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    Samsung Stratosphere Vs. iPhone 4S

    By Adam Justice | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Thu, Feb 9, 2012
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    When a wireless customer wants a "top of the line" phone these days, they have the benefit of a choice; do you want an iPhone or a Samsung's latest Galaxy device, which is currently the Stratosphere?

    Both the iPhone 4S and the Samsung Stratosphere have the most up to date hardware and each have their own class of innovative apps and software. The most obvious physical difference is that the Stratosphere has a slide out QWERTY keyboard. In processing power the two phones are matched well, with the Apple's 800MHz dual-core processor running iOS 5.0.1 nearly as fast as the Stratosphere's 1GHz "Hummingbird" processor runs Android.

    In the hardware department Apple's primary advantage comes in the form of an 8.0MP rear-facing camera capable of capturing HD video in 1080P and a 0.3MP front-facing camera that is useful when combined with the FaceTime application to enjoy video calling to any FaceTime enabled device over WiFi . Popular applications such as Instagram make full use of the iPhone 4S' superb camera, and at the moment is only available on Apple devices.

    The Stratosphere may only have a 5.0MP camera, but in addition to the slide out QWERTY keyboard also features a WVGA Super AMOLED screen that reigns supreme over all smartphone displays currently on the market. The screen is covered by Gorilla Glass, which is highly resistant to scratches and cracking. If you consume more media through your display than you create with your camera, the AMOLED screen is definitely a feature to look into.

    On the software side Apple runs the show with its new SIRI voice activated interface, probably the most interesting new smartphone feature of 2011. Users can complete a variety of actions by merely having a normal sounding conversation with their device. A question like "What will the weather be like today?" will get a response like "Cloudy with a high of 63 degrees". SIRI needs Internet access to run, but has the ability to learn from prior exchanges and adapts to the user's voice over time. The Stratosphere has its own unique software in a built-in Kindle E-reader and an HTML browser that does support flash content. It also has the ability to become a media hub or Mobile hotspot , supporting up to 8 devices on a 4G connection.

    Both phones offer 8 hours of talk time and approximately 200 hours of standby, and the iPhone weighs in at 14 grams lighter than the Startosphere . The 4S comes in three different sizes, a 16GB, 32GB and 64GB (each increasing substantially in price) while the Samsung comes with 4GB onboard memory and a micro SD slot that is expandable to up to 32GB. The kicker for the Samsung Stratosphere may just be the price; retailing at $409.00, the normal price from Verizon with a 2-year contract is $149.99. There is currently an online discount that drops the price down to $99.99 with a 2-year contract. The 32GB version of the iPhone retails for $749.99 and can be had for $299.99 with a 2-year contract with Verizon .

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    21 comments

    • JohnW
      JohnW  •  Goochland, Virginia  •  4 mths ago
      I have a Stratosphere and have used an iPhone 4S many times. They are correct that the two phones are just as good as ech other, however, the Stratosphere is not even close to being a top of the line Andriod phone. I picked it becaue it was free with my 2 year contract renewal but there are plenty of other phones that neither it nor the 4S could hold a candle to.
      • mimi
        mimi 4 mths ago
        Yep, I agree. One of the Samgsung phones that is equal to the Iphone 4S is the Infuse. A great android based phone with identical features.
    • JonF
      JonF  •  Los Angeles, California  •  4 mths ago
      The Stratosphere is a lower end Android phone and definitely not the "latest Galaxy device" as indicated by the author. Not a good comparison or very relevant.
    • Joe
      Joe  •  4 mths ago
      Why are you comparing a mid-tier android phone that cost 100dollars with contract against top-tier apple phone that costs 300dollars with contract?
      • Adam
        Adam 4 mths ago
        Because they have the same spec'd hardware, run the OS at about the same speed, and hit the market at about the same time. You're saying that a mid tier Android phone is comparable with a 300$ iPhone 4s?
      • Mike Pa
        Mike Pa 4 mths ago
        That's to make the iPhone seem ok, when it really was outclassed a while ago. There are "older" Samsungs with 8 mp cameras for example.
      • yahoo user
        yahoo user 4 mths ago
        Yeah and the old samsung with 8 mega pixel camera actually has the clarity of a 3 mega pixel camera.
    • William S
      William S  •  Las Vegas, Nevada  •  4 mths ago
      The Stratosphere isn't built by slaves in China!
    • R.T. Arcand
      R.T. Arcand  •  St Paul, Minnesota  •  4 mths ago
      Not a word about how they actually perform as a phone. LOL
    • yahoo user
      yahoo user  •  Monrovia, California  •  4 mths ago
      Well thats great the stratosphere now supports flash player since flash player is no longer being developed. And whats that? This stratosphere has no guarentee to get a ice cream cookie sandwich software upgrade? Good job Samsung!
    • Joe P
      Joe P  •  4 mths ago
      Terrible article. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the latest (and best) device available.
      • araks g
        araks g 4 mths ago
        terrible joe. sukssungs sucks
    • YouDontKnowMe26
      YouDontKnowMe26  •  Rock Hill, South Carolina  •  3 mths ago
      Does anyone know if this phone is compatible with Ford Sync?
    • Stan
      Stan  •  4 mths ago
      Such a weak comparison compare a mid-tier level Samsung to a 32gb iphone, if you put the iphone next to a phone like Nexus that piece of icrap will get embarrassed that is why you don't see it on Yahoo who is fiercely pro-apple.
    • patriot act
      patriot act  •  4 mths ago
      wow...both cost too much....how much money does people spent to pay for their phone and tablets services....
      • Adam
        Adam 4 mths ago
        Way too much. It's 100$ minimum for a single user plan if you want to run all the features on either phone. If you want Mobile Hotspot access or other premium services, or have multiple devices in your family, you could be spending up to 300$ per month just for wireless service. It's crazy because it has become the standard.

