[INFO] So you want to buy a smart phone? Some platform comparison

Forums › Android › [INFO] So you want to buy a smart phone? Some platform comparison

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#563140 31-Dec-2011 09:29

I cant comment on win7 phones but have some experience with AOS and iOS. I am not sure whether I am "just a fandroid" or see Android really is at the beginnings of a future landslide victory but anyway my 5 cents worth :P

The main benefit of a iPhone (and i am only talking 4 and 4s here) is its consumer friendly approach, it is essentially a dumb smartphone. The wife has a 4s, it never misses a beat, does everything she wants, battery time is acceptable, camera is excellent, the only real negatives is she does find the screen small compared to her previous phone (3.8" vs 3.5") and uploading pics to facebook is a more painful experience than AOS. The 4s just reeks of WAF (Wife approval factor) and this for me is its ultimate selling feature.

I would never look beyond an Android device and to me its best feature is customization, that said on a 4 or 4s equivalent android the standard user experience is very livable and definitely not a negative.

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#563155 31-Dec-2011 10:31

CdTDroiD

A nice post, well done.

I do however agree with the others here that it is Android biased. What your skills and knowledge show is great, and as you like to tinker, off course Android will be your preference. In light of the article being a guide for the average Joe, you just need to put yourself in their position, and for tech savvy users, do the same.

All of us have our preference, and mine is Apple, even though I am tech savvy. The trick is to put down all of your points, and for the end reader not to be able to tell what your personal favourite is.

And I do hope it doesn't become a fanboy war, but good feedback for you.

Actually a thread I would love to see is an Android vs Apple one, but where all of us put our points across objectively, not aggressively as is usually the case. As for myself I am objective, I can see the pluses and minuses of all platforms, be a fun and informative thread if done in a happy, friendly way.

Cheers All

Jaxson

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#563156 31-Dec-2011 10:34

I'd call this a 'read this first if you're about to buy an Apple iPhone' post.

Good on you for putting all this down 'on paper' though, it takes a lot of time and effort and we all commend you for it. Maybe it could have been a blog post though?

CdTDroiD

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#563158 31-Dec-2011 10:36

Maybe you iPhone fans can give me some points as to why you prefer iOS and ill put it in the OP

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alasta

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#563160 31-Dec-2011 10:40

I'm not sure whether it affects the other systems described as I haven't used them, but for me a major black mark on iOS is buggy and crash-prone apps. The whole platform seems to work seamlessly until you start using bloated and poorly written apps like Stuff.co.nz and Facebook, and whilst that's not directly Apple's fault it is still a major usability issue and shows that the quality control in the App Store isn't as rigid as you might think.

Further to that I disagree with your suggestion that batteries built into Apple devices need to be replaced every year or two. Since Apple implemented non-removeable batteries I have always found that they have easily lasted the lifetime of the device without any noticeable drop off in their ability to hold charge.

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#563161 31-Dec-2011 10:42

Nice post :-)

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CdTDroiD

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#563164 31-Dec-2011 10:44

alasta: I'm not sure whether it affects the other systems described as I haven't used them, but for me a major black mark on iOS is buggy and crash-prone apps. The whole platform seems to work seamlessly until you start using bloated and poorly written apps like Stuff.co.nz and Facebook, and whilst that's not directly Apple's fault it is still a major usability issue and shows that the quality control in the App Store isn't as rigid as you might think.

Further to that I disagree with your suggestion that batteries built into Apple devices need to be replaced every year or two. Since Apple implemented non-removeable batteries I have always found that they have easily lasted the lifetime of the device without any noticeable drop off in their ability to hold charge.

Very true about crashing apps, regards to battery life its very much a case of some are good and some are not, my friends device for example 3GS bought it new about 1.5 years ago he cant get 7 hours out of it if he doesnt even use it. at a bare minimum he has to charge it twice a day. Now for a device he paid $1000 for when he bought it thats not really a good battery life. And no its not the only case ive seen including one of my own 3GS's

So its not really to do with whether you agree or not its more that your 1 is good and some others do need to be replaced ;)

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CdTDroiD

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#563167 31-Dec-2011 10:51

Here is an excellent video comparing all 3?

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freitasm

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#563170 31-Dec-2011 10:57

Here's something to think about: I don't have an iPhone. I always used either early Symbian devices, or Windows Mobile devices, up until its last incarnation (heck, I was a Microsoft Windows Mobile MVP for years even).

I do have two Windows Phone here, and currently using the Nokia N9 (Meego). I did have a few Android devices around (currently have one here I use as a spare for testing).

If Nokia doesn't deliver with Windows Phone, my next handset would be an iPhone. Simply because Android is currently not well supported and I don't want to waste time rooting, installing ROM, testing, etc.

This is because for me mobile phones are functional devices, not a hacking platform. A minority may see them as a platform for testing and creating things, but those are not the consumers.

