Android or BB10 will use 1GiB with a couple basic apps open, so many Android phones are poorly specified with only 1GiB of RAM, but BB10 phones are very well specified with 2GiB.
An iPhone might consume less, but let's be careful not to exaggerate.
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Are the amount of RAM, processor cores, and screen resolution really deal-breakers?
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Android or BB10 will use 1GiB with a couple basic apps open, so many Android phones are poorly specified with only 1GiB of RAM, but BB10 phones are very well specified with 2GiB.
An iPhone might consume less, but let's be careful not to exaggerate.
i dont think you are getting my question:
How do you notice that you are running out of memory on a phone?
Does it lag? Does it crash?
What apps are you using that make your phone do this?
Actually the iPhone 5S has some of the best specs in the phone industry.
It doesn't have the fastest processor possible, but that's only because it is limited to a dual core. It has the single fastest cores of any phone by a long shot and seeing as there is no phone that takes advantage of more than two cores in a meaningful manner most android phones have more processing power in benchmarks, but the iPhone is twice as fast in the real world.
Likewise due to the construction of iOS 1 GB of ram works just as well as 2 GB from Android.
The camera is also misleading in Android phones, while the sensors are ridiculously pixel dense the lenses do not have the clarity and performance to take advantage of the sensor, so in reality the iPhone has a higher MTF (total resolving power) rating than phones with twice the megapixels, which means it has a higher real world performance.
The screen of Galaxy phones is also misleading. Galaxy phones use a pen tile display, meaning that while Samsung has claimed the S3 had better resolution than the iPhone since day one, again this has to do with the input not the output, pen tile displays share pixels which means that a 1080p pen tile phone has the same resolution as a 720p phone with a regular screen in most viewing conditions. Because of this in reality Both the S3 and S4 had the same resolution as the 5/5S. Only the S5 has better resolution.
Simply put Android manufacturers game the specs of phones to trick buyers into thinking their phones perform better in the real world than iPhones when in reality Apple has much better real world performance.
The only real area iPhones lag is in screen size and Ram. While the iPhone is more efficient, doing with 1GB what other phones do with 2GB, we are in a world where you need 4Gb of ram on an android phone and 2GB on an iPhone.
I would say that the number one spec to look for is 2GB of ram on the next iPhone. Ram is getting crowded for all smartphones, and we need an upgrade here.
It doesn't have the fastest processor possible, but that's only because it is limited to a dual core. It has the single fastest cores of any phone by a long shot and seeing as there is no phone that takes advantage of more than two cores in a meaningful manner most android phones have more processing power in benchmarks, but the iPhone is twice as fast in the real world.
Likewise due to the construction of iOS 1 GB of ram works just as well as 2 GB from Android.
The camera is also misleading in Android phones, while the sensors are ridiculously pixel dense the lenses do not have the clarity and performance to take advantage of the sensor, so in reality the iPhone has a higher MTF (total resolving power) rating than phones with twice the megapixels, which means it has a higher real world performance.
The screen of Galaxy phones is also misleading. Galaxy phones use a pen tile display, meaning that while Samsung has claimed the S3 had better resolution than the iPhone since day one, again this has to do with the input not the output, pen tile displays share pixels which means that a 1080p pen tile phone has the same resolution as a 720p phone with a regular screen in most viewing conditions. Because of this in reality Both the S3 and S4 had the same resolution as the 5/5S. Only the S5 has better resolution.
Simply put Android manufacturers game the specs of phones to trick buyers into thinking their phones perform better in the real world than iPhones when in reality Apple has much better real world performance.
The only real area iPhones lag is in screen size and Ram. While the iPhone is more efficient, doing with 1GB what other phones do with 2GB, we are in a world where you need 4Gb of ram on an android phone and 2GB on an iPhone.
I would say that the number one spec to look for is 2GB of ram on the next iPhone. Ram is getting crowded for all smartphones, and we need an upgrade here.
I see in the corresponding built-in memory monitor how much RAM is being used.
I never ran out of memory, I am hovering at 1 GiB doing basic stuff (or is it 1.5GiB on the tablet?), I have 3 GiB on my Android tablet and 2 GiB on my BB10 phone. I have yet to run one of the many heavy games that I have installed.
