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Android or iPhone?

M

MrGibbage

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 15, 2008
3
0
I am up for a new phone in a couple of weeks. I am torn between the iPhone or one of the Galaxy S Android phones. I have posted in the Android forums a question as to which I should get. Of course, they are all slanted towards Android. And I suspect that my answers here will all lean towards iPhone. That's ok. But anyway, if some of you could tell me specific "iPhone can do this, but Android can't" examples, it would make my decision a lot easier. It would be especially nice to hear from people who have had (or currently have) both phone types.
I know there is a digital metric ton of reviews/shootouts between iPhone and Android, but I would really like to hear it straight from the owners, not just someone who held both phones for a couple of days to write a review.

Cheers!
 
To attempt to convince someone to buy a phone I wouldn't say is the best advice. I will say however after owning several other platforms including Symbian OS devices, Windows Mobile, Manufacture default software phones and Android handsets, my decision was made.

I will say after getting an Iphone I could never move to another platform, the setup, the ease of use, the build quality and just sheer usability I could never move to another platform.
 
Oh, I didn't mean for anyone to try to convince me to buy one phone or another. I can make that decision. What I was hoping to hear are specific "iPhone can do this and Android can't" (or vice versa) comments. Then I would have to decide which is more important to me.
For instance, I understand that Apple must approve all programs that go into the app store, where Android is wide open. I am trying to decide for myself which is better to suit my needs.
One thing I really like about Android is that I can choose what carrier and which hardware.
One thing I like about Apple is the fact that it is just simpler. It just works. I think Android suffers a little by the fact that programs have to be written for many, many devices, and sometimes that causes problems.
It would seem that Android can have widgets running on the desktop, where it looks like iPhone cannot??

That is an example of what I am looking for. I hope it helps.
 
MrGibbage said:
I understand that Apple must approve all programs that go into the app store, where Android is wide open. I am trying to decide for myself which is better to suit my needs..
Click to expand...

Well there's good and bad on both sides. At least you know when you buy/download an app from the app store it does what it says and there is no worry. My previous phone is a Nexus One and there is more crap on the Android Market. But Apple's app approval process has come in for some controversy sometimes.

Having said that there are equally good apps on Android too. I think you really need to have a demo on both OS's to make your decision. Both are fantastic mobile OS's which cater for different needs. On Android you have Google Voice, Goggles and free navigation which you don't on the iPhone (although I think Goggles is coming to the iPhone soon) so if you need these than that's a dealbreaker.

Apart from them I think you can find apps for pretty much anything else on both platforms unless you like gaming on the move then the iPhone is the way to go.
 
My recommendation is to try both phones.

See which one feels better, looks better and performs closer to your needs. Also if you have in mind the apps you wish to run. Do both platforms have something that you're looking for.

iPhones have a larger marketplace with more games but is more controlled. Apple dictates what's acceptable.
Android is smaller at the moment but growing. Its more open and you generally can find a comparable android app that matches up closely with iPhone.

all in all, only you'll be able to decide whch phone is best for you, so do your homework
 
I own a Samsung Vibrant (T-mobile's version of the Galaxy S). My roommate has an iPhone4.

They are both good phones. It is hard for us to say what would be better for YOU unless you give us an indication of how you plan to use the phone and what features you find the most useful.

In terms of raw features, the android OS on the Vibrant will edge out the iphone4 slightly, but that might not be an important issue if the features (like animated backgrounds, for example) are something that you won't use.

The reason I like the Vibrant over the iphone4 are:
-removable battery
-removable SD card
-no software (itunes) needed to sync or upload to phone
-nicer screen (bigger, too)
-plays divx, xvid, mkv movies at all aspect ratios without needing new software
-light!
-Can use whatever sounds I want for a ringtone
-Steve Jobs can't tell me what I can and cannot do with my phone


Some things an iPhone has over the Vibrant are:
-better battery life
-nicer resolution on the screen
-more compact size
-front facing camera for video chat
-lots and lots of accessories available
 
I'll narrow it down to some very simple reasons why I migrated to Android.

