The iPhone 5s is the latest and best phone to roll out of the stables of the Cupertino-based company. The market, however, has a lot of worthy competitors for Apple’s flagship device. This article looks at the top alternatives to the iPhone 5s.
Selling like hot apples
Apple sold an astounding 2,750,000 iPhone 5s devices within 24 hours of its launch.
The 5s is, in Apple’s own words, the most ‘forward thinking’ iPhone of all time. Although not a lot has changed in terms of the outward appearance of the phone when compared to the iPhone 5, the internals couldn’t be more different. Apple’s latest flagship cramps in some of the most powerful hardware available today, into a phone that is just about the same size as its predecessor. The phone also goes one step ahead, and brings back something that has long been forgotten―the fingerprint sensor. Such has been the impact of this move, that almost all other manufacturers suddenly seem to be scrambling back to their drawing boards to release their own version of Apple’s Touch ID. So, does this mean that Apple has once again silenced all its critics, and left the competition to lick their wounds? Not quite.
The iPhone 5s is undoubtedly a beast of a device in the body of a princess, but the competition isn’t far behind. In fact, the competition, at many levels is far ahead of Apple’s baby. Even the phone’s main USP, the fingerprint sensor is not exactly ground breaking, and cannot be termed as a game changer. A lot of devices that run on its rival platform, Android, have quite a few aces up their sleeve, waiting to bite into Apple’s pie. Here’s a look at the iPhone 5s, and how it stacks up against the competition.
The Champion
iPhone 5s
Read more about the iPhone 5s here
- Dimensions: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
- Weight: 112 g
- Chipset: Apple A7
- CPU: Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone
- GPU: PowerVR G6430
- RAM: 1 GB DDR3
- Storage: 16/32/64 GB internal storage
- Screen: 4.0″ LED-backlit IPS LCD (~326 ppi pixel density)
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 8 MP/1.2 MP
- OS: iOS 7
- Battery: 1,560 mAh Li-Po
- Price: 199/299/399 USD (2-year contract)
USPs
- Unique fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
- Apple A7 processor
- Revamped operating system (iOS 7)
- Premium build quality
- Great screen (4″ Retina display)
- Good 8 MP camera
Drawbacks
- Lack of serious applications to use Touch ID
- Extremely expensive
- No expandable storage
- Not available in all markets
- Non-removable battery
The Challengers
Samsung Galaxy S4
- Dimensions: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 130 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600
- CPU: Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300
- GPU: Adreno 320
- RAM: 2 GB DDR3
- Storage:16/32 GB internal storage microSD card expansion
- Screen: 5.0″ Super AMOLED (~441 ppi pixel density)
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 13 MP/2 MP
- OS: Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- Battery: 2,600 mAh Li-ion
- Price: 99/249 USD(2-year contract)
USPs
- Expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64 GB)
- Android OS v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- Great software tweaks (Smart Stay, Air View, Air Gestures)
- User-accessible battery
- Great screen (5″ Super AMOLED display, 441 ppi)
- Compatible with Samsung Galaxy Gear
(Android 4.3 and upwards)
Drawbacks
- All plastic construction
- Poor battery life
- Monotonous design
- Last-gen hardware (Snapdragon 600 chipset Krait 300 CPU)
HTC One
- Dimensions: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 130 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600
- CPU: Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
- GPU: Adreno 320
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 32/64 GB internal storage
- Screen: 4.7″ Super LCD 3 (~468 ppi pixel density)
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 4 MP/2.1 MP
- OS: Android v4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- Battery: 2,300 mAh Li-Po
- Price: 99/299 USD (2-year contract)
Sony Xperia Z1
Read more about the Xperia Z1
- Dimensions: 144 x 74 x 8.5 mm
- Weight: 170 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
- CPU: Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400
- GPU: Adreno 330
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 16 GB internal storage
- Screen: 5″ TFT Triluminos display (~441 ppi pixel density)
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 20.7 MP/2 MP
