Apple vs. Android: Which phone is better?

Apple has already sold millions of its new iPhone 5, but is it really worth the money?

Steele on Your Side just pitted the new Apple smartphone against the top-selling Android phone, the Samsung S3, to find out which one is worth your consumer dollar.

There’s a lot to like about each of the devices but there are some key differences that might help you decide which one to buy.

When it comes to size, the iPhone 5 is bigger and thinner than its predecessor.  The Samsung screen is larger than the iPhone 5, but Apple expert Gary Ng says that isn’t necessarily a selling feature.

"I can reach the corners of the iPhone 5,” said Ng, who runs the blog iphoneincanada.ca. “With the Galaxy S3 -- my hands are large -- I'd have to move the phone a bit lower."

When it comes to drop tests, the Samsung’s bigger screen may be a bigger target.  Drop tests found that side impact hits were more likely to fracture the S3.

With everyone using their phone to take pictures, how do the cameras affect your Apple-or-Android choice?

While both the iPhone and some Android phones have the ability to take panoramic stills, Consumer Reports testing found that when it comes to photo and video quality, the iPhone 5 outperforms the Android competition.

While iPhone 5 users now get HD-like video quality like the Galaxy S3, Ng says a software issue is causing battery problems with the new iPhone.

"Some users are experiencing a glitch where the battery is draining faster than normal,” Ng told Steele on Your Side.

In terms of navigation, Android has more detailed maps and better traffic info. Apple has a few glitches, and until those are worked out, Android carries the day.

Android phones also offer more customization for users.  The phones are designed for the user to be able to make modifications, which can completely change the look and feel of the phone.

IT expert Derek Manky says the cool feature Samsung has that lets you share data by simply bumping phones is a security risk.

He warns the near field communication feature is being abused by cyber thieves.

"Just by physically walking by someone you can hack into their phone, and within a matter of two seconds plant a piece of code on there," said Manky.

Making the decision between an iPhone and the Samsung S3 is largely a matter of preference. So while the iPhone 5 gets many things right, so do a lot of the top-rated Android phones -- making them worth consideration.

Have your say:  Are you an Apple or Android user, and why?