Newah

Hey so I've been wanting a smartphone, and am thinking about an iPhone 5. For a long time, I hated the iPhone. Why? First, the screen was too small. I just couldn't. Second, it was too simple for me. I wanted the S3, no doubt. But then I felt it one day. It felt cheap... and it wasn't as smooth/fast as I had hoped. No big deal, I might as well wait until the new Google Nexus comes out right? If I were to get a droid, might as well do it through a Nexus! Not so sure I want to wait though

Now, with the iPhone 5's screen at 4", its still small, but a size I can cope with I suppose.
I'm starting to think that I'd rather have something that "Just Works" as it should, straight and too the point with minimal bugs. As well as a thriving app environmental and community. Even though I love Androids openness, and more capabilities out of the box.

I'm asking because I want to make sure I'm not in the temporary phase of wanting the new Apple product still. Basically..

I like iPhone because:
Design - Well built; Sturdy
App Store - Always growing, and huge variety
Reliability - Works well and speedy
Camera - One of the best on a phone
Community - The amount of friends I have with iPhone's VS SGS3's

I like Droid because:
Open OS - More capabilities
As of now, more "innovative"
Free content - More free content, and easier to get
Speed - Most new Droids coming out later this year will be QUICK
Screen Size - Absolutely love screens around 4.5"

There's some exceptions though. iPhone can have "Free content", and a semi- more open OS with a jailbreak. And, Droid can have a good Camera, Design, and reliability. But with design, I'm not so sure. Doesn't seem likely we will see metal (or glass) materials for droids soon.

So? Am I nuts and becoming an iSheep to chose the iPhone 5? I'm afraid it'll get beat in every way soon. Android is awesome, and catching up.

nickdalzell

I got an Apple TV and an iPad 3. But as far as smartphones go, I'd stick with android. You can do far more with a rooted android than a jail broken iPhone. The sad thing is nothing comes close to the retina disaply yet. Sigh.....however I'm not a fanboy of any device. They all have a place in my life

javasirc

I used to use an iPod then i got an android phone. Ive never used (or touched) an iPhone.

But i can say that though my iPod is broke, i still hold it in my hand once in a while just because it has that luxury feel to it. I dont know if iPhone compares to this, but i know my Android phone does not. My phone (with ICS) is semi-slow and has frustrating lag over the simplest tasks.

If i had an upgrade, i would get iPhone 5. Unfortunately im not even through my first year of my contract. Maybe ill get iPhone 6... or 7.

IMO the number one thing Android has over iPhone is Widget Locker, and the ability to add Widgets to the lock screen. This makes for a simple task such as toggling ring tone on/off, and hotspot, data etc without going through a menu. iOS 6 does have a new 2 finger swipe to open a menu, but im not sure what that menu has in it. I use hotspot a lot but dont leave it on, so i toggle it on/off a lot. Same with ringtone silence when i go in public. I dont want to have to go through a menu to toggle them.

IMO an iPhone for the ease of use and luxury feel + an Android tablet would be my choice. I love Android, but iDevices are so much more polished and luxurious. When i used my iPod i felt like i had something magical. When i use my Android phone, i feel like i just have some regular thing in my hand. Just my opinion.

Rxpert83

I'll agree, the s3 feels cheap to me. However, while Samsung has done a great job of marketing the s3, that is surely not the only choice available to you with android. Personally, I love HTC s build quality and will stick with them whenever possible for future purchases

Android has dominated iPhone as far as specs go. Apple just does a much better job of marketing.

I prefer not to pay more for an inferior product and have that extra money go towards marketing and lawyers.

Ceverol

Yes.

"Soon"? iPhone/iOS has already been beaten by Android. ROYALLY! It is the other way around: it's the iPhone/iOS that has a lot of catching up to do!

Sure, the iPhone looks nice. And waving it around you will neatly fit in with the Joneses. But what do they know? IRL iPhone/iOS sucks compared to high-end Android phones with ICS or Jelly Bean.

Rxpert83

Exactly. The iPhone plays catch up to android every year. Bigger screens? Panorama camera?

All things that have been on android for years.

