Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Phones What can an iPhone do that a android phone can't? [EDIT: and vice-versa]

Make me buy an extra computer and pay the vendor $99 for the luxury of installing my test apps on the device...


Seriously, that's one thing i respect about Microsoft and reason to hoping WP7 will take off. They help the developers, especially students. Apple is just about designer gear.
 
It's been said of great leaders, it's not so much what they say but how they say it.

Same can be applied to the iPhone. It's not what it does but how it does it that differentiates it from the competition. 😉
 
brentsw3 said:
It's been said of great leaders, it's not so much what they say but how they say it.

Same can be applied to the iPhone. It's not what it does but how it does it that differentiates it from the competition. 😉
Click to expand...
Could you give a few examples please?


sneaky butcher said:
iphone can leave you feeling ripped off once you find out it doesnt have as many features as other phones.
Click to expand...
I agree. From the way it's marketed you would think it was THE ultimate smartphone, when in actuality it isn't.
 
sneaky butcher said:
iphone can leave you feeling ripped off once you find out it doesnt have as many features as other phones.
Click to expand...

It's true. I honestly think Apple fanboys do the brand disservice by over hyping or promoting myths about the perfection of their phone. It's okay to say that there are some things wrong with it, as there inevitably will be with all technology and operating systems.

Personally, my biggest disappointments when using the iPhone 4 was that it did lag, contrary to popular belief, and that the keyboard was poor in keeping up with my thumbing speeds and offering proper auto corrections; it was virtually unusable unless I intentionally slowed down my typing. Poorly integrated Gmail hurt too.
 
Last edited:
mysterioustko said:
Could you give a few examples please?
Click to expand...

Ever since the 2G launched just about every manufacturer has been trying to emulate the silky smooth refinement that is the iPhone UI. The 2G lacked functionality and its numerous short comings were well documented, yet it not only revolutionized cell phones as we know them today but it sold in abundance too...
 
TallGuy1970 said:
Isn't that the point of marketing? So, you're blaming Apple Marketing folks for being too good at their jobs?! 😕
Click to expand...

no he's blaming what many people refer to as "sheeple, or iSheep, or apple fanboys" - whatever the hell that's supposed to mean - for enjoying the features or products that :apple: makes.
 
/user/me said:
no he's blaming what many people refer to as "sheeple, or iSheep, or apple fanboys" - whatever the hell that's supposed to mean - for enjoying the features or products that :apple: makes.
Click to expand...

No, what I am saying is that for a device with as many limitations as an iphone it isn't presented as such. It's presented as the do anything device, when it really isn't. It's a decent device yes, but it definitely isn't as "magical" and "revolutionary" as they make it out to be.
 
To those saying Android can do everything iOS can...

As far as I know, no android phone can let me plug in my guitar and play. This is what will always keep me on the iOS side. As a guitar player, it is wonderful to have so many great iOS apps that let me emulate amp rigs, pedals, record, mix, etc. on the fly from my phone. I literally have GarageBand right on my phone. I like being able to just plug my guitar in, put on my headphones, and record an idea right then and there. iOS has a huge amount of music creation apps, whereas android has none. I just felt like posting this because today I went and played with the Galaxy Nexus, and was pleasantly surprised by it. The phone really is a good competitor for the iPhone. However, once I learned about the lack of Android apps focused on music creation, the possibility of maybe switching to Android was crushed. Also, I was going through the Macrumors forums and saw a thread on what an iPhone can do that an Android phone can't and in all the 12 pages of replies, no one brought up this (in my opinion, big) factor.
 
Terrified said:
If someone can show me an Android phone that does gapless playback out of the box, I'd be mightily impressed.
Click to expand...
Easy enough. That would be any Android phone running 2.3.4 or higher using Google's CURRENT built in Music app (It cheats to be honest as it cross fades and doesn't actually read the meta tag), or one can simply go to the Android Market and download a player the actually does... like PowerAmp or Double Twist.

The trick is making sure your music is encoded properly.
Gapless only works on media if it is encoded with the right meta tag. This even applies to Apple devices. No meta tag, no gapless playback.
 
