Apple and Samsung Are Friendly Again, and the Competition Should Be Terrified

[touchstone]

Which is... not entirely true. Even for webpages you can sometimes notice the difference between the current i7 versus a Core 2.

When you actually do things needing CPU power then the difference is stark.

Perhaps, I'm just going by what it feels like. I know geekbench seems to say that my phone isn't all that far from my laptop (maybe 2x as fast), but I'm not sure how accurate that is.


What I do know, is that phones have been doubling in speed every year or two years for a decade and they are still going at it. If you do the math, it's only a (short) matter of time before our phones make our desktops look slow. You can already buy a desktop (Atom) that is a fraction of the speed of my cellphone (S6).

 

[ChronoReverse]

Perhaps, I'm just going by what it feels like. I know geekbench seems to say that my phone isn't all that far from my laptop (maybe 2x as fast), but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

Hmm, maybe the GS6 is faster (but looking at benches, it's not far from an iPad Air 2) but it's still nowhere near the desktop experience for me even outside of the form factor. But I've been running with high end hardware and an SSD for a long time so my expectations are a bit unfair perhaps.

What I do know, is that phones have been doubling in speed every year or two years for a decade and they are still going at it. If you do the math, it's only a (short) matter of time before our phones make our desktops look slow. You can already buy a desktop (Atom) that is a fraction of the speed of my cellphone (S6).

This isn't true. Basically mobile CPUs have been able to gather the "low hanging fruits" for a while now. This is why they've been doubling in speed similar to how desktop CPUs have. They're not at the same level yet (which is why they're still slower) but they'll hit the same slower gains eventually.

ARM isn't much better than x86 (if at all) that they'll surpass x86 speed limits within the same power envelope anytime soon.

 

[lopri]

I do not think Geekbench scores can be compared on different platforms, specifically between ARM and x86. There just are too many variables at play. Memory performance, for one, I have no idea how it is measured and figured into the final score. The test's heavy bias towards crypto has been well known as well.

Graphics benches may be more legitimate, but even there I have seen software (drivers) make huge differences.

 

[Achtung!]

My realistic predictions for the iPhone 6S based on numerous sources:

• Next-gen Super AMOLED display @ 1080p (similar to the Galaxy S6 but with a lower resolution. Super AMOLED displays are now more color accurate than IPS displays). Another likely option is that the iPhone 6S will use an IPS panel @ 1080p.
• 14nm/16nm CPU
• LPDDR3 RAM manufactured by SK Hynix/Micron (probably not LPDDR4)
• 16MP camera with OIS and DSLR functionality (mainly tracking AF/phase detection which are features also in the Galaxy S6) manufactured by LG Innotek and Sony (Apple could go with 8MP again, but I think 16MP is more likely as people may complain about low quality of zoomed-in photos of the iPhone 6).
• Standard non-UFS flash memory manufactured by SK Hynix/Toshiba/Sandisk
• Fast charging battery technology
• Sapphire glass (?)
• Next-gen force touch integration (?)

And to those who are saying that better specs =! better real life performance, you're only partially correct.
One big difference I've noticed between the Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6 is that the Galaxy S6 loads apps 3~5 seconds faster. The iPhone 6, in comparison, is slow but not "laggy" as some would define it. I'm being 100% honest here.
Both phones don't have much stutter (i.e. the transitions are smooth). iOS just hides lag well, in that there are no jittery movements and stuttering.
The Galaxy S6's processor is definitely much more powerful, allowing apps to load faster. And it's definitely noticeable to most people as some of my friends are saying how fast their Galaxy S6's are compared to their previous phones (most of my friends with the Galaxy S6 have previously owned the iPhone 6/5S/5 or Galaxy S5/S4).

Hence why the iPhone 6S NEEDS to go to 14nm/16nm in order to compete with the Galaxy S6. It's ridiculous to think that a hardware upgrade isn't needed. As technology advances, competitors will have to use that advanced technology in order to remain competitive.

