Reactions were mixed to Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4S on Tuesday, with many Apple fans disappointed with the incremental changes shown in the new release. With no new design, merely upgraded components and software, the iPhone 4S isn’t an essential purchase. If you’ve already got an iPhone 4, then it may be quite tempting to wait until the next release cycle, when the iPhone 5 is expected.
With the success of the 4.3″ Samsung Galaxy S2 and 4.3″ HTC Sensation, and the forthcoming release of several Android handsets with 720p HD displays, Apple users may be tempted to switch to Android to realise the hardware changes they’re looking for. There’s one phone in particular that looks certain to steal the spotlight from Apple, and that’s the upcoming flagship Google handset, the Samsung Nexus Prime.
What do we know about this upcoming super phone?
Well, it’ll be the first phone to run with the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. The phone serves as a reference model for other handset manufacturers, showing off what the latest version of Android is capable of. Reference phones also usually shows off the latest and greatest hardware of the time; the Nexus Prime is no different in this respect and has the following exciting specs:
- 4.65 inch Super AMOLED screen, at 1280 x 720p resolution
- 1.5 GHz dual core processor with 1 GB of RAM
- 16 GB of internal storage
- No physical buttons
Here’s how these stats compare to the iPhone 4S:
As you can see, there’s quite a difference.
The biggest discrepancy between the two devices is their screens. Both achieve similar pixel densities, but the larger Nexus Prime screen can support 720p video at its native resolution. This is a great achievement, and a practical one thanks to the proliferation of HD video on YouTube and elsewhere. The switch to a 16:9 aspect ratio is also important, and means that watching video on your phone won’t require a lengthy conversion process that results in cut off edges or black borders anyway.
The processor also looks to dwarf the dual core chip found in the iPhone 4S, and will definitely come in handy for playing the aforementioned HD video. The removal of physical buttons from the face of the device also furthers this goal, as they can fade away to turn what would have been button space into more screen space. It’s a good example of single-minded, targeted design that should translate into an unmatched video experience.
The primary advantage the iPhone 4S has is in software, in the new iOS 5. This was definitely the high point of the Apple presentation, with plenty of new features announced, including the potentially amazing Siri AI. In most other areas, it looks like the Nexus Prime will have the advantage — and we haven’t really seen what Ice Cream Sandwich has brought to the party – yet.
The Samsung Nexus Prime and Android Ice Cream Sandwich with it will be revealed at the Samsung and Google press event on Tuesday, the 11th of October.
In anticipation of the launch, Samsung posted this video which officially shows off the look of the device for the first time. The final shot shows the Nexus Prime in profile, highlighting its rather substantial curve and promising ‘another perfect combination’: Samsung and Google.
With a cool curved body, a single-minded focus on achieving mobile 720p video and the latest flavour of Android, the Samsung Nexus Prime could be the phone that could turn Apple fans towards Android. We won’t know for sure until Tuesday, but if I were Apple I’d be quaking in my boots.
What do you think, is the Nexus Prime capable of taking down the iPhone 4S?
If you’re rooting for the Nexus Prime, check back for the latest Nexus Prime accessories. If you’re coming down on Apple’s side, then you’ll definitely want to check out our range of compatible iPhone 4S accessories including screen protectors, iPhone 4S cases and iPhone 4S covers. Let me know on Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus.