By 
Launched late last week, the Galaxy S5 has been making the rounds from one reviewer’s desk to another. The Android-powered smartphone has quickly made a name for itself, garnering a mixed reception and leaving some buyers on the fence. Many in the market for a new smartphone will consider the S5 alongside Apple’s latest (albeit now over half a year old), the iPhone 5s. Is either device worth jumping platforms? What’s the better overall buy? We attempt to wade our way through the matter. Read on for the full comparison.
Design and Build
Once similar enough to fuel patent disputes in courts throughout the world, the design and build of the latest Galaxy S is now one of the biggest differences between the device and its Apple counterpart. For starters, Samsung’s handset is larger, as is needed to accommodate the phone’s 5.1-inch display.
The Galaxy S5 measures 5.59″ x 2.85″ x 0.32″ while the iPhone 5s comes in at 4.87” x 2.31” x 0.30”. Given the varying screen sizes, perhaps the most relevant point of comparison is device thickness. If thinner is better, the iPhone wins with a profile 0.02” thinner than the S5.
In terms of device aesthetics and design, both the iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxy S5 are intrinsically linked to the smartphone models that preceded them. For the latest iPhone flagship, Apple chose to change very little about the design first introduced with the iPhone 5. Likewise, while size changes slightly and other aesthetic aspects see some refinement — a dimpled backplate, for instance — the Galaxy S5 is not a drastic departure from the design of the Galaxy S4.
Comparing the two, the iPhone definitely holds a more premium feel, utilizing aircraft grade aluminum and glass to deliver a sleek and clean look. Samsung continues to rely upon a polycarbonate plastic for their Galaxy handset, which tends to give the device a slightly cheaper look and feel than the iPhone. Of course, we can’t talk about design without mentioning the GS5’s IP67 spec, meaning it can be submerged full underwater and continue functioning. It’s an awesome feature, but not enough to give the device the edge in this category.
Verdict: iPhone 5s
Display
Samsung has once again increased the screen size of their Galaxy flagship, moving to a 5.1-inch, 1080p Super AMOLED display. The iPhone 5s is considerably smaller, retaining the 4-inch display of the iPhone 5 with no significant changes, including a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels.
The display of the iPhone 5s, while boasting its “Retina” pixel density of 326 ppi, is still sub-HD. It’s arguable, however, if the lower resolution is much of a downgrade or even noticeable on the smaller display size. The larger display of the Galaxy S5, however, manages to cram about one hundred more pixels per inch, providing a density of 432 ppi.
Samsung’s Super AMOLED displays are known for their rich color saturation and strong contrast. While many users prefer the vibrant display technology, it’s color profile isn’t always true to life. Apple’s Retina display, while slightly more neutral in color and contrast, is seen as providing more realistic image reproduction.
Ultimately, both displays look pretty great, though the iPhone 5s, utilizing a display that hasn’t changed much over two device generations, is starting to show its age in this area. While personal preference will dictate which looks best on a user-by-user basis, few will argue the superiority of Samsung’s display on a technical level.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S5
Processor and Hardware
While Android device manufacturers often cite clock speed and processor core configurations as a main part of device marketing, Apple has taken a slightly different approach, choosing instead to let the device’s performance speak for itself. That is not to say the Cupertino-based company has made no strides in this area with the iPhone 5s. All other elements aside, the most recent Apple flagship can boast one thing the Galaxy S5 cannot: 64-bit processing.
While this is the only tech spec Apple has made a point to mention, device teardowns reveal that the A7 chip found in the iPhone 5s features a dual-core processing suite clocked at 1.3GHz. Samsung’s device features the 32-bit quad-core Snapdragon 801, no slouch by any means at 2.5GHz.
If you continue such a hardware comparison on paper, the Galaxy S5 bests the iPhone 5s in many areas. RAM? 2GB in the S5 compared to the 1GB found in the 5s. Expandable storage via MicroSD? The S5 has it; the iPhone does not. An IP67 certification for resistance to dust and water? That, again, is a Galaxy S5 feature not found in its Apple counterpart. The Galaxy S5 even features a built-in heart rate monitor.
