Nokia Lumia 1020 vs. The iPhone 5S
In case you missed it…Really? Seriously? The Apple iPhones were announced yesterday and now that we have all had time to digest the news, let’s look at a few things. First, it was every bit the Ho Hum release we expected. Other than iOS 7 which in many ways is still catching up to other operating systems, the hardware was incredibly lack luster to the say the least. This chart will pretty much sum up the bottom line. Apple is holding back, throttling down, and maximizing the momentum they have with as little innovation as possible.
As you can see the similarities are absolutely shocking. The Nokia Lumia1020 and the iPhone 5S are best in class and the flagship centerpiece of both companies mobile offering. In my opinion what Apple trumpeted yesterday was the A7 processor, the camera and fingerprint security. The physical device has not changed from the 5 as we had hoped. It was much needed relief when the iPhone 5 went to 4 inch screen, which was major shift from Steve Jobs direction and personal preference. Apple simply could not ignore the massive market trend of a larger screen smart phone any longer. Even with this small victory, the larger screen size only provided extra real estate in landscape mode with the length getting changed and not the width. I had hoped Apple would increase the width in the 5S but suspected because of massive design changes and costs, that they would milk out the current design for as long as possible. The retina screen is beautiful, there is no questions. In my opinion Apple does not dominate any longer here and the Lumia, with a beautiful display and a 4.5 inch screen is much more preferred for daily use and web browsing.
Camera’s will be a huge let down for Apple I think. First, I won a iPhone 5 and the pictures are outstanding and do everything that I need it to do and then some. I suspect that many of the smart phone owners are as equally satisfied as I am and anything better really becomes lost to them. Keep that thought in mind when we talk about processors in a minute. The Nokia Lumia 1020 is simply amazing and I have yet to see it’s match. I am not a fan of the impression 41 megapixels casts on the device however. To me it simply implies that there is a gimmick behind it. There has never been thing remotely close to that sort of megapixel capability. I can assure you of one thing about Nokia’s camera, there is no gimmick, it simple the leader currently. Apple, chose to stay with an 8megapixel camera and update aperture by 15% than the previous version in the iPhone 5. The LED lights got an update and they look to be a much welcomed improvement. Apple also added a 28 megapixel panorama creator and “burst mode” to the new iPhone 5S. I do not hesitate to say that it will be another outstanding picture taker. From a marketing standpoint, it is a flop. Not moving the Megapixel count to something like 12 does not provide a measureable to consumers to compare the hardware of the 5S to the original and current iPhone 5. Also, it does not narrow the gap between the 41 megapixel camera of the Lumia 1020. Both will be impressive cameras, and apple will be hard pressed in what I have seen of the Nokia 1020 shooter to best them.
Processor and Fingerprint technology. The Apple iPhone 5S will get an updated A7 64bit processor. The problem is that the majority of the consumer base could care less and I think Apple gets that because they redundantly say that it works better. Of course it works better. That should be a no brainer. Apple consistently as I mentioned links the better processor to gaming, with the Epic Games Infinity Blade III announcement and the camera. The fact of the matter is that processors no longer sell devices and I have never encountered a problem with my A6 processor. In my opinion it is not a selling point or reason to purchase the iPhone 5S. Apple simply has done an amazing job since the iPhone 4 optimizing the OS and building a very solid device that performs well. Lastly, I am really lost with the whole fingerprint technology. Apple paid 350 million for AuthenTec last year and has provided them with the ability to give iPhone 5S owners fingerprint security. Simply press the home button and the iPhone 5S recognizes your unique finger print and unlocks the device. This sensor ability is called TouchID. Apple went to great lengths to assure iPhone 5S consumers that your fingerprint is totally secure and will not even be backed up on iCloud. In a world where ANYTHING can be hacked, I’m not convinced nor do I even lock my device the majority of the time with a passcode. Unless traveling do I enter in a passcode. The passcode is effect and does not betray the owner in any way should your device be compromised. It could very well be that your fingerprint is never compromised in any way by hackers in the future but for me, a passcode still is simple and effective. I will say the emphasis on the sapphire crystal was impressive and had a certain wow factor.
I’m a sheep. I am truly sorry everyone. My logical and hopefully rational side is screaming bloody murder that this is a pass just like the iPad 4 was. I kept the 3 and thumbed my nose at Apple. With iOS 7 going to be available for the iPhone 5, I am wondering if I can fight my long standing addiction to having the newest device available and stay with the iPhone 5? I think a lot of people will be staying with the iPhone 5. Time will tell and if you iPhone sheep like me are every wondering about how the grass is on the other side, it might be time to check out the Lumia.
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I like the fingerprint unlock. I don’t lock my device because I’m not willing to always use a pin. But if it were simply touching to unlock I would. Then of course I’d yell at my wife to ‘just use my phone’ and she’d call me an ass as usual. But putting that aside, I do like the concept.