Last edited:
F123D said:
Two good things about iPhones.

1. If you have a problem with your iPhone, you can take it to an apple store and they almost always will replace your phone on the spot.

2. Great resale value.
Click to expand...

This!

----------
myPod said:
Android phones are for those who like to tinker with their phones OS and exert some control over the phones functions using utilities. So if you like to tinker ....GO ANDROID.
Android OS tends to be all over the map as far as version and support.
It's usually hard to contact the OS manufacturer (Google for the OS and brand xxx for the phone manufacturer) about any issues (try to get a hold of Google - its IMPOSSIBLE).
You have to rely on your carrier, and usually depending on how popular you model is, you may or may not get any help.
Android phones are manufactured by DOZENS of manufacturer. Therefore models come and go like mushrooms.
Your android phone will usually be out classed within a month or two. Because of that, they are more common or "a dime a dozen" and therefore they don't usually hold their value very well.
Quality varies all over the map from manufacturer to manufacturer.
3rd party accessories makers don't want to invest too much in products because models change too often and they don't want to be stuck with inventory.

The Apple iPhone on the other hand is a piece of art to say the least.
Quality and build quality is superb. Support is GREAT.
iPhones tend to holds their value.
They generally work as designed.
Battery usually will last all day.
You'll find QUALITY accessories made for iPhone from major manufacturers like JBL, BOSE, SONY, PANASONIC, MARANTZ, ONKYO, SONOS, PORSCHE, MERCEDES BENZ, FORD, PIONEER HARMAN KARDON, M-AUDIO just a few. All these companies I mentioned have docks/cradles/interfaces/speakers ETC. for the iPhone/iPod. I serious'y doubt if any of them want to invest in any Android device (SORRY ANDROID)

So I say, STICK WITH iPHONE. You'll be glad you did. 🙂

At the end of the day, you can truly say you enjoyed using your phone.
Click to expand...

And this!

----------
Terrified said:
If someone can show me an Android phone that does gapless playback out of the box, I'd be mightily impressed.
Click to expand...

I've owned several androids, none of them did this for me.
 
Androids are fine... but...

Name a high end android phone that held it's value (70-80% of subsidized price ($199-399 usually) after being on the market for more than a few months). You can't. Why not?

Suspect quality? Sometimes sure... really depends on how much you believe in the lasting durability of thin plastic I guess.

Too many models? Possibly.

It can't run the latest Android OS: "Pinched Loaf"? Could be.

Or maybe it's just that by the time it comes to sell/upgrade there are already 10 superior models released and 10 more on the horizon? With 1.3Ghz instead of 1.2, or a .1" larger screen, backed with Kevlar... etc...

I used to change phones every MONTH. I was "that guy" who always had to have the latest angd greatest. And Apple fanboy I am not, despite always appreciating the company and level of polish. The iPhone was my first Apple product. Never even owned an iPod.

I have had every iPhone since release. Flawless? Nope. Does an Android "do things" my iPhone can't? YEP. But does my iPhone "do things" Android can't? YEP too:

It allows me to have a phone that is the pinnacle of quality, does everything that I (read: ME, not you) want it to do, does it exceptionally, and when I am ready to move on to the NEXT model (usually at release I admit) I can do so at no cost because I usually break even if not PROFIT from the sale of the old one.

But Android isn't inferior because of what it can't do. It's inferior because of what it IS, how it's branded, and how often it's churned/saturated. It's a product designed for the people who can't let go of the idea that 1.2Ghz isn't hopelessly inferior to 1.3Ghz, especially if it means getting a higher level of polish and support.

Almost every aspect of the iPhone is more refined. Not bleeding edge... but give one to someone who doesn't have a dog in the "Android vs. iPhone" fight and see what their impressions are? Someone who doesn't want to compare tech specs with their buddy...

The iPhone allows me to have the "latest" on a better than 40 day cycle, I never have to worry about quality (and if I did, a quick stop by the mall and I'd have a new one, no problem), and I don't have to salivate at the next OS that my phone may or may not be able to run.

