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Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Online or bricks and mortar? This is how most Irish shoppers spend their money

Are we a nation of click-happy customers or do we prefer the personal touch? Here are the numbers…

IRISH CUSTOMERS STILL prefer to hand over their money to traditional retailers, but some industries are being hit hard when it comes to shoppers’ cash migrating to the web.

This month, as part of TheJournal.ie’s ongoing focus on the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, we turn our attention to the business of retail – and how customers engage with physical stores and their online counterparts.

To get some insights into Irish consumers’ shopping habits, we started by crunching the numbers using Google’s Consumer Barometer, which was recently updated with 2014 data.

Its survey of about 1,000 locals found nearly half of all computer users relied on their machines to search for product information at least once a week.

But a much smaller share, only 14%, actually used them to shop with, figures which further fell among tablet and smartphone users.

Meanwhile, some 61% of respondents in Google’s survey of over 3,000 domestic shoppers said they did some online research before making a recent purchase – compared to 60% who at least partially relied on offline sources.

Among those real-world information sources, in-store research was easily the most popular fact-finding method, while brand websites were the number-one place consumers turned to for their online research.

But when the research is done, where does the money go?

Despite nearly two thirds of respondents saying they had researched products online, only one third ended up buying over the web – with men more likely than women to make their final purchase via the internet. Here are the full numbers:

image Google Consumer Barometer, TheJournal.ie Google Consumer Barometer, TheJournal.ie

Unsurprisingly, the results were heavily skewed for some types of products like flights, although the amount of clothes and shoe purchases done online was also above average at 40%.

Groceries, makeup and home appliances were among the retail product categories that were the least likely to be bought online.

A recent CBRE Ireland survey of 1,000 domestic consumers gave similar findings – that people were doing more browsing that ever before to check prices and compare options for non-food items, but the traditional store was still the preferred place to buy:

CBRE CBRE Ireland Consumer Survey 2014 CBRE Ireland Consumer Survey 2014

So how do we compare to everyone else? 

CBRE’s survey found Irish consumers’ shopping habits were largely on par with those of other European nations, where most customers also favoured real stores over online purchases.

But locals were among the most heavy smartphone users in the world for both browsing for and buying products – well above the European average for both categories.

Reflecting this trend, Irish consumers were also more likely than those elsewhere in the region to log into social media to check out special offers or events when they were shopping.

CBRE2 CBRE: The Shopping Experience in 2014 CBRE: The Shopping Experience in 2014

CBRE Ireland senior researcher Suzanne Barrett said the frequency of online shopping had definitely increased over the years.

But the main development had been in people getting their background information via the web before making a purchase in-store.

“The major trend that has emerged in Ireland is the multi-platform use – and the important lesson there for retailers is that they have to be online,” she said.

“It is an imperative for consumers that they do their research online: they look at products and they plan where they are going to go.”

She said there had also been a rise in “click-and-collect” shopping, where people bought online before picking up an item in person, although research showed those customers often grabbed more products once they were in a store.

So there you have it – Irish consumers like to research their purchases online via computers or smartphones, but the majority of those sales are still flowing to traditional retail stores.

Originally published 9.15am

Do you know of an SME or startup doing innovative things in retail for this month’s coverage? Let us know by sending a tip below.

READ: How do you get shoppers to return to your store? Inspire them >

READ: Are Ireland’s independent retailers a dying breed? >

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8 Comments
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    Mute verbal kint
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:16 PM

    A battery that is dead by lunch time is dreadful !. Apple have had plenty of time to address this issue, but just haven’t bothered. I’d take a slightly heavier or chunkier iPhone if it meant the battery life was considerably better.

    314
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    Mute Pádraig O'Sullivan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:24 PM

    You can drain any smartphone battery in a few hours if you are using it heavily enough. When someone says they are a “heavy user” they could mean anything really from someone who checks Twitter a lot to someone who plays demanding (resource wise) games on their phone during all of their long commute. The battery life on this phone could be terrible or pretty normal for a smartphone, without him telling us what “heavy use” means for him we’ve no idea.

    92
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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:03 PM

    Its the second chip they added that is more than likely the reason for the rubbish battery time

    19
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    Mute Pádraig O'Sullivan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:04 PM

    iOS7 is also harder on the battery than iOS6 from reviews I’ve read.

