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If you had a choice 4 free, "iphone4" or "desire"?

millsy200

Lurker
Sep 21, 2010
6
0
If it came right down to it, and maps and video calling are an important feature to me and you could get either phone right now (iphone4 or desire) which would you choose? I am torn... no cost to me, just whichever I choose

The reviews all sound great and every other thread here just babbles, no bs, just which should I choose...
 
I had that exact choice, since I get my phone from my company and I also manage all the company mobile phones. I kept going back and forth in my mind and finally went with the Desire but it was a tough decision. But I have not regretted it at all, not one little bit, I'm enjoying the phone tremendously. Each phone has it's own special things which I'm sure you've researched, but for me in the end I went with the Desire because:

1) Free Google Navigation System: works awesomely, I don't think you can get the extra features beyond basic Google Maps on the iPhone.
2) Other (exclusive?) Google features (SkyMap, Voice, more to come?). I know iPhone has it's own collection of apps not available or currently better than Android, but I'm liking Google's general direction and Android's openness so far.
3) I've always kind of hated iTunes and the tight grip Apple exerts on you and your devices from using my iPod, and liked the idea of not having to be bound to it.
4) I did a little bit of hobby programming on my old Windows Mobile phone, released a couple of free apps for it, and was interested in doing a bit of hobby programming on my new phone, and it just seemed that going the iPhone route was going to be much more PITA with Apple's app approval process.

Most of these reasons are highly personal rather than technical or functional...
 
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If it came right down to it, and maps and video calling are an important feature to me and you could get either phone right now (iphone4 or desire) which would you choose?
I would choose the Desire without hesitation...here's why.

I had the option to do a hardware upgrade and get the iPhone 4 which was my original plan. But with the antenna and proximity sensor issues, and the fact the iPhone is still out of stock, I passed on the iPhone 4 and went with the Desire which I bought outright compared to the iPhone 4 at promo pricing. I was able to walk into a store and buy the Desire and walk out 10mins later. I'm really glad I went with the Desire for several reasons:

1 - It works! A coworker has the iPhone 4 and he drops calls where my Desire continues to work fine in 3G for both voice and data - his signal drops off in the office just holding it normally but he doesn't use a skin/case. That's the big one for me.

2 - The Desire has better and faster GPS performance. Maps locates faster and more accurately than the iPhone 4 in the same location. The precision is higher which is important for several GPS-aware apps. Maps works better on the Android OS with better integration I suppose.

3 - The Desire doesn't need bloated software (iTunes) that takes way too long to put songs or videos or photos on the phone - just copy and paste! This is really great when I use my phone to take snaps or videos, and can then immediately show or transfer them to family/friends on their computer without needing iTunes.

4 - The Desire uses an open source OS that is VERY customizable - I can set it up the way I want, not the way Apple wants.

5 - The Desire has real multitasking that doesn't lag when I perform other functions like looking up another contact. My coworkers iPhone 4 will stutter a bit during a call if he opens another app (could be related to signal level?).

6 - The Desire has slightly better earpiece volume with Froyo v2.2 update. Prior it was about the same as the iPhone 4, but now it's clearly louder and better in noisy environments than the iPhone 4. As for noise cancellation, the iPhone 4 is slightly better in noisy areas so the other caller has a better experience. But I've never had a complaint about the Desire and background noise, even when I ask about the call quality.

7 - The Desire has a user replaceable battery if needed.

8 - The Desire takes standard micro-SD cards for user-expandable memory.

9 - The Desire uses industry standard mini-SIM cards so swapping between phones is easy. My Desire is unlocked so using another SIM card in another country is very easy to do.

Beyond that, everything else is about the same for the important things like audio quality, "retina" ** displays, HD video recording (I have Froyo v2.2), features and performance are similar.

The iPhone 4 has the edge with video calling due to the front camera and rear camera image quality. But since I don't use video calling I don't care, and the camera in my phones has only been used for snapshots, not serious photos (I have a Nikon DSLR for that).

** the so-called "retina" display: the Desire and iPhone 4 both have very high resolution and you can't see the pixels when using the phones at normal viewing distances. When you get the phone really close, pixels are visible on both phones. Technically the iPhone 4 is better, but in actual use and for all intents and purposes, the Desire has an excellent display similar to the iPhone 4. Either works as intended.
:)
 
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I think iPhone 4 is more comparable to evo. To be honest with you and looking at your requirements rather than just being a Desire fanboy, I think if you really need video calling you will have to go with iPhone 4 as there is no front facing camera in Desire. Also if you are not too techy and do not want to root your phone (voiding your warranty) android phone do not give you that much is a control different to iPhone. Also why would you go for a phone that already has its next generation out to a rather than a latest weapon one. One definite advantage with android are the widgets.
 
