Selling like hot applesApple sold an astounding 2,750,000 iPhone 5s devices within 24 hours of its launch.
The 5s is, in Apple's own words, the most 'forward thinking' iPhone of all time. Although not a lot has changed in terms of the outward appearance of the phone when compared to the iPhone 5, the internals couldn't be more different. Apple's latest flagship cramps in some of the most powerful hardware available today, into a phone that is just about the same size as its predecessor. The phone also goes one step ahead, and brings back something that has long been forgotten-the fingerprint sensor. Such has been the impact of this move, that almost all other manufacturers suddenly seem to be scrambling back to their drawing boards to release their own version of Apple's Touch ID. So, does this mean that Apple has once again silenced all its critics, and left the competition to lick their wounds? Not quite.
The iPhone 5s is undoubtedly a beast of a device in the body of a princess, but the competition isn't far behind. In fact, the competition, at many levels is far ahead of Apple's baby. Even the phone's main USP, the fingerprint sensor is not exactly ground breaking, and cannot be termed as a game changer. A lot of devices that run on its rival platform, Android, have quite a few aces up their sleeve, waiting to bite into Apple's pie. Here's a look at the iPhone 5s, and how it stacks up against the competition.
Vs.
THE CHAMPION
iPhone 5s
Dimensions
123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight
112 g
Chipset
Apple A7
CPU
Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone
GPU
PowerVR G6430
RAM
1 GB DDR3
Storage
16/32/64 GB internal storage
Screen
4.0" LED-backlit IPS LCD
(~326 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
8 MP/1.2 MP
OS
iOS 7
Battery
1,560 mAh Li-Po
Price
199/299/399 USD
(2-year contract)
USPs
Unique fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
Apple A7 processor
Revamped operating system (iOS 7)
Premium build quality
Great screen (4" Retina display)
Good 8 MP camera
Drawbacks
Lack of serious applications to use Touch ID
Extremely expensive
No expandable storage
Not available in all markets
Non-removable battery
THE CHALLENGERS
Samsung Galaxy S4
Dimensions
136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
Weight
130 g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 600
CPU
Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300
GPU
Adreno 320
RAM
2 GB
Storage
16/32 GB internal storage
microSD card expansion
Screen
5.0" Super AMOLED
(~441 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
13 MP/2 MP
OS
Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Battery
2,600 mAh Li-ion
Price
99/249 USD
(2-year contract)
USPs
Expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64 GB)
Android OS v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Great software tweaks (Smart Stay, Air View, Air Gestures)
User-accessible battery
Great screen (5" Super AMOLED display, 441 ppi)
Compatible with Samsung Galaxy Gear
(Android 4.3 and upwards)
Drawbacks
All plastic construction
Poor battery life
Monotonous design
Last-gen hardware (Snapdragon 600 chipset Krait 300 CPU)
HTC One
Dimensions
136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
Weight
130 g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 600
CPU
Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
GPU
Adreno 320
RAM
2 GB
Storage
32/64 GB internal storage
Screen
4.7" Super LCD 3
(~468 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
4 MP/2.1 MP
OS
Android v4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Battery
2,300 mAh Li-Po
Price
99/299 USD
(2-year contract)
USPs
Premium build quality (aluminum unibody)
Superior audio output (Beats Audio/Boom Sound)
Great RSS app (BlinkFeed)
Great camera application (Zoe)
Sense 5 UI
Fantastic screen (4.7" Super LCD 3 display, 468 ppi)
Drawbacks
Expensive
Non-expandable memory
BlinkFeed cannot be disabled (on Sense 5)
Non-removable battery
Mediocre battery life
Last-gen hardware (Snapdragon 600)
Sub-par camera performance
Sony Xperia Z1
Dimensions
144 x 74 x 8.5 mm
Weight
170 g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
CPU
Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400
GPU
Adreno 330
RAM
2 GB
Storage
16 GB internal storage
Screen
5" TFT Triluminos display
(~441 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
20.7 MP/2 MP
OS
Android v4.2 Jelly Bean
Battery
3,000 mAh Li-ion
Price
670 USD
USPs
Water and dustproof (IP58 rating)
Premium look
20.7 MP 'G' lens camera
Expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64 GB)
Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
Drawbacks
All glass construction
Rather large and slippery
Outdated Sony UI
No OIS for the camera
Non-removable battery
LG G2
Dimensions
138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm
Weight
143 g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
CPU
Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400
GPU
Adreno 330
RAM
2 GB
Storage
16/32 GB internal storage
Screen
5.2" IPS + LCD
(~424 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
13 MP/2.1 MP
OS
Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Battery
3,000 mAh Li-Po
Price
49.99/99.99 USD
(2-year contract)
USPs
Fantastic screen
Unique hardware key placement
13 MP camera with OIS
Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
Handy software tweaks (Q Remote, KnockON)
Sturdy construction
Great battery life (3,000 mAh)
Gorgeous screen with very little bezel (5.2" IPS display, 424 ppi)
Drawbacks
Button placement takes time to get used to
Plastic body
Non-expandable storage
Non-removable battery
Clunky UI
Google Nexus 5
Dimensions
137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm
Weight
130 g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
CPU
Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400
GPU
Adreno 330
RAM
2 GB
Storage
16/32 GB internal storage
Screen
4.95" IPS display
(~445 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
8 MP/1.3 MP
OS
Android v4.4 KitKat
Battery
2,300 mAh Li-Po
Price
349/399 USD
USPs
Vanilla Android (v4.4 KitKat)
Timely software updates
Powerful hardware (Snapdragon 800)
Inbuilt support for Qi wireless charging
Drawbacks
Poor battery life
Mediocre camera performance
All plastic body
Non-removable battery
Non-expandable storage
Nokia Lumia 1020
Dimensions
130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm
Weight
158 g
Chipset
Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon
CPU
Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
GPU
Adreno 225
RAM
2 GB
Storage
32 GB internal storage
Screen
4.5" IPS display
(~332 ppi pixel density)
Camera
Primary/Secondary
41 MP/1.2 MP
OS
Windows Phone 8
Battery
2,000 mAh Li-ion
Price
99.99 USD
(2-year contract)
USPs
Fantastic camera (41 MP Carl Zeiss optics)
Great unibody design
Great screen (4.5" AMOLED ClearBlack Display)
Drawbacks
Non-removable battery
Non-expandable storage
Large and chunky
Poor support for Windows OS
Poor battery life
HTC launched its own variant of the fingerprint sensor on its One Max, but the device has not been mentioned here as it falls into a completely different segment. Samsung's popular Galaxy Note 3 and the Oppo N1 too, are great devices, but again, fall into the category of phablets.
Each of these phones are extremely capable and can surely give the iPhone 5s a good run for its money. Also, almost all these devices offer a lot more for your money, as opposed to the gloriously over-priced 'i' devices. Having said that, I must concede that there is something strangely alluring about an iPhone that draws you towards it, and if you are fond of apples, have a secret treasure hidden away, there's no phone quite like the iPhone 5s for you. Cheers.
Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are subject to change according to offers and location.
Image Source:
apple.com/pr/products/
samsungmobilepress.com
htc-press.com
presscentre.sony.eu
lgnewsroom.com
google.com/nexus/5/
press.nokia.com
en.oppo.com/press/
delightfulweapo19 Community Member 
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