Everything else (customizability, removable battery, etc.) are just preference. A bigger screen is PREFERENCE. The fact that my phone holds more of it's value, and that it does so while not needing to be upgraded 8 times a year is not. The 97+% satisfaction rating speaks for itself. Most people can use the battery all day. "Most people" is what you want in sales.

Remember, even if a Kia can "do more" than a Ferrari, that's not all that matters...

And chicks dig the i. The iPhone has sex appeal. it's ridiculous, but true.

:apple:
 
Itjw, I agree with much of your post but I think most of the top tier phones hold their value ok. I see people selling broken razr's for parts around 230 bucks on eBay.

And quality is debatable when Ifixit pulled the razr apart they were highly impressed with not only its engineering but it's quality. We've both seen the threads on the forum with some of apples quality control issues. That's usually not the case with android phone (except Samsung is hit and miss).

How are you measuring quality, the way it feels in your hand or what? I'll admit my 4s feels solid but I know it can't survive a moderate caseless drop. Some may attribute that to low quality.
 
itjw said:
Name a high end android phone that held it's value (70-80% of subsidized price ($199-399 usually) after being on the market for more than a few months). You can't. Why not?
Click to expand...
High end Android phones hold their value just fine.

SGS2 and their variants still pull $150+ and some of those versions have been out for almost a year.
Any Nexus device short of the Nexus One are still selling for over $200. That is more than some were selling with a subsidy.

itjw said:
Suspect quality? Sometimes sure... really depends on how much you believe in the lasting durability of thin plastic I guess.
Click to expand...
Having an all metal frame is not necessarily a good thing although my Atrix and a few other Droid models have all metal frames, they use plastic on the battery covers. But then again, their batteries can be replaced or even upgraded without having to send your phone out. 😉

itjw said:
Too many models? Possibly.
Click to expand...
Yep... I agree... way too many models.

itjw said:
It can't run the latest Android OS: "Pinched Loaf"? Could be.

Or maybe it's just that by the time it comes to sell/upgrade there are already 10 superior models released and 10 more on the horizon? With 1.3Ghz instead of 1.2, or a .1" larger screen, backed with Kevlar... etc...

I used to change phones every MONTH. I was "that guy" who always had to have the latest angd greatest. And Apple fanboy I am not, despite always appreciating the company and level of polish. The iPhone was my first Apple product. Never even owned an iPod.
Click to expand...
Cute, but contrary to the manufacturer's belief, many Android phones are more than capable of running 4.x.
Even a two year old Nexus S.

But manufacturers drop support in hopes of selling you another phone.
Google's new 18 month minimum support requirement should provide hope for people who bought an Android phone in the past 6 months.

itjw said:
I have had every iPhone since release. Flawless? Nope. Does an Android "do things" my iPhone can't? YEP. But does my iPhone "do things" Android can't? YEP too:

It allows me to have a phone that is the pinnacle of quality, does everything that I (read: ME, not you) want it to do, does it exceptionally, and when I am ready to move on to the NEXT model (usually at release I admit) I can do so at no cost because I usually break even if not PROFIT from the sale of the old one.
Click to expand...
Pinnacle of quality is debatable, but that goes to perception more than reality.

itjw said:
But Android isn't inferior because of what it can't do. It's inferior because of what it IS, how it's branded, and how often it's churned/saturated. It's a product designed for the people who can't let go of the idea that 1.2Ghz isn't hopelessly inferior to 1.3Ghz, especially if it means getting a higher level of polish and support.

Almost every aspect of the iPhone is more refined. Not bleeding edge... but give one to someone who doesn't have a dog in the "Android vs. iPhone" fight and see what their impressions are? Someone who doesn't want to compare tech specs with their buddy...

The iPhone allows me to have the "latest" on a better than 40 day cycle, I never have to worry about quality (and if I did, a quick stop by the mall and I'd have a new one, no problem), and I don't have to salivate at the next OS that my phone may or may not be able to run.

