It’s a question that has been looming in consumer’s minds for a few years now: Samsung Galaxy or iPhone? There are factors upon factors to consider when deciding between the two versatile devices. Although, a sports fan may have a different set of expectations to consider when deciding between the two smartphones. So which is better for the sports fanatic?
With the iPhone 5s slated for release on September 20, the Galaxy S4 has a head start. But to truly dig to the roots of a sports fan’s decision, perhaps a full game-day experience will best settle the dispute. A long day of tailgating, checking fantasy stats and scores, and uploading content is a true and diverse scenario to look at.
The day starts out easy heading to the sports venue. Of course both phones come with GPS, but as a true fan, you know your way to the stadium by heart. The real test starts when you arrive at the parking lot.
Setting up a tailgating area is one thing; setting your fantasy roster is another. Both the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5s offer the apps you need to take your fantasy team to the next level. ESPN, CBS, and Yahoo each offer fantasy experiences for fans across a range of sports. Both devices are completely capable of allowing users to make last second roster changes.
After firing up the grill, it is essential to watch the latest sports news and highlights. Both phones come with a large, clear screen. The Galaxy S4 may be the better option here though. The screen is a full inch larger than that of the iPhone 5s. Not only that, but the screen is sharper too, at 441 pixels per inch versus the iPhone’s 326. In a world where an inch can be the difference between a two point and three point shot, a sports fan stands to gain from the extra size.
The BBQ you have been preparing for a couple of hours is done and you know it’s messy. With ribs in hand and a call coming in, you are going to want the Galaxy. Air gestures allow you to answer your friend’s phone call without slopping up the screen. The iPhone 5s, on the other hand, utilizes a fingerprint sensor to unlock the phone. This is a great feature, but won’t likely recognize your Bar-B-Qued finger.
After making your way into the stadium and finding your seat, you will want to brag about how good your seats are to all of your friends. Of course both smart phones come with the necessary social media apps to do so. After ordering a hot dog, you find it necessary to hold your phone in one hand. The iPhone 5s is easier to use with one hand due to its 2.31 inch width, as compared to the Galaxy’s 2.74 inch width. In this situation, the iPhone allows you to have your cake (or hot dog) and eat it too.
Taking pictures and recording video seems to swing back in favor of the Galaxy S4. With a 13 megapixel camera and 1080p front and rear facing video capabilities, a slight advantage goes to the Galaxy for versatility. While the 5s does come along with 1080p video capabilities, it’s camera comes in at eight megapixels. The camera is said to take in more light though, equaling the quality of the S4. The 5s also comes with a dual flash – one white, one amber – for a better picture, which is a neat feature. Unfortunately for everyone taking pictures during the Super Bowl kick off, camera flashes are only useful up to 10 feet.
During halftime, ease of use is important. Apple has always had the user in mind when designing their operating systems. The iPhone has a simple interface that is less complicated to use. Although, the Galaxy’s multi-window feature would be useful for getting things done quickly with limited time. Not only that, but widgets allow scores to be accessible right from you Galaxy’s home screen. The Galaxy is a Swiss Army Knife, allowing you to take in maximum information right before that crazy dog-riding monkey runs off the field at the end of halftime.
The game goes on and eventually comes to a close. Your team has won and smack talking rights have been earned. After a long and tough day on your phone, battery life can be a concern. For safety reasons, one of your friends is driving you home. All you want to do is check in on your fantasy team and watch some highlights. It’s said that the iPhone 5s will have a longer battery life than the Galaxy S4. However, given the battery life of nearly every smartphone on the market, this may end up being a draw.
When you get home, you look back on your day of sporting-greatness. Tons of photos have been taken, a few are of the heads of the people in the row in front of you, and another of the ground when you dropped your phone. However, the Galaxy has some great photo features which have allowed you to remove the funny-faced fan in the photo of your friends at the game. Storage easily goes to the Galaxy with a slot for an SD card. On the other hand, the iPhone’s durability is a bit better.
Both operating systems have their perks and drawbacks. This battle truly lies in the eyes of the beholder. Both phones epitomize the best the industry has to offer. But at the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy S4 edges out the iPhone 5s as the phone better suited for the sports fan. Now if only smartphones would take those BBQ stains out of your favorite jersey.