iPhone 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy 5S: Which Is Better for Business?

Credit: Apple/Samsung

Apple has finally entered the era of supersized phones, but how does it stack up against the competition? For business owners, the release of the iPhone 6 brings another worthy addition to a long list of devices from which to choose. Here we compare the iPhone 6, Apple's fastest and most powerful iPhone yet, to its closest nemesis, Samsung's Galaxy S5, one of the best business smartphones money can buy. Read on to find out which device is better for your business.

Screen size

Is bigger better for your business? Although the iPhone now sports a larger display with the iPhone 6, the Galaxy S5 is the clear winner when it comes to screen real estate wars.

The iPhone 6 comes with a compact 4.7-inch Retina display and measures 5.44 by 2.64 by 0.27 inches (HWD), making it a one-hand friendly device for those who are used to the feel of previous iPhones.

The Galaxy S5, however, boasts a much larger 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display and comes in at 5.5 by 2.9 by 0.31 inches (HWD). This significantly bigger display makes it easier to work on documents and files, especially if you need to multitask (see below).

Operating system

When it comes to productivity, your smartphone's operating system — and the apps available for it — makes all the difference. The iPhone 6 will ship with the newly announced iOS 8, while the Galaxy S5 will continue to run on Android 4.4.2.

The iOS 8 is touted as Apple's biggest iOS release to date. For businesses, this means a more intuitive way to communicate and stay productive on the go. Features include quick shortcuts to people with whom you frequently communicate, time-saving mail management tools, and an updated version of Messages, which now lets users send voice, videos, locations and more during any conversation. The iOS 8 also comes with iCloud Drive — instead of accessing multiple apps to open different files, iCloud Drive allows users to work on any file, anywhere right from iCloud.

Android 4.4.2 doesn't hold back on productivity, either. It features the TouchWiz Multi Window function, a multitasking tool that lets users split their screens and run two apps simultaneously. Simply open the Multi Window app drawer, then drag two apps into the screen to run them at the same time. Whether you need to browse the Web while texting or check your mail during a videoconference, Multi Window can make your multitasking life easier than ever.

Performance and battery life

Performance and battery life are everything for users constantly on the go. Although the iPhone 6 has yet to be independently tested during real-life usage, specs indicate that the Samsung Galaxy S5 offers more bang for your buck.

The iPhone 6 runs on a brand-new A8 processor with 64-bit architecture and an M8 motion coprocessor. Apple claims the A8 chip delivers up to 50 times faster CPU performance and up to 84 times faster GPU performance than previous iPhones. All this means is that you can do more, longer and faster than ever before.

With this technology, Apple claims the iPhone 6 offers up to 14 hours of talk time on 3G, 10 hours of Internet usage on 3G or LTE, 11 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 11 hours of HD video and 50 hours of audio. Like previous iPhones, however, the iPhone 6 still comes with a nonremovable battery.

The Galaxy S5 comes with the 2.5-GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, delivering fast and powerful performance designed for its multitasking capabilities. In a hurry? This smartphone also comes with Download Booster, which lets users combine LTE and Wi-Fi for 80-90 percent faster downloads.

These features won't drain your battery too much, either. The Galaxy S5 comes with a removable 2,800mAh battery, which offers up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G. It also includes an Ultra Power Saving Mode, a feature that extends battery life by changing your screen to black and shutting down unnecessary apps.

Storage and more

Still can't decide? As a business user, these may be the make-it or break-it features you're looking for:

• Storage. The iPhone 6 is available with a nonexpendable 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB storage. The Galaxy S5 is available with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage and can be expanded up to 128 GB.
• Wi-Fi calling. Wi-Fi calling lets users make calls over the Internet, which then transfers to LTE once they are out of range. Wi-Fi calling became available on the Galaxy S5 this summer on the Sprint network. The feature will be available on the iPhone 6 via T-Mobile.
• NFC. Both devices come with NFC. Apple just introduced the new Apple Pay, its first digital wallet that lets you use your credit card or existing iTunes payment information for one-touch checkout.
• Security. The iPhone 6 uses Touch ID fingerprint scanning technology to both unlock devices and make purchases. On the Galaxy S5, fingerprint scanning can also be used to activate Private Mode, a hidden folder for sensitive files, photos and messages. The Galaxy S5 also includes Knox Workspace, which enables users to run business apps in a secure "container" independent from the rest of your phone.
• Price. The iPhone 6 starts at $199 on contract and $699 off-contract for the 16GB model. The Galaxy S5 is priced similarly at $200 on contract and $650 off-contract. Where price really matters is if you need additional storage — as mentioned, whereas the Galaxy S5 offers expandable storage, the iPhone 6 has fixed storage that requires a new device if you need more capacity.