But for all the discrepancies in device configuration, there is an intangible element that keeps the iPhone 5s much closer to the Galaxy S5 in terms of device performance. Whereas Samsung seems content to bog down their powerful handset with a dose of heavy-handed software, the iPhone sees a hardware/software compliment designed from the ground up to work in tandem. The result? The iPhone 5s, in many ways, feels just as fast and responsive as the Galaxy S5, if not more.
And let’s not forget that 64-bit processing. While it is arguable whether or not the desktop-grade architecture is really an advantage at this point in time given the lack of software supporting it (the overwhelming majority of apps and games are designed for 32-bit systems), it does future-proof the iPhone 5s to a degree. Smartphones will inevitably move over to 64-bit as the standard, and when the time comes the iPhone will be ready. The only question is whether or not the iPhone 5s will still be a relevant device when 64-bit reaches critical mass.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S5
Software and Apps
When it comes to the software that runs on the Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5s, we might as well be comparing oranges to, uh, apples. What you get with Samsung’s TouchWiz-infused build of Android KitKat is a far cry from the simplified implementation of iOS 7. And that’s the main difference here: the Galaxy S5 is a device that is crammed full of device-specific software enhancements while the iPhone 5s is not. You get Kids Mode, Private Mode, Download Booster, Ultra Power Saving Mode, advanced multitasking, health monitoring apps, and much more.
We say this with the caveat that, in this case, more isn’t necessarily better. As mentioned briefly above, Samsung’s software at times stymies device performance. When it isn’t mucking things up, it can make for a steep learning curve (especially for newer Android users). While iOS 7 is lacking in many of these bells and whistles, many will find its clean interface accommodating and easy to get the hang of. The S5 is what power users might consider a dream phone, but it won’t be that way for everyone.
As for apps, the gap has closed substantially over the past several years between Android and iOS. The Google Play Store boasts some 700,000 apps while Apple’s App Store holds over 1 million. That is still a significant margin, but rest assured that most major services are available across platforms, and most new apps that launch exclusively in one marketplace or the other have a tendency to find their way to other operating systems (though it might be a few months).
Verdict: Draw
Fingerprint Scanner and Heart Rate Monitor
Though not the first to introduce a fingerprint scanner to a smartphone, Apple’s inclusion of Touch ID on the iPhone 5s no doubt sparked their biggest competitor to mimic the feature in the Galaxy S5. Both implementation allow users to secure their device using a scanner embedded in their respective home buttons. Apple’s version also allows for the authorization of app purchases from the App Store. Samsung takes things a step farther, allowing users to utilize fingerprint authentication for third-party apps like PayPal.
While both methods have shown that they are susceptible to hacking via some rather involved methods (a physical recreation of a fingerprint must be made), Apple’s Touch ID is considered the more secure of the two. Apple implements additional security features such as the need to enter a PIN-type passcode if a device is rebooted, regardless of whether fingerprint authentication is enabled. The Galaxy S5 seems to lack these additional security layers.
This shouldn’t make or break the decision to go with either device, however. Fingerprint authentication is merely an option, and it still needs some refining if it is going to catch on. Not all will opt to use it. Companies like Apple and Samsung have big plans for the future of the technology, however, and it could soon become an integral part of our smartphones. In this regard, Apple has a leg up.
One technology the two handsets do not share is a built-in heart rate monitor. The Galaxy S5 is one of the first smartphones to include this feature, and it works adequately (and has a cool red light to go along with it), but it’s hard to say whether or not this is a must-have feature. A nice bonus, but it doesn’t set the Gs5 apart by much.
Verdict: iPhone 5s
Camera
The iPhone has long been known for housing one of the best cameras to feature in a smartphone, and the iPhone 5s is no exception. Since it launched last September it has continued to be the benchmark for what a smartphone camera should be. It’s still pretty great, but the Galaxy S5 might just do one better.
The hardware spec suggests that the Samsung-made device should have the upper hand. The Galaxy S5 sports a 13MP camera while the iPhone 5s holds steady at 8MP. Both are perfectly adequate in well lit situations both indoors and out, and you’d be hard pressed to spot any major differences. The real separation comes when taking the cameras into less than ideal lighting conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 (above) shines in this area, while the iPhone 5s (below) leaves a little to be desired. The Galaxy manages to capture more light to compensate for dark areas, while the iPhone fails to do its best work in the same conditions. Color representation remains pretty even in all conditions for the Galaxy S5. Colors look muted on photos taken with the iPhone in darker conditions.