 

[GuyWithHighIQ]

My realistic predictions for the iPhone 6S based on numerous sources:

• Next-gen Super AMOLED display @ 1080p (similar to the Galaxy S6 but with a lower resolution. Super AMOLED displays are now more color accurate than IPS displays). Another likely option is that the iPhone 6S will use an IPS panel @ 1080p.
• 14nm/16nm CPU
• LPDDR3 RAM manufactured by SK Hynix/Micron (probably not LPDDR4)
• 16MP camera with OIS and DSLR functionality (mainly tracking AF/phase detection which are features also in the Galaxy S6) manufactured by LG Innotek and Sony (Apple could go with 8MP again, but I think 16MP is more likely as people may complain about low quality of zoomed-in photos of the iPhone 6).
• Standard non-UFS flash memory manufactured by SK Hynix/Toshiba/Sandisk
• Fast charging battery technology
• Sapphire glass (?)
• Next-gen force touch integration (?)

And to those who are saying that better specs =! better real life performance, you're only partially correct.
One big difference I've noticed between the Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6 is that the Galaxy S6 loads apps 3~5 seconds faster. The iPhone 6, in comparison, is slow but not "laggy" as some would define it. I'm being 100% honest here.
Both phones don't have much stutter (i.e. the transitions are smooth). iOS just hides lag well, in that there are no jittery movements and stuttering.
The Galaxy S6's processor is definitely much more powerful, allowing apps to load faster. And it's definitely noticeable to most people as some of my friends are saying how fast their Galaxy S6's are compared to their previous phones (most of my friends with the Galaxy S6 have previously owned the iPhone 6/5S/5 or Galaxy S5/S4).

Hence why the iPhone 6S NEEDS to go to 14nm/16nm in order to compete with the Galaxy S6. It's ridiculous to think that a hardware upgrade isn't needed. As technology advances, competitors will have to use that advanced technology in order to remain competitive.

It's not just the power and speed of the S6. The user experience on Android phones is just superior to Apple devices. I used to be one of those people who mocked Android fanatics' love of openness and device customization because I'm a very casual phone user and saw no need for such 'crap'. But I see now that openness and customization can improve UX far beyond the crap Apple hands you. It's a shame more people don't realize this.

Every single site I go to on the iPhone 6 opens up 34293742389 ads and makes the device lag even worse than 3-year-old Android devices.
The worst are the darn ads that lock you to the malicious site and prevent you from going anywhere else.
Because Android is so open, there are ad-blocking extensions that block all ads and make web browsing a joy. There are no slowdowns and no annoying redirections.

This is something you won't hear about from Apple fanatics, since they have their heads up Apple's rear and refuse to admit they bought the wrong phone.
Apple phones are just frustrating to use.

The better display and better battery life on the S6 Edge are just icing on the cake. Even if the iPhones had the bset display and battery life, I'd still go for Android. Beats having to deal with 384729834792387492837 ads popping up at every single site you visit, locking your browser so you can't go anywhere else and making your device crawl like the old Android phones.

Enjoy your ads, iFans!

 

[poofyhairguy]

ARM isn't much better than x86 (if at all)

Maybe not on pure technical merits, but it is a hell of a lot better legally. The ARM ecosystem can have economies of scale that x86 (which only three companies have rights to) never had a chance at getting.

Samsung is closing the gap on Intel's fabs. When the rockchips of the world close that gap x86 becomes a legacy platform.

 

[JAG87]

It's not just the power and speed of the S6. The user experience on Android phones is just superior to Apple devices. I used to be one of those people who mocked Android fanatics' love of openness and device customization because I'm a very casual phone user and saw no need for such 'crap'. But I see now that openness and customization can improve UX far beyond the crap Apple hands you. It's a shame more people don't realize this.

Every single site I go to on the iPhone 6 opens up 34293742389 ads and makes the device lag even worse than 3-year-old Android devices.
The worst are the darn ads that lock you to the malicious site and prevent you from going anywhere else.
Because Android is so open, there are ad-blocking extensions that block all ads and make web browsing a joy. There are no slowdowns and no annoying redirections.