    59
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    Mute Ted Carroll
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:11 PM

    The new update is killing the battery on my iPhone 4, I just couldn’t stand life with the little red 1 above the settings.

    57
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    Mute d
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:29 PM

    Not true. Battery on the note 2 will last all day even after very heavy use.

    49
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    Mute David Evans
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:30 PM

    I have to disagree, when I got iOS7 Beta1 (I’m a developer) the battery life was woeful and as a result I reverted back to iOS6. When the official general release came out I was getting a much longer battery life on iOS7 than I was on iOS6.

    43
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    Mute Pádraig O'Sullivan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:43 PM

    True d, though remember that the Note II sits between a smartphone and a tablet, not just in screen size but in its battery which is rather a lot bigger than that found in the S4 and SIII phones. I was thinking of phones like the SIII, which I own, when I was making my point. If I stream video to it for an extended period the battery gets drained very quickly.

    14
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    Mute Kjell Nolke
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:45 PM

    The 2nd low energy chip is supposed to reduce battery use / increase battery life. ?

    6
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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:55 PM

    I have a note 2 d . Its a great phone but in fairness now its the only device with a battery the size of a nucular power plant

    23
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    Mute David Evans
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:57 PM

    I also have the S3 as well as the iPhone5. I don’t dispute the S3′s battery – it’s a good phone, but my point (and relatively OPs point) is comparing battery performance between iOS6 + iOS7, which in my opinion iOS7 is far more battery friendly.

    11
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    Mute NiallHarbison
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:20 PM

    I have to agree with you. We all remember when the Nokia’s use to last 3/4 days on a full charge but on the flip side we have to appreciate that we are all walking around with computers in our pockets now. I think the big problem is that we call them a “phone” when that is actually one of the marginal features for me. It is my email, games console, News device, media hub and much more. I don’t really ever see us getting to more than a day on battery as the feature race will just keep going!

    26
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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:29 PM

    The battery is tiny and always has been it’s at 1,500mAh or around that, that’s not good for a full touchscreen at all, and when I had the iPhone 3G it only lasted about 4 hours with light use I know it’s an old model but the battery size was the same, compared to my HTC One the battery life in an iPhone is Still bad, the battery is like 2,800mAh in the HTC One and the phone is so thin so I don’t know if apple are being difficult or if they really have no idea how to make a phone properly

    11
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    Mute Pong
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 6:27 PM

    I have a note 2 also . Battery life is very good . Lasts all day long with heavy use.

    8
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    Mute Paul Michael Watson
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 7:23 PM

    The M7 was added to reduce battery life. Shifted tasks like detecting walking vs. running to hardware from software.

    2
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    Mute Seamus Kennedy
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 8:07 PM

    I work in Telecoms selling phones to Business’s and I find it hard to recommend phones, i have I phone 5 which is grand except for poor battery, Samsung S3 as work phone, better battery but too big, slow button response, feels cheap….iv never owned one but a lot of clients I meet rave about the HTC one as the best there is..anyone agree with that?

    10
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    Mute Paul Michael Watson
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:47 PM

    If you find the S3 too big you’ll find the HTC One too big, and too slippery. Beautiful made but slippery.

    3
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    Mute Aaron
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 11:06 PM

    and the HTC one battery only lasts about 2 hours, dreadfully bad

    3
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    Mute lostintallaght
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    Sep 24th 2013, 9:02 AM

    @aaron – If you have a One and it’s battery is only lasting 2 hours you need to send it back. I’m a HEAVY user and mine lasts me most of the day. Great phone (that had slo mo video before the 5s and is perfectly easy to use!).

    1
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    Mute Paul Michael Watson
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    Sep 24th 2013, 9:36 AM

    The HTC One shoots slo-mo in half-resolution though doesn’t it? iPhone 5s doesn’t drop resolution for slo-mo.

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    Mute Paul Michael Watson
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    Sep 25th 2013, 11:55 AM

    Obviously I meant “reduce battery life consumption” heh. M7 processor is better for your battery, not worse.

