Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
What's in store for Samsung Galaxy and iPhone fans with the next generation? We take a look
at all the rumours so far
Samsung and Apple's latest handsets, the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S, have barely been on the
market for five minutes but already we're seeing information leaking thick and fast
about successor models from each phone maker.
If we're totally honest, rumours about the iPhone 6 began a long time ago, in fact even
before the iPhone 5S had launched in 2012 when it still wasn't known whether the expected
release would be dubbed the iPhone 5S or the iPhone 6.
In the absence of an iPhone 6 so far, the iPhone 6 rumours have returned and as always
the bulk of the info comes from supply chain sources in Asia and the somtimes shaky assessments
of industry analysts.
However most analysts we've spoken to seem to agree the iPhone 6's big USP beyond THAT
larger display will be software innovations within iOS that'll make mobile payments a
lot easier. iBeacon, Touch ID, and Passbook are all expected to feature prominently in
this initiative, as are biometrics which could mean more TouchID functionality.
With the Samsung Galaxy S5 as one might expect things are beginning to look mightily impressive:
more power, bigger and better design, a brand new UX and potentially some form of biometric
security. There is a clear distinction to be drawn, however, in terms of how soon we'll
see each successor model the Galaxy S5 is going to be here waaaaaaay before the iPhone
6.
While talk of Apple's iPhone 6 says very little about a launch, and insinuates Apple's usual
September launch will stick in 2014, word on the street for Samsung's Galaxy S5 is that
it could make an appearance as early as Q1 2014. January has been pointed to as one possible
launch date, while February's Mobile World Congress MWC is another possibility.
So, we thought it might be fun to take a look at how the two flagship handsets will compare,
if current rumours prove accurate.
This isn't going to be the usual versus match though, as it isn't possible to make any concrete
conclusions what we're doing is simply having a curious look at how things seem to be progressing
and how the two devices may end up being different or indeed, similar .
So, in anticipation of these devices hitting the market we thought it might be good to
take a look at how they may compare, if the current crop of rumours are close to the truth.
As usual, we need to reiterate that this comparison is entirely based on rumours, internet gossip,
trends and observed manufacturer habits it is not gospel! Things may change before release
or be innacurate and we are doing this to get a working impression of how things could
stack up. This is not intended to be conclusive. It's just a bit of speculative fun
Build and design Initial reports for the Galaxy S5 suggested
it would be the first Samsung smartphone to embrace more premium build materials. Samsung
has long been rumoured to be experimenting with metals and carbon fibre, and the most
prominent whisperings claimed a metal built Galaxy S5.
But, subsequent reports have since alleged that this isn't the case at all. There is
indeed a supplier providing Samsung with metal, but it's not destined for the Galaxy S5's
bodywork, apparently. Instead, sources now suggest we could see
the same faux leather treatment exhibited on the Galaxy Note 3. As with the Galaxy Note
3, it's not going to be to everyone's tastes, but at the same time it's unlikely to put
the vast majority of buyers off either.
Images have surfaced of a metal frame thought to be for the Samsung Galaxy S5.
This doesn't necessarily mean the body panels will be metal, they could still be plastic,
but the surround to which they will be attached does appear to be real metal rather than metallic
effect plastic as we've seen previously.
If the pictures are accurate, it appears to be a similar design to Sony's Xperia Z1, a
metal framework which incorporates a surround and various intersecting bars to add ridigidity
- external panels (in the case of the Xperia Z1, these were made of glass) could then be
attached to this frame. Will this be the end of the removable back panel and battery pack
on Samsung Galaxy flagships?
Hopefully not, plenty of feedback from users suggests this is a big pull for Samsung devices
and if it goes the way of the Dodo you can expect some pretty unhappy customers.
Another key aspect of build rumoured for the Galaxy S5 claims it'll be getting full water
and dust proofing in a similar vein to Sony's recent Xperia flagships and Samsung's own
rugged model, the Galaxy S4 Active.
Recently, rumours have shifted to suggest the Galaxy S5 will sport a significantly overhauled
design. We've seen a Samsung patent for a handset suspected to be the Galaxy Note 4,
but this has been extrapolated into the idea that, seeing as Samsung keeps its designs
consistent across handsets, the Galaxy S5 may also receive the same treatment.
A concept artist has imagined what the Galaxy S5 could look like based on these patent diagrams
and it's a pretty nice looking device which we hope is close to the real deal. Reassuringly,
a Samsung executive has since said the Galaxy S5 will be substantially altered in design
from the Galaxy S4, implying that the company perceived consumers were unhappy at the Galaxy
S4's design echoing the Galaxy S3 too closely. Even at this late stage, there are still as
many rumours saying the Galaxy S5 will use metal in its construction as those that say
plastic, carbon fibre or a range of other materials. It could still go either way.