As for video, this area was harder to judge. You’d be hard-pressed to identify which camera was doing the shooting without being told. Both do a decent enough job, though colors begin to wash out in brighter conditions regardless of the device used. We give a slight nod to the iPhone for video, but it’s hardly a wide margin.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S5
Battery
Many will be quick to point to the Galaxy S5’s 2800mAh battery as evidence that it is the far superior handset when it comes to battery life, but as with other factors the true judgement can only take place after comparing the two in real-world settings. Yes, the GS5 features a much larger battery. It also features a much more power hungry hardware compliment. That big, bright display and quad-core processor need to get their juice from somewhere, right?
Still, the Galaxy S5 excels in terms of battery, getting at least a day of uptime during standard use. Power users might need to charge a bit more frequently, however. Samsung’s official claims are 21 hours of talk time, 11 hours of video playback, and 10 hours of LTE web browsing.
Likewise, the iPhone 5s also performs adequately and should get most users through a full day of use. Apple promises 10 hours of talk time, 10 hours of LTE web browsing, and 10 hours of video playback.
In our real world tests, we found nothing to disprove either manufacturers claims. In some cases the batteries over performed, in others the battery fell just shy. One place, however, where Samsung holds a clear advantage is the GS5’s Ultra Power Saving Mode. This feature switches the Galaxy S5’s power management system to provide juice to only the essential elements needed to keep the phone running. It strips away greater smartphone functionality, but can add an additional 24 hours of standby time to a battery already drained to 10 percent capacity.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S5
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S5 emerges as a clear victor in many areas of comparison, but the scrappy iPhone 5s held its own in most respects. Let’s recap how the two phones fared in this head-to-head comparison:
- Design: iPhone 5s
- Display: Samsung Galaxy S5
- Hardware: Samsung Galaxy S5
- Software: Draw
- Fingerprint Scanner: iPhone 5s
- Camera: Samsung Galaxy S5
- Battery: Samsung Galaxy S5
Which is the right phone for you?
We can spend all day giving you our opinions on the matter, and we hope they help making an informed decision easier, but ultimately the device you buy comes down to personal preference. Do you favor a big, beautiful display above all things? Go with the Galaxy S5. Is an intuitive interface and access to apps a priority? Then the iPhone 5s is a no brainer.
In our opinion you probably can’t go wrong with either, but we’re interested in hearing what you, our readers, have to say on the matter. Let us know in the poll below!
[polldaddy poll=7977123]
The poll should have a “None of the above” answer.
You win the Internetz today.
Guess u don’t want the best phone out. GS5
I swear you always post about how good Samsung is. Just stop.
Never!!! Lol
Drink bleach.
You’re incredibly uneducated.
Lol. I’m uneducated cause I like samsung. Lol. Never heard that before. Royce do u not think that Samsung make the best phones? What phone better then s5 and note 3? I wanna hear this
No, you are not uneducated because you like Samsung, you are uneducated because you have terrible grammar and use letters for words.
Just your second to last sentence alone is an all out assault on the English language, here is what it should read, “What phone is better than the S5 or Note 3?” See the difference?
Lol. Bet. I didn’t know this was English class. I thought I was threw with English when I graduated from college. Hold on let me proofread. Lol.
Where exactly did you throw English when you left college? All jokes aside though I would pick the G2 over both those phones still.
That’s a bold statement. Only thing I don’t like about the lg2 is no expandable memory and non removable battery. Besides that Great phone. It would probably be in my top 5
While this is not an english class, it’s still annoying for the most of us to read comment that look like they were typed by a 12 year old
Let me solve your problem Dan. Every time you see my comment do not read it. Since my education is not on your level. Is well enough English for you!!! Lol
well you were missing some commas and you should of finished off with something along the lines of ‘Is my English well enough for you?’.
Mind you, English is not my first language. It does not seem to be for you either.
shamesung …
Who do you think has the best phone out right now
None
They’re all suck. Sony, Shamesung, HTC, LG, Apple, Nokia, Motorola, Google are ALL SUCK!
ASSple and SHITsung are the worst imho thought :P.
