Samsung's Key Feature Could Help the Galaxy S IV Beat the iPhone 5

Apple AAPL has gleefully boasted about the fact that the iPhone 5 features a four-inch Retina Display. But is it enough to surpass the quality of the screen that Samsung is building for the Galaxy S IV? According to one study, it might not even be enough for Apple to top the Galaxy S III among all users. IHS IHS iSuppli has published a report that reveals that while the iPhone 5's in-cell display is very well designed, it "falls short of the Samsung's flagship Galaxy S III." iSuppli said that while the iPhone 5 is touted as the thinnest smartphone, its display is 0.4 millimeters thicker than the display featured in the Galaxy S III. The iPhone 5 also features a color gamut of 72 percent of the NTSC standard. This is a significant increase over the iPhone 4S, which came in at just 50 percent. The Galaxy S III, however, contains a color gamut that reaches 100 percent of the NTSC standard. "As the first product with in-cell touch, the iPhone 5 represents a major achievement, improving the image quality and reducing the thickness of the smartphone compared to previous models," said Vinita Jakhanwal, director for Small & Medium Displays at IHS. "And although the iPhone 5 still trails the Galaxy S III in the display specs race, the iPhone 5 overall remains thinner than the Galaxy S III, and its display color gamut is more than sufficient for most users." "Sufficient" may not have been the word that Apple was hoping to hear when it released the iPhone 5. But it could be music to Samsung's ears. While the Galaxy S III was criticized by some users for producing images that looked unrealistic or oversaturated, Jakhanwal notes that the "actual front-of-screen viewing experience could diverge for different users." In that sense, Apple may have the overall advantage if it is able to produce a screen that achieves a greater degree of universal appeal, even if it is not truly a superior screen. Samsung still has the technical advantage, however, since it has already achieved 100 percent color gamut. By making a few small tweaks to the Galaxy S IV, the company should be able to eliminate any complaints that accompanied the Galaxy S III. And if (or when) it does, Samsung may have finally stumbled upon a feature that Apple will not be able to top. Follow me @LouisBedigianBZ