1. Hardware LED indicator that lets me know when I've received an email, text, call, etc. Phones have had these for years so this isn't unique to Android, but Apple refuses to implement this simple element. When I leave my desk for a few minutes and come back it's nice to take a quick glance at the phone to see if I have a notification. No need to wake up the device to check. I can customize the color and flashing of the LED to specific notifications like gmail, exchange mail, tweets, calls, etc.

2. Notification drawer provides a one stop shop to access all my information. I can pull down the drawer from any screen to access all my notifications. So if I get an email, phone call, tweet, text, app update, appointment, etc. everything new gets placed in the drawer. Taping the notification takes me to the message. Once I'm finished I can pull down the drawer again and go to the next item. Nothing irritated me more than to get multiple notifications on the iPhone and then have to hunt them all down one app at a time.

3. Apple's heavy handedness. I understand Apple locks down the hardware and software to provide a consistent and uniform look and feel and overall excellent user experience. But the whole antennagate fiasco which turned into a finger pointing session on whose antenna works better with a death grip applied really turned me off. Between that and the proximity sensor that caused me to delete contacts and hang up on important phone calls really left looking for an alternative.

4. ATT's network just sucks. Drops calls are the norm, as well as patchy 3G coverage, and general poor call quality (GSM).
 
duffyanneal said:
I'll narrow it down to some very simple reasons why I migrated to Android.

1. Hardware LED indicator that lets me know when I've received an email, text, call, etc. Phones have had these for years so this isn't unique to Android, but Apple refuses to implement this simple element. When I leave my desk for a few minutes and come back it's nice to take a quick glance at the phone to see if I have a notification. No need to wake up the device to check. I can customize the color and flashing of the LED to specific notifications like gmail, exchange mail, tweets, calls, etc.

2. Notification drawer provides a one stop shop to access all my information. I can pull down the drawer from any screen to access all my notifications. So if I get an email, phone call, tweet, text, app update, appointment, etc. everything new gets placed in the drawer. Taping the notification takes me to the message. Once I'm finished I can pull down the drawer again and go to the next item. Nothing irritated me more than to get multiple notifications on the iPhone and then have to hunt them all down one app at a time.
Click to expand...

I agree with these two points, the two things I miss from my Nexus.
 
Once you jailbreak the iPhone, it's world's above android. It's really ironic for a platform that is supposed to be catered more so to the power user, the iPhone has way more and better quality apps.
 
It all depends on where you live OP, Try to find someone that uses an AT&T phone and see if you get good reception
I get good reception around Richmond, Virginia
3 bars at home
4-5 bars outside
 
iPhone syncs with iTunes. iPhone 4 Objective-C is theoretically faster than Android "java". Other than that, Android all the way.
 
duffyanneal said:
Notification drawer provides a one stop shop to access all my information. I can pull down the drawer from any screen to access all my notifications. So if I get an email, phone call, tweet, text, app update, appointment, etc. everything new gets placed in the drawer. Taping the notification takes me to the message. Once I'm finished I can pull down the drawer again and go to the next item. Nothing irritated me more than to get multiple notifications on the iPhone and then have to hunt them all down one app at a time.
Click to expand...
This is the feature I really love when I play around on my Nexus One. It's extremely convenient.
 
duffyanneal said:
3. Apple's heavy handedness. [...] antennagate fiasco [...] proximity sensor that caused me to delete contacts and hang up on important phone calls really left looking for an alternative.

4. ATT's network just sucks. Drops calls are the norm, as well as patchy 3G coverage, and general poor call quality (GSM).
Click to expand...

Well made points. I miss the LED from my blackberry, but for my usage it hasn't been a big deal.

I did want to comment on items 3 and 4, just to point out that it seems like people get different results on these. I know someone who's suffered from the proximity sensor, but I've had no such problems. I imagine it would be very frustrating to have a unit which suffered from that problem.