It could happen that a future OS upgrade might make the system consume some more memory.
Having bought an iPad 1, I know too well that Apple skimps on RAM.
I had an Xperia that was OK with Gingerbread regarding RAM, but people complained about lack of it when Ice Cream Sandwich was provided.
so your ram recommendation is based on no real world experience.
As long as the device works as desired there is no need to even discuss any of this.
I am writing this on my iPad 1 and it has always been sluggish but I am not sure its because of ram.
I'm not sure what you are trying to convey to me. Are we agreeing?
I never said my experience was universal.
The tab reloading has been beaten to death yet still not fixed.
I returned the product that wasn't right for me.
If the system has virtual memory, it will be more efficient if it does not have to swap.
If the system does not have virtual memory, the application will be killed when it runs out of memory.
I have to agree with those who want more RAM and better specs.
For me, it's a fact that iOS 7 needs more than 1GB and thus iOS 8 does, too.
My apps constantly reload, Safari being a prime subject. Sometimes I only use two tabs and when I try to switch between both of them the other reloads. It's a real pain.
Sometimes, closing all apps or rebooting the devices ( both iPad and iPhone need this, albeit the former more often ) helps but it comes back soon.
The screen of the iPhone is good, but there are better displays out there. I do not care about color reproduction etc. ( color blindness ) but I do prefer a cold/blue screen. The black level is just bad ( due to the LCD ). I prefer extremely sharp displays with good black levels ( OLED for example )
I have to admit that the iPhone surpasses most Android devices in terms of launching apps or more generally doing stuff, but the reloading issue is a serious results in the fact that Apple sometimes fall behind. E.g. web browsing.
The iPhone and iOS is still superior to any competitor ( especially Samsung! I can't emphasise how I hate there devices sometimes, sadly, I use one of there devices at the moment ).
For me, it's a fact that iOS 7 needs more than 1GB and thus iOS 8 does, too.
My apps constantly reload, Safari being a prime subject. Sometimes I only use two tabs and when I try to switch between both of them the other reloads. It's a real pain.
Sometimes, closing all apps or rebooting the devices ( both iPad and iPhone need this, albeit the former more often ) helps but it comes back soon.
The screen of the iPhone is good, but there are better displays out there. I do not care about color reproduction etc. ( color blindness ) but I do prefer a cold/blue screen. The black level is just bad ( due to the LCD ). I prefer extremely sharp displays with good black levels ( OLED for example )
I have to admit that the iPhone surpasses most Android devices in terms of launching apps or more generally doing stuff, but the reloading issue is a serious results in the fact that Apple sometimes fall behind. E.g. web browsing.
The iPhone and iOS is still superior to any competitor ( especially Samsung! I can't emphasise how I hate there devices sometimes, sadly, I use one of there devices at the moment ).
If none of the things the OP mentioned would be a breaker or not, Then Apple does not need to make another phone and just concentrate on IOS 8 right?
If none of the things the OP mentioned would be a breaker or not, Then Apple does not need to make another phone and just concentrate on IOS 8 right?
Just alter the form factor, make the o/s look slightly different, and the iSheep will hand over their money
Just alter the form factor, make the o/s look slightly different, and the iSheep will hand over their money
lol enuf said... Exactly, Of course they make a difference and certainly to Apple because that is what we asked for so you give your consumer what they want.
Just alter the form factor, make the o/s look slightly different, and the iSheep will hand over their money
Ok, it seems there are two camps. The android spec mongers and the isheep. I'd rather be An isheep, I don't really care. For me specs aren't the end game.
Hope you enjoy your samsung experience. You'll be back, they always come back. #
My main problem is this year i need a new iphone regaurdless. I refuse to get on the s update cycle. I know if the 6 has 1gb of ram, the 6s will have 2.... So thats my issue
Count me as an iSheep, too. I don't give a toot what specs are in my phone. I only care about the storage capacity, minimal/no lag and do my apps work.
And yes they do come back. I thought I was done with iPhone for good, 1 month later (on 3 separate occasions) here I am.
For most people, specs are meaningless. Either the thing works, or it doesn't. Either they enjoy owning it, or they don't. Whether we're talking about A/V equipment, cameras, cars, or cell phones, there will always be people who are as (or more) interested in the machine itself than in what they do with it. It's part of the fun, but it's not everyone's idea of fun.
