What defines a 'high-end' phone/tablet
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How it all began
Ever since Android phone manufacturers started to equip their handsets with the latest and greatest hardware, customers have been using their specs sheets for bragging rights. Following an overly simple logic, some have concluded that the more GHz, the better; the more RAM, the better; and the more megapixels... the better, even though it has been proven time and time again that it's not really the numbers which dictate real-world performance. Yet, we've once again heard "educated" opinions that the iPhone 5 is not a high-end device, because of its specs.
While comparing specs sheets in the Android world can, to a certain extent, indicate which device is going to have an edge in performance, such kind of comparison when there are other OS's involved is unthinkable.
Love it or hate it, consumer technology is a bit more complex than that. And what makes it complex is the part which gives meaning to all the hardware components - software. Unfortunately, software is a bit more difficult to understand. It isn't something that has any physical form - you can't touch it, for example. The thing is if there wasn't software, there wouldn't be any need for computer hardware. Software can also be written in a good, or in a bad way. The effect of this is that a well-written software can be executed flawlessly on a device with good, but not great hardware specs. However, if you take same poorly-written software and try to run it on the same device, it will lag, it will crash, and overall, the whole experience of using it will be much worse than if you used the well-written software.
What all this means is that it doesn't really matter which is the device with slightly superior specs. Because, let's face it, every costly smartphone has more or less the same hardware, with some small differences of little meaning. But what can substantially affect the performance of a device (read: the way software will be executed), is how well the software for a that device is going to be written. Therefore, this explains why a top Android model with a faster quad-core processor isn't really faster than an iPhone with a slower dual-core processor. Because there are important differences in the way software was written for these handsets.
What defines a high-end device
So what defines if a phone or tablet is high-end or not? Obviously, it isn't the specs. Or at least, it isn't just the specs. To be high-end, means to be of high class. Like software, it isn't something you can measure physically or on paper. One very accurate way of telling which class does a certain device belong to, however, is the price. If you look at the price of current models, things immediately fall into their places. Low-cost models are low-cost for a reason, and the same goes for the devices in the mid range. The high end is where you'll find the iPhone and the top-models of Android manufacturers. Costing about the same amount of money, almost all of them offer very similar quality of user experience. Yes, the iPhone isn't as "technically-advanced" in terms of hardware, when compared to competitive Android phones, but this is only because it doesn't need to be. Again, this is because its software is written incredibly well, allowing it to run flawlessly on a device with lower specs. And as we said above, there is no use in extremely powerful hardware, if you can achieve the same, or even better performance with less powerful hardware.
Of course, the same is valid for tablets as well. Not too long ago, a friend of ours asked us about the amount of RAM in the first-gen iPad. When we said it's 256 MB, they laughed at the seemingly paltry number. What they didn't know, is that the iPad had, and continues to have a better user experience than any other tablet, despite the superior hardware specs of competing products.
In conclusion, it's time to stop throwing false statements around, like the one that "iPhone is not even a high-end phone", as some people do not consider themselves as "educated" and may easily fall for that. As it became clear, hardware specs like processor, RAM or screen size are just one part of the story, and aren't what categorizes a device as high-end or not.
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189 Comments
1. chocolatebear76 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:03 78 5
Are you mentioning these cause of the fact that Iphone 5 got a lesser or rather abit disppointing spec for a so called high end device?
115. aaronkatrini posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:53 19 0
Nice try RayS. , nice try.... cmmon.. at least change your name when you write these type of articles (of how apple has mid-end specs)!
133. tegradragon posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:55 20 0
I was actually wondering how much Apple paid PA for this article.
23. TheLibertine posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:25 20 17
What is so disappointing? You have a 4 inch screen with 326 ppi, a not known but very capable multicore CPU, the by far greatest GPU on the market, LTE, 1 GB RAM, and aluminium unibody and decent battery life. (All if Apples claims are confirmed.)
25. TheLibertine posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:26 7 19
Almost forgot: thank you, Phonearena-sensei, for your unbiased lecture.