This is something you won't hear about from Apple fanatics, since they have their heads up Apple's rear and refuse to admit they bought the wrong phone.
Apple phones are just frustrating to use.

The better display and better battery life on the S6 Edge are just icing on the cake. Even if the iPhones had the bset display and battery life, I'd still go for Android. Beats having to deal with 384729834792387492837 ads popping up at every single site you visit, locking your browser so you can't go anywhere else and making your device crawl like the old Android phones.

Enjoy your ads, iFans!

With a first post like this, I have high expectations from your contributions to this forum.

 

[PowerYoga]

its like the android version of dari.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Maybe not on pure technical merits, but it is a hell of a lot better legally. The ARM ecosystem can have economies of scale that x86 (which only three companies have rights to) never had a chance at getting.

That's certainly true. I do hope that ARM eventually closes the (still sizeable) performance gap.

Samsung is closing the gap on Intel's fabs. When the rockchips of the world close that gap x86 becomes a legacy platform.

This unfortunately isn't really true yet mostly because of how "nm" has pretty much turned into a marketing number. The "14nm" from the various fabs are entirely different sizes and Intel still has a non-trivial lead here. Samsung has been doing pretty well though in comparison to the other non-Intel fabs as the GS6's CPU shows.

 

[Commodus]

I'm not even sure Guy lives in the same universe as the rest of us. Anyone here with an iOS device get bombarded with ads the moment you visit a website? Anyone? No.

Besides, I wouldn't call an ad blocker a selling point. Yay, I get to deprive sites of the revenue they need to keep publishing content! He might as well be arguing that Android is better because he has an easier time pirating apps.

 

[ControlD]

^^^

An ad blocker may not be a selling point, however the freedom to be able to install it most certainly is. Besides, I don't need ads on mobile pages consuming my expensive and limited data. I'm not going to cry any tears over the lost revenue in that case.

 

[Eug]

AFAIK there is no adblock add-on on iOS, but you can install a complete browser with adblocking built-in.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/adblock-browser-for-idevices/id537774578?mt=8

http://www.adblockforios.com/

 

[GuyWithHighIQ]

I'm not even sure Guy lives in the same universe as the rest of us. Anyone here with an iOS device get bombarded with ads the moment you visit a website? Anyone? No.

Besides, I wouldn't call an ad blocker a selling point. Yay, I get to deprive sites of the revenue they need to keep publishing content! He might as well be arguing that Android is better because he has an easier time pirating apps.

There's a difference between reasonable ad placements on sites and irritating ads that force redirect you and interrupt what you're doing.

This is a very serious issue on Apple devices and Android phones without ad-blocking software. Don't even deny it.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5662205

Thomas and Johnathan

I know you're both SHOCKED that someone is experiencing problems with an Apple product, but they really do exist.

Now to straighten you both out. I am 60 years old and use my phone principally for business and personal use with my immediate family. I occasionally take business trips and might read news sites while sitting at an airport, but that's rare now since I use my iPad now. I do NOT have any goofy games on either device and might have 3 or 4 other apps..... I'm your classic old **** when it comes to smart phones.

Yes it might be the news articles I read from a wide and varied sources, but I see none of this on Windows based machines. Simply because of Apple's having to be such control freaks. YES back a few years ago I thought Apple made sure junk like this wouldn't happen, but over the past few years Safari has become a nightmare to use.

This morning on my iPad I received a pop-up from ad.yahoo.com. I do not have a Yahoo account not a Google Account, and I certainly don't have a Facebook or Twitter account. So you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

The problem is that Safari's/iOS7 idea of Pop-up Blocking is not working. Irrespective of who's doing it, Safari is allowing my screen to be blocked by spam ads and crap I didn't sign up for. And Apple simply plays dumb about it. They simply lecture you to unload all your apps then re-install them... classic circle jerk! And ad to that iTunes, which is one of the worst software programs ever, is another useless tool for doing such maintenance. Are you telling me that Apple can't find what offending website, cookie, or app is sending these pop-ups? Please? My faith in Apple has been diminished immensely in the past year. After having an 4 iPhones over the past 6 years, this may be my last since using the Internet on either device is so cluttered with ads along with the constant refreshing and shifting of the screen it's only good for watching Netflicks in bed.