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#563173 31-Dec-2011 11:06

freitasm: Here's something to think about: I don't have an iPhone. I always used either early Symbian devices, or Windows Mobile devices, up until its last incarnation (heck, I was a Microsoft Windows Mobile MVP for years even).

I do have two Windows Phone here, and currently using the Nokia N9 (Meego). I did have a few Android devices around (currently have one here I use as a spare for testing).

If Nokia doesn't deliver with Windows Phone, my next handset would be an iPhone. Simply because Android is currently not well supported and I don't want to waste time rooting, installing ROM, testing, etc.

This is because for me mobile phones are functional devices, not a hacking platform. A minority may see them as a platform for testing and creating things, but those are not the consumers.

The not currently well supported comment is not true on the latest devices, The Galaxy Nexus and all the next ones to come out are amazing with the new OS, Android has taken a huge step forward with Ice Cream Sandwich. iOS has also taken a huge step forward with iOS 5.0, its much better than iOS 4 was and smoother

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#563175 31-Dec-2011 11:07

I did not refer to latest devices not coming with latest OS. My comment is related to the slow (or sometime non-existent) delivery of updates to Android devices.

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CdTDroiD

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#563176 31-Dec-2011 11:09

freitasm: I did not refer to latest devices not coming with latest OS. My comment is related to the slow (or sometime non-existent) delivery of updates to Android devices.

Yes thats true, What i mean is Android 4.0 will be alot better supported than Android has before. but besides the point, iOS would probably be better for someone such as yourself, easy to use, no mucking around etc.. as long as Apple keep releasing good updates like you are expecting ;)

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tdgeek

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#563177 31-Dec-2011 11:13

Crashing apps? Interesting as my daughter uses Facebook EXTENSIVELY on her 3GS and I use the Stuff app a lot and never an issue. So, on that, and from what I read everywhere, I've never seen any info on bad apps being a continual issue at the Appstore which is what is implied here.

Battery wise, Ive got a mate with a 3GS that is old as, from the UK, thats still fine, and one from the US thats a tad newer but still old. However, a removable battery would be a good idea.

"Maybe you iPhone fans can give me some points as to why you prefer iOS and ill put it in the OP" I take it you mean that seriously and not a teeny dig? :-)

Its about being objective as what is seen as a downside for some is a plus for others, and as you said, its about the users preference. I'll give two examples.

1. Customisation. The lack of this for Apple for those that like to customise is a negative and will likely sway their choice. I used to do that on my PC. But for others who want a clean interface in what to me is a tool that does everything on the run, it is not a negative. For me as just one user, I want a tool, that is intuitive, quick to do what I want, and issue free, that what I have now.

2. Locked Down. I dislike this term, as it is a negative term to those that read articles. The Appstore has hundreds of thousands of apps. These are not provided by Apple, they are provided by anyone and everyone. To me, there is better quality control, thats what I like. The only negative I see, is that I cannot upload an app I created NOW and see it on the Appstore NOW. So, I do not see locked down as an accurate term.

Again, the trick is to put forward all points, and explain them clearly, as what is bad to one is good to another. All of these platforms do all the same things, they just vary in the implementation here and there.

freitasm

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#563196 31-Dec-2011 12:12

Here, I will help you with your post.

Excessive support for one platform or another, coming from someone that's writing for the public is bad. I just read an article on Slate, "The year's worst tech trend: complexity":

People who write about technology for a living are fundamentally different from those who don’t, and we know it: We’re obsessed with gadgets, and we’re prepared to invest time learning complicated things if the payoff looks grand.

But we also know that the real audience for tech products is non-techies—or normals, as they’re called in the business—and we’re instantly taken by anything that promises to demystify tech for those users.

That’s why tech journalists love Apple, and why the last half-decade has been such an exciting time in the business. Over the last few years, the industry finally started paying attention to normals: With the advent of smartphones, tablets, and centralized app and media stores, it looked like computers would finally become easy enough for every tech reviewer’s mom to use.

You see my previous point? When one writes a guide on how to chose a smartphone, one should be impartial, not biased towards any specific platform.

The downside of not being impartial is the lack of credibility later...

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CdTDroiD

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#563199 31-Dec-2011 12:23

Im not doing this for a living or a hobby lol, and im not looking for credibility either really. i simply just want to help. I probably wont be doing it again for a while after this lol. If i changed the title of the post to "Why I think you should go Android" the Android lovers would give me stick about there being to many good points for Apple...

Like i said i am not a "Tech Writer" I am merly an Android Developer who has come across all platforms of the mobile world in great detail and i just want to share my experience, this doesn't even mean i wont be buying another iPhone, If they make one worth me spending the money on i will, no worries!

Dont take thread as me wanting to be a tech writer, I just dont have it in me lol, I failed English horribly in school lol although it was some time ago.

Maybe i should delete the post?

I changed it to [INFO] and stated this is what I think... maybe that makes it easier to swallow

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