Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 5s: Which is best?

The Galaxy S5 has landed, bringing a best-in-class screen, an amazing 16-megapixel camera, and a bundle of new software features to the table. But how does it stack up against the iPhone 5s?

IT Pro put the two devices head-to-head to find out. We have used the following categories to compare the device - Design/ports, display, battery life, fingerprint technology, performance/enterprise deployment, camera and unique features.

Feel free to jump to the relevant section and remember to visit our section on pricing and verdict.

Design & Ports

We kick off with the design of the handsets, as Apple and Samsung take a wildly different approach to materials.

Apple uses a metallic chassis. The iPhone 5s is wrapped in a two-tone aluminum body to give it a premium look. It's got a compact 4in display and at 112g is comfortable to hold.

Samsung prefers to use plastic, so it can build large, lightweight devices and allow users to access the internals by unclipping the back panel. The choice of material does irk some who think it looks cheap, but it fulfills a specific function. The S5 is heavier at 145g, but is bigger and also has an IP67 rating making it water and dustproof.

The Galaxy S5 uses micro USB, the same port as every other Android phone. This is a nice touch because it lets you mix and match cables and accessories.

Micro USB 3 is the best version of the protocol to have, as it allows for fast transfers of data between the PC and phone storage.

The iPhone 5s uses Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. This is reversible and also delivers more wattage than a micro USB.

However, getting hold of a Lightning cable can be a problem, as they're not as widely used as micro USB cables. They are also expensive.

Winner - Galaxy S5 - The iPhone looks better and is lighter, but the S5 is more durable with its waterproof/dustproof coating. Apple's Lightning connector might be better, but micro USB is a commonly used standard.