Why I would want a Samsung Gaxaly S3 over my iPhone 5

With all the attack ads and comparisons between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III, I have tried to sift through the sea of information and propaganda to find the 'truth.' Don't get me wrong, I am committed to my iPhone 5 for the next two years of my life. That's a big commitment (and guys don't like commitment) and it would leave anyone with some doubts.  Here, I have listed what features would draw me to the Samsung Galaxy S III if I was completely obnoxious. I have also listed why I am keeping my iPhone 5 (other than the money thing).  Finally I listed what features of the S III are just stupid....to make me feel better about my decision.


Why I would switch to the Galaxy S III

1. Screen Size

• When I first laid my eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Note in Best Buy, I immediately screamed "SEXY." After I was released from prison for public disturbance (jk), I went back and looked at the device again.  I never knew a world of smartphones with huge screens existed and I was sorely tempted to jump on the bandwagon. I held out because I heard the iPhone 5 would have a bigger screen and I'm glad I did, but part of me wanted it BIGGER....like 4.8 inches.

• Then I saw this Apple commercial and my crazy, lusty desires were subsided.
• From reviews I've seen of the Galaxy S III, you're thumb can't reach all parts of the screen when held in one hand (even with my 'bear paws for hands'). You would be surprised how often that would be a problem.
• While I am still very much a fan of bigger screens, remembering this commercial allows me reign in my emotions and be happy with my iPhone 5....for now.

    2.  Android Software (widgets and maps)

• I have not had prolonged interactions with the Android operating system. I am afraid if I do, I will fall in love and cheat on my iPhone.  Two things about the software which are particularly attractive are the customization of widgets and, with the Apple Maps debacle, Android maps.  I really like the notification center in iOS, but the only 'widgets' are weather and stocks. It would be nice to have more multitasking power and integration between apps.  iOS has almost caught up, but not quite. There is Facebook and Twitter integration but what I really want is to be able to open documents from one application in the web browser. That way, while I apply for jobs I'm over-qualified or under-qualified to take, I can use my iPad to upload my resume and cover letter right to the website without having to use my 5 year old Dell computer!  

• You can do this with photos now, supposedly, but I want it WITH EVERYTHING!
• I don't really care about Flash support anymore, surprisingly. Most websites have coded for HTML and if they don't, like Fox.com or Hulu, I found a pretty good web browser for $5 that has Flash support on my iPad. It's called 'Photon' and it's not bad, but the quality isn't Retinal Display either.  Maybe there's an app I can purchase to upload documents too, but it really should be part of the software. 
• Finally, maps. I have not personally had any issues with Apple Maps, except for one time when the Location Services was totally wrong.  I haven't used it for driving yet, so maybe I will find problems down the road (ha ha, maps joke). For now, I will use a combination of Apple Maps, Bing and this 'Waze' app thingy to get driving, walking and most importantly MASS TRANSIT directions.  But I shouldn't have to. I want Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation! :-(

  3.  Photo from Video and Burst Shot

• These are two features of the Galaxy S III that really appeal to me. Many of the other features are stupid or unimportant. Being able to take photos while recording video is really useful and cool, as is shooting 8 pictures rapid fire.  This could definitely be in iOS, but it's not. Maybe Apple is afraid to start copying Android, maybe it wants to just be different, maybe Apples wants us to keeping buying their products hoping the next iPhone will have everything..I don't know. 

Why I'm staying with my iPhone 5

1. Familiarity, Comfort Level, and Integration

• I know Android allows for more customization, but other than some extra widgets, I am perfectly fine and pleased by iOS and I really understand the software. Change is generally scary and I don't have any real need to change away from something that works very well. It's not perfect, but I'm sure there are aspects about Android that would make me want Apple again. To prevent this wavering, I am standing firm with Apple.
• Also, I really like the integration of Apple devices with iCloud. Being able to take photos on my iPhone and see them on my iPad is wonderful...if only videos could be shared the same way (sigh). If I ever get a Macbook Air (who am I kidding, as soon as I get a job that's the first thing I'm buying) the power of iCloud will be fully realized. 
2.  Design, Feel and Sexiness 

• These are actually important factors for me in choosing devices. The iPhone 5 is the slimmest, sleekest, and sexiest iPhone ever and maybe the sexiest phone ever. It feels really good in my hand (no joke intended) and looks like a 'jewel,' as Apple so eloquently described it during the Keynote. 
• The Galaxy S III looks really nice and fits well in the hand, but the plastic back cover is a deal breaker for me. The aluminum backing of the iPhone 5 is SO much nicer and more scratch resistant. 
3. iMessage
• This may be the most important reason why I am remaining an Apple follower. All my friends have iPhones, so we all can text each other using iMessage completely for free no matter what carrier we each have. We can even text to each other's Macbooks and iPads. That's a big deal. For my few friends who do not have iPhones, I found a great free texting application called 'Pinger' which gives me a special texting phone number. I still pay 5 bucks a month for texts just in case people contact my actual phone number from a non-iPhone device, but it's a lot cheaper than $20 a month for unlimited texts. 

What's just plain stupid about the Galaxy S III

~The laundry list of features displayed on this poster shows several features which are unnecessary and have no effect on my like or dislike of the smart phone. They include:

1. NFC
2. Smart Alert
3. Direct Call
4. Tilt to zoom
5. Shake to Update
6. Palm Swipe Capture
7. Group Cast
8. Picture in Picture

I don't even know what some of the other software features are supposed to be. I also don't like how Samsung deliberately did not list ANY iOS features in this poster.  

****Why should I buy from a company who is afraid to compare their features against a competitor openly? Does no one believe customers are smart enough to make their own objective decisions?  

Other that than shameless poster, I have learned through many YouTube videos that S Voice is slow and fat and ugly compared to Siri, and Siri isn't stupendous by any stretch of the imagination.  

You can make the argument that some of the questions he asked were formatted specifically for Siri, but there were other questions where S Voice was very slow to respond. 

Also, who cares about tapping together smart phones to share pictures when no one else in the USA has the Galaxy S III?  This is a feature that was kinda available with the 'Bump' app for iPhone, but it required you to go into the app, whereas the S III boasts you can take a picture and share it immediately me tapping two phones together. I admit it's a really cool feature, but until multiple types of phones have the same functionality, it's not very useful.

Ok, I'm done ranting and raving for the day. And you know what? I feel a lot better about my decision to purchase the iPhone 5 after writing this article.  Sure I might fantasize about the S III or the Note II once in a while, but after holding my iPhone for a few seconds, I'll always know I made the right choice.