The Samsung Verses iPhone Challenge

I have been an iPhone user for a long time now. I would say around 7 years. I know my way around them and I am a creature of habit. I like my routines and to know what I know and any deviation from that tends to throw me. That is why, when I was given the chance to compare and pitch a Samsung verses iPhone challenge. I thought I would take a step out of my comfort zone and give it a go.

First impressions of the Samsung

I have to start by saying that my iPhone is old. It is a 5s. When I opened the Samsung I was a bit of a magpie! It was shiny and new and rather lovely. I was impressed by the size of the screen and how quickly and easily it charged up.

I did have a few issues over where everything was. I didn’t know that you had to scroll up to find all the icons – unlike the iPhone where they are mainly all pre-loaded on the face of the phone and you just remove them if you don’t want them. I find having to use Google Play a bit of a chore whereas I really like the dedicated App store for the iPhone.

The screen

I have to admit that I am really starting to get used to a larger screen. It makes it so much easier to view photographs, play my Crater Craft game (!) and read things! I also prefer watching videos on a larger screen too. Previously, I was always a little against it as I thought that a mobile phone should be able to fit in the palm of your hand, however, I use it for so much more than photos these days! So, a larger screen is definitely better in my opinion.

The camera

I had high hopes for the camera on the Samsung. Whilst it was so much better than the one on my iPhone, I am a bit of a picky photographer and it didn’t really live up to expectations. In the interests of transparency, I had to request a replacement Samsung as I couldn’t get the camera on the first one to focus – despite performing all the updates and suggestions from Samsung!

Ease of use

I have to admit that I don’t like the buttons on the Samsung. I much prefer the straightforward way that the iPhone performs. I find the swiping this way, that way and the other way a bit of a chore and the iPhone makes all this a bit easier and more straightforward.

Durability

I don’t feel that the Samsung is anywhere near as durable as the iPhone. I have dropped my iPhone on the hall floor countless times and it has never cracked or broken. I dropped the Samsung once and a crack appeared in the top left hand corner of the screen. The iPhone certainly weathers far better!

What I would like to see on the Samsung S9

I still love my iPhone and I think it will take a bit more persuading for me to join the Samsung club. The main thing that is missing on the Samsung for me is the dedicated log-in button. It feels very definite when you use it to go into your iPhone. The finger print identification works brilliantly – plus, it makes it much easier to get into your phone when it is dark! Having to find a button on the side of the Samsung to then have you swipe the screen to then enter your passcode to then click on OK is all a bit long-winded for me!

 

Final Thoughts

I am afraid that I remain unconvinced on the Samsung. The iPhone is still my phone of choice unless Samsung work just a little bit harder to take my custom!

 

I was sent a Samung S8+ on loan for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.