IPhone 5 has been a disappointment for me. It didn't play catch up enough

Bnice

Folks are so funny, they claim the iphone just works but still want Android.

chrlswltrs

-there are plenty of choices for phones that have different feel as far as build quality. People said the GSII "felt" cheap, but it has held up very well.
-There are actually more and better choices of apps on Android. Because of the open nature of the OS, devs can do more with apps.
-Android is completely reliable and I personally have more problems with apps on my ipad2 than on my GSII.
-Android cameras are very good (and BTW I was doing panoramic pictures over 2 years ago)


And the single biggest flaw in your argument is that Android is catching up. Apple doesn't innovate anymore. For ios 4,5, and 6 here are just some of the things they have copied from Android: OTA system updates, notifications, navigation (huge fail here), panoramic pictures, and those are just the first few that pop in my head. Can you name a single thing Apple does better than Android that Android needs to catch up??

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Rxpert83

Marketing, that's really the only thing holding it back. Samsung has done a good job with the s3 but that's the exception rather than the rule

Ceverol

Of all the brand's flagship phones Apple's iPhone 5 still has the smallest screen. How innovative... NOT.
iPhone 5/iOS 6 was redundant the day it was launched... :-D

It looks like Apple wants to maintain the iPhone's phone aspect more than its 'i' aspect. Apple seems to ignore that IRL smartphones are used as mini-tablets for 97% of the time. Not as phones.

Newah

When I said android is catching up, I meant in the sense of how man people are using it, and how many supporters and app devs there are. The OS is more advanced since ICS. And TBH, if Lumia 920 would have Android, I'd get it. Windows 8 doesn't have enough apps/support for me right now, but seriously, its a sick phone with an insane camera/screen.

I'm thinking of doing this. Get an iPhone 5 and a Nexus Tablet. Why? For a phone, something I use all of the time, fast, straight and to the point use at all time is a must. Plus the countless apps and great simple features of the iPhone will help it get through the day with no frustration. An Android tablet will take full advantage of Jelly Bean, and IMO a better experience with Android on a tablet.

Thanks guys

Ceverol

So you think more people use iPhones/iOS than they do Android phones? Where did you get that idea? It is completely the other way around. Android's market share is far bigger than iPhone/iOS's.

You make it sound as if you know what you're talking about...

LOL!
Famous last words!
FYI: you've also got the app thing backwards. There are roughly 500,000 Android apps now. iOS around 300,000.

Yes, you seem exactly the kind of person Apple makes iPhones for. So that's probably your best bet.

Rxpert83

Android actually has the larger market share worldwide. The numbers here in the US are closer but I believe android was still ahead last time I saw a report.

I'm writing this from a nexus 7 right now. Its a great tablet and if you would want an introduction to iOS and android to compare the two at the same time your idea would make sense.

I'd suggest getting and android phone though. If you got the androidphne and nexus 7 tablet you can save money and make a comparison between whatever phone overlay you get (touchwiz, sense, motoblur, sect) and an AOSP nexus device that has android the way Google intended.

Rxpert83

I found some statistics
New Marketshare Numbers Show Android Holding Its Lead Worldwide, ComScore Says US Smartphones Will Soon Become Majority

"Worldwide...Android still commands a strong lead with 68.5% of the sales in the big five European countries (UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France), and iOS has 14%."

US:


(Google 51%, Apple 32%)

lunatic59

Just a little reminder when discussing polarizing issues, please remember to attack issues, not each other.

Thank you.

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oopsibrokeit

As an android fan I have to point out that these numbers mean we are now the "sheep" that fandroid zealots accuse ios users of being' Also both iphones and android phones work perfectly well " out of the box " but with android my neighbor or my son can have a need for an app, write the script and offer it for mass consumption and as long as it poses no threat to security or privacy be accepted by the android community reguardless of it's potential to generate profit

Rxpert83

I don't think the sheep reference has much to do with overall numbers. Androids had a large lead for years.

When I think of iSheep its the people that buy anything apple pushes out. Without regard to whether its any better than competing products or even what they currently have..

Apple is the herder and they are the sheep.

pool_shark

What does "feels cheap" mean?

Something that feels light vs heavy does not equal cheap or sturdy. My Droid X has a very heavy feel, my Nexus does not, but my Nexus doesn't feel cheap just because it isn't as dense.

One of the main things iPhone 5 people complained about was it feels too light and one of the main things people said about the Galaxy Nexus was the plastic backing feels cheap.
To me, both of those things are equally ridiculous.

With regard to the 100's of thousands of apps available per platform, who cares?
No one is going to install all 600k apps, and a large number of the apps are duplicates of the duplicates, so the number of apps available is irrelevant until you talk about the apps available only for one platform.

The Android/iPhone bashing/zealotry makes no sense. They are both very popular devices, each with their own pros and cons.

