Droid or Iphone?

[grant]

I dont know if there are alot of these threads...but I'm trying to make a a decision so anyone's advice would be great.

Right now I'm deciding between getting the droid or the iphone. I'm an apple user so it would be nice to stay with the same company for phone because of ease-of-use purpose. However I like the open source aspect of the droid and the use of google's GPS.

I do not use the phone as an actual phone that much. Live in Boston, MA if that matters. Heres what I'm looking for:

- GPS. The biggest for me. Want to be able to use GPS to get around both walking and driving. Also use it to find business and such. Want to also use it while driving as a normal turn by turn GPS system.

- Internet. This would be another big use for me. Fast speed of internet is nice, but I think both phones are almost about the same.

- Music player. Be nice if I could stream my music from my mac from anywhere and use sites like pandora while commuting/driving and going to gym.

- Texting. texting with other people whether that is using something like aim or phone text. Don't know much about this though.

- voice recorder. I want to quickly be able to whip out the phone and record voice memos. Use this every day almost.

- Camera/Video. I don't have a digital camera so it would be nice to for it to take decent pictures of stuff.

I'm on verizon, so I would need to cancel my current phone (would be around $170 fee). Is it worth it? Thats pretty much the price of a droid. Altho if the iphone is really a much better fit then I wouldn't mind to much.

So any suggestions? Recommendations? Thanks,

 

[Jerm13]

Droid.

Simultaneous Pandora and GPS turn by turn directions.

I need say no more.

 

[craighwk]

- GPS. The biggest for me. Want to be able to use GPS to get around both walking and driving. Also use it to find business and such. Want to also use it while driving as a normal turn by turn GPS system.

- Internet. This would be another big use for me. Fast speed of internet is nice, but I think both phones are almost about the same.

- Music player. Be nice if I could stream my music from my mac from anywhere and use sites like pandora while commuting/driving and going to gym.

- Texting. texting with other people whether that is using something like aim or phone text. Don't know much about this though.

- voice recorder. I want to quickly be able to whip out the phone and record voice memos. Use this every day almost.

- Camera/Video. I don't have a digital camera so it would be nice to for it to take decent pictures of stuff.

GPS - I think the Droid is the better GPS product at this time. I am sure the iPhone will catch up before too long, but the free Google Nav, with its bugs and all, is far superior to the iPhone's GPS (Unless you buy a third party one for $99

Internet - Pretty much the same experience on both phones, although the browser on th iphone is better in my opinion. This will likely change as Firefox releases their mobile browser.

Music Player - iPhone wins hands down. No contest. There are third party apps for Droid that will let you stream shoutcast servers, download podcasts, etc, but the music player itself is pretty rancid. I'm sure with third party software, you won't find either phone really lacking as far as available content.

Testing - Both are the same experience in my opinion. The Droid does allow you to download third part products such as Handcent or ChompSMS.

Voice Recorder - It's pretty nice on the iPhone. The Droid doesn't have one build in, but you can get an app for that. Never tried any, so can't really comment.

Camera / Video. I think the iPhone's camera is slightly better than the Droids, but no flash. I only had a 3G iPhone so it didn't have video, so I cannot comment on that. The Droid takes okay video, but you won't come close to anything like you can find in a real digital cam like the Panasonic Lumix that records video in HD.

Both are fine phones. I came to the Droid from an iPhone and don't really miss it that much. There are a few Apps which I used on the iPhone and are not on the Droid, but oh well. I am happy with my move.

When you say you're an Apple user, I assume you have Macs. If so, then perhaps the iPhone gets a slight advantage because of it's flawless integration with iTunes. The Droid leaves you sort of floundering around, looking for compatible software, etc. I haven't used the Droid on a Mac though, so I don't know what the experience is like.

