There has been a veritable torrent of new smartphones this year alone. Gadget fans all over the world had witnessed companies try to bring out the best of the best this year, hoping to be the top name in smartphone technology. The year saw a showdown between major companies like Apple, Samsung, Nokia, and even Google. The iOS devices had to face off against what seemed like a tidal wave of Android devices, and it has come to a point at which even the worst Apple fans have to admit that Android has taken the lead in the smartphone market. The ratio of Android vs iOS smartphone owners has skewed, especially now that everyone seems to want a smartphone.
Virtually everyone has a smartphone, since they are so versatile. It keeps everyone connected to their contacts full time through a variety of methods. Businesses even provide their employees with a smartphone business phone because its various means of communication makes it nearly impossible for them to be out of reach at any time.
And then there is an especially watch-worthy battle between two of the biggest smartphone brands, Apple and Samsung, which went on into the latter part of this year.
The Duel
When Apple released the new iPhone, people thought that this, without a shadow of a doubt, was the best smartphone of 2012. The iPhone has consistently been at the top of smartphone rankings. It has had its share of complaints and lambasting, but this phone has steadily been improved by Apple over the years. Its latest incarnation, the iPhone 5 released this year, would always be better than previous incarnations (the mishap with the Maps app notwithstanding). But this year, it had to battle against the Galaxy S3 from its rival, Samsung, which had worked its way up the ranks. The features that the Galaxy S3 had (as was enumerated in its infamous marketing posters) outstripped those of the iPhone 5.
When the dust of the battles finally settled, as the year comes to a close, it appears that Android has finally delivered a damaging blow to Apple’s dominance through the Galaxy S3. According to the analysts at CNET, The Galaxy S3 is not just the best smartphone right now – it is the best device this year.
Why does it win?
According to the reviews from users and experts alike, the GS3 is a truly remarkable piece of electronics available on nearly every carrier all over the world. Its screen resolution and overall display is the best representation of the Android smartphones this year. It runs on the much-lauded Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and has the 4G LTE or HSPA+ support that the iPhone 5 does not even have.
Apart from that, the GS3’s other notable upside is its price. Apple products can be notoriously pricey, but they are worth the money. However, Samsung and Android proved that it is indeed possible to pack more performance and features into an Android phone without having to sell it at the cost of an iOS device.
What’s next?
Going into the next year will definitely be interesting. Throughout this year, Android has repeatedly knocked down Apple and the iOS. In the world of mobile handsets, Android has become the runaway leader. Even in the tablet field, it is steadily encroaching on Apple’s turf, causing Apple shares to drop dramatically. What new innovations Apple or Android might bring next year are certainly worth looking forward to.
