After selling 18 million units compared to the iPhone 4S’s 16.2 million units within a span of three months, one has to wonder why the Samsung Galaxy S III is now the top-selling smartphone on the market.

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two phones is the size. The Galaxy S III has a screen size (diagonal) of 4.8”, and the iPhone 4S’s is a mere 3.5.” Also, the Galaxy SIII is 8.6 mm thick to the iPhone 4S’s 9.3 mm. Apple recognizes the advantages of a bigger screen, so they fired back at Samsung with the iPhone 5, which has a 4” screen, and it’s 7.6 mm thick.

Except for the size, the Galaxy S III and the iPhone 4S also run very different xsoftware. The Galaxy S III operates under the Android system, which is under Google’s ownership. The iPhone 4S uses the iOS operating system, consistent among all iPhone models. Since it was first used on a smartphone in October 2008, the Android operating system has undergone immense development in variously different aspects and is now the leading phone software. With growing credibility in its app store and its incredibly user-friendly interface, it’s not hard to see why people would choose the Galaxy S III over the iPhone 4S.

Since the death of Steve Jobs in September 2011, Apple has become more like a conventional business replacing its previous role as an industry leader. Following market standards set by rivals such as Samsung appears to be working, but how long will it last? In this fragile economy, Samsung’s spot at the top may only be tentative, and time will tell whether the Galaxy S III is really better than the iPhone 4S.

Both the Galaxy S III and iPhone 5 are priced at $199. The iPhone 4S, however, has been reduced from $199 to $99 since the release of the iPhone 5 in September of this year. When deciding whether to go with the iPhone or the Galaxy, you can’t go wrong. These are both great phones, and the real difference lies with your personal preference for either the Android or iOS operating systems.

Written by Oliver Kornberg’16