An Android Phone as good as iPhone 5

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Wrong. Android is very fragmented.

Oh come on. Whether what you say is true or not you cant exclaim "wrong" then not say why or how. Just looks like a child stomping their feet and yelling "no".

Facts are facts dude. Been proving many many times here. Just search.

The real question is ... How does this really affect me? Should users with a shiny new HTC One feel fragmented on 4.2.1? Should I feel my new S4 reigns supreme cause it has 4.2.2? Should all non Nexus owners cry like little bitches cause we don't get updated at the same time?

Most users make their decisions based on what any phone currently has. I didn't buy the 4 hoping for photostream and 4S hoping for some stock navigation. I didn't scream bloody murder when the 4 was excluded from having Siri. Did any of that affect my the quality of the OS I've been dealing with. The answer is NO.

If anything, I hate the fact that iOS forces you to update one way or another. For example, plenty of apps now require iOS6. On my iPad2 I stuck with iOS5 for awhile. There was no way to download certain apps unless I updated. At least with Android, any apps that state they are not compatible in Google Play, I can either install a differ app store(ex: Amazon and Slide Me) or just sideload. 9 times out of 10, the app that Google Play says is not compatible works just fine.

 

[TacticalDesire]

I'm beginning to wonder if people actually know what fragmentation means....

 

[tjl3]

The fragmentation argument has always seemed blown out of proportion. It surprises me how many apps aren't optimized for the iPhone 5 screen but iPhone people will still yell fragmentation.

This too is a statement blown out of proportion. Most of the apps not optimized for iPhone 5 are also no longer supported by the developer. You'd see the same result in apps that were not supported after Apple announced retina displays and after these 1080p displays came out. I have seen, however, "bug fixes" in the release notes of a non optimized app. But the ones I have seen, the overwhelming comments indicate that the app was no longer in a working state.

 

[onthecouchagain]

A simple "I'm just trolling for an argument" would have sufficed.

Maybe fragmentation was an issue back in the froyo days but not so much anymore. Higher versions of android 3.0+ are compatible with near everything above and everything below.

Personally I don't care what settings > about > version says. If I have the latest OS I should have the latest features or else what's the point?

I can nearly guarantee my 4S will get iOS 7 but it will be missing new software features. The only difference to me will be an OS that lags severely, that's my upgrade....lag. Oh and being able to prance around saying "la de da latest OS no fragmentation here".

Personally I'd rather just stick with iOS 6 (which I will till I get a 5S) just to to prevent the annoyance like the 3Gs had, the 4 has and the 4S is getting.

The fragmentation argument has always seemed blown out of proportion. It surprises me how many apps aren't optimized for the iPhone 5 screen but iPhone people will still yell fragmentation.

Ah well, that's my opinion but that might be because I never had a problem with fragmentation. Maybe you have? Which device and what apps?

Also, when you point out apps (like tetris and many others) on ios not taking advantage of the full screen (double black bars top and bottom doesn't feel very "polished") ios apologists are very quick to blame the developer. But if an app isn't updated for android then the whole of "android is fragmented." It's a fun game.

And if anyone is seriously looking for an android phone to match the iPhone 5, they'd have to begin at the mid-range android devices. Most everything else above would blow the iPhone (and most of it's operating system and features) out of the water.

 

[Krimsonmyst]

Why doesn't the nexus S have expandable notifications and lock screen widgets? (Both the nexus and iP4 came out in 2010). If you say "there are apps", well, there are apps that do what siri does in appstore too.

Google officially stated that the Nexus S would stop receiving updates at 4.1.2. Expandable notifications and Lock screen widgets are 4.2+ exclusive.

There's a difference. Apple will tell you that the iPhone 4 will receive iOS 7,8,9 etc. - but then include a million disclaimers telling you that it won't receive all of the features exclusive to that version of iOS.

 

[sentinelsx]

Google officially stated that the Nexus S would stop receiving updates at 4.1.2. Expandable notifications and Lock screen widgets are 4.2+ exclusive.

There's a difference. Apple will tell you that the iPhone 4 will receive iOS 7,8,9 etc. - but then include a million disclaimers telling you that it won't receive all of the features exclusive to that version of iOS.

True, but the end result is that both devices lack up do date features. i4 does not have what the 4S and 5 enjoy. Nexus S doesn't have what the gnexus and nexus 4 enjoy. So same thing in the end.

 

[jrswizzle]

A simple "I'm just trolling for an argument" would have sufficed.

Maybe fragmentation was an issue back in the froyo days but not so much anymore. Higher versions of android 3.0+ are compatible with near everything above and everything below.

Personally I don't care what settings > about > version says. If I have the latest OS I should have the latest features or else what's the point?

I can nearly guarantee my 4S will get iOS 7 but it will be missing new software features. The only difference to me will be an OS that lags severely, that's my upgrade....lag. Oh and being able to prance around saying "la de da latest OS no fragmentation here".