42. fistigons posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:59 12 11
What the heck is wrong with you people? Phonearena writes a positive Apple article and you have iFans bashing the writer. I expected the Phandroids and Lumiacs to have a field day with this article. This is the wierdest bunch of commentors I have ever seen.
55. SuperAndroidEvo posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:27 4 0
Dude I just want to say your avatar is EPIC. Grimlock is my favorite Transformer. I had the original Grimlock Transformer toy from the 80's. That was my favorite toy EVER.
+2,000!!!!!
83. fistigons posted on 14 Sep 2012, 09:32 4 0
Thanks. I'm psyched that he's in the new Transformers game.
96. SuperAndroidEvo posted on 14 Sep 2012, 10:24 1 0
Me too. I want to get that game because the first one was pretty good.
105. Jobes posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:02 3 1
WHAAAAAT... hes in the new one?
114. SuperAndroidEvo posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:42 1 1
Hell yeah! It's going to be so awesome.
150. The_Innovation posted on 14 Sep 2012, 15:28 5 0
Lumiacs...interesting.
*learned a new term today*
85. Berzerk000 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 09:35 3 0
I would agree with you indefinitely, the iPhone 5 does bring some nice specs to the table... Don't forget about the camera as well, that's probably wonderful. However, I don't know everything about it yet, so I can't agree with you.
Of course it has a capable CPU
Are you sure it has the same GPU in the new iPad? I never read anything about that, link please?
LTE is nice (a bit late, but whatever)
That 1 GB will allow for more updates, which is nice
I love the design, but it's a bit too tall for the screen that it has.
There is no idea on battery life. Allegedly, Apple actually decreased the battery size, gave it LTE, a processor of which architecture and clock speed is unknown (to my knowledge), if it does have the GPU of the new iPad that will certainly weigh down on battery, and it also has a bigger display.
If it has a higher clocked A-9 processor, LTE, the same GPU in the iPad, and a battery with less capacity; it certainly will not have decent battery life. However, if the CPU uses the A-15 architecture, it might be a bit better. Let's just hope...
107. TheLibertine posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:05 1 1
Well, all of Apples claims have yet to be proven, but if they will, all that is true.
It may not have exact the same GPU as the new iPad, but an equal performing - the A5X is double the graphics performance of the A5, and so is the A6 claimed to be.
As the battery life, we only can wait for the first reviews. On paper, the same capacicity with LTE, bigger screen and A6 seem ridiculous, but the A15 architecture and software optimisations may turn out to be the panacea.
And there is also the legendary "Apple said it, so it is true"-argument. :)
119. Berzerk000 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:08 2 0
Yes, but don't forget that Apple tends to exaggerate some things... like of the "over 200 new features" of iOS 6, maybe a dozen or so are actually notable, and most coincide with one another.
That's what I was thinking, but you never know until someone actually gives a full spec rundown instead of Apple's vague mentioning of hardware.
No one is exactly sure it is an A-15 processor just yet. Even though Apple said the A6 is twice the power of the A5 in the 4S and uses a 32nm die size, that increase in power can be done in multiple ways.
The clock speed on the 4S was at 800 MHz. They could keep the same clock speed and use the A-15 architecture, that would be near 2x performance.
Or, they could just shrink the die size (which they did) to 32nm vs. the 45nm in the A5 in the 4S and increase the clock speed to about 1.2 GHz, which would has the same effect as using the A-15 architecture, but cost battery life. This is the most likely option.
As for software optimizations, as always, Apple was pretty vague on what they did. It could make a difference, it could not.
That argument is more infamous than legendary lol
121. TheLibertine posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:26 1 1
Nothing but our speculation. Relax and await the first reviews.
152. The_Innovation posted on 14 Sep 2012, 15:33 4 1
Most of those "new" features, aren't features. I've realized this (5 year former iPhone user). You might click on the music app and realize that the design of the buttons is different. That's not a new feature that's just a fresh look.
151. The_Innovation posted on 14 Sep 2012, 15:31 3 1
Double the graphics performance, according to "their" standards. That means if they go from a 512MB ram to a 1G ram, that's double the performance.