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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:16 PM

    Yay lets give apple the worlds largest finger print database …. cant see that being abused at all . Nothing about iphones or most apple products are worth talking about , just a dumb proof version of a real smartphone

    84
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    Mute GoGo99
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:31 PM

    Your print never leaves the phone

    41
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    Mute Nelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:36 PM

    @dublinjohnny are you into something illegal that you don’t want anyone to have your fingerprint?

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    Mute David McCormick
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:41 PM

    @Nelly. The only reason to worry is when someone else has your fingerprint and can use that against you.

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    Mute Peter Downey
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:43 PM
    32
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    Mute Peter Downey
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:44 PM

    @GoGo99

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:12 PM

    So uninformed it makes me sick, would you please at least learn how this system works in the iPhone before making sad comments like this, Dublinjonny?

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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:22 PM

    Unimformed … im and android and ios developer , i know more about your system tham you could ever dream of knowing . Now go back to the apple press releases for your soild facts

    31
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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:24 PM

    Yes GoGo

    Your finger print never leaves the phone, just like your voice is not recorded when you use Siri, or your emails are not read by the NSA.

    27
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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:49 PM

    No one should be concerned unless they are building bombs, planning attacks/assassinations or bringing in narcotics.

    Load of rubbish these people are talking.

    14
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    Mute Shane Hickey
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:23 PM

    Or getting framed by a secretive government agency

    17
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    Mute Nelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:31 PM

    Yeah that Irish secret service is so devious.its not America we’re living in lads

    8
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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:02 PM

    Yet Nelly where are the voice inputs & emails stored? On US owned servers which means every US agency can access them with a US court order even if they are stored in Ireland or Poland or Brazil.

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    Mute Nelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:37 PM

    Lads ye are watching to much tv

    8
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    Mute gastrophase
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:06 PM

    Those “professional pictures” speak for themselves :D I suppose the rest of the review is similarly overhyped.

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    Mute Little Jim
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:33 PM

    More of an advert really.

    32
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    Mute Brendan Crowe
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:40 PM

    “It is pretty much an undisputed fact that the iPhone has always set the benchmark when it comes to photos and the new phone doesn’t disappoint.” that’s hilarious….

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:48 PM

    “…when I stood in line for the pleasure of forking over a small fortune over the latest gadget.”

    This is the point when I dismissed the reviewer as being biased. No impartial review ever begins like this.

    61
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:56 PM

    “…it makes photographs by an amateur like myself look almost like professional shots and it completely eliminates the need to buy a standalone camera.”

    Speaking as a photographer, no it doesn’t.

    This whole review is a textbook example of shoddy, biased writing. Taking things like slo-motion video and claiming that they’re a game changer is ridiculous, countless apps on iOS and Android have allowed this for years.

    Apple are late on the flat design bandwagon (seriously, a lovely flat Facebook app was on WP7 2 years ago.), they’re not blazing any trails here. I’m an Apple user (apart from my Android phone) and I develop iOS apps in my spare time, so I don’t think I can be accused of being biased either way when I say that Apple are running out of ideas.

    77
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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:44 PM

    So you just came on to insult the writer?

    And let me get this straight, you use an Android phone but the rest of your products are Apple?
    Strikes me as a little dim having products that don’t sync well.
    Especially since Android offers nothing of interest over an iPhone, for most users, except lower prices.

    What apps have your developed in your “spare time” as a photographer? Would your profile picture be an example of your professional photography?

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    Mute NiallHarbison
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:18 PM

    Ive also stood in line for Android phones and been using the Nexus and HTC one for the last 9 months. I am in no way biased towards Apple but unfortunately when you write about these things people are so tribal that it gets down to insults most of the time. I don’t even know if I’ll stay on the iPhone because Android is way more exciting at the moment but for an amateur like myself the camera is by far the best.

    As for slow motion and finger print technology of course they have been around for years but Apple put them in to a format that people actually use. Slow motion will grow in to it’s own huge sector now and that is because of the way Apple have packaged it.

    18
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:19 PM

    Sorry Aidan, I obviously touched a nerve there. Despite your somewhat aggressive comment I’m going to be entirely neutral in my response (and I’ll try not to use too many big words).

    I do most of my work on a MacBook Pro, using both Windows and OSX. I have an iPad for testing and leisure use, I mostly watch Netflix or play games on it. When I bought it there was no really decent Android tablet on the market yet. I use an Android phone daily (first a HTC legend, then a Galaxy S3, now a DesireHD thanks to the S3 being nicked).