Like in Econ 101, there's an equilibrium in amount of ads and ad-blocking software usage. If you're a site owner and you get too greedy that you place annoying ads and pop-ups all over your site, people will look for ad-blocking software.
If you keep ads at a minimum on your site, people won't get frustrated and won't care about ad-blocking software.


Besides, the second-class smartphone owners (Apple users) are the ones who are going to suffer for it. While Android users experience premium web-browsing with no interruptions or slowdowns, Apple users will experience 342384729384789 irrelevant ads that slow down their device to Android gingerbread levels.
There will be more ads coming to a smartphone near you. No wonder why website owners love Apple devices.

 

[Eug]

^^^ I guess you missed my post about adblocking on iOS.

BTW, the link I posted is not the only browser on iOS with adblocking capabilities.

 

[GuyWithHighIQ]

AFAIK there is no adblock add-on on iOS, but you can install a complete browser with adblocking built-in.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/adblock-browser-for-idevices/id537774578?mt=8

http://www.adblockforios.com/

Interesting, though the free version is only a trial.

Also, does that work under LTE/3G/non-wifi connections or only under wifi connection? Other ad-blocking apps for iOS like Weblock only work under wifi, which is useless to me, since I don't use my phone when I'm inside my house.

 

[mrochester]

There's a difference between reasonable ad placements on sites and irritating ads that force redirect you and interrupt what you're doing.

This is a very serious issue on Apple devices and Android phones without ad-blocking software. Don't even deny it.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5662205




Like in Econ 101, there's an equilibrium in amount of ads and ad-blocking software usage. If you're a site owner and you get too greedy that you place annoying ads and pop-ups all over your site, people will look for ad-blocking software.
If you keep ads at a minimum on your site, people won't get frustrated and won't care about ad-blocking software.


Besides, the second-class smartphone owners (Apple users) are the ones who are going to suffer for it. While Android users experience premium web-browsing with no interruptions or slowdowns, Apple users will experience 342384729384789 irrelevant ads that slow down their device to Android gingerbread levels.
There will be more ads coming to a smartphone near you. No wonder why website owners love Apple devices.

I'd love a comprehensive ad-blocker for iOS, but not enough to switch to Android.

 

[GuyWithHighIQ]

I'd love a comprehensive ad-blocker for iOS, but not enough to switch to Android.

Why not? Android is far more optimized than iOS, despite all the sheep saying otherwise.

The iPhone 6 Plus with 2,940 mAH battery has worse battery life than many Android phones with lower battery capacity.

 

[mrochester]

Why not? Android is far more optimized than iOS, despite all the sheep saying otherwise.

The iPhone 6 Plus with 2,940 mAH battery has worse battery life than many Android phones with lower battery capacity.

Because I don't like Android and I don't want be tied to Google.

 

[GuyWithHighIQ]

Because I don't like Android and I don't want be tied to Google.

Beats being tied to Apple. That company has been involved in more scandals than any other company out there.

E-book price fixing, anti-poaching conspiracies, convicted for stealing Samsung's LTE patents, in a lawsuit for stealing Ericsson's wireless technology, in a lawsuit with a Swiss company for stealing technology (What the hell is it with Apple and their culture of stealing technology? Just pay the damn royalty fees like everyone else is.), suing a small mom & pop store in Poland because their store name is spelled similar to "Apple", their anti-competitive practices with Spotify that's getting the DoJ involved... This is a pretty slimy company, and I don't understand how anyone with a conscience can support this company.

 

[Eug]

Why not? Android is far more optimized than iOS, despite all the sheep saying otherwise.

