One question I am asked all the time is whether the Samsung Galaxy S3 is better than the iPhone 5. It's the new "Mac or PC?" I have a fairly standard answer for this, which is that it depends on what you want from a phone. The S3 is better for people that like a product with loads of features they can customise, and a working map. The iPhone is better for those that prefer a simpler product with less extraneous stuff they will barely use.
But today the mobile landscape has changed. 4G is launching in the UK on 30 October from EE, although no prices have been announced yet. That means there is something else to worry about when you are weighing up which smart phone to buy -- which 4G bands it will operate on.
To give yourself the best chance of ending up with a phone that will work on O2, Vodafone, EE, Three and all the rest's 4G services, you will need a phone that supports the 800, 1,800 and 2,600MHz bands. Of those, the iPhone 5 only supports the 1,800MHz band, which means it is likely it will only ever be able to use the 4G service from EE and Three. That's going to suck if you want to switch to a cheaper deal on a different network, or if other companies can provide a better signal in your area.
But EE has confirmed to me today that the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE it is selling supports all of them. You need to make sure that you buy the LTE version and not the normal 3G model that's been on sale for months though. If you need a phone that's as future-proofed as it's possible to get in the world of cutting-edge tech, that's the one I'd recommend buying. Yes, I know that technically other phones are available that support 4G, but do they particularly matter?
One caveat here -- we don't actually know how easy it will be to move from one network to another's 4G. It's possible the phone networks will use the switch to prevent people from unlocking their phones and hopping over to a rival once their contract is up. But it seems sensible to try to pick a phone now that supports all the UK 4G bands, which will at least make switching providers technically possible.
Another related question -- is it even worth buying a phone without 4G capability now? For those at the cutting-edge with iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 amounts of money to spend, I'd say no. For those with more modest budgets, 4G will take a couple of years at least to be available across the country, so you can mostly ignore it for now, providing you're okay with buying a new phone when your contract is up.
Do you have any questions about 4G? Ask me in the comments below and I will try and find out the answers for you. And while you're here, check out our speed test video of every 4G-ready smart phone EE is selling as of today.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
24 month contract
Comments 55
Add your comment
Nathan Explosion 3 October, 2012 12:25
Yes, the 6 month old Galaxy S3 is significantly better than the brand new iPhone5.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 12:43
@Nathan Explosion No actually, the 6 month old Galaxy S3 doesn't even support 4G. The 4G model has just been released this month, alongside the iPhone.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 13:05
I just got 6mbps on 3G using the speedtest app. I can't see that I'll need more than that within the next year or so and living g in Devon I'm sure we'll be the late getting 4G, so it's wasted on me anyway. The only use I can see for 4G is if you are planning on tethering your phone to a tablet or Laptop.
joebhoy 3 October, 2012 13:05
Can you still use a 3g SIM in a 4g phone ?
Til you make up your mind what network you want to go with
joebhoy 3 October, 2012 13:10
I just got 7.3meg on my s3 which is awesome but infuriating at the same time !
Awesome because I can tether my laptop tablet vita and even my tv for lovefilm !
Infuriating because with sky I'm lucky to get 3meg on a VERY good day which isn't very often ! And also the only thing I can't tether is my PS3 :-(
anonymous 3 October, 2012 13:50
wooooooo hooooooooo got iphone 5 and s3 let both are blazing awesome.....
anonymous 3 October, 2012 14:34
In my area Kent, Chatham I get 8mbs or more on my s3 :-)
Jason Jenkins 3 October, 2012 14:36
@joebhoy Yes you can
anonymous 3 October, 2012 14:37
will my sg3 i9300 UK support ee 4G?
