Samsung Galaxy S3 Release Problems: How To Fix The Device?s #1 Issue, Why It?s Different Than Apple?s iPhone 4S

On Friday, a report from leading product question-and-answer source FixYa was released, which outlined the top five issues with Samsung's Galaxy S3 and its competitors. According to the report, the most significant problem affecting the recently released gadget is a malfunction with its microphone. This causes users to be unable to hear the person on the other end of the line. After hanging up the phone, signal strength deteriorates, sometimes disappearing for minutes at a time.

To solve the issue, users must simply restart their phone, and connect to a Wi-Fi network to update the device's firmware if the problem persists. Under the Settings menu, choose About Device and then enter Software Update. If an update is available, tap Update to bring the firmware up to speed.

If this solution does not remedy the malfunction, users should reset the phone to its factory settings. To do this, first back up any data stored on the device. Once that is done, click Settings and then choose Back Up and Reset. Click Factory Data Reset and then Reset Device. Finally, select Erase Everything, and the phone will be completely wiped and reset to its factory settings. This will clear the microphone malfunction.

The problem accounts for 50 percent of the problems affecting Samsung's Galaxy S3, with battery life and overheating both at 15 percent each, Internet connection issues at 10 percent, and other miscellaneous problems at 10 percent.

Contrastingly, Apple's iPhone 4S garners the most complaints in the battery life department, which accounts for 45 percent of its malfunctions. The second-largest issue with the most recent iPhone release is Wi-Fi connectivity, which comprises 20 percent of complaints. Next is Bluetooth connection at 15 percent, complaints about Siri at 10 percent, and other unspecified issues also at 10 percent.

With all of the buzz that surrounds new smartphone releases, it is becoming increasingly important for consumers to see through the hype and understand the devices they are investing in, Fixya CEO Yaniv Bensadon said in a written statement. The Fixya Smartphone Report reveals which devices have the edge and where even the top dogs struggle in the constantly evolving battle between iOS, Android, and their competition.

Critics and analysts have constantly been drawing comparisons between Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S3, but the Fixya report illustrates just how different the devices are from each other. Although the two leading smartphones perform similar functions and features, such as the S3's digital voice assistant S Voice, similar to Apple's Siri, the malfunction statistics show that they truly excel and underperform in different areas.

Apple's next generation iPhone isn't expected to debut for at least another couple of months, with signs pointing to a third-quarter release for 2012. It is unclear how Apple plans to address battery life issues with it's next-generation smartphone, but new technology from Quantance may have the answer.

According to MotoringCrunch, the company has begun to ship samples of its qBoost chip, which incorporates envelope-tracking technology into LTE connectivity. This is significant because it balances the power needed for signal transmission with output power, lowering the high peak to average rotation. This has been one of the biggest setbacks for LTE technology, since it causes the battery to drain quickly. Apple has not yet announced any plans to incorporate the qBoost chip into the company's products, but Quantance has said it has a first customer, although it will not reveal the name of the company.

Samsung has not yet announced any plans to remedy its microphone malfunction for its Galaxy S3.