Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Apple iPhone 5: Spec Showdown

After months of rumors, Samsung finally took the wraps off its next-generation Galaxy S4 at a huge press event at Radio City Music Hall in New York last night. That location was no coincidence. From its 1.9-GHz quad-core processor to its 13-megapixel camera, the Galaxy S4 is an almost theatrically overblown phone, stuffed to the plastic casing with hardware and features.

But is it good enough to lure Apple fanboys and girls over to Android? We've stacked up specs for the GS4 side by side against the iPhone 5 to help determine which phone is right for you. Comparing Android to iOS is a little like comparing apples to oranges, but as you can see from the specs, it's a pretty close call everywhere else.

When you look at the phones next to one another, one thing's for certain: the Galaxy S4 is a heck of a lot bigger. With a huge 5-inch screen, the Galaxy S4 technically meets our size requirements for a phablet, which we use to describe phones with screen sizes ranging from 5.0 to 6.9 inches. That means it's probably not as comfortable to hold and use the GS4 as it is the 4-inch iPhone 5, especially if you have smaller hands.

But for those who think bigger is better, the Galaxy S4's monster screen is a step up from its predecessor in terms of size and resolution. Coming in at a full 1,920-by-1080 pixels, the GS4's Super AMOLED panel is rich and bright. At 441 pixels per inch, it's also a good deal denser than the iPhone 5's Retina display, which has 326 pixels per inch. On the other hand, Samsung's PenTile pixel arrangement can make things look a little fuzzy, which is sure to turn some people off.

Other specs are more difficult to compare. Qualcomm just confirmed the GS4 will be using its new Snapdragon 600 processor. We got a chance test it at MWC, but can't yet say how it stacks up against Apple's A6 in the iPhone 5. And the GS4's 13-megapixel camera has lots of crazy features, like the ability to record from both the front and rear cameras at the same time. But recent experience with phones like the LG Optimus G for Sprint has shown us that more megapixels don't necessarily equal better images. The iPhone 5 remains one of our favorite camera phones, so it'll be interesting to see how the GS4 compares.

The biggest difference is that the Galaxy S4 uses the latest version of Android (4.2.2; Jelly Bean), while the iPhone 5 uses iOS 6.1.2. iOS is an easier operating system to learn and use, especially for beginners, and the Apple App Store is still unsurpassed in terms of number of apps available and quality. But the Google Play store is nipping at its heels, and Android features a much more customizable interface for advanced users, which lets you configure your phone exactly how you want it.

There's still no price or release date for the Galaxy S4, but it will be available on all four major U.S. Carriers, as well as Cricket and U.S. Cellular. That means it'll be easier to get than the iPhone 5. But only time will tell if it will be better. 

For more, see PCMag's hands on with the Galaxy S4 and the slideshow above.