 

[jd32tc]

If the GPS is the biggest thing for you then there is nothing out there that can rival Google right now. Entire functionality is free as opposed to comparable apps on iPhone costing upwards of $90. Its what is in Google Maps on the Droid that stands out to me. Walking and Driving navigation, "Street View" is a feature that is nice as it shows you and actual camera shot of your destination. When you press your destinations address on the map you can use a feature that shows you what is around there. This is huge for anyone in sales since you can select an office building and then see every company that is in that building complete with phone numbers and websites. There is so much in Google Maps that I am still learning all of its features. Personally I think the internet on the Droid is faster than iPhone but it could just be me. My main issue with texting is that I cannot seem to "Forward" texts although I am using a SMS app so that might be why. Camera is fantastic especially with the added flash. I don't know enough about your other questions but I hope this helped a little

 

[messenger13]

I don't think "features" separate the iPhone and the DROID. I think the biggest issue is the network. AT&T sucks in northeast Ohio.

As far as the GPS on the DROID, it is very impressive. I've had Garmins for over ten years and I didn't think the DROID could replace a Garmin. Wrong! I'm still using my Garmin, but the DROID could replace it if I choose that route. Especially once I get all of the addresses into my Contacts list.

Simultaneous Pandora and GPS turn by turn directions.

And Pandora gets paused (not just muted) when a called comes in. Aw yea baby!

 

[nycebo]

I HAVE to disagree about the music player. I HATE the iPhone tie-in to iTunes. I don't use it, never liked their DRM (though they have moved away), and hate that they sell AAC instead of MP3 formats. I find syncing with Windows Media Player to be a breeze so don't know what everyone is complaining about. From a usability standpoint, the Droid's player is fine with the glaring exception of it lacking a Genre grouping. Oh well. I generally listen on random anyway.

As for phone and browser, it was plain hysterical to watch my fellow iPhone friends make calls and browse (well, try to anyway) in NYC versus my buddy and me with Droids. I kid you not, they actually said, WOW, you guys are loading a LOT faster. And I'm not saying that an Iphone in Nebraska might not be faster, but in NYC capacity is a REAL problem for ATT right now.

As for the design, I could do without the physical keyboard (and probably will switch to N1 when it's available) but we're splitting hairs here. All in all, the Droid grows on me by the day.

 

[grant]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Are they both flash drive? One thing I want to use it for is the gym and running and such because I dont really have a decent mp3 player that can hold all my music.

 

[craighwk]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Are they both flash drive? One thing I want to use it for is the gym and running and such because I dont really have a decent mp3 player that can hold all my music.

Yes, they are both flash drives. The iPhone's is built in so you cannot replace it, whereas the Droid uses MicroSD(something) which is removable.

 

[crankerchick]

My main issue with texting is that I cannot seem to "Forward" texts although I am using a SMS app so that might be why.

I don't know which third party app you are using, but with the stock app, you open the thread and long-touch the message you want to forward and then 'forward' is among the option in the pop-up list. I've seen some posts of people complaining (and even returning the phone) because they don't think the droid can forward texts. But it can.

 

[Tim K]

I think it comes down to a few points...
Customization - If you want to do any customization forget the iPhone. Droid offers widgets, themes, icon changes, pretty much anything goes. If you prefer more stability, simplicity and predictability and don't mind doing things apple's way, the iPhone is the way to go.

Multitasking - Droid does, iPhone not really, but kinda in some ways. Yes, you can listen to music while surfing the web, but you can't use multiple 3rd party apps simultaneously...only core functions like web, music and phone can work at the same time. On the down side, having multiple apps running on a Droid can slow down the phone and may require a task manager to kill some unneeded apps that are running in the background unnecessarily. As I said before, iPhone will offer stability but in exchange for limitations.

The Network - if you live in a major city, look online to see what iPhone users are reporting. In many cities, there are issues with AT&T's network being overwhelmed and resulting in dropped calls and network problems. Verizon doesn't face such problems. Sure, on ATT you can surf the web and talk on the phone (assuming your connection doesn't drop), but VZW offers you the stability ATT can't. Plus, contrary to ATT commercials, you can surf and talk as long as you are near wifi.

For me, the stability of verizon service and the customization sold me on Droid. For others, the iPhone is the right choice.

 

[KeithG]

I don't think "features" separate the iPhone and the DROID. I think the biggest issue is the network. AT&T sucks in northeast Ohio.

Spot on here... Can't stress this enough. Any top gen phone will be a disappointment if the carrier you pick isn't capable of providing the level of service in your area that you require.

If AT&T has issues within your neck of the woods, you won't be happy with any phone connected to them. Repeat ad nauseum, for each carrier within your area.