Nice to see that the two arguable things, screen and camera, are given to the S5. It’s nice to see that the S series is starting to give some real competition to the Apple fans out there thinking that they are not just buying an iPhone, but the “best phone out there”
Nice article Kevin *thumbs up*
I played with the 5s and the S5 side by side. The iPhone felt slow, small and boring compared to the S5. It didn’t even wow me with it’s premium build.
That was the most reluctant endorsement of the S5 vs the iPhone that I’ve ever read lol
I had a Galaxy S4 on Verizon, but upgraded to an S5 when I switched to T-Mobile. I thought that S4 was a rock solid phone. Fast, stable, and ready to go out-of-the-box. It was my first Android phone that I didn’t even both to root because I didn’t need to overclock or add any rooted apps. After a couple of days, I have found that the S5 is truly “next generation”. Improves upon all the features and specs of the S4 without varying much. That is fine with me. I was switching anyway, but if you are happy with your S4, you could probably save yourself the money, you’ll barely be able to tell the difference.
By the way, I use Cover and Nova Launcher, so I don’t see much of TouchWiz.
When discussing the fingerprint sensor: The Galaxy S5 is FIDO compliant, Touch ID is not. Look for FIDO compliance to lead to easier integration for developers and apps as well as the ability to utilize additional biometrics in the future and not just fingerprints. Also everyone says you need two hands to swipe and unlock on the S5. This is not true as whatever way you swipe to set up is the way it verifies your print. Swipe your thumb sideways on setup and one-handed unlock is good to go. Moving your finger slightly as you train it so that a more complete print is analyzed will also help the accuracy of unlocking. Don’t forget people who dislike the standard saturation of the display have additional modes they can switch to and get the right look for their preferences or for specific situations like video viewing.
*waves hand* This is not the comparison you are looking for… (waiting for a HTC One M8 vs. Galaxy S5 showdown)
Gs5 killing thst phone too lol
Dude shut the hell up about Samsung.
Ok again:
“Silicone” = fake boobs
“Silicon” = microprocessors
Mmm … Microprocessors
DD microprocessors?
You mean a phone made in 2013 isn’t as good as a 2014 one?
Previously the gap has been much greater
‘The Galaxy S5 sports a 13MP camera’, now this is a serious error/typo considering you reviewed the device, 16 it is !!
No need to compare. The S5 is way better than any iPhone lol.
HTC One M8 should be an option whether or not it’s included in this review…
JK. ;)
A bunch of things unmentioned in this review that I would have liked to have seen. What about screen brightness, legibility comparisons in sunlight? Reading experiences in low-light?
If someone wanted to have a water-resistant iphone, what are their options? How much would they spend?
How does voice-quality stack up on the phones? Does anyone even test this any more? What about music playback? With my GS4, it didn’t play as loudly as I wanted, I adjusted this but it was doing all kinds of root tricks.
The GS5 has 4K video options, that wasn’t mentioned. I’m not sure how much good that does anyone, since very few people have 4K screens but perhaps it works better with post-processing the video even if you later downsize to 1080p. Unfortunately I wouldn’t know. Anyway, if video at 1080p was a draw, you think the capability for 4k would push Samsung over the edge.
The photography test was could have been done a bit better by the way. I’m not seeing the low light comparison shots. Also, it isn’t merely the quality of the shot, but how fast it autofocuses. GS5 claims it has a huge edge here and on paper it does (phase-detection + contrast detection) but I wanna know how much. And what about the camera interfaces?
I can tell you voice quality is not great. used in the same environment with my LG Flex, the S5 sounds inferior
It’s always your preference when it comes to phones. That’s why when people ask me about phones, I don’t say “Get the M8” only because I have it.
I always ask them “What do you want in a phone besides talking and texting.”
When people say play games, I recommend the M8, when they say watch movies, I recommend the LG G Flex.
It’s the little things that make you like your phone.
Great review.
Someone really hit me on head to convince that Galaxy S5 is way better than Galaxy S4 or even close to HTC One M8. Unless you are gadget freak and moron, there is nothing Wov in Galaxy S5. I tested it. I would either buy HTC M8 or Sony Z2 or truly wait for Iphone 6 which is not too far in distance for it’s availability.
