Samsung has recently announced its first ever metal-cased smartphone in the shape of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha. It is clear that this smartphone, which will be launching in September, will go head-to-head with the other illustrious mobile in the market, the equally hotly anticipated Apple iPhone 6.
This will be a smartphone war to end all smartphone wars; so how do the two competitors match up? Here’s a rundown on everything we know about the two devices thus far.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Display
Both devices are expected to feature a 4.7-inch display. This is a big step up for Apple from previous iPhone models, and it will be interesting to see how the Apple Inc. NASDAQ:AAPL supply chain deals with this requirement. Both companies also have phablets on the horizon too, and Samsung is more accustomed to the demands related to this.
In terms of resolution, Apple surprisingly seems to have the edge here. According to recent reports, the iPhone 6 will comprise a display with a 1704 x 960 pixel resolution, creating a pixel density of 416ppi. This will be a superior resolution to that of the Alpha, whose screen will reportedly be just 1280 x 720 pixels for a 320ppi. Apparently, Samsung will rely on its AMOLED technology to create a strong impression with the consumer.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Construction
Samsung has really tried to pull out all the stops with the design of the Galaxy Alpha, with its facade being the first metallic one in the history of Samsung smartphones. However, it looks as if Apple will have the edge here too, as its redesigned iPhone 6 will feature a spectacular design incorporating Sapphire Glass.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Size and Weight
Recently leaks related to this area suggest that Samsung could blow Apple out of the park in this department. At one time it was being reported that the iPhone 6 could be the slimmest smartphone to ever hit the markets, but now it looks like Samsung holds all the aces in this area. The Galaxy Alpha is a mere 0.26-inches (6.7mm) thick, with a footprint of 5.21 x 2.58 inches (132.4 x 65.5mm) and weight of just 4.06 oz (115g). Recent dummy units of the iPhone 6 suggest that it will be significantly bigger; 5.59 x 2.85 inches (142 x 72.5 mm). The weight of the unit is not yet known, but it should be in the same region as the HTC One M7, around 5.04 oz (143g).
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Processing Power and Chipset
One of the key elements of a mobile device is its processor. It is clear that both Apple and Samsung will have put a great deal of thought and effort into this particular area of their mobile devices, and thus there isn’t too much to choose between the two smartphones here. Apple will be running its device off the hugely powerful A8 processor while it has also doubled the power of its ARM-based chips with each generation. This should see a huge step up in power from the already impressive 1.3GHz CPU and A7 chipset of the iPhone 5s. RAM could also be beefed up to 2 GB.
However, the Galaxy Alpha is well-placed to much anything offered by the Apple iPhone 6. We already know that the Alpha will come with 2 GB of RAM, as Samsung will also fit the smartphone with its own Exynos 5 Octa 5430 chipset. The Korean manufacturer claims that this will be more powerful than the Snapdragon 805, which it is using in the Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Camera
While the megapixel rating of a camera only gives some indication as to its ultimate quality, the iPhone 6 will have the slight edge in this department. The Apple handset is expected to have a 13-megapixel lens; slightly outranking 12-megapixel snapper included in the Samsung Galaxy Alpha. With the iPhone 6 camera also providing 1080p video capture and optical image stabilisation, it is set to be an extremely nifty device for taking photographs. Samsung will try to attract keen photographers with its real-time High Dynamic Range.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Storage
Apple will offer at the very least a 64 GB version of the iPhone 6, whereas the Galaxy Alpha will have maximum storage capacity of 32 GB. Advantage Apple.
iPhone 6 vs. Galaxy Alpha – Battery Life
Apple has traditionally not scored particularly well in this department, so it has made an effort to up its game in the battery life department. It has been suggested the iPhone 6 may be armed with a 2100mAh battery, which would be a significant step up from the iPhone 5s. Samsung will rely on the greater efficiencies in its Exynos 5 Octa 5430 to keep it ahead in this department, and it will be surprising if the iPhone 6 completely catches up with the Galaxy range.
So overall Apple looks to have done a good job of delivering a high spec iPhone 6 that could well keep it on top of smartphone selling market for another generation.