When you run different operating systems, there's no way to make comparisons based on component parts alone. It's like trying to compare a gasoline engine vehicle to a diesel. The operating principles of the engines, while similar, are not directly equivalent. You can't depend on cylinder capacity as a rough gauge of power (cubic inches/liters). When comparing gas to diesel you have to depend on real-world performance - horsepower, acceleration, gas mileage, and the driving experience.
RAM, the number of processor cores, and pixel density are in the same category as cubic inches/liters - they have their part to play, but they don't tell the full story. It's not to Apple's advantage to fight on that battlefield, as if an iOS machine was no different than an Android or Windows device. Apple trades on difference.
Apple has always emphasized user experience over specs, and as long as they deliver that user experience, hardware remains a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. "Retina" is an experience, PPI is just a number. Speed is a matter of response after you tap the screen, not how many cores are employed. Camera is about having a photo you're proud to share.
When you run different operating systems, there's no way to make comparisons based on component parts alone. It's like trying to compare a gasoline engine vehicle to a diesel. The operating principles of the engines, while similar, are not directly equivalent. You can't depend on cylinder capacity as a rough gauge of power (cubic inches/liters). When comparing gas to diesel you have to depend on real-world performance - horsepower, acceleration, gas mileage, and the driving experience.
RAM, the number of processor cores, and pixel density are in the same category as cubic inches/liters - they have their part to play, but they don't tell the full story. It's not to Apple's advantage to fight on that battlefield, as if an iOS machine was no different than an Android or Windows device. Apple trades on difference.
Apple has always emphasized user experience over specs, and as long as they deliver that user experience, hardware remains a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. "Retina" is an experience, PPI is just a number. Speed is a matter of response after you tap the screen, not how many cores are employed. Camera is about having a photo you're proud to share.
In a word: NO
The deal breakers would be with the everyday usage. Does it run smoothly? Is the image quality good? How well does it handle the apps that you use? Do the pictures taken actually look decent in real world usage?
Bumping all the spec sheet stuff up to "11" doesn't matter if the phone has a bunch of bloat running in the background or if it makes no tangible difference for most people (e.g., 1080p resolution on a 5" screen). Stuff like RAM, cores, and screen resolution have their own tradeoffs with battery life and/or the size and weight of the device. And going hogwild with the camera megapixels can increase the signal noise and diminish low light performance, unless the sensor size also increases.
If you look just at the spec sheet, the flagship Android phones should blow the 5s out of the water. Yet, even after 9 months on the market, the 5s remains competitive with those newer Android phones on nearly all benchmark tests.
I've never been a fan of feature creep or the lazy reviewers' obsession with specs. It might have some relevance when comparing different Android models, since they share a common platform and many of the same components. But, it has little to no relevance when comparing across platforms with Apple devices that use custom processors and their own optimized OS.
This goes back to the fundamental flaw with most analyst reports, dating back to the PC era. Analysts will typically look at a segment and treat everything that fits that general category the same. A PC is a PC. A smartphone is a smartphone. Their analysis does not consider differentiation at the OS level, nor does it consider how product ecosystems tie multiple devices together.
That's why they repeatedly miss the boat with Apple. They see what's going on with the PC market, and automatically presume that the race to the bottom will engulf the Mac too. They see Android OEMs getting squeezed by cheap Chinese phones, and presume that Apple is no different. Recall in 2009, all the analysts proclaiming that Apple "must" introduce a netbook or face certain doom. Instead, they came out with the iPad and the netbook category was dead within two years.
And now we see the same thing with wearables.
The deal breakers would be with the everyday usage. Does it run smoothly? Is the image quality good? How well does it handle the apps that you use? Do the pictures taken actually look decent in real world usage?
Bumping all the spec sheet stuff up to "11" doesn't matter if the phone has a bunch of bloat running in the background or if it makes no tangible difference for most people (e.g., 1080p resolution on a 5" screen). Stuff like RAM, cores, and screen resolution have their own tradeoffs with battery life and/or the size and weight of the device. And going hogwild with the camera megapixels can increase the signal noise and diminish low light performance, unless the sensor size also increases.