    Honestly, the things Android offers over iPhone probably don’t matter to most people, but the things iPhone offers over Android devices are similarly negligable. Price isn’t a consideration, as the last Android device I purchased was more expensive than the top level iPhone at the time, and the next one I buy probably will be too.

    The fact of the matter is that the iPhone was too limited for me to consider using it as a primary device, and it still is. I like being able to drag and drop video and music files without converting them first. I like being able to customise my keyboard. I like being able to view 2 gmail inboxes from a homescreen without having to enter the app. I like being able to download a file, zip it and email it all on the one device.

    As far as syncing goes, I sync my calendar and contacts with my gmail account, which syncs onto both my iPad and my Android phone seamlessly. My Android phone mounts and charges no bother to my Apple laptop. The only thing that doesn’t sync is the apps I buy, but I tend to use one set of apps for my phone and a different one for my tablet anyway. I don’t see how that’s dim, but again, maybe you’re an iOS user who’s never looked at the other options so you’re making assumptions about cross-platform compatibility?

    My profile photo wasn’t taken by me, but cheers for the attempted dig there. My first iOS app will be out in the next month or so, you can find out more about it at facebook.com/FionnOfficial. I have another in the pipeline but it’s currently just a wireframe.

    For what it’s worth, I came on to read a review of a new gadget because I am interested in new gadgets. I was frustrated because there’s nothing worse than reading a review where the reviewer clearly already had their mind made up about the device before they ever get their hands on it.

    48
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:01 PM

    Also Niall, I did not mean to offend you, and I apologise if I have. You just make some statements in your review which are overly generalised or objectively inaccurate which led me to my conclusion that you were biased towards the device.

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    Mute Brian O'Donnell
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:10 PM

    Americans stand in line. We queue.

    15
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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:16 PM

    Ye you touched on a nerve, the nerve you have to review the review. Which was unnecessary and self indulgent.

    I have a personal iPhone 5 and a Galaxy S3 for work. I use both.

    Don’t like the size of the S3 (my thumb doesn’t reach far side of screen) and don’t see any software differences between one and another that would make me choose either. I use an iphone at home cause I’ve always had an iPhone since I abandoned Nokia. I don’t hold any emotional attachment to either. Wouldn’t be bothered changing because I don’t see anything that would promote such upheaval.

    Thanks for the link but I’ve more sense than being on Facebook.

    I don’t see how enthusiasm can be seen as “the reviewer clearly already had their mind made up about the device before they ever get their hands on it”. That’s an assumption on your part.

    8
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:20 PM

    I just listed out some of the software differences in my previous comment, which apparently you didn’t bother reading. I give your response 2/10

    ©Rob Hunt Comment Reviews 2013

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:26 PM

    Probably should learn to read before you review.

    The second paragraph is VERY obviously my opinion and experience with both phones and their software. The software additions you wrote about do not apply to me therefore are irrelevant. I cannot speak from another perspective.

    I give your response a 0/10 as you did not even care to read my comment.

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    Mute Fergal Kelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:26 PM

    Aidan saying Android has nothing over IOS is ridiculous. The whole layout of the software would make it impossible for me to ever use an iPhone after my S3. Widgets are probably the single best feature between the two. The ability to customise my phones layout is so handy and practical. The screen size while not being a software feature, is another big selling point for me in the battle between iPhone and Samsung S.

    17
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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:29 PM

    Please refer to my previous comment Fergal.

    3
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:41 PM

    You’re reviewing my review? How unnecessary and self indulgent of you.

    16
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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:45 PM

    Ha! I was concerned I was dealing with someone immature, childish and self absorbed. I have confirmation.

    We are done here.

    4
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    Mute Fergal Kelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:56 PM

    Written at the same time! But still valid

    5
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:57 PM

    To be honest, I would have engaged with you properly if you’d expressed anything more than half-formed, objective points. I initially pointed out some issues I had with the article as posted and you chose to respond to ad-hominem attacks. After that, I didn’t really have any justification for expecting a reasonable discourse.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:57 PM

    *resort to

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:08 PM

    Would have could have should have.