Repeated rumours surrounding the iPhone 6 claim it will be the largest iPhone yet in
order to accommodate a bigger 4.8 inch or 5 inch full HD 1080p display panel. Just don't
go expecting a phablet sized device as reports indicate we'll see a super thin bezel to ensure
the chassis doesn't get too substantial.
It'll likely be a similar move to what Samsung has done with its recent flagships cramming
a larger display into a body that's much the same size as their predecessors.
There's been no talk of any ruggedised features in the same vein as the Galaxy S5.
However, the most recent snippets of info claim we'll see the thinnest iPhone to date
with a chassis only 6mm thick. It's also said it will be called the iPhone Air as a result
of this slimming and in keeping with the iPad Air rebranding.
To go with said murmurings, pictures have also emerged which are said to be the iPhone
6/iPhone Air's metallic body. Storage
You can pretty much guarantee that the iPhone 6 will share the same basic set of storage
options as every iPhone prior 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. While some people might like the think
the iPhone 6 could enjoy a 128GB version like both new iPads it seems fairly unlikely as
it could add significant bulk to the phone.
While Samsung often makes higher storage variants of its Galaxy S flagship devices we haven't
actually seen one hit UK shores for a while now. Perhaps the company could change its
tune and we might see 32GB and 64GB models made more widely available, but in the meantime,
to avoid disappointment, it's probably safer to assume you'll only get the Galaxy S5 with
16GB, in Blighty at least.
On the plus side, Samsung consistently delivers with microSD capability, so expect a full
64GB capacity when it comes to expandability. If the iPhone 6 comes with microSD support
then start looking out for other signs of the Apocalypse.
Display This is a tricky one.
For the iPhone 6, on the one hand plenty of rumours say a bigger screen is in store, of
the 4.8 inch or 5 inch variety, but at the same time we've seen such suggestions for
a long while. And we all know how that turned out 3.5 inches to 4 inches.
It could turn out exactly the same again, much hype over an expanded screen and then
nothing particularly new. Apple has in the past waxed lyrical over the optimum size and
resolution of its Retina display and it may be past the point of no return by now. Who
can say?
There are some interesting titbits emerging about what Apple might be doing with the iPhone
6 display, however. Most recently Apple filed a couple of patents, one referring to quantum
dot displays which could produce richer and more natural colour. The other points to a
wrap around Sapphire Glass tube design which could make interacting with the iPhone 6 a
360 degree affair.
What about the Galaxy S5?
Samsung actually revealed plenty of details in a recent conference call, in which it mentioned
it will debut RGB AMOLED displays in 2014 with a pixel density of 560 pixels per inch
(ppi) and a WQHD resolution at 2560 1440 pixels. Some quick maths says that should mean a 5.25
inch display, which sounds like a big enough increment for a successor model but not so
big as to make things too unweildy.
However, some rumours are now suggesting Samsung may make the switch to LTPS LCD, although
these whispers quote similarly high pixel density and resolution specs as well as the
size to the aforementioned OLED setup.
Processor and performance What are the certainties here? Well, Apple
will definitely continue to push its 64-bit architecture and the iPhone 6 will be far
enough away that it'll be a new chip, probably the usual twice as fast as the previous one,
regardless of whether it's called A7X or A8.
Less predictable are the remaining details.
While Apple could make the push from its current 1.3GHz dual core with 1GB RAM to something
beefier the company has demonstrated it's not really about that kind of progression,
so it seems doubtful unless there's some new feature it really feels needs the extra grunt.
Samsung is known to be developing more powerful processors and 64-bit ones too, it's publicly
said as much in true Keeping up with the Joneses fashion. The main difference is that Samsung
completely embraces the more cores is better ideology, and so while Apple is likely to
stay with dualcore, Samsung is thought to be building further on its eight-core Exynos
hardware with an updated chip which could very well find its way into the Galaxy S5.
That includes rumours around a 14 nanometre nm Exynos 6 chip with big.LITTLE architecture
and heterogeneous multi-processing capabilities, or in English it can use all eight cores together
at once for more intensive tasks.
While that might sound like a recipe for overheating and battery drain, the 14nm point is significant
because it should prove a far more efficient architecture than current solutions which
use 28nm architecture. Also, just because it can use heterogeneous multiprocessing doesn't
mean it will do so all the time, and for general running Samsung will likely attempt to optimise
things for better battery life, as all major phone makers currently are.