If you look just at the spec sheet, the flagship Android phones should blow the 5s out of the water. Yet, even after 9 months on the market, the 5s remains competitive with those newer Android phones on nearly all benchmark tests.
I've never been a fan of feature creep or the lazy reviewers' obsession with specs. It might have some relevance when comparing different Android models, since they share a common platform and many of the same components. But, it has little to no relevance when comparing across platforms with Apple devices that use custom processors and their own optimized OS.
This goes back to the fundamental flaw with most analyst reports, dating back to the PC era. Analysts will typically look at a segment and treat everything that fits that general category the same. A PC is a PC. A smartphone is a smartphone. Their analysis does not consider differentiation at the OS level, nor does it consider how product ecosystems tie multiple devices together.
That's why they repeatedly miss the boat with Apple. They see what's going on with the PC market, and automatically presume that the race to the bottom will engulf the Mac too. They see Android OEMs getting squeezed by cheap Chinese phones, and presume that Apple is no different. Recall in 2009, all the analysts proclaiming that Apple "must" introduce a netbook or face certain doom. Instead, they came out with the iPad and the netbook category was dead within two years.
And now we see the same thing with wearables.
Deal breaker as in switching to another platform altogether? No, not really. As long as iOS meets our needs and the hardware is capable of delivering a good user experience, we'll keep using it.
However, now that carriers are introducing monthly plan discounts for off-contract and BYOD plus the prepaid options, not including certain upgrades such as increased RAM, a 128GB version, etc will probably delay the purchase of future models so it's a deal breaker in that sense. If the new iPhone isn't going to offer me significant improvements over my current one, why would I spend a not insignificant amount to upgrade?
So far, I've always upgraded my cellphone based on upgrade eligibility as I didn't want to waste my subsidy. However, all my desktops and laptops, I've kept for at least 4 years. Heck, I know folks who still use their 10-15 year old computers. Smartphones and tablets are starting to plateau. Even the 3-year old iPhone 4S delivers good enough performance. The iPhone 5/5c vs 5s? The only noticeable difference to me is TouchID. In terms of performance, I can't really tell the difference for the things I do (email, web browsing, navigation, ebooks, phone functions). At this point in time, I reckon majority of folks who want an iOS device and can afford Apple's prices already have one. With the current trend of decoupling plan and device costs, Apple (and pretty much all smartphone manufacturers) will have a harder time convincing people to shell out $650+ every 1-2 years for an upgrade.
However, now that carriers are introducing monthly plan discounts for off-contract and BYOD plus the prepaid options, not including certain upgrades such as increased RAM, a 128GB version, etc will probably delay the purchase of future models so it's a deal breaker in that sense. If the new iPhone isn't going to offer me significant improvements over my current one, why would I spend a not insignificant amount to upgrade?
So far, I've always upgraded my cellphone based on upgrade eligibility as I didn't want to waste my subsidy. However, all my desktops and laptops, I've kept for at least 4 years. Heck, I know folks who still use their 10-15 year old computers. Smartphones and tablets are starting to plateau. Even the 3-year old iPhone 4S delivers good enough performance. The iPhone 5/5c vs 5s? The only noticeable difference to me is TouchID. In terms of performance, I can't really tell the difference for the things I do (email, web browsing, navigation, ebooks, phone functions). At this point in time, I reckon majority of folks who want an iOS device and can afford Apple's prices already have one. With the current trend of decoupling plan and device costs, Apple (and pretty much all smartphone manufacturers) will have a harder time convincing people to shell out $650+ every 1-2 years for an upgrade.
This talk of Android bumping specs to 'win on paper', whereas iOS wins in real life, are wide of the mark. iOS has been *proven* to need more RAM, and yet people still blindly trot out the same defence.
All those who buy a MacBook, or a computer; do you spec it up as best you can to a) make the user experience better or b) future proof your purchase? I very much doubt that anyone would buy a MacBook and not upgrade the RAM at point of sale - and this is when a Mac hasn't got a refresh issue. The iPhone is proven to have a refresh issue, the current models need more RAM, and yet people will still happily shell out $$$$$s for the iPhone 6 if it has the exact same amount of RAM as the present iPhone. Forget the Android spec wars, I used to believe that 'they' needed the RAM and 'we' didn't. I have since proven to myself that I was wrong. Even if the iPhone doesn't need more RAM (which it absolutely does), then why wouldn't Apple throw some more in anyway to compete in the spec wars? Why even allow a shred of doubt to enter peoples' minds?