AT&T's service quality also seems to be very dependent on where you are. My experience in Atlanta and much of GA on AT&T has been great. It seems like the old AT&T "blue" areas have more issues than the former Cingular/Bellsouth areas.
 
Tarzanman said:
The reason I like the Vibrant over the iphone4 are:
-removable battery
-removable SD card
-no software (itunes) needed to sync or upload to phone
-nicer screen (bigger, too)
-plays divx, xvid, mkv movies at all aspect ratios without needing new software
-light!
-Can use whatever sounds I want for a ringtone
-Steve Jobs can't tell me what I can and cannot do with my phone
Click to expand...

-The battery is very easily accessed on the iPhone 4. Two screws.
-Extra cost associated with purchasing an SD card and there is limited access to it.
-Can't sync with iTunes. ;)
-You said nicer screen for android and then later said better resolution on the iphone?
-There's an app for that!
-By light do you mean that it's not heavy or that it has a light? If the latter, then so does the iPhone.
-Can use whatever sounds you want for ringtone on iPhone as well.
-Steve Jobs doesn't tell me what I can and cannot do with my phone either. I don't understand this argument?

I think it's going to come down to whichever user interface you prefer, OP. I am clearly biased towards iOS. I have never been comfortable using Android. I don't like it. I just wanted to point out the post above isn't entirely accurate and it's written by somebody who does not and has not owned an iPhone.
 
I see the iPhone v. Android situation similar to the classic Mac OSX v. Windows scenario.
 
steviem said:
But Sergey and Larry can read your emails, know who your contacts are and know your browsing history ;)
Click to expand...

AT&T has logs of all of your texts and knows who your contacts are as well.

Make no mistake, Apple is collecting just as much info from your phone as google is. Why do you think they dislike allowing google applications onto the platform? That is information they could be collecting and selling instead.

Unlike most folks on this board, I have actually worked on cell network hardware. Every text that is sent can be read plain as day from any terminal connected to the RNC.

The carriers keep a record of all that stuff for the Feds. There is very little you do online or over the air that isn't monitored or logged.
 
DravenGSX said:
-The battery is very easily accessed on the iPhone 4. Two screws.
Click to expand...
Two screws vs a plastic back which is made to be removed and replaced repeatedly. I can go to t-mobile and buy a spare battery and install it without voiding my warranty. uCan't.

-Extra cost associated with purchasing an SD card and there is limited access to it.
Click to expand...
What's your point? I can spend $20 to double my capacity vs an iPhone user having to spend $300+ to increase their capacity.

-Can't sync with iTunes. ;)
Click to expand...
Like all apple software, itunes sucks balls if you don't have a mac. That is a plus in my book. I don't need ANY software to sync media or contacts to my phone.

-You said nicer screen for android and then later said better resolution on the iphone?
Click to expand...
You obviously haven't seen a captivate/vibrant in person. No comparison. Captivate/Vibrant is the nicest screen on any cell phone. There's a reason that all the manufacturers are trying to get the super AMOLED and can't. Drop by the AT&T store and check it out for yourself.

-There's an app for that!
Click to expand...
If you mean 30 clones of a flashlight or fart app, then I'll pass. Instead, I'll take the market or 3rd party side-loaded apps that Uncle Steve doesn't have to approve for my use.

-By light do you mean that it's not heavy or that it has a light? If the latter, then so does the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Light as in weight.

-Can use whatever sounds you want for ringtone on iPhone as well.
Click to expand...
I haven't played with itunes lately, so i'll have to take your word for it.

-Steve Jobs doesn't tell me what I can and cannot do with my phone either. I don't understand this argument?
Click to expand...
Sure. Why don't you let me know when google voice (and countelss other rejected apps) becomes available :rolleyes:

I think it's going to come down to whichever user interface you prefer, OP. I am clearly biased towards iOS. I have never been comfortable using Android. I don't like it. I just wanted to point out the post above isn't entirely accurate and it's written by somebody who does not and has not owned an iPhone.
Click to expand...
No problem. You were right about the ringtone thing.