Rxpert83

With regard to my comments on the s3 feeling cheap, its a complaint that many people have. Its got to do with the plastic Samsung chose to use. It just felt like I wouldn't trust it holding up for the 2 years I was going to be in contract under if I got that device. I expect a $600 phone to not feel cheap. Don't get me wrong, the s3 is a blockbuster device and worthy of it, but it wasn't for me. My aluminum Evo 4G LTE (sprints ONE X) feels right in my hand.

Of course, but being that this is an android website, most of the users here have already decided that android>iOS for them.

nickdalzell

This is just like the PlayStation vs Xbox argument. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and I like both. I also have androids and iPads. Whoever said you can only have one but not the other is clearly insane

Although I hate to admit it, my Kindle Fire is collecting dust since my ipad. But my android phone smashes the old iPhone 3GS by a country mile.

Last edited by nickdalzell; October 7th, 2012 at 02:04 PM.

yfan

Let's begin with a simpler premise: what do you need/want your smartphone to do? And who will do that for you at the best price? That should be what determines which phone/OS is best for you. To respond to the specifics above:

Design - as others have pointed out, this is a matter of preference, and Android phones offer you a range of choices.

App Store - Unless you are a big gamer, the Play Store is not only as good; it's better. Your experience is integrated in the Play Store - you launch it once and can download apps, buy music and movies, books or magazines. You have to launch different stores to do each of those things in iOS (App store for apps, iTunes for music, etc.).

Reliability - Two words: Jelly Bean.

Camera - Lots of Android phones out there with cameras as good or better - and certainly the next (set of?) Nexus phone(s) will have a camera at least as good. But again, ask yourself - how good a camera do you need? I have a Galaxy Nexus, and its camera works quite well for me.

Community - What is the advantage of having the same phone as many of your friends? iMessage? There are a lot of apps available to do something similar on both platforms.

Mostly Harmless

In terms of build quality I really have no idea why people think the S3 feels cheap. Does it use plastic? Sure. Look at the antenna issues the iPhone 4 had because of it's metal body.

Besides, the S3 and the iPhone were designed with two completely mindsets. Apple design the iPhone with an industrious feel, and they certainly accomplished that. Samsung took there inspiration from nature, more specifically a stone from a river bed. They definitely accomplished that too. I love the way the S3 feels in my hands, smooth edges, smooth body, I think it's one of the nicest phones to hold.

Plastic no longer equals cheap, and metal doesn't always mean quality.

Also, Android isn't catching up, it has surpassed iOS a long time ago. The iPhone 5 is apples attempt to catch up too the latest Android Phones.

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Last edited by Mostly Harmless; October 7th, 2012 at 07:54 PM.

bigdrew

I think when people mention "build-quality", they're really talking about ergonomics, not durability. In my opinion, the 3gs was a more attractive phone and was better built than the 4/4s, yet people raved about the "build-quality" of the glass exterior despite the ease at which it cracked. And like you, I sort of prefer aluminium bodies, but they scratch more easily and can dent unlike plastic, so it wouldn't at all be a determining factor in choosing a phone for me.

3vodroid

My htc evo 4G lte is aluminum, along with many htc phones.

Your coming to an android forum so most everyone will tell you go with android but it's really up to you of course.

The camera on my evo lte is awesome. Same goes for many android phones.I can get better close up shots than my friends 4s hands down. The iphone 5's camera hasn't changed really from the 4s.

As far as screens go if you want a larger screen android is the way to go. If you don't like the amoled screens you can choose a different style. That's why android is great. I love the 720p display on my evo lte. No 720p on the iphone.

For me it's a no brainer. I would pick android all day over ios. Iphone doesn't bring anything to the table that I don't already have in my 5 month old evo lte. I honestly have more features in my "old" phone. I say old because in all fairness it is running an "old" os in ice cream sandwich. And like I've told others, if you do choose to get an iphone don't get the 5. The 4s is super cheap right now and with ios6 it basically becomes an iphone 5.

Newah

Why would I get the 4S? What's $100 for something im going to use everyday all the time. I get 2x speed, longer support from Apple, better design, LTE, bigger screen... 4S?-Not for me. And don't complain that the iPhone "cant do 720p". It has RETINA display = NO visible pixels the naked eye. NO point AT ALL in increasing resolution

And the camera is insanely important for me TBH. I love photography.

I made a topic on an Apple fan forum too, so I am getting a mix of both sides. And, this is what I have decided:

I will get the iPhone 5. I'm tired of waiting for the one android phone to be "the one" for me. The rounded backs on android phones is ugly to me too.