    As I said we are done. Twice as done now.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:33 PM

    I know you are but what am I

    17
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    Mute NiallHarbison
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 7:07 PM

    Ah not at all man I love a good bit of debate! I see all sides of the argument and tried to have balance here in the pice by pointing out the downsides of the it as well. I’m 50/50 on phones and just like to try them all out! Well not Windows anymore just cant see that going anywhere!

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    Mute Adam Murphy
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:33 PM

    Apple most certainly haven’t set the benchmark for photos! I’m pretty sure they’ve always been one of the worst. I’m still going to upgrade, but this was a pretty poor review by someone who believes all the press releases from Apple!

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    Mute Daniel Farrelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:41 PM

    If anything Nokia have usually set the standard for camera’s on phones. The N95 was one of the first to have a 5mp camera. I had an N8 at one stage and it had a 12mp camera with a xenon flash. The image quality was superb (for a cameraphone) but unfortunately the Symbian OS was shit.

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    Mute David McCormick
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:46 PM

    @Daniel Fully agree. The only good thing about the N95 was the quality of the photos. Unfortunately, you couldn’t rely on the camera actually working when you needed it.

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:07 PM

    My N95 was the worst phone I ever owned. Yes, it had a 5MP camera. Great. And useless, shutter lag was about 20 minutes long, when making phone calls there was a constant noise in the background, the OS was dreadfully buggy (if you had a number under 2 different contacts, the phone wouldn’t show either of them).

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    Mute Ger Finan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 7:21 PM

    Ya, this is where the author lost me too. As Daniel says, Nokia are generally renowned as the best.

    Do a quick Google search for “best camera phones” and few sites seem to rate Apple as the best. The consensus (from the first few links anyways), seems to be 1. Nokia Lumia 1020, 2. Galaxy S4, 3. iPhone 5.

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    Mute Jordan O'Byrne
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:21 PM

    Remember when getting over 1000 in snake on your 3210 was about as far as conversations about mobile phones went?

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    Mute Alyssa Frank
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:52 PM

    Ive seen the slow-mo function used on boobs.. neat feature! Lol

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    Mute Darren Bates
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:19 PM

    If you’re stupid enough to spend your hard earned cash than do it, but you won’t be happy and if you are you’re delusional and feel comfort in an operating system that’s dummyproof. Even with iOS7, they’re still “two to three years behind Android” (and that quote is taking from raging iPhans The Verge in their iOS7 review). For me it’s going to be Nexus, Nexus and more Nexus until the cows come home. Stock Android is absolutely beautiful and Kit Kat (that’s Android 4.4, or iOS 15 if you’re counting, but Apple users can’t).

    The deep affinity that Irish users have with Apple and Microsoft goes a long way to explaining how silly us Irish really are. Never bought an Apple product in my life, and it’s the best decision I ever made.

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    Mute Dave
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:40 PM

    Spot on mate

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:55 PM

    If you like a buggy software that stutters and crashes and is not as smooth as iOS then stick with your Android. I use android because I have to for work, I also have an android tablet. I don’t have any iOS devices anymore and boy do I miss the smoothness and ease of use of iOS.
    I see the android vs iOS like the UPC tv boxes vs Sky tv boxes. They both do the same thing, but sky does it a lot better, smoother and with less hassle. You are really kidding yourself if you think Android is a better software (then again, you say you’ve never had an Apple product, so what would you know).

    Written from my Motorola RAZRi.

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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:01 PM

    Buggy software …. what andriod are you using a 30 euro vodafone “smartphone”

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:03 PM

    kitkat isn’t out yet..so you’re comparing an unreleased version of android versus a released version of IOS. Typical fanboy illinformed comments..and I’m using a HTC One as well as iphone 5

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    Mute Dave
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:15 PM

    Motorola says it all

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:18 PM

    I’m on the very latest Jellybean. It’s a top of the range smartphone too, yet apps slow down and crash while It stalls from time to time and I have other issues with the software. Not issues that aren’t abnormal to Android.

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:19 PM

    @Dave – Motorola make the hardware – the software is the issue.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:50 PM

    “Never bought an Apple product in my life, and it’s the best decision I ever made.”

    Sounds like you’re living life to the max.
    Now where’s that rolling eyes emoticon?

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:30 PM

    Couldn’t agree with you more. Had a brief spell with a 3GS but my Nexus 4 is infinetely better than that OR the 5S.

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    Mute Dave
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    Sep 24th 2013, 10:49 AM

    Takes Good hardware to run good software no touch wiz single core 200 MHz single core compared to 1400MHz in a Samsung quad core . So yeah as I said Motorola good luck with that

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:06 PM

    Of course not.

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    Mute KarlMarcks
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:59 PM

    Pity Niall can’t write.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:19 PM

    Bigger screen for me!

    I dont want a smartphone AND a 3G enabled tablet. All my work can be accessed online, so the big screen is a winner. Its also better for videos and reading of course.

    I’d even go with the Note 3 – i’ll take the laughing at.

    If Apple had made screen bigger, there would have been no problem……….for me!

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    Mute Fergal Kelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:32 PM

    This. People who are heavy users of their phones for games or streaming, or reading documents or ebooks will always find a bigger screen the most important difference.

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    Mute Ger Finan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 7:14 PM

    I have a Note 2 and it’s fantastic Paul. It’s extremely quick, and the battery never seems to end. I use mine fairly heavily (the GPS/WiFi/Data/Bluetooth are always on; I always stream music to my car radio from my phone; I use it for business so I’m constantly sending and receiving emails; and I probably watch 5-10 minutes of video on it every day along with 45-60 minutes of browsing), and it never lets me down. The screen size makes emails, videos and browsing a joy to use.

    Ya, you may get a bit of a ribbing at the start about the size, but the way smart phone sizes are going, other mainstream phones are catching up.

    Can’t wait for the Note 3!

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    Mute Daniel Farrelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:32 PM

    It’s funny because I just read that a German group has managed to hack the fingerprint system on an iPhone. So much for the great headline feature of the 5S then. Personally ill stick with my Xperia phone.

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:09 PM

    Pfft, fingerprint systems aren’t perfect, none of them are, cannot be. But for most people the fingerprint sensor in the iphone will be a much more secure system than what they already have (nothing, or a 4-digit pin that will undoubtely be the same as their bank card).

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    Mute David McCormick
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:20 PM

    So one of the “pros” is being able to give the NSA, FBI, CIA access to your fingerprint??

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    Mute David McCormick
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:36 PM

    To the Red Thumbs on my comment above – Are you really so naive to think that the NSA can’t hack into your phone? Read into it. I’m not just chatting about iPhones here. But your fingerprint is being added to the NSA’s fingerprint database when you use the iPhone’s new unlocking system. How can that be seen as a plus??

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    Mute Maria Pearse
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:03 PM

    If you’ve been to the states in the last 12 years, they already have your prints, your retina scan, your face, and details about your life.

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    Mute Áine Foley
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:12 PM

    Put the tin-foil hat back on David!

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:13 PM

    Honestly, who gives a flying F about fingerprint databases? Go back to your cave, savage.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:52 PM

    David why would they hack my phone?

    Paranoia eh?

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    Mute Piarais Mac An TSaoir
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:29 PM

    Once again apple solves a problem nobody has – the fingerprint reader has already been hacked. There are guides online to copying someone’s print. Not very secure at all. A pin code/password is still best.

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:02 PM

    hacked is a bullshit term for it..they basically copied someone’s print and pasted it onto tape etc…nothing “hacking” about it.

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:11 PM

    I have a problem with the current pin system, slows me down accessing my phone, a fingerprint would be perfect (not good enough a reason to upgrade to an iPhone 5S, that’s for sure). It will deter a casual passer-by from unlocking my phone, I can register my gf’s fingerprint and then we can both use it without having to remember yet another pin.

    Honestly. Hacked? You don’t know what the word hack means.

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    Mute Seán Cronin
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:25 PM

    As far as I understand it, it’s not actually a trivial process.