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If video calling is important you only have one choice - but remember that it only works to other iPhone 4s or latest-gen iPod Touches (though presumably next gen iPads will get it, and I guess they might roll it to Macs at some point). Also WiFi only. This isn't doing the feature down - I can think of circumstances when it would be fun/useful - just being aware of the limitations.

I did have to think quite hard about the choice, but in the end I'm happy with the one I made :)
 
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I think iPhone 4 is more comparable to evo. To be honest with you and looking at your requirements rather than just being a Desire fanboy, I think if you really need video calling you will have to go with iPhone 4 as there is no front facing camera in Desire.

My old Sony P910 and P990 had front facing cameras for video calls ... noone used them then either ...
 
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As others have said IF the main reason for the phone is video calling it can only be the iPhone or maybe the Desire HD which I believe has a Front Facing camera!

Depending on where you are in the world I would get the Desire HD over the iPhone 4. However, as it is NOT out yet everywhere I would hang back and see what the reviews are like!

As has also been mentioned, on the iPhone you need wifi to vid call. Not really a biggie though as most vid calls require a wifi connection. I used it with my nokia 5800 running joikuspot to make a vid call and it was okay. Just like skype but without the hassle of lugging a netbook or lappy about!
 
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I actually had this choice about a month ago. I wanted to switch from Fido to Telus because I was interested in the Desire, but Fido offered me such a good retentions deal (along with a hefty discount on the iPhone 4, which resulted in me getting it for free with my fido rewards dollars) that I couldn't turn it down.

I sold the iPhone for $800, picked up the Desire for $449 and unlocked it for another $20. I'm quite happy with the phone though I am dying waiting for the Froyo update.
 
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Cause I have a Desire - bit of a stupid question!!

Just cause I have a Desire doesn't mean I can't admire other phones - there isn't a law saying that if you have Android you can't use anything else is there? The iPhone 4 is an awesome device and given the choice of getting on for FREE I'd take it. You'd be silly not to, even if you only went and sold it afterwards...

Now, pipe down and grow up...;)
 
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Cause I have a Desire - bit of a stupid question!!

Just cause I have a Desire doesn't mean I can't admire other phones - there isn't a law saying that if you have Android you can't use anything else is there? The iPhone 4 is an awesome device and given the choice of getting on for FREE I'd take it. You'd be silly not to, even if you only went and sold it afterwards...

Now, pipe down and grow up...;)

and thanks for the advice but im all grown up, admit you an apple fanboy get over it and buy one... Or cant we afford one so put up with a desire instead, second choice if you like...
 
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I'm a Windows fan boy if you must know, hate Macs and would never buy one. I can just appreciate a good device when I see it - something you're obviously too blind to see yourself.

At the time of upgrade the Desire was the best phone available so I got it BUT I have no issues changing phone if something better is out. I'm just saying the iPhone is technically a better device. You show me where I said it was better overall then the Desire?

I'll be getting a WP7 when my upgrade is due as it's something new. I'd only get a iPhone if it was free as, yes, it's FAR too expensive. Even for someone like me earning a good wage ;)

The OP here asked a question and I gave an honest answer. I'm not blinded by a brand and will always make the best decision for me at the time of purchase
 
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do you want me to go on with what an iphone forum would say if you asked there??

I'd be curious as to what people on an iPhone forum would say.

I guess their arguments would be:

1. Nicer text entry (can't argue really)
2. Prettier device ... well, the iP4 has set this back a bit especially with a bumper where I think they look UGLY, and if you find a non-brown desire I think they look better.
3. Better market (depends on what you mean by 'better'.

4,5,6,7, ... etc ... a load of marketing speak bullshit about elegance, form, innovation, style, kudos, brand power, snobbery, ignorance and idiocy.
 
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1. Internal storage
2. App support
3. Screen
4. Video recording

There's 4

Having said that, my Desire is used as a phone. I play no music on it, I don't watch films and I don't play games (bar Angry Birds, it's awesome!!). I don't use the camera much as I already have a D-SLR. I use email and FB/Twitter and other than the off bit of browsing here and there on WiFi I don't use it for anything else...I have a proper PC for all that.

I prefer the support and then openess the Desire gives, which is why I got one and not the iPhone 3GS. The look of the iPhone 4 is something to admire as Apple do make the most attractive hardware and if you can't see that then you're just silly!
 
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