With android phones, we all know that android updaes are far and few if ever comes to your model phone. Than most annoying thing is the load of bloatware/crapware from your cell carrier that you have to live with. To escape such pain, even if you install custom ROMs from XDA than you sure pick up extra customization and features but mostly unstable that your phone functionality crashes every so often.
If you want to use smartphone for it’s intended purpose for enriching your daily life/need than IOS 8 based large screen iphone 6 is the best option. If you still want to stick to android than HTC M8 is the way to go.
S5 really is that much better than anything else listed. Nothing else brings removable battery, expandable storage, water resistance, NFC, Wireless Charging, and USB 3.0 under one roof. The only other phone out there that only misses one of those points is the Note 3. Also of note is the insanely good camera and the best screen tech ever on a mobile device. Android updates are NOT few and far between with Samsung flagships, as the Note 2 (a two year old phone) already has the 4.4 update, and the SGS3 (over two years old) is in soak tests for it. There is room for improvement, but the SGS5 is clearly the best phone ever invented to date.
I’m waiting for the following for the SGS6: Dual LED flash, bigger camera sensor (physical size, not MP’s). That’s about all I can think of to improve this phone at this point in time.
Lol, you just don’t put any value into the differences between the platforms huh? There is a huge difference in how you can use the both. Im amazed on how people can just switch platforms like that. For me, IOS is just not good enough. Even if the iPhone 6 would be a monster of a phone, ios would still not cut it. Doesn’t really matter so to speak.
Hear hear. Ios is for consumption. Android is for both consumption and productivity.
imo Software should of been given to iPhone. The Appstore has a lot more quality apps (having been on both sides of the fence, I know) and the OS is not packed full of crap like Touchwiz.
Hey Dan overall do you think iphone 5s is better than GS5?
I thought I wasn’t supposed to read your comments anymore.
I did not say iPhone is better than the GS5. It all comes down to what the user wants. I think both android and iOS have their strengths. As mentionned, imo, the apps are one of the strengths of iOS. The way things are now, I prefer iOS, but that’s just me and MY needs.
“The way things are now, I prefer iOS, but that’s just me and MY loyalties.” Fixed it for you, at least call a spade a spade.
Loyalties is overly dramatic. I’m not a fanboy. I had iOS for a while, went to android to try it out, got bored and went back to iOS to play around with iOS 7 and jailbreak features (and some apps I could not get on android). I may eventually go back to android. So I stand by what I said, it comes down the user’s needs/wants.
Appstore is not specific to the 5s..
I agree, but the review says:
As for apps, the gap has closed substantially over the past several years between Android and iOS. The Google Play Store boasts some 700,000 apps while Apple’s App Store holds over 1 million.
They brought it up :) imo, taking that into account, shouldn’t of been a draw.
On the other hand iOS is so notoriously restrictive, even if they try to loosen up a little in iOS 7. I would say that it should have been given to S5, given the number of innovation and features on the phone.
:P it was not the alleged similarity but Old Stevie’s oversized ego and megalomaniacally inflated opinion of himself that causes the lawsuit world wide.
It’s kinda weird to see a comparison from a phandriod site, it’s like seeing a NintendoLife website to doing a comparision between a Wii U Vs PlayStation 4 and/or XboxOne … lol
It’s written by the iSource writer, go figure.
Android blogs do it, and android fanboys bash Apple. Apple blogs do it, and apple fanboys bash android. It’s click bait. To each his own.
Exactly! They’re all want views and attention like a whore, I’m tired of this technology war already … This is one of the reason why I hate Fanboys :P.
Doesn’t really matter ….
Kevin is an Apple fanboy who should not be allowed to post on phandroid.
What a joke giving the software a draw. Apps crashes 300% as often on the iphone. The iOS has almost half as many functions and settings. IOS has less apps and the os has almost stayed the same for six years and still no widgets. The S5 has a new optional home screen with my magazine- iphone 5 has nothing new in this department then a new awkward way of starting a search.
Yes, but it’s Apple “oooooh”
I’ll try to ignore the fact that you said 300% because your argument went right through the window right there… But mind if I ask what apps crash? I’ve had an iPad for a while now, and just recently got a iPhone 5S and have yet to get any crashes. Also about App store having less apps, that is blatantly wrong. I do admit the OS is a bit stale compared to android (although iOS 7 is better), it’s easily fixed with jailbreak.
