life is debateable, it depends how you use the phones. The iPhone is easier to pull out of your pocket when answering a phone call. The Samsung has the edge on storage (cost per GB) as you can expand the flash up to 48 GB with a 32GB SD card for minimal cost and you can change the battery. Looks arent a big thing for me but it is a high priority to most people. Really it is a personal choice. Both great phones. I would go for the Samsung but they both do the job well. Edited by J876: 7/10/2011 04:27:16 PM Edited by J876: 7/10/2011 04:28:34 PM
ory_zm 7 October 2011	Again with the flimsy back cover?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErXqnQKs-tA It is fine, actually more than fine, I reckon really a case of great engineering. I remove my back cover allot and it is still not showing anything. At the end both are good phones, so I think it comes down to choice of OS/eco system. EDIT: @amcmo I would defy you to NOT know the difference in weight. use either one for a while and then pick the other one up and it becomes very obvious (I most definitely am not thinking of it when I pick up a mate's phone but it always registers in my mind). Whether good or bad is also a personal choice. Edited by ory_zm: 7/10/2011 05:20:02 PM
htcs 7 October 2011	Gee! Another review that doesn't test call quality, range, reception or data transfers.
Rallygreg 7 October 2011	The weight difference is quite noticeable between the phones. As an owner of a GS2 I'm not convinced that the lighter weight is a plus as it doesn't feel quite heavy enough in the hand. On the plus side my hand doesn't get as tired holding it as my iPhone did. All the top end phones are good, it's really a matter of whether you want to join the Apple eco system or not. I've been to the Apple tree and am now happy not to be there.
Rallygreg 7 October 2011	Quote ory_zm "Again with the flimsy back cover?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErXqnQKs-tA It is fine, actually more than fine, I reckon really a case of great engineering. I remove my back cover allot and it is still not showing anything." I agree wholeheartedly - the back cover is flimsy when it is not on the phone, it feels great on the phone and mine has been on and off heaps of times with no problems. Edited by rallygreg: 7/10/2011 06:53:37 PM
rubaiyat 8 October 2011	Since Siri is such a deal on the iPhone 4s, has anyone got personal experience or advice to compare voice dictation and activation on an Android phone?
blockcentre 8 October 2011	rubaiyat wrote: Since Siri is such a deal on the iPhone 4s, has anyone got personal experience or advice to compare voice dictation and activation on an Android phone? My HTC isn't too bad with voice commands. It all depends on how noisy it is around you. If I'm driving with the windows up and air cond on, it does a decent job of making calls. It's a LOT better than the previous incarnations I have used. However it's not something that I would rely on in an emergency. I'd hate to think who I would end up calling in a busy cafe or shopping centre!
ory_zm 10 October 2011	rubaiyat wrote: Since Siri is such a deal on the iPhone 4s, has anyone got personal experience or advice to compare voice dictation and activation on an Android phone? Doesn't work that well for me, but maybe it is because of my accent (not too bad an accent mind you). I find that it works well with stuff like "call" or "message" but other things it completely messes up (like my wife's name "Elise" - I need to practically say it wrong for it to work).
amcmo 11 October 2011	Opinion piece in the US suggesting a decision by Apple to stick with 3.5" as it allows single handed operation. As shown, with the iPhone, you can touch any part of the screen one handed (Google Maps while walking in the US example). Interesting theory. Still think they will go to a 4" screen next year, perhaps edge to edge which would make it easier for for single handed as opposed to normal screen with a border.
ory_zm 11 October 2011	I just tried on my SGS II, and while not that comfortable, I can reach all edges of the screen. I operate my phone one handed 99% of the time, and have never felt restricted by the size. Obviously when looking at the iP4 compared with a SGS II, the size difference isn't that much (because of the maximasation of the screen in the Galaxy) so maybe it's a technological issue. It just spins my mind that Samsung released the Galaxy S a year and a half ago (4" ), LG released 4" phones this year, same with Sony Erricson, HTC etc... and Apple have stuck with their 3.7". I mean for me it was weird a year ago, so it completely did not make sense this year. Edited by ory_zm: 11/10/2011 01:15:56 PM
amcmo 11 October 2011	You must have a longer thumb than the Yank who demonstrated it. (or he was 'staging' the demo to support his story) Android phone mfrs in Oz must be concerned about the impact of the release from observation today at Phone Zone. All staff are in 'Android My Way' tops this week and pushing it for all it's worth. Was only there to pick up a data SIM, but asked about iPhone just for a wind-up. Response was forget about trying to get one, Apple don't ship many in the first weeks, but boy could they do me a deal on a Galaxy 2S.
ory_zm 11 October 2011	amcmo wrote: You must have a longer thumb than the Yank who demonstrated it. (or he was 'staging' the demo to support his story) Android phone mfrs in Oz must be concerned about the impact of the release from observation today at Phone Zone. All staff are in 'Android My Way' tops this week and pushing it for all it's worth. Was only there to pick up a data SIM, but asked about iPhone just for a wind-up. Response was forget about trying to get one, Apple don't ship many in the first weeks, but boy could they do me a deal on a Galaxy 2S. LOL at the Android fighting spirit... (and I betta they would offer you a TERRIFIC deal on the SGS II :lol:) In regards to my thumb, it might be a little long, I wouldn't have a clue, it's the only thumb I've got (well I have the other one, but it's the same ;)) However I should clarify that the way I do it is to have the phone resting on my fingers (not my palm) and then I can stretch my fingers and reach it. It might not be convenient for everyone but has never bothered me. Also I think it is easy because the phone does not weigh much, if it did that might be a different story. How many times do you really need to touch the edge of the screen though? (I'm talking the left corner of the status bar)
amcmo 11 October 2011	I don't know reaching every last bit could be important. I can reach all the screen on my N95, but it doesn't seem to respond to pressing, swiping or any other.... Must be something wrong with it.:lol: