Apple vs Samsung – a never ending story (?)

This time, I would like stick to my thread of IT and software themes again and post a blog about a current issue in the Smartphone branch: the new Samsung Galaxy S III which was presented last Thursday. This latest innovation of the Korean company is assumed to be a moneymaker and even can dispute the unchallenged iPhone 4S of Apple.
But what is really behind this promising novelty?
And what does it mean with respect to the relationship between both companies?

“Come and meet the next Galaxy”

The rumors about the new Samsung Galaxy S III are flying thick and fast – till the 03.05.2012, when the CEO of the south Korean company Lee Kun Hee invited lots of journalists to “come and meet the Galaxy” in London. What he actually meant by this quite expressionless statement is that he and other colleges of Samsung want to present their newest Smartphone. And they did!

Come and Meet the Galaxy

If you want to skip this quite time consuming video, I summarized the main characteristics and details about the new Samsung Galaxy S III shortly.
First of all, the Smartphone is able to detect the face of its owner. This could be meaningful, if you want to use this function rather than typing in a certain PIN code which can also be abused. So you as an owner make sure that only you can use the Smartphone (if you actually like to do so).
Another important characteristic is the high-resolution display which I will explain more precisely when I compare Samsung and Apple later on. I want to compare these companies because they are the market leader for Smartphone nowadays and therefore rancorous competitors as well.
What might be not in favor of Apple is the voice control of the Galaxy. This ability is assumed to be a response to Apples latest invention Siri. This is a personal assistant which can communicate with its user. Therefore, you – as an owner of the S III – can tell your Samsung Smartphone that you want to sleep longer when the alarm clock is ringing. It also will become possible that you can pay with the Smartphone soon. This ability can be realized with the help of a special NFC Funk-Chip.
If you are excited about Samsungs new innovation you can buy this one in the stores at the end of May or you just preorder one exemplar for 600€.

The new iPhone killer?

As you may have realized, Samsung has improved and developed as a serious competitor with regard to Apple, the might biggest and most successful company in the (Smart)phone branch. Not for nothing, the Samsung Galaxy S III is supposed to be the new iPhone killer. So, let´s make a comparison between the new Samsung phone and Apple´s iPhone 4:

Firstly, I want to compare both Smart phones with regard to their display. In this category, Samsung can exhibit the greater one (4.8 inches) than the iPhone 4 (3.5 inches). Samsung scores with a faster chip as well, which make it possible to provide a faster connection with the internet. Indeed, both Smart phones have an eight megapixel camera but the Galaxy seems to have a better quality of the pictures. That is because of the higher disbanding (1280 x 720 pixel). On the other hand, the iPhone has a better engine performance regarding to the battery.
If you are interested in more technical details, you should have a look at the table below created by Brandon Russel.

Different concepts and strategies

Actually, it is difficult to compare both companies themselves. Of course, you can differentiate between technical details of their products because it´s about an objective evaluation. But with regard to the strategies and concepts of both enterprises, they are totally different on the one hand, but otherwise archrivals as well.

Let´s consider some main characteristics of the US-American concern Apple, firstly. They only sell one mobile phone, the iPhone, which was developed and improved step by step. Design as well as profitability is more important than producing lots of variations within a specific period. Moreover, Apple invests lots of money in marketing and advertising and they profit from special applications “apps” additionally.

In the contrary of its competitor, Samsung is characterized by a quantity focused production. For example, five different androids are produced in various variations. Because of the higher production volume, Samsung can sell its Smart phones for lower prices.

As shown in the comparison between Apple and Samsung, there are two absolutely different ways to be successful; and the companies can work together as well! For example, Apple is the biggest client of Samsung´s display component part. Due to “Strategy Analytics”, Apple and Samsung could achieve up to 91% of all revenues at the Smartphone market if they would collaborate. But this assumption seems to be a far cry because of lawsuits.

Fight!

These lawsuits especially occurred during the last year. In April 2011, for example, Apple brought an action against Samsung because of irregularities of patents and ornamental designs. As a response, Samsung took Apple to court as well and so on. Indeed, the lawsuits happened in nine countries but they do not affect the company´s numbers negatively.

Summing up, Samsung has developed as a serious competitor towards Apple. It might be justified to assume that the Galaxy S III could be challenging. But to my mind it is overdone to think that this Smartphone might be something like an iPhone-killer, just because of the different strategies and values the companies themselves stick to. Clients which attach importance to uniqueness and luxury always will prefer an iPhone rather than a cheaper but common Smartphone of Samsung. However, Apple still has to improve its innovations, especially the coming iPhone 5; and they really do! Due to rumors, the iPhone 5 will have a larger display like the current Samsung Galaxy. We will be curious about this!