All those who buy a MacBook, or a computer; do you spec it up as best you can to a) make the user experience better or b) future proof your purchase? I very much doubt that anyone would buy a MacBook and not upgrade the RAM at point of sale - and this is when a Mac hasn't got a refresh issue. The iPhone is proven to have a refresh issue, the current models need more RAM, and yet people will still happily shell out $$$$$s for the iPhone 6 if it has the exact same amount of RAM as the present iPhone. Forget the Android spec wars, I used to believe that 'they' needed the RAM and 'we' didn't. I have since proven to myself that I was wrong. Even if the iPhone doesn't need more RAM (which it absolutely does), then why wouldn't Apple throw some more in anyway to compete in the spec wars? Why even allow a shred of doubt to enter peoples' minds?
I don't think anything is wide of the mark. The 5s is the fastest phone around. You can front load any mobile device to have memory issues.
Nothing has been proven on my mind, which is not the same as saying I would jump ship if the i6 does not have x gig.
I could easy get my 12 gig desktop to come to a screeching halt and have done it so I'm not sure what the point is.
Nothing has been proven on my mind, which is not the same as saying I would jump ship if the i6 does not have x gig.
I could easy get my 12 gig desktop to come to a screeching halt and have done it so I'm not sure what the point is.
Perhaps you should talk to all of us who are completely satisfied with our base model MacBooks
Upgrading specs "just because" is a complete waste of money.
I reread what the original OPs post was and while i am convinced there is no right or wrong here nor is the OP wrong. I think personally the main thing here more than anything and at least for me is this: If the phone I choose to own in my case an Apple 5S all I want it to do is be reliable, do what I want it to do and have an app store that we all know is legendary with Apple so that I can find what I want or need for certain tasks I perform and most important IMO is that thew phone works and does what i want it to do where the reliability comes in.
I have owned every iPhone but one with a short sprint through BlackBerry and now back and as long as iPhone continues this pace for me and Apple gives the consumer what they ask for I will continue to be an Apple owner - Just my 2 cents run a bit long...LOL
I use to be all about specs. I wanted the best of the best of the best sir!
So, when it came time to buy a tablet I got the Kindle Fire HD because it had much better specs than the iPad. However, it was sluggish and slow. I got frustrated with it after less than a week and returned it. I played with the iPad in store and was amazed at how smooth and fluid everything worked. Ended up with an iPad mini and haven't looked back.
Raw specs don't mean everything; a lot has to do with the efficiency of the OS and other software you are running.
So, when it came time to buy a tablet I got the Kindle Fire HD because it had much better specs than the iPad. However, it was sluggish and slow. I got frustrated with it after less than a week and returned it. I played with the iPad in store and was amazed at how smooth and fluid everything worked. Ended up with an iPad mini and haven't looked back.
Raw specs don't mean everything; a lot has to do with the efficiency of the OS and other software you are running.
I reread what the original OPs post was and while i am convinced there is no right or wrong here nor is the OP wrong. I think personally the main thing here more than anything and at least for me is this: If the phone I choose to own in my case an Apple 5S all I want it to do is be reliable, do what I want it to do and have an app store that we all know is legendary with Apple so that I can find what I want or need for certain tasks I perform and most important IMO is that thew phone works and does what i want it to do where the reliability comes in.
I have owned every iPhone but one with a short sprint through BlackBerry and now back and as long as iPhone continues this pace for me and Apple gives the consumer what they ask for I will continue to be an Apple owner - Just my 2 cents run a bit long...LOL
I'm thinking the iphone 6 will have more memory. However, as long as the iphone is compared spec for spec against the competition iphone will lose. Apple does not seem to want to really outspec the competition, but rather produce a fluid user experience.
There are those who, no matter how much internal ram the i6 sports, will complain it's not enough. They may want to open 50 or 100 safari tabs at once and viola will the i6 will have the same issues as the 5s for them.
It's really a no-win for apple in those users eyes and I suspect apple outfits its hardware for the majority of users, making sure they are the ones who will have a good iphone experience.