I will clarify for you Dan. KitKat (S5) has a crash rate of 0.7. The worst Android system, Gingerbread, had a 1.7 crash rate. Apple’s iOS 7 has a crash rate of 1.6, just slightly above the worst Android operating system. As you can see, iOS is not nearly as stable as KitKat. Apple has made strides though, iOS 6 had a crash rate of 2.5. Being a former iPhone user, I would think that rate would be higher. Saw a lot of app crashes with my iPhone.
I must be lucky, so far the only crashes I’ve had were due to jailbreak tweaks.
You know Dan, I loved my iPhone and it wasn’t like it was crashing daily, but it did give me some frustration. For work, I needed my phone to be easier to type on, it needed to be easier to see, I needed more multitasking features, I needed the battery to be stronger, and I needed to be able to replace the battery if needed. All these things made me switch to a Galaxy S4 and now S5. Since my switch, I have been amazed by the improvement. iOS always seemed awkward to me and using my wife’s 5S, I haven’t seen enough to be that impressed with iOS 7.1. Android seems to have a better idea of what any user can experience vs Apple who seems to keep things a little to basic for me. Both systems are great though. Although, I have never ever experienced my apps crashing on Android and experienced quite a few on iOS 6.
Yup that’s it. Ios would be for those who just like to be taught on how to use a phone and Android is for those who already knew this and want more out of it. Very simplified.
I customize my phone for my use not what apple wants.
I respect that. I agree and I do like both systems. It comes down to the user.
I have a 5c, a Note 3, nexus 7 and an ipad. Apps crash on all of these. But i do notice that safari is the most problematic. The browser is extremely important so it crashing really frustrates me. I now use Chrome on all devices. Seamless. Log in and get all bookmarks no matter what device and it never crashes.
You have to jail break a phone to get more out of it? So Apple has not gotten it right? That says it all.
imo iOS 7 has a lot of the features I’m looking for without jailbreak. Of course, a lot of fun stuff can be added with the jailbreak.
When it comes to android, you need root and unlocked bootloader to do specific things as well. Although I agree android is more open from the start.
Pretty similar situation wouldn’t you say?
anyway, not bashing one or the other, both have their strengths imo
Basically if you want to flash ROMs you need to unlock your boot loader, but these days most people don’t need to anymore android has gotten to that point now.
That’s usually the Apple fanboy comeback…. I can jailbreak my iPhone so its a little better
I have the S5 as well as an LG Flex. I truly like many things about the S5, especially the display. But this thing lags terrible. Opening the camera app takes forever. The stock gallery is the same, but I use Quickpic, so I don’t really care about that. Everything done on instagram is slower compared to the Flex. I know everone will scream touchwiz, but the Note 3 didn’t lag.I’ll probably return it and go back to a G2
I have both a Note 3 and iPhone 5s and I wouldn’t give either one of them up for the S5.
I also had an S4 when it first came out but that lasted all of a month. It was a laggy POS and I traded it for an iPhone 5 which is now with my daughter. I guess you scan see where I’m going with this. The Note series is a fine piece of kit but the S series is not.
Really! is this the best we got let’s compare every new phone to the outdated iPhone 5s , there really is no comparison, there was once a time yes any of your top new android phones pretty much crushes the Iturd , except for mindless followers apple definitely has that!
After the s4 i am put off a little with the s5 i do however still use a note 3 for work purposes and a iphone 5s for personal and i really like both.
According to above verdict and according to me, Galaxy S5
is the clear winner in all specs whether consider its display, hardware, camera
and above all its 2800mAh battery. My Galaxy S5 is which now almost a week old
for me is the best phone I have ever had till date. I even look to purchase its
flip case in order to make it compatible with wireless charger .
i just miss imessage we cant text full resolution pics with MMS like imessage…any fix or apps for that? let me know
Does any phone manufacturer have 1 model that outsells the current iPhone model?
Gee, I hope not, iPhone makes Android get better and better. Can’t be no yin without no yang.
Kevin Krouse please get off phandroid.
LG G2 is the secret winner of this battle.