Camera Test (Low-Light And Natural Light): iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S III [IMAGES]

Whether you’re an Android fan or iOS lover (or somewhere in between – I’ve heard it’s possible to like both), there’s no denying the iPhone 5 from Apple and Samsung Galaxy S III are the two biggest smartphones right now. Both have sold in multiple millions, and although they’ve been compared in many key areas in benchmark tests, drop tests, and various other one-on-one scenarios, the performance of the new iPhone’s camera has yet to be properly scrutinized, at least not versus its fiercest competitor.
We already know the Lumia 920 will be bringing the best video and image capturing capabilities to the smartphone market when it releases later this year, that’s a given. So before we compare the two titans, it’s important to note that we’re merely mulling over the two "best" smartphones, rather than the two most capable smartphone cameras.

The iPhone 5 snapper offers a new sapphire lens, and although it is – as with its Samsung-made rival – an 8-megapixel camera, it’s supposed to perform better in low-lighting conditions. In the darker environment, without any flash, the solid shooter of the iPhone 4 / 4S certainly didn’t reach the heights, but it’s an issue Apple claims to have improved on with the iPhone 5.
We took the liberty of snapping some images from the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III in natural light and low light, without flash, and as you’ll see in a moment, there is actually very little to separate between the two. Starting off with low light, the iPhone 5 is noticeably brighter than the S III, but it does appear as though Samsung’s camera offers a little more detail. The hair of the small toy animal looks as one, and although the S III isn’t streets ahead, I would have to say it’s marginally better for those times when light is at a premium.

Galaxy S III – low light (no flash)

iPhone 5 – low light (no flash)

In the natural light, both cameras really shine. Although it looks – from these images at least – as though the iPhone 5 is slightly sharper – there’s very little between them, and for your day to day point-and-shoot needs, I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either.

Galaxy S III – natural light

iPhone 5 – natural light

Here are a couple of images more taken using the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S III under well lighting conditions. As you can see, the details are quite evident in both the photos, but the iPhone 5′s camera has somewhat better contrast output:

iPhone 5 – natural light

Galaxy S III – natural light

As stated earlier, Nokia’s 8.7-megapixel PureView camera will make both look significantly inferior, but until Windows Phone offers anything like the app choice of iOS and Android, it will struggle to be categorized alongside the Big Two.

Glitch keeps iCloud storage at 25GB until 2050

Instead of a downgrade to 5GB of storage, Apple has pushed users' renewal dates 38 years in the future.

An apparent glitch in the iCloud account system has resulted in some accounts showing extended storage space with renewal dates years in the future.
iCloud's use of online storage as a syncing medium lowers the overall requirement for online storage, so Apple has reduced the base level to 5GB. However, Apple offered existing MobileMe customers a temporary extra 20GB of storage to accommodate user data during the transition to the new service. Apple originally offered this extra storage for a month, but increased this timeframe to September 30 and has been notifying users of this upcoming change.

Instead of downgrading to 5GB, iCloud claims users' accounts will downgrade in 2050.

(Credit: Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET )

On September 30, Apple did make a change to users' iCloud accounts; however, to users' surprise, instead of a lowered storage level, their iCloud accounts kept the same 25GB of space and furthermore showed the expiration for the storage had been pushed back to 2050. In checking my iCloud account, sure enough the renewal date had changed from being an annual occurrence to 38 years in the future.
Unfortunately this change is just a glitch in the system, likely from an operator error, and will soon be corrected by Apple. Therefore, if you see your iCloud account show you this surprise benefit, do not be surprised if it disappears in the near future.

Apple Releases Carrier Update for Verizon iPhone 5 to Reduce Inadvertent Cellular Data Usage

Apple has issued a Carrier Update for Verizon iPhone 5 devices this evening to eliminate an issue where Verizon Cellular Data would be used while the iPhone 5 is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

This carrier settings update resolves an issue in which, under certain circumstances, iPhone 5 may use Verizon cellular data while the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Follow these instructions to install the update.

1. Tap Settings > General > About.
2. Wait for the following alert to appear: (top right)
3. Tap OK to install the update.
4. Hold the Sleep/Wake button down until you see "slide to power off".
5. Slide to power off.
6. After the device powers off, hold the Sleep/Wake button to turn your phone back on.

Note: To finish the installation of the update, your iPhone 5 must be turned off and then on again. After your iPhone restarts, tap Settings > General > About, then scroll down to Carrier and verify that "Verizon 13.1" is displayed.

The update has to be performed somewhat manually but is delivered over-the-air, per the instructions above. Apple describes the update as an "important new carrier update" but doesn't provide many details on how/when these circumstances might arise.