Apple
Phones: Any tech enthusiast would have struggled to avoid the big Apple news from yesterday. The company will next week start shipping two models of iPhone - the fast, powerful iPhone 5S (with the much-hyped fingerprint sensor) and the slightly cheaper 5C. The latter is very similar hardware wise to last year’s iPhone 5, although will be offered in a variety of multi-coloured plastic housings. You can read more here.
OS: The launch of the new products will coincide with the release of iOS 7, the most significant revision of Apple’s mobile operating system since its launch way back in 2007. It will be available for all iPhone 4, 4S and 5 owners to download next Wednesday, and will come pre-installed on the two new models. However, Ireland will not be one of the initial markets when the phones launch later this month, and are instead expected sometime before the end of the year.
Price: The iPhone 5C is a little more expensive than expected - $100 (16GB) or $200 (32GB) with a two-year contract, or $550 or $650 unlocked. The iPhone 5S models are $100 more expensive again. Going by precedent, you can almost expect those dollar signs to be replaced by euro signs when the phones are released here - certainly you won’t get much change from €500 when it comes to the 5C.
Unusually, last year’s iPhone 5 is now being discontinued. Those in the market for the cheapest iPhone model, however, can still get their hands on a reduced price iPhone 4S. An 8GB model is available from Apple sim-free and unlocked for €399, although the Irish networks will likely offer it for much cheaper (perhaps even free) with contracts.
Samsung
Phones: Unlike Apple, market leader Samsung offers a whole range of phones for different markets - from barebones phones to top-of-the-range smartphones of various shapes and sizes. You can even stick with a QWERTY keyboard or traditional number pad if touchscreens aren’t for you. In terms of their flagship products, however, gadget geeks will likely be in the market for either a Galaxy S4, its mini alternative, or - for those looking for something a little larger - the forthcoming ‘phablet’ Galaxy Note 3.
OS: Samsung are committed to Google’s Android platform, although most of their phones ship with a slightly adapted version of the current core Jelly Bean version of Android. You can expect them to host the forthcoming Android KitKat, details of which are still mostly under wraps. However, Samsung also makes a number of Windows phones, including a rumoured new model SGH-I187.
Price: With Samsung, consumers can more or less pay depending on their budget - older and capable models like the Galaxy SII should be available extremely cheaply from most sellers, with or without contracts. The Galaxy S4 prices are comparable to the iPhone 5S - €599 sim-free, or cheaper with two-year contracts. The mini version is going for around €350-400 sim-free. Those operating with a larger budget can splash out £649 (around €770) on the Note 3 when it's released. Again, those happy to go with previous gen hardware can expect to pay significantly less, and different providers will offer a whole host of contract options on Samsung phones old and new.
Phones: Google has started making a much bigger play for the mobile market, having acquired Motorola’s phone division and teaming up with Samsung for many of their flagship Android releases. On their own terms, last year’s Nexus 4 (manufactured by LG) remains Google’s lead product, and has impressed lucky owners with its excellent specs and generous price. Expect a new version of the Nexus soon, though - a previously unknown model was spotted in the hands of a Google employee at the recent KitKat launch.
The company has also released its first major Motorola collaboration - the mid-range Moto X, praised for its slick design and customisable design. Google also offers a unique variant of the Galaxy S4, shipping with an unaltered version of Android for those who aren't fond of Samsung's own software contributions.
OS: It’s Google - Android it is. And the KitKat name is not a joke.
Price: They have an office here, but Ireland has not been one of Google’s major target markets as of yet. The Moto X is not yet available here, but when it arrives should retail somewhere in the range of €450-550 sim-free. Unfortunately, the Nexus is also hard to get your hands on in Ireland. You’ll have to import one (if they aren’t sold out), although at the remarkably low price for the specs - between €150-250, sim-free - it’s well worth the effort.
Nokia
Phones: Ah, Nokia - once the giant of the mobile world, but the glory days have passed. In recent years, they’ve continued to do well in the low-range phone market, but have struggled to compete with the giants. That could be about to change, though, as the Nokia handset division has been acquired by Microsoft for a cool €3.77 billion. Like Samsung, Nokia has the budget market well served, while the Nokia Lumia series has been praised for its high-quality cameras. The forthcoming 1020 model offers a crazy 41-megapixel camera and the options to match, while a 6-inch 1520 is expected to be announced shortly. They’ve also already beaten Apple to the fabled ‘multi-coloured’ market, even joking about it last night via Twitter.
RT @nokia_uk: Thanks, #Apple ;) pic.twitter.com/UQi75GBVMY
— Nokia (@nokia) September 10, 2013
There’s also the 925 - ‘the best Windows phone you can buy’ - the 620, the 820, the 920 etc…: frankly, there’s a lot of Lumia models.
OS: Nokia has been the staunchest supporter of Windows Phone, especially after their own dedicated OS Symbian failed to take off. Now an official Microsoft company, they’ll be sticking with Windows for the foreseeable future.
Price: Again, with Nokia you will certainly get a smartphone whatever your budget, as long as you lower your expectations accordingly. Top of the line models are still expensive, though: in the UK, unlocked 1020s retail for somewhere in the region of €700.
That’s by no means all the competitors. HTC, for example, might have lost ground to the likes of Samsung after some early successes in the smartphone wars, but they still make some impressive phones. Their current flagship phone - the HTC One - remains one of the top-range Android offerings, and retails from €529.99 sim-free. A mini version is on the way.
Also spare a thought for Blackberry, with their Z10 (€549.99 without contract) and Q10 (€569.99) offerings, still singing to their own tune.
There's no shortage of choice for those in the market for a new smartphone. Whatever you choose, though, just don’t expect great battery life.