Everything else (customizability, removable battery, etc.) are just preference. A bigger screen is PREFERENCE. The fact that my phone holds more of it's value, and that it does so while not needing to be upgraded 8 times a year is not. The 97+% satisfaction rating speaks for itself. Most people can use the battery all day. "Most people" is what you want in sales.

Remember, even if a Kia can "do more" than a Ferrari, that's not all that matters...
Click to expand...
Ferrari's are a bitch to maintain, that's why only the rich can afford them.
You become a slave to them. Trust me... I know. 😉

itjw said:
And chicks dig the i. The iPhone has sex appeal. it's ridiculous, but true.

:apple:
Click to expand...
I had a good laugh at this one.
An iPhone is a device. Anyone who thinks it, or any other device has sex appeal needs to get out of their parents basement.
 
itjw said:
Name a high end android phone that held it's value (70-80% of subsidized price ($199-399 usually) after being on the market for more than a few months). You can't. Why not?
Click to expand...
You realize what you just said? 70-80% of a subsidized price isn't much. That means if a phone sold for $200 on contract according to you it just needs to sell for a minimum of $140....figure out what you want to say, because I'm sure that wasn't your point...

Suspect quality? Sometimes sure... really depends on how much you believe in the lasting durability of thin plastic I guess.
Click to expand...
Plastic is more durable than glass. Sorry but making a portable device that is constantly being handled out of glass is not a very good idea.

It allows me to have a phone that is the pinnacle of quality, does everything that I (read: ME, not you) want it to do, does it exceptionally
Click to expand...
Pinnacle of quality? That's highly debatable. I don't think you can call something the pinnacle of quality when it's prone to breaking easily. The aluminum gets scratched by cases. I buy and sell them all the time and there are always scratches on the aluminum from where the case gripped the phone....that's because aluminum is soft..not a good thing to trim the phone with. Then of course there's the fragile glass.....

Almost every aspect of the iPhone is more refined. Not bleeding edge... but give one to someone who doesn't have a dog in the "Android vs. iPhone" fight and see what their impressions are? Someone who doesn't want to compare tech specs with their buddy...
Click to expand...
Disagree here too. Most people I know that just bought smartphones bought galaxy s2's because of the screen. As for refinement, I must disagree again. Take the browser for example, it's hardly refined at all, and quite frankly it is quite subpar especially when compared to the ICS browser. You can't even download or upload from it...how refined is that?


And chicks dig the i. The iPhone has sex appeal. it's ridiculous, but true.

:apple:
Click to expand...
Though this was a stupid statement, I'll humor you....I guarantee I've met more women by paying using my phone than you would ever get from just having an iphone. Paying with your phone is one hell of a conversation starter. 😉
 
utl768 said:
is there anything?

im torn on my next phone
Click to expand...

It'll still get software updates four months after its release. 😀

Really, I don't really pick the iPhone for its features, I pick it for its build quality and the quality of the software (e.g. it just works).
 
sentinelsx said:
Make me buy an extra computer and pay the vendor $99 for the luxury of installing my test apps on the device...


Seriously, that's one thing i respect about Microsoft and reason to hoping WP7 will take off. They help the developers, especially students. Apple is just about designer gear.
Click to expand...

Uh... What?

Not sure I understand your post, as my roommate just got an iPhone 4S and set it up on a Windows machine without an issue. In fact, she set up her iCloud before I did, after I put it off assuming I'd have to log in and set up the account manually. My last Android phone was free with a contract upgrade, but it was also a POS.

As far as the other part, I think you may have that reversed. Apple offers significant discounts to students and educators, and has had an education program running since the early 90's that provides computers to teachers and classrooms, a lot of which are donated free of charge.

I keep my Apple machines on average 5-6 years if not more, and on the whole I've found them to be solid machines that take abuse and keep running with little to no issues right up until the end.

I'm honestly curious if your post was drawn from personal experience, or if you're just parroting what you've heard about the brand.
 
Last edited:
Not randomly reboot whilst i'm streaming a song from Google Music or take 3-4 seconds to show my home screen layout.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back