Smartphones are almost like a necessity now with so many features and so many options. There are so many different companies which have released so many devices. I have shortlisted which phone you should buy. Please keep in mind this is purely from a usability perspective of a daily user.
These are the things that I've considered when considering which phone to buy are:
Cost, Hardware Features, Software Features
First thing is first, let's shorten down which brand of phone you should buy.
Took me a long time to get these logo off the internet but seriously, there is only two options. Samsung or Apple. Forget the rest and I'll tell you why. These two companies are dominant by far in the world. Hence, you will get good technical support, warranty and everything better with these two companies as compared with the rest. Now I am not talking about little things but overall and generally these two are the companies you want to stick with. They offer the best hardware/software combination also.
Note: You may ask as to why I just don't change the title to Samsung vs Apple instead of Smartphones in general. This is because I want to make a point to not buy phones from other companies as their phones are the same price but you will just not be happy with the usability of it.
1. Cost of Phone
When considering cost of phone and what you are getting. Samsung definitely wins over Apple. It is cheaper in every way. Basic Apple iPhone (6 which is the latest), 16gb starts at $749 which is $200 more expensive than a brand new 16gb Galaxy S5, We will talk about storage and expansion after in Hardware.
However, resale value of Apple is also better than Samsung. However, if you want to unlock your Apple iPhone, specially in Canada you have to go through Carrier (with which you have to have an account) that you got it from unless you want to pay a ridiculous price to a third party to unlock it. Currently as of October 2014, it is $35 at Telus/Koodoo while the rest charge $50, And also most carriers do not unlock within 90 Days of a contract which is also annoying no matter what reason they use to justify it. Samsung phones can be more easily unlocked. Older Samsung phones can be unlocked via Software if you know a bit about rooting etc. You can buy codes for around $20 from third party companies and sometimes even cheaper for the newer Samsung phones.
Winner: Samsung
2. Hardware
Without getting much into the nitty gritty of hardware, the internal specs of both phones are pretty similar. Apple sine the 5s though has introduced a 64-bit processor which we won't see until 2015 for android devices in general. However, apple have been stingy with only 2gb RAM. It has been criticized that they should have used at least 4gb RAM to utilize the 64-bit processor properly, despite that they didn't increase the RAM in iphone 6.
Display
Samsung offers a higher screen resolution than apple, has a bigger screen also, better battery life as well (specially the note and from s5). The 5.1" screen though is not accessible with one hand, definitely not of an average person. The 4.7" is almost perfect size for a phone.
Build quality
However, 99% of Samsung phones are plasticy whereas iPhone always feels more premium while in the hand. Samsung is changing though from their new Galaxy Note Edge that is now offering an aluminum body. Samsung does have a slight edge in the Galaxy S5 where they have made it water/dust resistant. This means you can take your phone to the bathroom and leave it in there before taking a shower without risking moisture getting to the inside and messing around the tiny electrical components inside your phone. This is a godsend feature when compared with the Note 3 and the S4 where without doing anything the proximity sensors got covered by dust and you have to use a compressed air can and blow into headphone port to clear dust from it. However, iPhone doesn't have that problem and has that premium looking aluminum body, and a slim lightweight phone that just feels amazing but you won't be able to shower with it unfortunately. Samsung has started to put nice leather-looking back on their phones aswell starting from the Note 3. But iPhone 6 is slimmest smartphone in the world and i must say it definitely looks seksy and premium.
Other features
Samsung has a removable battery and a place for microsd card. Apple has neither so it is annoying when your iPhone battery starts to play up you have to take it to one of their genius and pay for a replacement phone. With Samsung you just buy a cheap battery or even the genuine one you can get for around $20. Also, with external storage which you can get for so cheap now a days, you have the option to add a microsd card into your phone to store pictures etc which iPhone doesn't offer. Apple argues that it is not safe to have external storage but it definitely helps to add 64gb extra memory for a mere $40 as compared to $110 that apple charges.
Battery Life
Samsung are just getting better with their batter life. Its just amazing for a smartphone what you can achieve. But newer iPhone is so slim its hard to fit a battery big enough to give it better battery life. iPhone is ok on battery not as good as Samsung.
Winner: Draw
3. Software
This is the deciding thing for me and I feel apple have an edge over Samsung or any android device. Connectivity of Apple Phones with other devices in terms of air playing, connecting with car I have experienced is easier and better. The iOS although quite rigid on how you can arrange icons etc is actually quite easy to use and in practice faster than Android.
Touchwiz vs iOS
Touchwiz is a very good software indeed. But I have always found iOS to be more user friendly. Things are more easily accessible on the iPhone. Some people might differ with me but on day to day use iOS wins every time.
Backup
iCloud wins. Easiest I have used ever. Just press one button and so easy to restore and it restores everything as is including call logs, contacts, messages, and data of all your apps. Can't tell you how many times I have completed temple run on android because I couldn't backup data of my progress. You can do that with android also but it is no way as easy as pressing a button.
Security
Apple is definitely more secure than Samsung but with centralized security through their own servers, the danger is if it gets hacked they risk every iPhone user. But however, I have really enjoyed using Apple with their iCloud lock and Find iPhone feature and the peace of mind that if someone steals, i can track it and they won't be able to use it at all (if I have set a pin and kept Find My iPhone on). Samsung does not offer that and even if you can secure all your data on phone and use third party apps to encrypt etc, it can be bypassed easily by going into download mode and restoring firmware or going into recovery mode and doing a Factory Data reset. And if you have extSD card you have to make sure you Encrypt stuff on it or else if you lose your phone you lose all data and other person can steal it. You can also go to http://supportprofile.apple.com and register your apple device and view all your warranty data, supoport information etc which is another feature Samsung doesn't have (or maybe I don't know of it).
Winner: Apple
Conclusion
If you can afford it get an iPhone. Samsung is good also but get the galaxy S5 or above because the former phones have a couple of really annoying hardware issues.