There was less flair. No Apple TV. No iWatch. No iphone5S+. The internals of the 5S are top notch. The chip they developed is standing at the top, alone. I’m shocked there’s no NFC yet – honestly. This is long overdue.
But just like the Lumia both live and die by more than specs. It’s mostly ecosystem and what your friends have at this point. I suspect that those who like iPhones stick with them. There’s nothing so great that you’ll be swayed to buy this over the last model. In fact, at a discount it really makes you think about if it’s worth the extra money. That’s where they failed. Don’t expect them to stop selling iPhones. They may lose market share but overall sales will go up and that’s still good.
David,
While you are drooling over “your” iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner, one can easily chop of your fingers, steal your phone and unlock it. Or while you are sleeping one can easily rub the phone with your fingers and unlock and lock it with something else. Think of possibilities. 😀
Of course I have no issues with NSA or any other government mining “My Data”, now they have to increase their data center size, because they could store your finger prints and create new mappings to map your finger print to the data they have on you. In addition to this Apple also can have your finger print information. I don’t care about my fingerprint information because I have given mine when I moved to the USA from India anyway. All Google has to do is steal it from Apple or Govt. and keep it to themselves and their partners. 😀
1020 Advantages:
1. HERE Maps are offline available and you don’t need data connection while you are on road and using your phone as GPS. And they support voice turn by turn in many languages. And those languages are growing.
2. I don’t care about the Mega Pixels of camera, but the 1020 camera is outstanding because Optical Image Stabilization over Digital that is part of iPhone 5S. Also its 6 element sensor is way better than 5 element. The Pro Cam and Smart Cam are powerful software that puts entry to moderate level DSLRs at home. Tap+Send sharing capability with NFC/BT is really great addition.
3. Barometer, I may not use it regularly, but it is powerful enough to write apps specific to Barometer.
4. Wireless charging capability (of course with charging plate, but it is supported).
5. NFC, I didn’t care about it first, but got used to NFC writer software and now all my business cards are NFC enabled and ability to tag the inventory I have with information is neat.
6. Highly efficient and touchscreen, you could use gloves and operate phone in winters. or you could use a pencil to take notes. First hand experience.
7. Comes in 3 colors, but there is a rumor that red color is landing in the USA.
iPhone 5S advantages:
1. At more places you could use your phone replacing some of the loyalty cards and pre-paid cards like Starbucks.
2. Fingerprint Scanner – I had Atrix 4G and its fingerprint scanner was neat, but never was implemented properly. Like David K said in the above response, it is greatly implemented in iPhone 5S.
3. Comes in 3 colors
4. Apps, but except few official apps, Windows Phone marketplace is also growing.
In addition to the above features in 1020, you also have native Office apps, of course they are very basic, but the functionality is way better than the iWorks, which Apple is trying to give away starting from iOS 7 update. Of course you could use Office Web Apps, if you have SkyDrive account on both the devices.
Even though the 16GB iPhone 5S is similarly priced with 32GB Lumia 1020, Lumia 1020 comes with only one storage option, while iPhone 5S comes in 3 storage options to choose 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.
Since I don’t have iPhone 5S on hand, I can’t comment, but the low light photography and videography on 1020 rocks. Even if iPhone 5S camera is good, it can’t match Lumia 920 itself, you don’t have to go 1020 to compare.
SkyDrive storage of 7GB is native to Lumia, while iCloud, which is native iPhone is 5GB. Of course there is a SkyDrive app available for iPhone, while Lumia doesn’t have iCloud. Also both systems have 3rd party cloud storage apps such as box.net, AT&T Locker (50GB promotion is going on and if you are interested, just download that app and sign up, you would get 5GB, and then click on plans and upgrade it to 50GB freely). etc.
iPhone 5S another advantage, carrier choice, while it is available on all major US networks, Lumia 1020 is currently available for AT&T exclusively. I think by the end of this quarter, probably Verizon, and T-Mobile would get and I don’t think Sprint would understand the power of Nokia anytime soon though.
If you are not into Apple eco-system or want to come out of it, I think Lumia 1020 would be good choice. Remember you have to be either on AT&T or have to move to AT&T.
Where I am a WinFanBoy
I can say that both phones are too expensive for me.
Other than that, the Nokia 1020 has better specs.
Apple made the best iPhone better. Those who rave about the iPhone 5 will love the iPhone 5S even more. I respect the way Apple says “show me the money” and keeps doing its thing. The iPhone 5c is simply an iPhone 5 but in color and plastic.
The Lumia 1020 is an outstanding device that doesn’t take a backseat to any phone. Everyday it allows me to do something that people are amazed at. Plus 32gb beats 16gb seven days a week.