Prepare to be outraged, people who get outraged about things: experts say the screen on the new iPhone 5 is officially better than the Samsung Galaxy S3 -- they've done tests and science and everything.
Screen testing wonks DisplayMate Technologies pitted the two flagship phones in screen-to-screen combat. The iPhone 5 earned an A in in-depth tests, while the S3 could only manage a B+. Must try harder, Samsung!
The iPhone 5's screen is "a significant improvement over the display in the iPhone 4", according to DisplayMate. It offers much lower reflection, much higher image contrast and improved screen readability in bright lighting conditions.
In fact, it's the best smart phone display DisplayMate has ever tested.
By contrast, the Galaxy S3 doesn't do as well in bright sunlight because the screen brightness is about half that of the iPhone. That's in part due to the restrictions of the power required by the S3's OLED screen.
The OLED screen is still rated "very good", and only falls behind the iPhone because OLED is a newer technology and is yet to be perfected. So it's the classic story: Apple succeeds because it takes existing technology and refines it, while rivals succeed by using newer technology.
But Apple also pays attention to the details; Samsung, by contrast, has "not bothered to calibrate the colour gamut on any of its OLED displays, so they are wildly inaccurate and produce inaccurate and over-saturated coloors". Oops -- schoolboy error!
So there you have it: the iPhone 5 is officially easier to see in bright sunlight when you're out and about. So when you need to find out where you are as you journey about, simply fire up the Apple Maps app and... oh.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is still a great phone with a great screen -- a much larger screen too -- but have you struggled to see it outdoors? Is DisplayMate just biased? Is everyone biased? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 51
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anonymous 25 September, 2012 17:36
now compare it to RGB display on the One x.there you go. iphone failed.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 17:50
or just compare the battery lifes with full brightness...
anonymous 25 September, 2012 18:07
Yeah isheep run out of battery before they can blink. S3 screen has better viewing angles better contrast and wont go dull after a year or so. And Samsungs screen is actually samsungs, Crapple had to resort to the exellence of LG.
Colliedog 25 September, 2012 18:18
It's the over-saturated nature of the AMOLED screens that is so appealing to many, though I don't think most people could care less.
Has the the Lumia 920 screen been tested yet? Maybe that would challenge the iPhone5 screen.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 18:59
Yes, the Galaxy fails outdoors - a big fat F :( Luckily for me, I spend most of my days cooped up inside under florescent lights, so it's only a problem when I race outside for lunch and then race back in to my cubby. :-/
anonymous 25 September, 2012 19:08
Apple has a fantastic knack for finding obscure reports or data and turning it into an article to make out Apple is the best. When Android is out selling iPhone 4 to 1, Apple is winning because Apple is raking more money from customers. When Apple is playing catch up with Galaxy S3 in terms of screen size, they manage to find an obscure report from "screen experts" which claims Apple is better. I wonder how much Apple paid for this to be published.
I guess if your customer base with a level of nativity and IQ deficiency that makes them believe that Apple invented the rectangle and rounded corners, and it is worth paying through the nose for that Apple invention, as many Apple customers, then they can sell this kind of crap to the Apple faithful.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 19:29
By "Experts" you mean Luke Westaway?
anonymous 25 September, 2012 19:30
"Android is out selling iPhone 4 to 1". And iPhone users are 'sheep'?
billfred 25 September, 2012 19:37
So much OuTrAgE!!! aaahhh .... you know what, f*** it. Get over it dear commenters (pointless statement/request I know on t'intrawebz), I do prefer OLED over LCD though in general.
Stuart Perchard 25 September, 2012 19:41
The iPhone 5's screen is "a significant improvement over the display in the iPhone 4"
excuse me but isn't there the 4s in between, so I would hope there was a significant improvement, shame it's not from the 4s though :-)
Leszcz 25 September, 2012 19:56
the s3 screen is pretty dim outdoors. There are better screens out there and I wouldn't be surprised if Iphone 5 was one of them.
Mark Anderson 25 September, 2012 22:25
Best screen... until the 920 comes out.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 23:48
Compare it to the HTC one x display, it's the best of any mobile to date, including the iPhone 5. How much did apple pay you to say this!?