Jason Jenkins 3 October, 2012 14:58
@anonymous 3 October, 2012 14:37: No
anonymous 3 October, 2012 15:45
Where in the Uk can I buy this phone without having to have a monthly contract? Thanks
Jason Jenkins 3 October, 2012 16:41
@anonymous 3 October, 2012 15:45 I don't think you can yet, but I'm sure it won't be long
anonymous 3 October, 2012 16:50
In 2 years time, when my contract is up, which will hold the better reasale value? And will it be significant? I imagine an iPhone 5 will still be worth a fair whack in 2 years?
anonymous 3 October, 2012 17:40
4G is a complete scam just like 3G, who is going to be watching full HD videos on the move anyways? Unless you are sat down for sometime a decent 3G phone such as S3 will suffice. 1GB of network data /pm is more than enough for me with a download rate of around 7mbps. An additional 5mbps or more isnt going to make a big difference to my life as everything loads quick enough when i need it to.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 18:03
iPhone is the latest piece of Sour Apple crapware.
Galaxy S3 is Samsung's best work of art, aswell as the best phone on Earth.
Bladey 3 October, 2012 19:38
Let's be realistic here, the iPhone is a fantastic phone, I have had them for a few year's and nothing has come close, when Apple announced the iPhone 5, I was disappointed, not much difference than the 4s, never thought I would change but I did, I am now enjoying my Samsung S3 and I am very happy with it, my brother and a mate have also jumped ship and got an S3 instead of an iPhone, we love it and it is better than the iPhone, not by much but it is, I will wait for the S4 to come out next May before I go 4G!!!
anonymous 3 October, 2012 22:05
You mean the completely backwards Canadian cell phone industry (still featuring 3-year contracts) is actually ahead of the UK on something?
The guys in the office with iPhone 5s say they get download speeds of 35-40 mbps on LTE.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 23:02
What about the Galaxy Note 2 LTE - will this support all versions of 4G too?
anonymous 3 October, 2012 23:56
Does the average person really need 4G ? Im not being sarcastic but if yes please explain the needed benefit.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 00:32
I have been an apple fan since launch. But recently I jumped ship to Samsung and I have been amazed. Apple once innovative is now all about corporate bullying and profit margins, I see them going the Nokia way if things don't change.
Can't wait for the Note 2!!!!
Melial 4 October, 2012 03:55
Jason, HSPA+ dual carrier on the iPhone 5 can hit 43Mbps so LTE is far from essential (not to mention how much using all that bandwidth would cost...)
Some people also value having a phone that they can upgrade to the latest system software version the day it gets released (25% or 100 million users on iOS 6 after 2 days vs 1.2% on Jelly Bean after 2 months).
Many people also value buying into an OS that is not riddled with malware (14,900 malware apps and malicious exploits detected affecting millions of Adroid users last quarter alone versus zero for iOS).
Many also want to stick with an ecosystem that actually delivers far more revenue for its developers (iOS devs make 6x more revenue than Adroid, 84% of mobile games revenue, 4x more developers), advertisers (iOS has 46.53% of ad traffic and a massive 61.41% of ad revenue vs Android on 24.43% of traffic and 26.56% of revenue), e-commerce providers (iOS users generate 90% of mobile e-commerce revenue), content providers (iOS web share sits at 60-70%).
This means that iOS gets the quality apps first, as well as the content and revenue. Many top tier games are still only available on iOS.
Some people also like a solid high quality, machined aluminium phone rather than a flimsy plastic phone whose back pops off and worse every time you drop it. Check out Android Authority's drop test that showed the plastic Galaxy S III shattered and died after just a few drops while the all aluminium iPhone 5 just kept on kicking.
Jason Jenkins 4 October, 2012 10:37
anonymous 3 October, 2012 23:02 - Good question, I will try and find out about the Note 2
@Melial - You won't see speeds of 43Mbps on HSPA+ dual carrier in this country. We tried it on O2 and got about 12Mbps. That's about as fast as it is likely to get here as all the network money will now pile into building the 4G network rather than improving the existing 3G one.
Ruffus Stone 4 October, 2012 10:41
http://www.securityweek.com/building-android-malware-trivial-available-tools
McAfee - "After the mobile malware explosion in Q1 2012, Android malware shows no signs of slowing down, putting users on high alert. Virtually all new mobile malware detected in Q2 2012 was directed at the Android platform, and was comprised of SMS-sending malware, mobile botnets, spyware and destructive Trojans".
