Samsung Galaxy S III

[beorhthelm]

What's more important, units sold or operating profit?

depends what point you're trying to make. i assumed bozza meant the market, so its the units that count. operating profit isnt really a competitive matter, as long as a copnay is making the profit and return on capital it is expected to, its management and owners are happy. i didnt realise this was becomeing a pissing contest on who's making more money, i thought Apple fans where advocating which was the better product.

 

[Bozza]

you care to provide a sauce? what do those % even mean, their margin? if so that looks like iphone owners are being taken for a ride. its silly, how can Apple produce a high quality product so much cheaper than the supposed inferior products (especially when Samsung make have the components). HTC, who only make smart phones, make no profit? why are they in business then? dont be daft.

No. It means that if the total profits of the global smartphione market are $100, Apple make $75 of them and Samsung $25. Combined the rest don't make a single cent.

You are sounding incredibly naive - there are many business in many industries that are losing money. They continue because they believe they can turn it around and is more attractive an option than packing up and going home.

 

[Bozza]

A link, as you requested...

Apple, Samsung put hammerlock on smartphone profits | Apple - CNET News

 

[Razi]

Ridden with malware due to Google's disinterest in providing any sort of QC.

Oops, you'd better get off the internet now then.

Samsung's (and indeed Android's) flagship handset still doesn't have the latest version of the OS and we're 2 months after launch. That is laughably poor.

Umm, not sure how that is relevant? The fact that the Samsung handset was released before Android released the new operating system? That's like claiming that the latest Dell laptop doesn't come installed with Microsoft Windows 8. So? Fortunately, the phones download and upgrade to the latest OS when it becomes available without any fuss.

Just because Apple produce a handset and also produce the OS, that makes commercial sense to tie in a new OS with a new handset. Yes, it's nice and structured and cute and sanitised. Awesome.

Anyway, my last post on this subject because the Apple vs The World debate will never end anytime soon. Each side has their fans who have their own preferences and wont be persuaded one way or t'other.

 

[Bozza]

Umm, not sure how that is relevant? The fact that the Samsung handset was released before Android released the new operating system? That's like claiming that the latest Dell laptop doesn't come installed with Microsoft Windows 8. So? Fortunately, the phones download and upgrade to the latest OS when it becomes available without any fuss.

You're missing the point somewhat. This isn't about what's on a device at the point of purchase, it's about how users get treated as OS advancements happen post-purchase. iOS 6 will become available in a couple of weeks. On that very day, my phone - my year old phone - will tell me it's available and ask me if I want to download it and install it. Not in 2 months time, not in 6 months time, not in a year's time. It will happen on the day of release. Isn't that the way it should be? If people have made an investment in an ecosystem, isn't this what they deserve?

Anyway, my last post on this subject because the Apple vs The World debate will never end anytime soon. Each side has their fans who have their own preferences and wont be persuaded one way or t'other.

Amen.

But, as I've said before, almost without exception all the handsets across the board are fantastic and offer a tremendous amount of power in a small handheld device. There's no right or wrong. No device is infinitely better than another. You pays your money, you takes your choice. And your choice is likely to be a fine one.

 

[beorhthelm]

You are sounding incredibly naive - there are many business in many industries that are losing money. They continue because they believe they can turn it around and is more attractive an option than packing up and going home.

not at all naive, that why i picked out HTC thats making money and not Nokia thats losing it. clearly somthing is amiss in the analysis if their $1.3b net income is 0% of global smart phone profits. i note the article actually attributes it 1%.

either way im glad you are happy with Apples fiscal achivements and alchemy, but doesn't really mean much about the products.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Apple is easier simpler and smarter. I have a 4. It keeps getting better with each iOS update. I had a play around with my sisters S3. I can't make head nor tale of it and she can't either. Downloading things to make apps work, not very user Freindly IMO. The S3 screen is excellent though. It's just a bit too big. It all depends on your preference. But it's apple for me every time.

 

[Bozza]

not at all naive, that why i picked out HTC thats making money and not Nokia thats losing it. clearly somthing is amiss in the analysis if their $1.3b net income is 0% of global smart phone profits. i note the article actually attributes it 1%.

Sounds like HTC are, ahem, doing fine...

"Is another smartphone icon about to join Research In Motion’s (RIMM) death spiral? HTC is struggling to compete against a double whammy of pressure from Apple (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics..."