Personally I'd rather just stick with iOS 6 (which I will till I get a 5S) just to to prevent the annoyance like the 3Gs had, the 4 has and the 4S is getting.

The fragmentation argument has always seemed blown out of proportion. It surprises me how many apps aren't optimized for the iPhone 5 screen but iPhone people will still yell fragmentation.

Ah well, that's my opinion but that might be because I never had a problem with fragmentation. Maybe you have? Which device and what apps?

I would say that Android fragmentation stems from the fact that there's still a great many Android users on older platforms, that there are quite a few different iterations of Android (Sense, TouchWiz, etc...) and that having updates go from Google, to the OEM then through the carrier leads to release delays.

To be quite honest, its all to be expected from an opensource OS. People use the term "fragmented" as a negative, but really its just the way Android is.

There's also the fact that the OS/Apps have to run on a HUGE number of differently sized screens (Samsung alone has 25+ different screen sizes).

All this does is make it more difficult for Google to optimize the OS to fit hardware. But that's become the job of the OEMs and to a certain extent the carriers. You tend to run into problems when that many people/groups get their hands into the process.

On the other hand, I'd say the result isn't all that bad and you still have Vanilla Android out there which doesn't have to go through any of that. Only problem there is, the number of Nexus Android devices out in the wild isn't a very large percentage of overall Android market share.

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Google officially stated that the Nexus S would stop receiving updates at 4.1.2. Expandable notifications and Lock screen widgets are 4.2+ exclusive.

There's a difference. Apple will tell you that the iPhone 4 will receive iOS 7,8,9 etc. - but then include a million disclaimers telling you that it won't receive all of the features exclusive to that version of iOS.

This is wildly inaccurate....lol, but I applaud the over dramatic rhetoric.

Apple supports devices for a good 3 maybe 4 OSes after its released. The 4 will get iOS7 and likely be done (4, 5, 6, 7). Given past experience, I can only think of Siri as an example of a prior phone not getting a particular feature. (From that, the 4 also didn't get voice nav). Apple never states "a million disclaimers", nor do they promise you'll get OS updates forever.

Really not as dramatic as you make it sound.

My question is this: why do we feel so entitled to brand new features in an OS update that is FREE? Siri is a FEATURE of the iPhone 4S and further. It is a selling point for that device. Just because its possible for Siri to work on the 4 doesn't mean Apple MUST allow all those with the 4 to gain that feature.

The level of entitled-ness in society today is baffling and disgusting.

 

[tjl3]

Also, when you point out apps (like tetris and many others) on ios not taking advantage of the full screen (double black bars top and bottom doesn't feel very "polished") ios apologists are very quick to blame the developer. But if an app isn't updated for android then the whole of "android is fragmented." It's a fun game.

And if anyone is seriously looking for an android phone to match the iPhone 5, they'd have to begin at the mid-range android devices. Most everything else above would blow the iPhone (and most of it's operating system and features) out of the water.

Still looking for an Android phone to match iPhone 5. Nexus 4 comes close, too many short comings.

 

[SMDBill]

I am looking for an Android phone that is as good as my Iphone 5 and I still can't find one. The Galaxy S4 and the HTC One have their own problems. The OS is still fractured and Verizon is crazy slow with updates. My Ip5 gets its updates with no problems. If I could find an Android phone that works on Verizon, has a pure Android system, gets updates without carrier interference and has no bloatware, I would certainly try it, but I wouldn't give up my Iphone. Maybe something will surface at the Google event, but I doubt it. Fall is coming and maybe an improved Android phone.

Back on topic, they all have flaws, including iPhone 5. The issue in my mind if I were in your shoes would be which flaws or design differences could I most accept or tolerate? HTC One is a pretty awesome phone, as is the S4, but if their quirks are more bothersome than the iP5, you already have your answer.

 

[Shadow Puppy]

Let's see...to match the iPhone 5? Well first let's throw out a few features that would need to be matched.
- It has to have a display that is not HD
- It cannot have NFC
- It cannot have the ability to store video in the cloud
- It has to have one of the smallest screens on the smartphone market (not including low-end phones)
- It has to lack true multitasking
- It has to have a keyboard that can't be changed
- It has to not be able to be used as a thumb drive


Well, I can't find an Android phone that has all those qualities, but I did find one that has several of those qualities...the Pantech Burst

I know it still can store video in the cloud, has true multitasking, can change the keyboard, and it can be used as a thumb drive...but the good news is, it has a small screen, isn't HD, and doesn't have multitasking. Sorry, but it was too hard trying to find a phone that had all the qualities I mentioned above, and this was as close as I could find. But hey I've got more good news...it's a free phone!