    “First you need some kind of colored powder or superglue to lift the fingerprint. Then you have to scan the fingerprint, invert it and print it with a resolution of 1200dpi or more onto a transparent sheet. After that, you build your fake finger by smearing pink latex milk or white wood glue into the pattern that the toner created onto the transparent sheet and wait for it to set. Finally, the CCC writes, “the thin latex sheet is lifted from the sheet, breathed on to make it a tiny bit moist and then placed onto the sensor to unlock the phone.” This method should work for virtually every fingerprint scanner on the market today.” – http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/22/hackers-bypass-apples-touch-id-with-lifted-fingerprint/

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    Mute Piarais Mac An TSaoir
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:32 PM

    Typical iClone owner arguing over semantics. A USP for the phone has been blown out of the water. It’s not secure, it’s not clever, it’s a triumph of marketing over function and you have fallen for it.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:46 PM

    so wait, are you telling us that using a fingerprint to access the phone or input passwords isnt better than a code and passwords?

    ye i also prefer using a key to gain access to my car over using the electronic fob. Oh wait, no i dont.

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    Mute Simon King
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:10 PM

    They photographed the fingerprint, printed it onto a transparent sheet and used that to create a mould for a fake finger … not really hacking I suppose but an awful pain in the hole for your average thief

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    Mute Liam Breen
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:18 PM

    Has apple announced when we can buy it? My 3GS is looking a tiny bit Jurassic now.

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    Mute Fergal Kelly
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:33 PM

    Don’t, buy an S4 or a Note 3

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    Mute JDee
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 6:00 PM

    Pfft. Buy a 5 though. Much cheaper and essentially the same thing.

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    Mute Aaron
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 11:12 PM

    Heard a rumour from a friend in Vodafone that it’ll be available to buy on-line from Apple on October the 04th for Ireland

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    Mute lostintallaght
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    Sep 24th 2013, 9:15 AM

    No. If you look at the specs you’ll see the 5c is essentially a repackaged 5 with fancy colors. The 5s is an upgrade for sure.

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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:24 PM

    Its just to expensive for me. i can get most android phones for free on from my Phone provider once i sign up for a year or 18 months.
    if money was no object to me i would buy this phone.

    650 euros is a lot of money for a phone i would rather save a few more hundred and get a Mac.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:39 PM

    150-200 it will be for me to sign a new contract. Cheap considering the use it’ll get.

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    Mute Jazz O'Gorman
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:09 PM

    If you have the money just buy it.

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    Mute Cpm
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:31 PM

    Strange reason for buying something.

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    Mute Clarence Tayto Sweeney
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:19 PM

    What a load of shite

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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:23 PM

    Still not a patch on the S4………..fingerprint thing on android for ages but would you willingly put your fingerprints on the interweb for anyone to use………slow Mo video is also available on Google play for ages now…….

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:55 PM

    The fingerprints are not on the web.

    The phone unlocks with local data with no internet connection required.

    Probably should get your facts right.

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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:12 PM

    Well you must be naïve if you think that a phone that’s always connected to the net won’t be correlating that data and sharing ….just look at all the info that gets imprinted on a photo when you take it….of course the data will be stored on phone and shared when it syncs…..think I’ll keep my fingerprints to myself……..

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:22 PM

    Your precious fingerprints that are all so valuable to unlocking all those things you have secured with them. LoL, paranoia amuses me. You must be up to no good.

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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:31 PM

    Your fingerprints are unique why would you want them out in the public domain….

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:19 PM

    Do you have proof Apple is uploading them to a public domain?

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:24 PM

    Doesn’t have to be Apple, it could be anyone with access to your phone. No system is completely secure, who knows if the prints lifted now could be used to authorise payments on your behalf 2 years from now? Honestly, the more you comment on this article the less intelligent you come across. Step away from the keyboard.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:33 PM

    No one has access to my phone you paranoid mess.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:43 PM

    I do. I’m tweeting naked photos of you to everyone on your contacts as we speak.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:14 PM

    Still commenting childishly eh?
    I forgot to unsubscrible this thread, woe is me, easily rectified.

    I’ll enjoy reviewing your apps. Thanks for the Facebook address, your name too. Should make the app easy to find.

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    Mute Gusty McBlow
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:41 PM

    You forgot to mention in the “Cons” section that the fingerprint scanner has already been hacked, via photographic means.

    http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-hacker-group-ccc-compromises-iphone-fingerprint-sensor-a-923910.html

    After only 2 days, it’s not looking good. I totally agree with the idea that it is “stupid” to have only biometrics as your phone security. Fingerprints are everywhere, with you everyday.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:53 PM

    Is there a gang of people out targeting your phone which you obviously have a lot of very important and valuable data on that people want to get their hand on?