To add confusion to the mix though, Samsung has previously used both Qualcomm's chips
and its own Exynos hardware in different regional versions of its devices and depending on what
connectivity options its aiming for. In Asia, the Galaxy S4 came with an Exynos 5 Octa,
while Europe and the US got a Qualcomm Sanpdragon 600 version.
There are benchmarks, leaks and rumours which suggest the same could happen again, with
a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 sighted inside benchmark results on a device thought to be the Galaxy
S5.
Another rumoured component is the idea that Samsung will include a full 4GB of RAM.
Following Apple's A7 announcement, critics have pointed to the 1GB of RAM included in
its devices and claimed that a minimum of 4GB is needed to truly unlock the potential
gains of 64-bit, even if, on the face of things, the A7 chip is an improvement on its predecessor
and one of the fastest chips on the current market.
Samsung could be keen to address these concerns and likewise it's not a huge leap for it to
do so. Samsung already has 3GB of RAM inside its Galaxy Note 3 and, unlike Apple, it has
not established a habit of keeping processor and RAM figures modest.
Camera Not much has been said of the iPhone 6's camera
setup, but if Apple's iPhone 5S launch is anything to go by the company seems pretty
set on the less is more" approach as it's still using an 8 megapixel iSight back illuminated
sensor BSI with some clever tweaks to pre and post capture processing and a True Tone
dual LED white amber flash. Apple may end up using the same setup again,
or, being drastic, we could see a 13 megapixel snapper in its place.
What's more a new patent filed by Apple suggests the new imaging technology inside the iPhone
6 or Air, or whatever it's called could feature Lytro like capabilities.
Lytro is a type of camera which allows you to capture an image and then dynamically select
and reselect a focal point at a later date. This form of witchcraft is achieved using
something called plenoptic technology, and the idea is you can just shoot an image and
then refocus it later.
Apple's patent details a digital camera including refocusable imaging mode adaptor, according
to AppleInsider. While no specific mention has been made of the iPhone 6, Apple will
need to continue to enhance its camera technology in order to remain competitive.
Apple's approach to the iPhone 5s of tweaking the software and refining the sensor has been
met with critical acclaim across the board. Next time around it's possible Apple could
add in more megapixels potentially 13MP but where all the real action takes place is likely
to be inside the sensor and with the software.
Steve Jobs met with Lytro's founder to discuss a partnership prior to his death. This patent
was filed in September 2011 and numerous sources claim many of Apple's products released since
Jobs passed away were developed in accordance to roadmaps laid out by the late CEO. So,
in this context, it's entirely feasible the iPhone 6, complete with a Lytro-like camera,
could be part of his posthumous plan.
Samsung has confirmed that its 2014 flagships will be carrying the company's own 16-megapixel
ISOCELL sensors, but these aren't expected to debut until later in the year. Currently
the firm is testing an 8-megpixel ISOCELL which is expected to appear in the Galaxy
S5.
ISOCELL tech is supposedly going to offer better light sensitivity compared to conventional
back illuminated BSI sensors as well as better colour reproduction and low light performance.
There's no talk of optical image stabilisation but hopefully it will make an appearance.
Other hardware and features Apple's pretty much committed itself to continuing
with its Touch ID fingerprint scanner tech, so it's highly likely it will show up again
in the iPhone 6. Could its functionality be expanded past unlocking the phone and purchases
in iTunes though? We would hope so. Apple may also make greater use of its iBeacons
technology, its own bespoke alternative to NFC.
Both Apple and Samsung appear to be working on different eye related technologies. Samsung
already has its eye tracking which enables the screen to power on or off depending on
whether you're looking at it, and a feature which lets you scroll webpages with your eyes.
Apple is thought to be coming up with a similar feature, according to reports, while Samsung
is alleged to be tackling Apple's Touch ID with an eye-scanner for unlocking your phone.
Thoughts Both devices will almost certainly have their
own unique character, but assuming some of the rumours are true we may end up with two
rival flagships which are more similar than ever before. If Samsung does stick to a 5
inch display while Apple bumps up to around the 5 inch mark, we're once again looking
at similar device profiles, as we did with the Galaxy S2 and the iPhone 4.
Add to this 64-bit processors all round and consumers may have quite a time deciding between
the two. Keeping things distinctive, however, it seems probable Apple will offer more storage
options globally, and the biggest deciding factor might be whether you want to unlock
your phone with your eye or your fingertip.