Meleagru 25 September, 2012 23:50
I still think the only reason why retina display exists is because that was the only way Apple could claim an improvement. They were so adamant about the perfect 3.5' size that they only had one dimension to work with. There is a point to redundant technology and when I read about expert reports on something that's is ultimately quite subjective, I remember why I ignore film reviews. Critics can shout as hard as they can, but ultimately everyone decides for themselves.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 06:50
Sorry but the Sonaja or whatever so called "expert" has been labelled as apple-paid scientist 2 years ago, and coincidently I have stopped visiting this expert displaymate website since.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 08:31
This site will do anything to ensure the bad press the ipony 5 has been getting gets brushed under the carpet. Your so far up Apple`s backside its untrue. Please do this test against the Lumia 920 when it comes out and lets see you print how the ipony comes a poor second and ISNT actually the best screen ever.Err yeah i didn`t think you would.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 09:02
Yay for CNET, you have finally found something on the new iPhone that is better than all the rest! You must be so relieved that all your biased iPhone loving can finally be justified by the one thing that clearly makes a smartphone the best, congratulations!
anonymous 26 September, 2012 09:25
how much did apple pay them to say that iphone is for apple sheep end of story
Rich Trenholm 26 September, 2012 09:36
"This site will do anything to ensure the bad press the ipony 5 has been getting gets brushed under the carpet"
What are you talking about? Search this site for 'Apple Maps' and then tell us we're ignoring bad press
anonymous 26 September, 2012 11:13
Rich..if that wasn`t mentioned on the national news and on every Tech site then it would have been a small story subtley surrounded by other whoop whoop iphone news. I could point you to the amount of anti windows phone articles you write and how 'lack of important apps' still finishes off every article. I like this site but please give credit where its due to other devices. The iphone is a great piece of kit but there are others the same if not better. Most sites have the S3 as the superior phone and other sites have the Lumia 920 as the most anticipated phone of this year.
damien2501 26 September, 2012 11:26
Why do people get so annoyed if a story doesn't agree with their opinion? Are you looking for the truth or something that backs up what you already believe. The truth is the iPhone 5 has a better screen than the Samsung galaxy s3 and is the best screen ever, so calm down fanboys
Rich Trenholm 26 September, 2012 11:42
We cover the iPhone a lot because it's the thing that most people want to read about, by a country mile. It's as simple as that really.
Not sure where you got the anti-Windows Phone sentiment from, I use a Lumia and wrote an article called "Why I don't want an iPhone any more" extolling the virtues of Windows Phone
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/why-i-dont-want-an-iphone-any-more-50006257/
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:52
Whether the iphone 5's screen is better outside or not is rather academic at the moment as it seems they cant produce enough of them at the moment. It is true though that some screens are not so good outside.My Sony Xperia is pretty poor in bright sunlight outside, but inside it is better than the iphone 5, however, I dont think the quality of the screen is going to persuade anyone specifically to purchase an iphone 5 when you consider all the downsides. I have read this morning for example, that Apple have put an authentication chip in the charger leads which means you will not be able to use an alternative item and will have to purchase Apple's £30.00 item. You also have a phone that appears to damage very easily, and after many iphone 4S users I know have cracked screens, this is not a great product at all. For those of you who like Apple, good luck to you. I owned an iphone 4,but when I changed to an Android phone, it was like a breath of fresh air and I will never go back to being controlled by Apple.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:52
Whether the iphone 5's screen is better outside or not is rather academic at the moment as it seems they cant produce enough of them at the moment. It is true though that some screens are not so good outside.My Sony Xperia is pretty poor in bright sunlight outside, but inside it is better than the iphone 5, however, I dont think the quality of the screen is going to persuade anyone specifically to purchase an iphone 5 when you consider all the downsides. I have read this morning for example, that Apple have put an authentication chip in the charger leads which means you will not be able to use an alternative item and will have to purchase Apple's £30.00 item. You also have a phone that appears to damage very easily, and after many iphone 4S users I know have cracked screens, this is not a great product at all. For those of you who like Apple, good luck to you. I owned an iphone 4,but when I changed to an Android phone, it was like a breath of fresh air and I will never go back to being controlled by Apple.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:53
