Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. Apple iPhone 4S: How Do The Features, Specs Measure Up?

Samsung has raised the stakes for the iPhone 5 through the release of its ultra-sleek and fast Galaxy S3 phone, which was launched in London on Thursday.

The S3 heralds a 4.8-inch screen, 1.4 Ghz quad-core processor, voice control and face-recognition.

The new Super Amoled display is 22 percent larger than its predecessor, bringing the phone into the Galaxy Note's phone/tablet hybrid category.

The bigger screen, which hasn't added to the overall size of the phone, is considerably larger than Apple's 3.5-inch iPhone display.

Here's how the specs of the two phones measure up:

Samsung Galaxy S3:

Screen size:
4.8 inch

Processor:
1.4 Ghz quad-core

Memory size:
Up to 32gb (+64gb with card)

Operating system:
Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Camera:
Eight megapixel

Weight:
133grams

Dimensions:
Height - 136mm
Width - 70mm
Depth - 8.5mm

Battery:
2100mAh

Apple iPhone 4S

Screen size:
3.5 inch

Processor:
800 MHz dual-core

Memory size:
Up to 64gb (non-expandable)

Operating system:
iOS

Camera:
Eight megapixel

Weight:
140grams

Dimensions:
Height - 115mm
Width - 58mm
Depth - 9mm

Battery:
1432mAh

The next generation iPhone, which is expected to release with a significant re-design, has a long way to go inorder to catch up with the speed of the S3's processor. The quad-core processor used is the S3 is on par with many laptops and tablets, according to the Daily Mail.

The Perks

Samsung has launched a Face Recognition feature on its latest phone in an aim to the make the smartphone experience more natural. The phone uses its front camera to indentify the user's eye movement and insures it never goes dark or switches off, while the user is looking at the phone.

Samsung has also improved its voice control feature with a sophisticated, Siri-Like voice recognition system dubbed S Voice. The service allows users to make verbal demands to control their phone. Texts and emails can be dictated and photographs can be taken through voice commands using the feature.

It is more like a good friend and listens intently and responds effectively to you, a spokesman said at the launch event in London.

The S3 also includes an NFC chip, which enables content sharing--including video--through tapping two phones together. The chip can also be used to make mobile payments.

The new Pop up Play feature on the phone enables multitasking, allowing users to open a video in a window on screen, and then use other apps with the rest of the screen.

Release Date

Samsung has sold more phones in the first quarter of 2012 compared with its prime rival, Apple. It seems the company has a strong weapon against Apple's next generation iPhone, but the S3 has a long time to make its sales before Apple's anticipated October October release of the iPhone 5.

The Samsung S3 will first become available in Europe at the end of May, followed by launches in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The 4G version of the phone will go on sale in the U.S and South Korea during the summer.

The phone will first be available in pebble blue and marble white, and more colors will become available at a later date, according to the company.