In the smartphone world, there are really only 2 options if you want a top class phone. The choice is either the iPhone 5 or Samsung S3/Note 2. Apple iOS vs Android Jelly Bean.

The reason for this post started with some friendly banter on twitter a few days ago when Samsung released the Premium Suite for the S3, making it similar in features to the Samsung Note 2. The Note 2 has a S-Pen and a larger screen and has some bespoke S-Pen software. Otherwise its just an enlarged S3.

So which phone is better. Now this is an interesting topic. So on paper the S3/Note 2 are brimmed with high tech and larger screens. I could fill a whole page of A4 of all the features, but I won’t. In comparison, if you pick up the iPhone 5 it seems pale in comparison. It doesn’t have a massive screen, it doesn’t have bluetooth apt-x (provides very high quality bluetooth codec and sound quality), it doesn’t do split screens and multitasking to the same standard and it doesn’t share information as easily using whatever apps you want, it doesn’t do a lot more things. As I said before the list is endless. The problem might arise that these phones can do so much it is more like having a full blown computer in your pocket. Is that a good idea? Some might say yes, others no. So clearly the Samsung phones have won the battle. Or have they.

Last week, one of the top Samsung executives proudly remarked he had an iPhone, Mac, Apple TV and iPad. A complete Apple eco system. Why? Because it was the best eco system. Surely that top executive must be on drugs. Maybe not.

Time for the iPhone 5 to fight back. It is a work of art. Does that count? Probably helps but doesn’t provide a winning blow. The eco system is better. If you have other Apple products everything just syncs across all devices and talks beautifully. The key part here is the simplicity of the solution. Even a non tech person can get it to work. The Eco system includes all media (apps, tv shows, films, music etc), photosharing, photo uploads to photo stream, FaceTime (video calling), iMessage and more. The beauty here is you don’t have to worry if the iPad or iPhone has the correct app, they will since Apple controls the default apps.

And then we move on to Apps and customised software. Both the iPhone and the Samsung S3/Note 2 have good default apps and customised software. There are differences in presentation, but more or less its an equal billing. But third party apps and accessories there is no competition. The iPhone wins. There are more decent and a larger variety of apps available, that look and work smarter on the iPhone than the S3. You can argue the toss with me if you want, but you won’t win. Android is catching up. But there are many examples of where an app plus accessory only exists on iOS, the iPhone app is released first, the type of app only exists on iOS and is designed better.

So a less specced iPhone actually is more powerful. Odd really.

But heading back to the Apple eco system. You might argue you don’t have any other Apple products. Well, if you buy and iPhone in an Apple store, they will set it up so that you know how it all works. You will be given a choice to backup your entire phone to the cloud or to your PC via iTunes. So if you lose your phone everything is safe from out of the box. You also have apps like Find My Phone that in my experience work much better than Samsung equivalent. And moving on to iTunes. There isn’t a better piece of software that keeps everything perfectly managed.

So in conclusion, the iPhone is a better option, but I still want a Samsung Note 2.

On a cheeky side note, if Samsung or any of my readers can send me free of charge a Samsung Note 2 that would be greatly appreciated.