PC World Magazine - "The biggest story in malware right now is mobile malware. Android smartphones and tablets are the hottest targets. Virtually all mobile malware samples detected are intended for Android, ranging from malware that sends out SMS messages, or fraudulent SMS payments, mobile botnets, spyware, and Trojans that can capture or destroy data from Android devices.
Apple’s iOS is more locked down by nature, and the apps have to be approved by Apple to get into the app store. With Android, though, the platform is more open by design, and users are free to get apps from a wide variety of sources outside of the official Google Play store. Android apps are typically not reviewed or vetted in any way, making it easier for attackers to plant apps containing malware.
anonymous 4 October, 2012 11:35
CNET seem to think that bigger is better. At the end of the day the S3 feels cheap compared to the meticulously designed iPhone5. They both now support 4G, but so what? it's not availabe here yet, so that renders that point obsolete.
I would seriously consider CNET as a reputable source recently considering there constant bombardment of favourable reviews to the S3 over the iPhone.
Notice how all the media coverage of the iPhone 5 is about the iPhone 5, and the coverage of the S3 is all compared to the iPhone 5.
Speaks for itself really...
CaptRimmer 4 October, 2012 12:18
Please forgive my ignorance here but is the ability for a phone to get 4G a software or hardware thing or both?
I have just placed an order for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2...and subsequently cancelled it due to the impending release of the 4G version. Does anyone here know (because the phone companies seem to be a little vague/haven't a clue) if there are in fact two versions of the GN2 or it is just the 4G version that is coming out on the 15th October? Cheers.
Jason Jenkins 4 October, 2012 13:15
@CaptRimmer A phone's 4G abilities are down to hardware. The Note 2 will be available in 3G-only and 4G versions as far as I know, so take extra care to check before you buy
CaptRimmer 4 October, 2012 13:22
Thank you Jason. I'll wait for the 4G version to appear. It'll make the GN2 even more future proof. Thanks again.
CaptRimmer 4 October, 2012 14:08
As a side, I can't think that the people who have got their non 4G versions of the GN2 prior to this announcement are too chuffed....I'd be taking mine straight back again.
Melial 4 October, 2012 14:41
Jason, my point is that both HSPA+ dual carrier and LTE are theoretically capable of very high speeds but it is all shared bandwidth.
That means that as the LTE bands fill up with with more and more users there is no guarantee whatsoever that LTE speeds will stay nearly as impressive as shown in your tests - as you yourself noted, testing all phones together showed significant speed degradation compared to a single phone by itself.
However, even at 12 or 14mbps, HSPA is still faster than many user's home broadband connections (I'm lucky if I get 3mbps on my home ADSL) so this emphasis on 4G speeds seems to me to be somewhat misdirected.
Considering all of the other issues I mentioned earlier that should factor into any sensible comparison, namely app and OS platform, security, ecosystem, peripherals etc, it strikes me that saying 4G speed results (before everyone swamps the airwaves) are the be-all and end-all is quite a sizeable red herring.
JackTheNipper 4 October, 2012 18:35
Jason, Simply Electronics have 16gb sim free unlocked LTE versions going for £489.95. If i buy this model am i likely to be future proofed to move to any 4G network in the future?
CaptRimmer 5 October, 2012 08:08
@JackTheNipper I don't want to pre-empt Jason's reply but I would think so. The LTE version of the SGS3 supposedly works on all carriers so I assume the same of the SGN2 LTE when that is released.
I checked out that website you mentioned...are you sure the SGN2 versions they are selling are the LTE versions? I only ask because it doesn't specifically state that they are. Whereas it does for the SGS3 and the original Note (first gen). I didn't think that the LTE version of the SGN2 was available until the 15th of Oct? Cheers.
CaptRimmer 5 October, 2012 08:18
Checking out the specs, the LTE SGS3 is good for LTE 800, 1800 and 2600 (as per this article, is good for all networks). The SGN2 is good for LTE 700Mhz, Class 17/2100-N7105....what that equates to though I haven't a clue.
JackTheNipper 5 October, 2012 09:34
@CaptRimmer. Sorry for the confusion, i was actually talking about the SGS3. Thanks for your reply, i'm off to get a nice shiny new SGS3 LTE.
CaptRimmer 5 October, 2012 09:58
Nice, very nice. I'm going to wait for the SGN2 LTE to hit the shops. Although I don't think LTE will be viable for me ATM, if I'm going to sign up for a two year contract, I could well be swayed during that time. Enjoy the SGS3. The standard one is (I'm told) fantastic so the LTE version shoule be equally as good. Cheers.
anonymous 5 October, 2012 14:35
I want to get the s3 on 4g but will it be more expensive and do all models support the s3? If not what do I ask for? Thanss
CaptRimmer 5 October, 2012 15:29
@ anoymous 5/10 14:35 - I understand that there are two versions of the SGS3....3G only and 4G versions. From what I've seen here isn't any price difference (on contract) between the two. You should be looking out for the LTE version of the SGS3. Cheers
anonymous 5 October, 2012 18:14
@Melial Think you're right about 4G. For me the issue with 3G has never been speed - it's been coverage which is patchy at best. Had to buy a signal booster for my home!
God knows what 4G will be like and apparently it will cost £10/month more on EE for an undisclosed data allowance. Who's going to pay more than £40/month for a basic contract which will eat through data if you're doing anything fun?
I'm going to sit out 4G until my next upgrade. Will get a Virgin Mobile 24 month unlimited 3G contract for £23/month (£28 if you're not an existing customer) and use EE's 3G network without having to worry about call/text/data limits!
NiteMaker 5 October, 2012 19:08
My iPhone 4s contract finishes in January! Can't wait to jump ship from iPhone to Samsung. I like my tech and would like to tweak it, can't do anything with iPhone. Also will never buy a phone which doesn't with all the carriers.
Apple just got a latest phone out which is not even matching the competition. Careful apple you know what happened to RIM, when they ignored the consumers and thought their product was elite.
Bladey 5 October, 2012 21:08
Melial and enonymous 11.35
I completely agree that the iphone is superior in build quality, its by far the best looking mobile too, but who is ever going to drop there phone like they did in the test, really and after the first drop the S3 was fine, nearly all of us have cases on our phones to protext them, so theres no problem, as for malware on the Android apps, again you are right, but i have AVG installed which scans everything that i download, which eliminates the risks, you are also right as regards the OS updates, google are very slack at this, but the OS already has far more features then iOS, so even if i have to wait a few months for the update, i'm not bothered, the current OS is superb, have you ever tried an S3? If you have one for a week i think your opinion may change, i love my iphones, i love my ipad, i love Apple, but they no longer produce the best phone, the S3 overall is a better phone, and i am not afraid to admit it, and i am a true Apple fan, but for a mobile phone i am sticking with Samsung, Apple really need to up there game, when the S4 comes out next May, i think it will set the bar even higher!!
anonymous 6 October, 2012 14:44
Lots of folks are at risk of buying a phone for its 4G capabilities NOW, but will find that they only get very limited 4G coverage once the post-4G-auction LTE frequencies roll out. EE will bid at auction like everyone else, and roll out LTE on those frequencies from next summer. I can't imagine that they will continue to roll out 1800MHz LTE beyond the initial 16 cities. Those switching to EE who get a phone that does not support all three LTE freqs 800, 1800 and 2600MHz will be left high and dry in just 8 months time. Is it worth it?? I tried to get an answer re galaxy note 2 LTE (which is now on t-mobiles site), but they did not know.
