Info: The Apple iPhone 5C vs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

The Apple iPhone 5C is Apple’s shot at the mid level market. But the important question here is how will the mid level market react to the Apple iPhone 5C? Is it too expensive? Is it good enough? Here, I’m going to compare it with the mid level smart phone of another manufacturer, Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini to be precise. The Apple iPhone 5S was absolutely thrashed by the Samsung Galaxy S4. Will the mid level Apple smart phone do any better? Read on to find out...

Phone	Apple iPhone 5C	Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Image
Operating System	iOS 7	Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 UI
Processor	Dual Core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift	Dual Core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300
System Chip	Apple A6	Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930
System Memory	1 GB	1.5 GB
Graphics Processor	PowerVR SGX543MP3	Adreno 305
Display	4.0" IPS LCD	4.3” Super AMOLED
Screen Resolution	1,136 x 640	960 x 540
Pixel Density	326 ppi	256 ppi
Storage	16 / 32 / 64 GB Internal memory	8 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	8 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	1.2 MP	1.9 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0, EDR
Battery	1,510 mAh	1,900 mAh
Weight	132 g	107 g
Dimensions	124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm	124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm
Announced	10th September 2013	30th May 2013

Size and weight

There are minor differences between both these smart phones as far as size is concerned. The Galaxy S4 Mini measures 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm while the iPhone 5C measures 124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm. You could even say that both smart phones are pretty much the same in terms of size. But when you compare the weight of both smart phones, the Galaxy S4 is much lighter at 107 g while the iPhone 5C weighs 132 g.

If I only had to compare the size of both smart phones, this one would be a draw but since the weight is also a factor here and the Galaxy S4 Mini is so much lighter, this point will go to the Galaxy S4 Mini.

(Apple iPhone 5C - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - One)


Display

Even though both smart phones are pretty much the same size, the Galaxy S4 Mini has a larger display at 4.3” as compared to the 4.0” display of the iPhone 5C. In terms of technology, the Galaxy S4 Mini has a Super AMOLED screen while the iPhone 5C has an IPS LCD screen. But when you compare pixel density between both smart phones, the iPhone 5C is far ahead with 326 ppi as compared to the 256 ppi of the Galaxy S4 Mini. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Apple has made sure the display quality remains standard among all its smart phones.

The display quality of the iPhone 5C is more than enough to ensure it wins this point.

(Apple iPhone 5C - One / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - One)


Memory & Storage

While the iPhone 5C comes with 1 GB of RAM the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with 1.5 GB of RAM. Yes, the iPhone 5C is pretty fast, but I’m sure that the Galaxy S4 Mini can at least equal in terms of operating speed. But when you compare storage capabilities among both smart phones, the Galaxy S4 Mini comes out on top. Yes, the iPhone 5C is available in 16 and 32 GB versions but the problem is that it lacks expandable storage. On the other hand, the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with only 8 GB of internal storage but also accommodates expandable storage up to 64 GB.

With expandable storage and more RAM, this point goes to the Galaxy S4 Mini.

(Apple iPhone 5C - One / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Two)


Camera

Both smart phones come with 8 MP cameras on the back. Both smart phones even have an LED flash. But when you compare the front facing camera, the Galaxy S4 Mini has a 1.9 MP shooter while the iPhone 5C has a 1.2 MP camera. But overall, the iPhone 5C has many more features than the Galaxy S4 Mini like digital image stabilization and 720 p video recording through the front camera.

This point goes to the iPhone 5C.

(Apple iPhone 5C - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Two)


OS & Performance

The iPhone 5C comes with the latest Apple operating system, iOS 7 while the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean) and Nature UX 2.0 UI. But it’s only a matter of time before the Galaxy S4 Mini gets an update to Android 4.3 (JellyBean). There is no point trying to pick a winner in terms of operating system. To each his own I say. But in terms of performance, I will have to say that I am disappointed with the iPhone 5C. It basically runs on the same technology as the Apple iPhone 5 which was released more than a year ago. It comes with the Apple A6 chip and a dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift processor. On the other hand, the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930 chip and a dual core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300 processor. In terms of graphics, the iPhone 5C comes with a PowerVR SGX543MP3 processor while the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with an Adreno 305 processor.

I don’t even want to explain why I’m awarding this point to the Galaxy S4 Mini. It’s just that obvious.

(Apple iPhone 5C - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Three)


Battery

While the iPhone 5C comes with a 1,507 mAh battery which offers a standby time of 10.4 days, the Galaxy S4 Mini comes with a 1,900 mAh battery that offers a marginally better standby time of 14.5 days. I must say, I am used to seeing excellent battery performance from Samsung, but the Galaxy S4 Mini really disappoints here. I have half a mind to award this point to the iPhone 5C.

But the truth is that neither smart phone has a great battery life. This one will have to be a draw.

(Apple iPhone 5C - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Three)


Price

While the 16 GB iPhone 5C costs $ 549 (free of contract), the 8 GB Galaxy S4 Mini costs somewhere between $ 380 and $ 400 (free of contract). There is absolutely nothing in the iPhone 5C that warrants the additional $ 150 or so cost. I really can’t see the iPhone 5C being bought by too many people although Apple loyalists may think otherwise.

This point goes to the Galaxy S4 Mini.

(Apple iPhone 5C - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Four)


Conclusion

The Apple iPhone 5C really disappointed in this comparison by only picking up a couple of points for its display and camera. But the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini won points for its size, memory and storage, performance and price. All I have to say is that even though Apple intended on capturing a chunk of the mid level smart phone market with the Apple iPhone 5C, they really haven’t worked hard enough for it. Let’s face it, the smart phone is too expensive and isn’t as advanced as some of the other mid level smart phones out there. Maybe Apple shouldn’t have kept the same high end display on the Apple iPhone 5C and worked on improving some other aspects of their new smart phone instead?


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