 

[onthecouchagain]

Let's see...to match the iPhone 5? Well first let's throw out a few features that would need to be matched.
- It has to have a display that is not HD
- It cannot have NFC
- It cannot have the ability to store video in the cloud
- It has to have one of the smallest screens on the smartphone market (not including low-end phones)
- It has to lack true multitasking
- It has to have a keyboard that can't be changed
- It has to not be able to be used as a thumb drive


Well, I can't find an Android phone that has all those qualities, but I did find one that has several of those qualities...the Pantech Burst

Image

I know it still can store video in the cloud, has true multitasking, can change the keyboard, and it can be used as a thumb drive...but the good news is, it has a small screen, isn't HD, and doesn't have multitasking. Sorry, but it was too hard trying to find a phone that had all the qualities I mentioned above, and this was as close as I could find. But hey I've got more good news...it's a free phone!

Which is why I suggested starting with the mid-range Androids.

 

[Shadow Puppy]

Which is why I suggested starting with the mid-range Androids.

lol honestly, the mid-range might be a bit too high. For example, a RAZR Maxx HD could be considered an upper mid-range device, and it still wouldn't be low-end enough to fit the characteristics I listed lol.

 

[onthecouchagain]

My question is this: why do we feel so entitled to brand new features in an OS update that is FREE? Siri is a FEATURE of the iPhone 4S and further. It is a selling point for that device. Just because its possible for Siri to work on the 4 doesn't mean Apple MUST allow all those with the 4 to gain that feature.

The level of entitled-ness in society today is baffling and disgusting.

What a ridiculous stance to take.

1) Apple themselves (and their followers) constantly tout the latest updates as a big feature and reason to own iOS. And it should be. But to want all the features being offered in said update is being entitled? C'mon now. Especially when it's been proven there's no reason hardware-wise that certain phones can't run certain said features. If there is a hardware reason, then maybe Apple shouldn't hold back on the specs so much. Hey, I get it; Apple wants to make money. They want people to upgrade and many people do so happily every year. More power to them. But don't pretend it's suddenly entitlement issues if people want features of an update that the company and its apologists constantly shows off about.

2) Okay, let's say it is ridiculous to demand such things. Do you ask the same questions to people who get OS-es late in the Android world? Why don't you ask the same question or point the same accusation? How dare people demand immediate updates. How entitled! How impatient! There are so many Android devices to support, how ridiculous that you want yours supported first and/or right away. Where's your statement about society here? Or is it the complaints of iOS are a flaw of society and the complaints of Android are the ills of the operating system as a whole? Please.

I'm not saying fragmentation isn't a problem on Android, but the way you play this game is astonishing. The way iOS apologists play the game is the same ol' book.

 

[jrswizzle]

What a ridiculous stance to take.

1) Apple themselves (and their followers) constantly tout the latest updates as a big feature and reason to own iOS. And it should be. But to want all the features being offered in said update is being entitled? C'mon now. Especially when it's been proven there's no reason hardware-wise that certain phones can't run certain said features. If there is a hardware reason, then maybe Apple shouldn't hold back on the specs so much. Hey, I get it; Apple wants to make money. They want people to upgrade and many people do so happily every year. More power to them. But don't pretend it's suddenly entitlement issues if people want features of an update that the company and its apologists constantly shows off about.

2) Okay, let's say it is ridiculous to demand such things. Do you ask the same questions to people who get OS-es late in the Android world? Why don't you ask the same question or point the same accusation? How dare people demand immediate updates. How entitled! How impatient! There are so many Android devices to support, how ridiculous that you want yours supported first and/or right away. Where's your statement about society here? Or is it the complaints of iOS are a flaw of society and the complaints of Android are the ills of the operating system as a whole? Please.

I'm not saying fragmentation isn't a problem on Android, but the way you play this game is astonishing. The way iOS apologists play the game is the same ol' book.

I was posting in reference to a comment made about iOS. I would agree with your hypothetical for Android as well.

The truth is, we get all this stuff for free. If one of the companies wants to hold a feature back to use as a marketing tool/reason to buy a new device, I have no issue with it.

Comparing Android and iOS in this regard isn't exactly equal though....wanting the GS3 to have the same camera software features the GS4 now has would be more similar. That whole lengthy update process is only a product of the carriers needing to get their hands on the update to adjust.

Which, if you like said features of a skin, you shouldn't have any problem waiting.

I feel consumers as a whole have become extremely entitled because of the ridiculous pace tech has moved the last decade. We have been getting these faster, better more powerful devices every year for the same prices and new software features for free all while whining and complaining about an OEM holding a feature back as a selling point.

Really has nothing to do with the company doing the holding back (or lack of certain feature in an older device).

 

[SILen(e]

What do you mean the OS is "fractured"? I got my first android phone a couple days ago. It was released more than 2 years ago, and is running Android 2, but it still runs the latest apps,

Try to run Chrome for Android.

Won't run? Too bad, because that's the new and greatly improved Android browser.

Now fast forward to Android 4, it's supposed to have great multitasking, even run 2 apps side by side. The OS is anything but fractured.

I still prefer iphone and it's OS, but saying android is fractured is a joke.

Running 2 apps side by side is something Samsung added to their flavor of Android.

So if you buy a HTC One or a Nexus 4, you won't get that feature...

Fragmented? Kinda!