- OS: Android v4.2 Jelly Bean
- Battery: 3,000 mAh Li-ion
- Price: 670 USD
USPs
- Premium build quality (aluminum unibody)
- Superior audio output (Beats Audio/Boom Sound)
- Great RSS app (BlinkFeed)
- Great camera application (Zoe)
- Sense 5 UI
- Fantastic screen (4.7″ Super LCD 3 display, 468 ppi)
Drawbacks
- Expensive
- Non-expandable memory
- BlinkFeed cannot be disabled (on Sense 5)
- Non-removable battery
- Mediocre battery life
- Last-gen hardware (Snapdragon 600)
- Sub-par camera performance
USPs
- Water and dustproof (IP58 rating)
- Premium look
- 20.7 MP ‘G’ lens camera
- Expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64 GB)
- Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
Drawbacks
- All glass construction
- Rather large and slippery
- Outdated Sony UI
- No OIS for the camera
- Non-removable battery
LG G2
Read more about the LG G2 here
- Dimensions:138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 143 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
- CPU: Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400
- GPU: Adreno 330
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 16/32 GB internal storage
- Screen: 5.2″ IPS + LCD (~424 ppi pixel density)/li>
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 13 MP/2.1 MP
- OS: Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- Battery: 3,000 mAh Li-Po
- Price: 49.99/99.99 USD(2-year contract)
USPs
- Fantastic screen
- Unique hardware key placement
- 13 MP camera with OIS
- Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
- Handy software tweaks (Q Remote, KnockON)
- Sturdy construction
- Great battery life (3,000 mAh)
- Gorgeous screen with very little bezel (5.2″ IPS display, 424 ppi)
Drawbacks
- Button placement takes time to get used to
- Plastic body
- Non-expandable storage
- Non-removable battery
- Clunky UI
Google Nexus 5
Read more about the Google Nexus 5 here
- Dimensions: 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 130 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
- CPU: Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400
- GPU: Adreno 330
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 16/32 GB internal storage
- Screen: 4.95″ IPS display (~445 ppi pixel density)/li>
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 8 MP/1.3 MP
- OS: Android v4.4 KitKat
- Battery: 2,300 mAh Li-Po
- Price: 349/399 USD
USPs
- Vanilla Android (v4.4 KitKat)
- Timely software updates
- Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
- Inbuilt support for Qi wireless charging
Drawbacks
- Poor battery life
- Mediocre camera performance
- All plastic body
- Non-removable battery
- Non-expandable storage
Nokia Lumia 1020
Read more about the Nokia Lumia 1020 here
- Dimensions: 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm
- Weight: 158 g
- Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon
- CPU: Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
- GPU: Adreno 225
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 32 GB internal storage
- Screen: 4.5″ IPS display (~332 ppi pixel density)/li>
- Camera (Primary/Secondary): 41 MP/1.2 MP
- OS: Windows Phone 8
- Battery: 2,000 mAh Li-ion
- Price: 99.99 USD (2-year contract)
USPs
- Fantastic camera (41 MP Carl Zeiss optics)
- Great unibody design
- Great screen (4.5″ AMOLED ClearBlack Display)
Drawbacks
- Non-removable battery
- Non-expandable storage
- Large and chunky
- Poor support for Windows OS
- Poor battery life
HTC launched its own variant of the fingerprint sensor on its One Max, but the device has not been mentioned here as it falls into a completely different segment. Samsung’s popular Galaxy Note 3 and the Oppo N1 too, are great devices, but again, fall into the category of phablets.
HTC One Max
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Each of these phones are extremely capable and can surely give the iPhone 5s a good run for its money. Also, almost all these devices offer a lot more for your money, as opposed to the gloriously over-priced ‘i’ devices. Having said that, I must concede that there is something strangely alluring about an iPhone that draws you towards it, and if you are fond of apples, have a secret treasure hidden away, there’s no phone quite like the iPhone 5s for you. Cheers.
Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are subject to change according to offers and location.
Image Source:
apple.com/pr/products/
samsungmobilepress.com
htc-press.com
presscentre.sony.eu
lgnewsroom.com
google.com/nexus/5/
press.nokia.com
en.oppo.com/press/