CaptRimmer 6 October, 2012 17:57
I can only imagine that the new SGN2LTE would have the same spec and the SGS3 i.e. it will work on all LTE frequencies. It makes sense to keep the same hardware inside the phone. I've just ordered one :)
anonymous 13 October, 2012 12:40
Obviously SGS3 will be in par with iP5 because, Samsung copied Apple`s network protocols. They South Korean copycats got sued for a billion dollars. Remember?
anonymous 17 October, 2012 23:21
hi
jutst about to take a contract on a samsung galaxy s3 with 3. read some stuff about the 4g nework and it would appear that a standard s3 is not 4g compatible unless it runs jelly bean? or is the lte version? not sure if either or both of these statements is true
anonymous 23 October, 2012 14:36
Why would a mobile company not tell me that my galaxy s3 is not 4g compatible? I have found this out today that it is not compatible and now they want to charge me nearly a hundred pounds to change it over.
anonymous 24 October, 2012 00:41
I spoke to O2 today. Asking them if they had the Samsung s3 LTE. They said yes. So I asked for a link on the website, on O2 website it shows the non 4g version. Are O2 lying to me to get me to sign up for 24 months . Or is the Samsung s3 LTE on available on 02 , can anyone help plz
anonymous 24 October, 2012 10:20
s3 normal - i9300
s3 lte - i9305
note 2 - n7100
note 2 lte - n7105
anonymous 6 November, 2012 17:44
Let's have some clarity here! There's a) the Samsung Galaxy S3 3G and b) the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G, the latter only available on EE. Is that true? Oh, then there's the iPhone with the small screen - too small!
Bladey 6 November, 2012 20:46
Yes I have the standard S3 which is only 3g, the Samsung S3 LTE version got released last month, which is 4g, the difference between the S3 LTE and iPhone 5, is that the iPhone is only compatible with EE network as it only uses one 4g frequency, where as the S3 LTE will be compatible with all 4g networks because it has multipal frequencies, I'm with O2 in the UK, really want 4g but I'm not moving over to EE just so I can have 4g, as EE are part of orange, t mobile, which are the worst networks I've ever been on, so I decided to get the normal S3, as O2 and all other networks 4g service won't be up and running till next summer, which is why I will get the new Samsung S4 when it comes out in May, as that will have 4g as standard, I would wait fella :-)
Stewee64 13 November, 2012 11:49
My question is, will an LTE SGS3 work fine on all UK 3G networks, and will it still exhibit the stated battery drain if it has the LTE radio but it is working on a 3G network?
Bladey 15 November, 2012 14:19
Yes it will work fine on all 3G networks and the battery life will be exactly the same as the standard S3, the battery will only drain slightly more if and when you start using the 4G networks, it's basically the same phone with a 4G frequency radio built in! :-)
anonymous 7 December, 2012 22:59
What about Nokia Lumia 820which has 4G, I'm stuck for choice at the minute, I'm looking for contract phone and Samsung SIII however tempting seems too big in format, maybe too pop too? WHilst Nokia has wireless charge and that funny 4G, do I need this all speed? Because I do like the ergonomics! Please help!
anonymous 17 December, 2012 03:39
Writing form Australia - my son is coming to UK to work in a school at Newton Stocksfield Northumberland in his gap year starting January 2013. I owe him a new phone fror doing well in exams, and he wants a Samsung GalxyS3. Do you know whether the 4g sold in Australia is comapatible with that in UK,
Is Northumberland likely to be in 4g range in coming year - how do we find out?
anonymous 21 December, 2012 12:01
As a smartphone repair specialist (csmicros.com) I have to say, the Galaxy S3 is beautifully built. All the components slot into place, screw into place and fit. iPhones, under the "classy" exterior are very much a bodge of parts held in by double sided tape and glue. I would never go for an Apple product. I wouldn't pay £500 for an orange or lemon, and certainly not for an Apple.
Stephanie-Anne 5 January, 2013 23:39
I have the both iPhones 4s and 5 and think they're get phone but to be honest I don't see much differents in them apart from the screen size
anonymous 8 January, 2013 16:54
What sort of speeds can we expect from these "4G" services (given that a formal definition does exist - see below)?
In March 2008, the International Telecommunications Union-Radio communications sector (ITU-R) specified a set of requirements for 4G standards, named the International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced) specification, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s) for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 gigabit per second (Gbit/s) for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users).[