Whether the iphone 5's screen is better outside or not is rather academic at the moment as it seems they cant produce enough of them at the moment. It is true though that some screens are not so good outside.My Sony Xperia is pretty poor in bright sunlight outside, but inside it is better than the iphone 5, however, I dont think the quality of the screen is going to persuade anyone specifically to purchase an iphone 5 when you consider all the downsides. I have read this morning for example, that Apple have put an authentication chip in the charger leads which means you will not be able to use an alternative item and will have to purchase Apple's £30.00 item. You also have a phone that appears to damage very easily, and after many iphone 4S users I know have cracked screens, this is not a great product at all. For those of you who like Apple, good luck to you. I owned an iphone 4,but when I changed to an Android phone, it was like a breath of fresh air and I will never go back to being controlled by Apple.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:54
Whether the iphone 5's screen is better outside or not is rather academic at the moment as it seems they cant produce enough of them at the moment. It is true though that some screens are not so good outside.My Sony Xperia is pretty poor in bright sunlight outside, but inside it is better than the iphone 5, however, I dont think the quality of the screen is going to persuade anyone specifically to purchase an iphone 5 when you consider all the downsides. I have read this morning for example, that Apple have put an authentication chip in the charger leads which means you will not be able to use an alternative item and will have to purchase Apple's £30.00 item. You also have a phone that appears to damage very easily, and after many iphone 4S users I know have cracked screens, this is not a great product at all. For those of you who like Apple, good luck to you. I owned an iphone 4,but when I changed to an Android phone, it was like a breath of fresh air and I will never go back to being controlled by Apple.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:55
Whether the iphone 5's screen is better outside or not is rather academic at the moment as it seems they cant produce enough of them at the moment. It is true though that some screens are not so good outside.My Sony Xperia is pretty poor in bright sunlight outside, but inside it is better than the iphone 5, however, I dont think the quality of the screen is going to persuade anyone specifically to purchase an iphone 5 when you consider all the downsides. I have read this morning for example, that Apple have put an authentication chip in the charger leads which means you will not be able to use an alternative item and will have to purchase Apple's £30.00 item. You also have a phone that appears to damage very easily, and after many iphone 4S users I know have cracked screens, this is not a great product at all. For those of you who like Apple, good luck to you. I owned an iphone 4,but when I changed to an Android phone, it was like a breath of fresh air and I will never go back to being controlled by Apple.
Simon J 26 September, 2012 12:58
Sorry for the multiple posts above, the log in system is playing up.
Salik Kakar 26 September, 2012 13:33
Though I'm a big fan of Apple products (and rely heavily on them), I'm a bigger fan of technology. I did get the impression that CNET was a little biased towards Apple before, but comparing the market I did say CNET did a good job. However, since the launch of iPhone 5 and reading through CNET b*********** reviews to make iPhone 5 something of a revolutionary item, now I'm damn freakin' sure that they are not only just biased but VERY biased!!! I think I can apply for a job at CNET. Very, very disappointed at CNET's attitude as a reader and follower of CNET.
For crying out loud, why can't all the so-called CNET Apple reviewers see the flaws in iPhone 5? I waited for the iPhone 5 since my contract finished early this year, but iPhone 5 is just a "FAILED" catch-up product! Yes, I will concur to the fact that iPhone 5 is a lot improved version, but AS COMPARED TO iPhone family ONLY, not as compared to the handsets already available in the market launched months before iPhone. Selling millions does NOT deem a product as technologically advance than other similar products in the market at a given time.
There's a video posted today by the CNET comparing iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3.. what a load of crap!!! CNET you were suppose to be a tech review site not a biased iPhone sale site (unless you do have such agenda).