No it's not. Not even close. Trying to surf on my 1 GB Nexus 7 with Lollipop is utter torture. It's actually better on my 512 MB iPad 2, and it's already slow on the iPad 2 with iOS 8, ads or not.

The best tablet surfing experience from 2014 though is the iPad Air 2. I haven't tried any 2015 hardware though yet.

Interesting, though the free version is only a trial.

Also, does that work under LTE/3G/non-wifi connections or only under wifi connection? Other ad-blocking apps for iOS like Weblock only work under wifi, which is useless to me, since I don't use my phone when I'm inside my house.

Of course, since it's just a browser. Weblock is not a browser but a WiFi ad blocker.

 

[JAG87]

Why not? Android is far more optimized than iOS, despite all the sheep saying otherwise.

The iPhone 6 Plus with 2,940 mAH battery has worse battery life than many Android phones with lower battery capacity.

You must have low IQ despite your name. The Galaxy S6 has a 2500 mah battery and has WORSE battery life than the iPhone 6, which has an 1800 mah battery, never mind the 6 plus which lasts literally twice as long as the S6, with a mere 16% bump in battery capacity, and despite having a larger LCD screen vs a much more efficient AMOLED.

So yea, optimized? Gtfo please. Take your anti-apple agenda somewhere else.

 

[mrochester]

Beats being tied to Apple. That company has been involved in more scandals than any other company out there.

E-book price fixing, anti-poaching conspiracies, convicted for stealing Samsung's LTE patents, in a lawsuit for stealing Ericsson's wireless technology, in a lawsuit with a Swiss company for stealing technology (What the hell is it with Apple and their culture of stealing technology? Just pay the damn royalty fees like everyone else is.), suing a small mom & pop store in Poland because their store name is spelled similar to "Apple", their anti-competitive practices with Spotify that's getting the DoJ involved... This is a pretty slimy company, and I don't understand how anyone with a conscience can support this company.

I much prefer being tied to Apple. I trust Apple, I don't trust Google. I also don't like or agree with Google's business practices, so that's another reason to avoid them.

 

[ControlD]

You must have low IQ despite your name. The Galaxy S6 has a 2500 mah battery and has WORSE battery life than the iPhone 6, which has an 1800 mah battery, never mind the 6 plus which lasts literally twice as long as the S6, with a mere 16% bump in battery capacity, and despite having a larger LCD screen vs a much more efficient AMOLED.

So yea, optimized? Gtfo please. Take your anti-apple agenda somewhere else.

Not trying to get in the middle of a good old fashioned mobile fight, but do you have links to support this? Most of the reviews I have seen show the S6 as having slightly better overall battery life than the iPhone 6, although the iPhone is certainly more efficient when total battery capacity is taken into account.

Just curious as I am looking into getting a S6 and this post surprised me a little bit.

** edit ** added some links:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-s6-vs-iphone-6,review-2721.html
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Battery-life-comparison-Samsung-Galaxy-S6-vs-Apple-iPhone-6-vs-iPhone-6-Plus_id66644

 

[Commodus]

Please tell me that this thread won't be dominated by extreme fans from both Android (GuyWithHighIQ) and iOS (mrochester) doing nothing but touting their platforms as divine perfection while excusing every flaw.

The sooner we stop using terms like "second class" and "sheep," the better. The quicker we stop using hyperbole that pretends minor (if notable) issues are major problems that threaten to destroy an entire platform, the better. And these are humans you're talking to. It's just a phone, not a political system or religion. It's okay to accept that your choice of platform often boils down to personal preference, and it's not an absolute truth that all others must obey.

 

[Commodus]

Not trying to get in the middle of a good old fashioned mobile fight, but do you have links to support this? Most of the reviews I have seen show the S6 as having slightly better overall battery life than the iPhone 6, although the iPhone is certainly more efficient when total battery capacity is taken into account.

Just curious as I am looking into getting a S6 and this post surprised me a little bit.

I've been using both devices (a benefit of my work). The Galaxy S6's battery is usable, but noticeably worse at comparable display brightness levels. You can chalk that up in large part to the higher screen resolution.