    Do you leave you phone unattended a lot?

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    Mute Will Hourihan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:09 PM

    That’s why PINs were developed Aidan!

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    Mute Conor Broseph Ryan
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:19 PM

    My HTC One suits me far better than this would – bigger screen, more battery life, fast and metalic. I will admit however that the slow motion video on this new Iphone looks impressive!

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    Mute Marko Burns
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:08 PM

    Considering the plastic body it really should be cheaper.
    Or perhaps they could vastly drop the price of their iphone4s phones so us poor people can afford one.

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:14 PM

    Poor people is not Apple’s market segment. You can always go to ebay and look for a 3Gs.

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:31 PM

    The iPhone 5S doesn’t have a plastic body. It’s made from Aluminium and glass. I think you’re mixing up the 5C, which isn’t reviewed in this article.

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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 3:34 PM

    Yea i agree Apple do like to keep in the more expensive segment of the markets but really dont understand the 5c … the “cheap” iphone that basically costs as much as some of the best devices on the market

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    Mute Owen Gannon
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:58 PM

    Two of your three cons are basically deal-breakers for almost everyone living in the real world.

    Cost and battery life are usually the main factors I looked at when choosing a smartphone. And these issues have already been solved by many different Android phones.

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:40 PM

    Android vs iOS . The best way to start an argument.

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    Mute Tony Fox
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 1:49 PM

    “This is the best phone on the market.. nothing else comes close..”?

    Is this guy serious?

    I’ve had a mix of Apple, Android and Symbian phones in the past but nothing has ever come close to my BlackBerry Q10.
    Excellent, excellent phone. Shame it doesn’t get as much attention as the others.

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    Mute Maria Pearse
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:06 PM

    Blackberry? BLACKBERRY!!?!?!?!?!?

    AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHHAHHHAHAHA

    Ha

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    Mute Justin Donoghue
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:09 PM

    You said Blackberry *titters*

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    Mute Emilio
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:15 PM

    Blackberry? That company won’t exist in a few years.

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:21 PM

    Ecosystem? The Google ecosystem is second to none

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    Mute Mal
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 6:41 PM

    It’s getting worse by the day though, they’re dumbing it down a lot lately.

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 24th 2013, 12:11 AM

    I’m a hardcore user but I can’t say I’ve noticed.

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    Mute Dublinjonny
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:37 PM

    Well done Tony someone that actually has a clue , although I wouldnt want one as developing for balckberry makes no sence these days the Q10 is possibly the best all round device available today , but those boys in Canada left it far to late to get back in the game.

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    Mute Peter KoVo Kovacik
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 7:51 PM

    i have had all iphones so far, i am real apple fan, everything in my house is apple, ipads, iphones, imac, apple tv etc. and i cannot wait, does anyone know when three is going to put them on sale, one of my contracts is up and i can not wait to upgrade from my 5 to 5s

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    Mute Happy Man
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:09 PM

    I like my iphone, it’s simple to use, like me, and it’s easy to hold with one hand. It’s better suited for the masses. Android it cool to but I’m approaching 40 so simple is best as you get older. If I could I’d feck the phone out the window and go back to calling my friends from the land line (after 6pm, when my dad is not around) and hope their dad did not leave their seat to answer my call.

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    Mute Paul Tully
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 6:42 PM

    Eliminates a need to by a standalone camera are you out of your mind!! no matter what improvements they make to phone cameras they will never be as good as a proper camera!

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:33 PM

    And when new features do appear on IPhone’s , there will be similar or better features available on the Play Store within the month.

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    Mute Jennifer Reinhardt
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    Oct 11th 2013, 11:35 AM

    I don’t think anybody should buy the new iPhones because I checked out the price and you may as well buy the 5s because the 5c is worth around the same price they said the 5c was suppose to be cheap but its not.

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    Mute Vinit Date
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 2:53 PM

    ios7 challenges your intelligence and lures to Apple products. It doesn’t allow non apple cable for charging with annoying message s. The cable worked perfectly when I had ios6

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    Mute Chris McShortall
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 5:22 PM

    You’ll notice he doesn’t mention which android device he was using. Suggesting he never used one and therefore making this comparison irrelevant
    .

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