"HTC’s slide has been steep. A year later, with HTC suffering because of disappointing models..."

"The latest blow came with HTC’s announcement on Friday of its second-quarter earnings. Profit plunged 58 percent year on year..."

HTC Profit Hammered as Rivals Grab Further Market Share - Businessweek

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I'm sorry, but I'm still not getting the "sooooo much better" that you claimed.

The only one of those that I think the S3 could make very legitimate claims to be better in is the screen, but that is still a matter of personal opinion for many as a lot of folk don't want a screen of that size.

I also note you've excluded build quality, app store, security and manufacturer support - the sort of areas where Apple are significantly ahead of Samsung/Android still. Maybe they are not important to you, but they are to a lot of folk.

It's all about personal opinions, and for me the features I have mentioned are valuable improvements! Regarding the app store, I have every app I used on my iPhone and all were free. Security wise my S3 is running Avast so no problems there! I have no problem with the build quality as it appears to have have been constructed very well. I will admit I have had 1 fault with the phone, for some reason the camera didn't work on my first handset but it was swapped instantly without question so I can't grumble really. I am not against Apple and, perhaps when I was looking for a new handset, had the newest iPhone been available and was using a larger screen I would have considered it. Unfortunately it wasn't therefore I didn't. All I know is I'm very happy with every aspect of my S3 and it suits my needs

 

[brakespear]

I believe the SIII has knocked the Iphone off the top of Stuff magazines Top 10 smartphones, something I didn't think I'd see anytime soon.

 

[Aadam]

I believe the SIII has knocked the Iphone off the top of Stuff magazines Top 10 smartphones, something I didn't think I'd see anytime soon.

The thing with the S3 is that Samsung have timed it perfectly a month before the Apple iPhone refresh, meaning they've managed to get ahead of them for the 'next big phone' battle. It will be interesting to see six-month sales figures of the iPhone 5 vs. the S3

 

[METALMICKY]

Apple is easier simpler and smarter. I have a 4. It keeps getting better with each iOS update. I had a play around with my sisters S3. I can't make head nor tale of it and she can't either. Downloading things to make apps work, not very user Freindly IMO. The S3 screen is excellent though. It's just a bit too big. It all depends on your preference. But it's apple for me every time.

Not really sure that's a valid criticism. I would totally agree that an I Phone wins on 'out of the box' user friendliness. However, some of us like the tech aspect of Android and the ability to customise far more than with the IPhone. With respect to your sister did she do any research before she committed to an Android smart phone? If you are not very tech minded and are not that fussed about customisation then Android is not really for you.

As stated in an earlier post my only criticisms of the S3 are its plastic casing which looks a little cheap and not that robust plus i think the screen size doesn't make the phone very pocket friendly regardless of how light it is. Aside from operating systems i can understand why people like the good solid feel of the current Iphone.

 

[World of Sport]

My I-phone was my David Lee

My new Samsung SIII is my Vicente

 

[minnieme]

S2 S3 IPhone, pity you have all over looked the best phone on the market. I have the HTC one X, quite simply amazing.

 

[BrightonSeagulls]

My I-phone was my David Lee

My new Samsung SIII is my Vicente

And your Ashley Barnes?

 

[WallyBanana]

My I-phone was my David Lee

My new Samsung SIII is my Vicente

It's not working?

 

[jgmcdee]

I own and use daily the Samsung S3. I don't find it too large, have incredible battery life (with a couple of tweaks) and it does everything I want it to do.

Don't bother asking if it's better than the iPhone, it's purely down to taste at this stage. Either will serve you just fine.

 

[METALMICKY]

S2 S3 IPhone, pity you have all over looked the best phone on the market. I have the HTC one X, quite simply amazing.

Really? I was initially excited but it has two major failings. No micro sd card so you can't upgrade the capacity to store all that lovely media which the phone is equipped to show off. Secondly, no removable battery so can't carry round a spare to quickly pop in Devon you spend all day rationing all the lovely updates just so it doesn't die on you by 7pm. To be fair that's affliction on most smartphones but One X screen is a juice sapper. Personally, I think its just too big for comfy one hand use and easy pocketability and like the Samsung S3 the casing is very plastic. Many reviews are also suggesting that the quad core processor is only really noticed when gaming and that the lower specced One S performs equally as quickly for most tasks

 

[clapham_gull]

For those wondering the best way to access Seagulls World...

.. I've found tonight that the free Dolphin Browser is the least painful experience.