iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy Note 2: Smartphone Takes on the Phablet
Could a hybrid device capable of competing with the iPhone ever be created? Would consumers ever be interested in such a gadget?
Well the answer is yes, as the original Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone-tablet hybrid is one of the company's highest-selling products to date. The new question posed is can Samsung make lightning strike twice with the Galaxy Note 2? Especially after Apple introduced the new iPhone 5 this week that seems to have stolen the attention of many tech enthusiasts.
So how does the Galaxy Note 2 stack up against the iPhone 5? Here is a breakdown of all the specs and other special features of both of these devices.
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Design
It terms of design, the Galaxy Note 2 is bulkier and heavier to carry around. However, the device is meant to function like a tablet as well as acting as a phone. So size is not an issue when compared to many of the popular tablets on the market. The iPhone 5 is four inches tall with the same width as previous models. It will be extremely convenient to carry around, but this doesn't make it more appealing to those who love the original Note since they are already used to carrying around their hybrid device.
Display
The iPhone 5 comes with a 4-inch display with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution at 326 ppi. It is sure to be crystal clear. However, the Galaxy Note 2 features a 5.5-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The Note's screen is larger and will be better for watching movies and other kinds of video.
Camera
Both devices feature an 8-megapixel rear shooter and both of them can take Panorama pictures. The iPhone 4S seems to have one of the finest cameras featured on a mobile device so I'd say that the iPhone 5 will probably feature a nicer camera. But this is just an educated guess based on past devices. It truly could go either way.
Speed
iPhone 5 has the A6 chip. The Galaxy Note 2 comes with a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor. To summarize this category into one statement, both of these gadgets will be fast enough for anyone's needs.
Software
This comes down to iOS 6 vs. Android 4.1, JellyBean. A good comparison of the two can be found in yesterday's Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 5 article.
Conclusion
Just like our comparison with the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5, this match-up comes down to the consumer's preference. Apple does not offer a device similar to the Galaxy Note so Samsung remains the only show in town with a gadget such as this one. Both devices are sure to be extremely efficient and impressive. And the S-Pen gives the Note a slight advantage over most smartphones since it is a fun little accessory with its own apps.