But they fail to mention that the industry has been running 1GB rams for a year now, and now went into 2GB rams.
You're being fooled by their terminology. Snap out of it.
164. TheLibertine posted on 14 Sep 2012, 23:04 0 2
Man... They said double the graphics performance, so it was a strong hint that they doubled the graphics performance, not the RAM, dont you think...? Actually, the doubled both and did never say a single thing about RAM.
By the "industry" you mean international Galaxy S3, HTC One X, Xperia Mint/S, Lumia 920...? A not yet launched phone is not the industry.
168. The_Innovation posted on 15 Sep 2012, 02:28 0 1
Don't blame our so beloved carriers for supporting or not supporting certain phones. The iPhone is an international phone too, or did you forget that?
171. TheLibertine posted on 15 Sep 2012, 05:16 0 0
Im European-living so i cannot respond on topics regarding US carriers.
179. The_Innovation posted on 15 Sep 2012, 13:14 0 0
Well then MORE reason why you should be disappointed with your iPhone, since there are so many other better phones in Europe.
28. bobfreking55 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:27 5 2
they probably remembered it because of our comments. but it is actually true in PA's defense. The iPhone 5 is indeed high-end and many Android phones with high specs aren't high end at all.
Actually, I care more on if the phone is the flagship. Samsung released a lot of phones in between the S2 and the S3, but their S series and Note line remains as their high-end flagship phones - and usually it's these phones that get most attention and updates... Anyway, just saying again. :) this is why I don't care on the next phones coming out except the Nexus and Surface. The flagships are out for war already - SGS3, NL920, iP5, Nexus 7 and all.
103. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 14 Sep 2012, 10:56 2 1
its high end because they pricing it that way and telling you it is the most capable and powerful phone........thats why "they" (apple) lable it "high end"
when its really jus a pretty phone with basic functions nothing more........
124. gallitoking posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:34 1 9
wow pretty phone wuith basic functions... wow.. the hatred for a company blocks any use of the brain..
174. chaoticrazor posted on 15 Sep 2012, 06:13 2 1
mate your brain must be dusty from not been used
symbian can outperform iOS in many ways and thats a 'dead OS' so your not as advanced as you think you are
41. neutralguy posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:56 5 1
Actually, what I just have read have the truest sense of what really defines a high-end phone.
It's not only about hardware. To really define a phone's category, you need to consider its price and software integration.
Put all this together, then you could now categorize a smartphone.
IMO, iPhone 5 is a high-end phone. The software integration on the hardware is on par with the flagship devices from different OEMs. Also, the price point is for a high-end device.
Iphone 5's spec is really disappointing when compared to the flagship devices of the android OS. But again, it's not all about numbers.
2. samystic posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:04 13 1
whoa Ray S. ... caution this is a public blog... no justifications for a over hyped device please...
but thanks a lot for allowing us to understand your perspective for 'What defines a high-end device?'... why not write something about an upcoming OS as well?
samystic
3. pokharkarsaga posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:05 11 1
High end phone means high end performance & not high end specs.
4. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:05 11 30
I'm totally agree Ray...
Only geekdroid fans concern more on spec...
We want something that make phone a true phone... Not the phone that need to operate with two and a half hands... Sorry fandroid, say what you want you will never satisfied your current device...
13. CanYouSeeTheLight posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:16 9 0
Are you a stalker? Why are you always changing your profile pics with pics of that asian chick?
30. bobfreking55 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:32 3 0
we really need a girl here. not one who is pretending. lol. tech geeks would go gaga on some girl who actually cares about tech.
15. prakesh posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:17 3 0
here's your rewards. haha
phone is different to a smartphone.
20. frydaexiii posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:19 4 4
Haha, of cause we can never be satisfied, if people were so easily satisfied, we would be carrying brick phones everywhere. The only reason Android phones have progressed so far is because people want better.