With the iPhone 5, for christmas I'm getting a Nexus Tablet (Or hold up until a new Nexus tab?). I feel the combination will bring me just what I want. More capabilities when I use my larger screened tablet, but with an iPhone I have a simple yet great device for being there when I need it all of the time, as a primary device.

Thought about a new nexus and an iPad, but iPads are too limited for the screen real estate.

Rxpert83

You also get apples new mapping service, which has been an epic fail since day 1.

Newah

yeah but knowing Apple, it wont stay that way. Soon it should be better than the before Google Maps for the sole reason of turn by turn directions.

3vodroid

Sounds like your mind is already made up.

Good luck and buy a case

Rxpert83

UGoogle maps has turn by turn directions. Apple kept that from you because they wanted to be able to charge you for it. Google provides it free for android users.

Including public transport directions, which has been a lifesaver for me moving into a new big city. Google now tells me what buses to take, alerts me when I need to leave in order to catch the bus, and let's me choose my transfers

Last edited by Rxpert83; October 8th, 2012 at 12:52 PM.

Ceverol

In any case, if your planning holds up, the differences and pros and cons, for you, of either system, will become glaringly obvious to you come, say, Easter. And you will 'fall' off the fence, and into one or the other camp (whether you want to or not).
But by then you haven't got a choice anymore because you've already got both a phone and a tablet, and will probably be stuck with them for a couple years.

Also, using two different systems you cannot use apps you buy for the one also on the other device. For everything that you can you will always have to buy 2 apps, not just one...

Have you thought about that?

Last edited by Ceverol; October 8th, 2012 at 12:57 PM.

KenzinTakenata

Doesn't the new Super AMOLED PLUS display on the SGS3 have a higher Pixel Density than the Retina in the iPhone5?

Ceverol

It does!

Some people think that 'Retina technology' is something else than pixel density is. They think it's some sort of magic formula. The secret Apple sauce! And they parrot Apple's marketing lingo word-for-word without considering what it actually means. When introduced (with the iPhone 4, was it?) it was the display with the highest pixel density. But that's 3 years ago!

lunatic59

Actually no, it doesn't.

Here's how it plays out. The iPhone5 has a 4-inch display with 1136 x 640 resolution for a total of 727,040 pixels. That's 326 pixels per inch. The S3 has a 4.8 inch display with 1280 x 720 for a total of 921,600 pixels. That's only 309 pixels per inch.

So, while the SGS3 has a 20% larger screen with 27% more pixels, it's got a lower pixel density. Of course, generally speaking, the human eye cannot discern a difference in clarity for anything above 300 ppi, so whether you have 309 or 326 or 600 pixels per inch, your eye won't know the difference.

3vodroid

I'll just enjoy my retina 720p combo then

Zero Hunter

I was in the exact same position as the OP and went with an Android based phone after years of iphones and never looked back.

IMO the only thing the iphone does better is the design. In terms of function, android all the way.

Newah

dang never thought about having to buy apps twice... AHH. dangit... well, aren't a lot of android apps free? at least compared the iOS? That'll help I guess. That and I can share with my Dad's Google Acc he uses on his Razr M.

chrlswltrs

There are a lot of free apps, and Google does some great sales. A few months back there was a big sale to celebrate 10 billion app downloads and a bunch of apps were $0.10. A couple weeks ago it was 25 billion and $0.25. I already had most of the apps I would have bought, but I picked up a couple games with both sales.

On the bright side, I don't ever see Apple making a better OS than Google, you won't have to re buy apps again after that for a while.

Ceverol

FYI:
I've been using Android for 3 years now and have about 300 apps on my phone – ALL FREE! None paid for! And I've had a fantastic user experience all the way.
Try that with iOS!

This from a 28 year Mac veteran, posted from a MacBook Pro...

Last edited by Ceverol; October 9th, 2012 at 01:27 AM.

chrlswltrs

Wow! I keep about 100-150 apps on my phone at any given time. Usually 30-50% are paid apps.

I hate/despise/loathe ads though, and AdFree isn't good enough for me (even with that and my buying apps anytime there is a paid version available, I still see Waaay too many ads)

Ceverol

I know my example may be on the extreme side. But it IS possible nevertheless, as my example shows. It isn't with iOS. That's my point.

Any system has its major drawbacks, of course. For Android it's the ads. For iOS it's the users...