        Apple had a record fourth quarter last year, with their stock climbing nearly 30$ yesterday (didn't check it today). Many people sold off their holdings in Apple when Steve Jobs died, but it's clear that Apple gadgets have become the new must have. I get offers all the time for new phones (They never offer to pay for the service though) because of my writing in the field of Technology. Well, when I say all the time, I mean 3 times, but I'm content with my current phone: a Motorola Net 10 phone that costed me a total of 60$ in the last 5 months. Now that's what I call a smart phone!
    • RV
      RV  •  Pharr, Texas  •  4 mths ago
      Speaktoit Assistant for Android is far better than Siri and it has been out for a while. Apple always comes out with a feature claiming it is being innovative... disregarding the fact that their feature has been available on Android phones for years.
      • yahoo user
        yahoo user 4 mths ago
        Speaktoit Assistant is nothing close top Siri. Speaktoit translates your words correctly about 25% of the time. I can speak to SIRI like Im from the ghetto and it still gets it right. Siri even spells words wrong to make them just like you say it. Android fail again.
    • William S
      William S  •  Las Vegas, Nevada  •  4 mths ago
      I use 2 tin cans and a string, quality is better then an iPhone.
    • Del
      Del  •  4 mths ago
      Nokia 1100 for the calls and the text, a Canon EOS 550D for the photos, and a PC for the internet.
    • David
      David  •  Pleasanton, California  •  4 mths ago
      I, as a "Progressive Luddite", continue to prefer phones that make and receive calls, cameras that take pictures and computers that access online. Both "smart" phones sound good - for someone who really thinks they need one :-}
    • Hughes
      Hughes  •  Palm Springs, California  •  4 mths ago
      The bottom line is Apple makes the best smart phones in the world. That's why their stock price is at record levels. The iPhone lineup (4S, 4 and 3S) are the top three selling smart phones in the world. There is no reason to assume that this trend will not continue. When the iPhone 5 comes out it will set records (again) for smart phones sales. I use the iPhone 4S and love it. The consumer satisfaction numbers for the iPhones(s) are the highest of any smart phone. If one has a problem with an Apple product they can always go to an Apple store and get them resolved (I know because I did this). The complete ecosystem of Apple is the envy of all of the smart phones makers. Long Apple stock at the same time with initial buy of 10,000 shares at $37 per share. You do the math!
    • so steve how bout that ta ...
      so steve how bout that ta ...  •  Omaha, Nebraska  •  4 mths ago
      is this meant to sale
      androids?
    • araks g
      araks g  •  Irvine, California  •  4 mths ago
      Look at all this apple haters here. So the saying is true that the only people who blog on websites are the ones who dont have a job, no wonder you #$%$ can't afford a 700 dollar phone.
    • Gina
      Gina  •  4 mths ago
      Samsung owned by Korean Communist #$%$ Crap.
    • Tina
      Tina  •  San Jose, California  •  4 mths ago
      great comparison. I LOVE my iPhone 4S
    • araks g
      araks g  •  Irvine, California  •  4 mths ago
      sumsung, even the name sounds horrible. yaaaaakkkkkkkkiiii. who wants to own a BAD COPY OF AN APPLE when you can get the best phone which is IPHone
     Post a comment
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