By looking at the iPhone 5, REGRETFULLY, I must say that Apple is missing a perfectionist CEO.
damien2501 26 September, 2012 13:53
Rich is there anyway you guys could delete multiple posts of the same comment because it ruins the comment section for the rest of us
Ryan Simmons 26 September, 2012 14:11
I don't get why these "experts" were comparing it to the Galaxy S3 when the HTC One X is commonly regarded to have the best screen on the market. Seems misleading to me...
anonymous 26 September, 2012 14:25
I dont think its is better! There are many thing that define a screen the s3 is so much more efficient and the battery wll last longer on full brightness the viewing angles are brilliant. And we know what screen would look better in18 months and dont forget samsung use there inhouse tech not like apple, really we are compareing LG and Samsung screens. But i dont think any screen is better than the other. They are very different. Nokia lumia 920 and LG optimus g have better screens. There are no facts in this artical
@damien2501 its always funny to so a massive stupid fanboy like yourself scream out fanboy
anonymous 26 September, 2012 14:33
"Maybe we will get everything this year that we didnt get last year" LOL i think apple need need to try harder.
damien2501 26 September, 2012 14:48
anonymous 14:25 i think its funny when people say "But i dont think any screen is better than the other." whats the point in reviewing anything if you think all things are just as good as each other. Now that is what i call stupid and funny. On a side not, they are looking at the S3 and iphone screen because these are the two most popular phones right now. The onex is an amazing phone and probably would win in a screen test.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 14:51
Omg how sad are android users its a unbiased report, I feel sorry for all the apple haters out there. If you don't like then don't comment! I regularly see photoshopped pics making fun of iPhone floating around, all I can say is get a life and stop wasting your lives away googling reports and articles that put down apple products. I use both android and iOS and both have good and bad points and end of the day it's just a phone. Think hating apple is becoming a illness mentally to many android users!
anonymous 26 September, 2012 15:32
@anonymous I dont like Apple for many many reasons you narrow minded twat you automaticly assume ive never had an apple product
anonymous 27 September, 2012 04:14
So in amongst all the fanboy love do I read the fact that Apple is using outdated screen technology ?
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:36
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:37
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:37
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:38
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:38
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:40
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:40
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:40
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 27 September, 2012 15:41
OMG I love Crapple so much I want to sell my newborn baby into indentured slavery just to get the new one cause it has a slighlty better screen and i can't even drag and drop files from my computer - awesome
anonymous 1 October, 2012 14:57
I've never had any trouble with my S3 outside. If one DO have trouble with it outside, it must be due to user error, maybe they didn't understand that it's possible to change the brightness? What I did notice though, is that there are several errors in how the S3 works i this article, to mention one of them:
To add a widget: longpress on an open space, choose "add to home screen", choose "apps and widgets" -> how much easier could it be? There are no reason to enter the apps-menu under settings. Clear user errors and misconseptions like this should be avoided ...
anonymous 5 October, 2012 17:13
I love the Galaxy s3 but got rid of it for the one thing I bought it for. In sunlight it's impossible, meaning taking pictures was snap and hope as I couldn't see the screen. A large screen is great, but useless if you can't see it.
Leszcz 6 October, 2012 12:32
Exactly what I said. Great screen, but in sunlight its average. Not saying I've ever struggled with it but it's definitely not its strength.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 20:10
Iphone 5 is years agead of the android morons. Android outselling 4-1 what a load of crap they are giving android phones away for nothing after a day if release as they are so poor nobody is prepared to pay for them. Measure sales properly and iphone 5 is outselling any android model by 9-1 and is officially the biggest selling mobile ever again fact! It has sold twice as many handsets in two months than samsung galaxy has in 4 months tells you all you need to know, android the phone system that says it all used by androids as not got brains to use a system that works and does everything you want easily, and have to be honest apple maps far better than google for what its meant for mapping, no street view granted but direction wise light years ahead of google . Was shown samsung galaxy by guy in phone shop tried using it was so clunky and as he admitted why bother if you are used to the best why go backward, not been in one phone shop in the uk yet where people working there use an android phone! The android supporters gaze longingly at iphone get green with envy at seeing the best and then slag it off in anger at their stupidity, pathetic really
anonymous 20 December, 2012 08:21
Personality Definition:
IOS = Slave / Android = King