As for android, we don't need you and we are happier without you. Nowhere did I say it is for everyone. On major problem with iOS are the dummies who watch SJ at a press conference event and all of a sudden become mobile computing experts.

I'm on a couple of android forums. I see maybe 1 iphone thread every 2 or 3 weeks. On this board, half the users are screaming like chicken little about the sky falling because the iPhone isn't trendy or cool anymore.

After listening to my roommate croon about how cool his iPhone was when he got it, nothing gives me more pleasure than showing him a new feature on Android that his iPhone4 doesn't have. Nowadays he doesn't say anything about features and instead says that he 'prefers to use his phone for calls and texting for the most part'. Lolumad? :D.
 
Tarzanman said:
What's your point? I can spend $20 to double my capacity vs an iPhone user having to spend $300+ to increase their capacity.
Click to expand...

but the memory cards for androids have restrictions, i'm forever hearing people moaning about not being able to copy apps to the memory card....

Tarzanman said:
Like all apple software, itunes sucks balls if you don't have a mac. That is a plus in my book. I don't need ANY software to sync media or contacts to my phone.
Click to expand...

iTunes runs fine under windows 7 on my machine, dunno what you're on about, since i buy my music from iTunes anyway, its pretty handy that the iPhone syncs via that. if i had an Android phone, there'd be far too much hassle.... plus my contacts sync over the air anyway.

Tarzanman said:
If you mean 30 clones of a flashlight or fart app, then I'll pass. Instead, I'll take the market or 3rd party side-loaded apps that Uncle Steve doesn't have to approve for my use.
Click to expand...

whats the difference between us having a flashlight app and you getting one from the market? apart from the fact that the apple ones have been tested so they won't break the phone?

Tarzanman said:
I haven't played with itunes lately, so i'll have to take your word for it.
Click to expand...

been able to do this for years, not really a new thing....

Tarzanman said:
Sure. Why don't you let me know when google voice (and countelss other rejected apps) becomes available :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

google voice is available via a webapp, so we still have it. what other rejected apps are you on about?

Tarzanman said:
After listening to my roommate croon about how cool his iPhone was when he got it, nothing gives me more pleasure than showing him a new feature on Android that his iPhone4 doesn't have. Nowadays he doesn't say anything about features and instead says that he 'prefers to use his phone for calls and texting for the most part'. Lolumad? :D.
Click to expand...

maybe he just doesn't want to listen to your negative ramblings.. lol :)
 
andythursby said:
but the memory cards for androids have restrictions, i'm forever hearing people moaning about not being able to copy apps to the memory card....
Click to expand...
Then you're hearing wrong. Buy SD card, put SD card in phone. Even if there were restrictions (which there aren't), it would still be an ability that android has over itunes. iPhone loses on this category, just accept it and move on.

iTunes runs fine under windows 7 on my machine, dunno what you're on about, since i buy my music from iTunes anyway, its pretty handy that the iPhone syncs via that. if i had an Android phone, there'd be far too much hassle.... plus my contacts sync over the air anyway.
Click to expand...
Maybe you missed the part where I said that I don't need any software or a proprietary cable to sync to my phone. Wireless or not, you are screwed without iTunes. iPhone loses on this category, just accept it and move on.

whats the difference between us having a flashlight app and you getting one from the market? apart from the fact that the apple ones have been tested so they won't break the phone?
Click to expand...
Yes, they test so thoroughly that flashlight apps which are actually tethering apps would have no way of sneaking through the approval process :rolleyes:

google voice is available via a webapp, so we still have it. what other rejected apps are you on about?
Click to expand...
Hate to break it to you, but a web-app isn't an iphone app. I can make calls/texts from my GV number without having to load a webpage and log in first. There is also no shortage of apps rejected from the app store for political reasons. iPhone loses on this category, just accept it and move on.

maybe he just doesn't want to listen to your negative ramblings.. lol :)
Click to expand...

Too bad for him. Turnabout is fair play
 
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