Only Apple gets special treatment because they own their customers, customers don't tell Apple what they want, Apple tells the customer what they want. And mind you if Android wasn't eating up their customers with better devices, Apple would be more than glad if everyone were still paying $199 for a 3GS on a 2 year contract today by saying you don't need LED Flash or dual-core or more RAM.
31. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:33 3 4
so your saying you rather drive a BMW 320 and not the M3, or rather you. will take the V6 and not the V12.... Looks like your just a basic user and a girl whose more like into your make up and fancy clothes.
33. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:37 5 2
You just don't get it do you...
37. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:50 3 2
Your not the smart techy geeky girls who likes performance and power and in the limelight. you prefer simple basic things.
56. XiphiasGladius posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:28 4 0
He's a dude trolling around with a profile pic from the internet (Ely Tran Ha).
60. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:42 1 0
Aha i was thinking that some-thing wasn't right, now i see: Wendygarret is a guy, you deceived us all, you silly girl.
35. goflet posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:42 5 2
ios doesnt have the extra features and customization of android.thats why it doesnt need a lot of hardware.5 years on and we see the same screen with icons on it.
47. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:10 6 5
Actually, not all people prefer customization, especially a busy business people or a lazy person like me...
We want something simple... something easy to hold... something premium... I hope you understand us :)
Of course, customization is a huge advantages tho
+1 for you :)
82. chaoticrazor posted on 14 Sep 2012, 09:23 7 0
you cant talk for everyone mr 'wendygarret'
but i agree lazy people dont want customization also uniformed people too will want the same.
but your pionts been you choose the iphone for are stupid
so
its simple- the 3310 is simple too you should get one instead
easy to hold- there arent many phones out there you cant hold easily so look aorund
premium- define premium, something that smashes from one drop......get a 3310 it will survive through pretty much anything
or do you mean the feel of the device , if so there are plenty out there that look and feel much better nokia n9 for example
38. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:52 2 3
Then enyoy ur 33inch TV, while everyone loves the 50inch. Enjoy living in small house, while other's want to live in bungalows.
40. Volcomguy51 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 07:55 1 2
Can I be your friend Wendygarrett, you look pretty and I want to school you on Android.
50. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:14 3 7
Actually, I already have one :)
Im using it but thanks for your help :)
132. Volcomguy51 posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:52 0 0
I bet I can school you on amazing and liberating a high end Android device can beat the iPhone. Its not cool to troll Wendy :). Now be cool with us Android folks.
57. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:34 0 8
LOL why all the red thumb to my friends...
Definitely not me >.<
64. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:46 0 5
No i'm not >.
66. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:47 1 0
o come on dont be shy, be honest.
62. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:45 1 0
cause there iFans and Apple users, its nothing new.
67. wendygarett (limited) 3 days ago posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:48 2 5
I give you a green and you give me the red?
sad :,,(
73. TROLL posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:55 0 2
o okay heres on green!
106. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:03 0 0
HAHAHAHA this is funny as hell........lets all flirt with wendy..........silly wendy, so easily influenced and swayed from current items.......ive never seen someone go back and forth as much as you do.....every post is a different opinion ......ios android ios android ios android......or maybe windows phone this time! LOL
112. remixfa posted on 14 Sep 2012, 11:33 6 0
wendy is a dude. you guys like flirting with dudes? lol
127. EclipseGSX posted on 14 Sep 2012, 12:40 2 0
Let them pretend it's a girl. It's probably the closest interaction with an actual female they get all day :)
169. naga.appani posted on 15 Sep 2012, 03:54 0 0
May be a gay,lol... May be, I said.. lol
68. JDMC..SmartphoneFan posted on 14 Sep 2012, 08:49 9 0
Sorry wendygarett but I'm a S3 owner and I'm very satisfied with my smartphone.
iPhone... I have been use it but... in my personal opinion the iOS is ever the same, nothing new in general and in the hardware thread the iPhone 5 is like a large 4S with dual core and 8 mpx of camera.
In conclusion and for me depends of the each one to decide which one smartphone is better.
I think that you defend the Apple company because you're from USA... sorry is mi opinion.