Any of the phones is an expensive decision, you'll be happier with the better network in your area. If all the networks are *great* (lucky bastard), or area all fantastically sub par (sucks to be you)... then you can fall back to features.

If your tied to iTunes and really make that a high priority on your features list, no phone will give you the seamless integration of the iPhone.

And as other ppl have mentioned GPS + streaming music / podcast / etc... at the same time = an android phone with OS version >= 2.0.1

 

[Bramsy]

iPoop is boring and old news. and shiny too! cool, become a sheep and just buy on impulse without researching. yeah you asked on a forum but will that impact your final decision? go to the store. DON'T talk to black skinny jeans with iCrap hanging from their neck and play away. take notes. think of questions and go play again trying to solve them. now walk into a VZW store. bypass that annoying guy who stands there just to check you in. play play play away.

we can only tell and recommend so much. its up to YOU pal. your money, your love or heartache, your decision!


sorry i obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed

 

[Bramsy]

sorry i am usually helpful and nice but i hate the iphone with a passion. makes me even more angry that friends say "oh my phone is fine and i have never had problems with it" when i hear crackling and poopy reception and get dropped.

that phone blinds people. i hate it i hate it i hate it.

point in case. Katherine Heigl has it.................... worst overpaid actress in hollywood right now. shes a jerk too

 

[DroidJnkie]

I don

 

[vincentp]

I've been anti-Apple since long before I had an Android phone. I can't chime in and help the OP here because I have very little good to say about what they do. I hate that company; their products are the perfect definition of overrated.

 

[DroidJnkie]

To each his own. I just don

 

[inphoenix]

I don't think "features" separate the iPhone and the DROID. I think the biggest issue is the network. AT&T sucks in northeast Ohio.

AT&T sucks all over .... there's a map for that.

Love the GPS on Droid. Best GPS interface ever.

 

[BigMace23]

Droid does everything iPhone does and more... like customization of just about everything(a big one for me), verizon, keyboard for texting, and the list keeps on going

 

[vincentp]

To each his own. I just don

 

[DroidJnkie]

I'm also in the camp that can't stand the tightly controlled user "experience" that Apple nurtures. Sorry, but if I buy something, I want a good deal of control over how I use the thing. Don't treat me like you know what is best for me. Give me the option to make that decision for myself.

I agree with this 100%. I really like the product, I hate the service.

I apologize if I got a little overzealous.

 

[8-Bit-Soldier]

I'm going to have to say Droid. There's a looot more freedom in an open source phone. You can whip out a coding program and develop an app just for you and not have to send it to the Market and download apps from anywhere. Another thing I like about the Droid is that it multitasks. I can be on
Youtube get an E-Mail, check it then go back to my video. It's great, trust me.

 

[nateo200]

I think there both great phones but AT&T needs to get there shit together....guess what? I'm in my car typing this on a painful trip to the DMV (hate that place) my dads workphone on At&t is on GPRS while I'm on 3G....can't imagine loading phandroid over GPRS....

 

[jfe]

The iPhone is super easy to use, but if you are looking into more customization of the phone (and the occasional application crash), then the Droid is for you

The sync with itunes is the best feature that the iPhone has over the Droid

But, if you are looking for a new phone, why not the Nexus One? It has a better and faster processor. The Droid is awesome, but there is a new Sheriff in town

 

[8-Bit-Soldier]

The iPhone is super easy to use, but if you are looking into more customization of the phone (and the occasional application crash), then the Droid is for you

The sync with itunes is the best feature that the iPhone has over the Droid

But, if you are looking for a new phone, why not the Nexus One? It has a better and faster processor. The Droid is awesome, but there is a new Sheriff in town

Yes, while it may have that, it does not have a full QWERTY slide-out keyboard, the wi-fi has been bogged down to something lower (So I hear), and more. It's your choice but I'm just giving you the specs of each.

 

[radikal]

texting is made better on droid i think cause i like the drop down keyboard! physical keyboard is sooo nice! they both really are the same, until it comes to network and customization! i can customize a droid all i want, til the cows come home haha. not so much on an iphone and my droid can and does replace my tom tom gps.

how cool is it to type something into google, see the get directions button and then navigate to that place with turn by turn spoken directions!