Upgrade available. Droid X or iPhone? Please help me out. *sigh*

`Ghost` said:

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Droid X, definately. retina display is a gimmic and its pure garbage.

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I have both phones and while the retina display may be a marketing term it is most definitely not a gimic or garbage. I love my X but the iPhone 4 display, while small for me, is vibrant and looks very nice.

Ally, what do you like and dislike about your original Droid? That would probably give the most insight into which phone is best for you. I had a first gen iPhone and an iPhone 3Gs, and I have a Droid X now and I can honestly say both platforms have their pluses and minuses. There is no perfect smartphone, so there may be compromises that have to be made.

The Droid X and iPhone both excel at the things you've said were important to you. Other than iPhone having a better facebook app you can't go wrong with either based on what you've said you're looking for.

Personally I'm leaning towards going back to the iPhone now that it's coming to Verizon, but that's just me. I already know there will be things about the Droid X that I'll miss, but that's just part of the smartphone game these days.

Like what ? Out of the box, the iPhones email, web etc... is superior. If anything I've had to augment my droid x with software to replace the basics. The built in email client won't even delete from the server.

VanDums said:

Yes the iPhone is smoother but you have to jailbreak it to get basic stuff Android does by default.

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djclark said:

iPhone. hands down. I've had my X for ~ 2 wks now. I'm seriously thinking of returning it for an iPhone 4. The laggy graphics are pissing me off.

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Launcher pro = problem solved

I don't see how the web is superior what so ever. How is that Flash rendering? If you want to talk about email than Blackberry kills all. Everyone's iPhone looks exactly the same. Android has customizable everything. If you don't like the default apps you can find a different one. Create your own ringtones and notification tones. Iphone is one of the most locked down devices ever. It works very well but is very boring.

djclark said:

Like what ? Out of the box, the iPhones email, web etc... is superior. If anything I've had to augment my droid x with software to replace the basics. The built in email client won't even delete from the server.

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I had an issue with the default email client too, it wouldn't connect to our imaps server at work. Nothing like having to have 3 email clients on your phone (the gmail app, the regular mail app for my personal domain, and k9 mail for work email). That is pretty much what my experience with Android as whole has been like.

jreed2560 said:

Launcher pro = problem solved

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I agree with you that launcher pro is much smoother than the stock launcher, and in fact I use it myself, but unfortunately it's still a long way away from replicating the fluidity of iOS. And that's just when you're at the launcher. I won't even get into the fluidity of iOS apps vs Android apps. Play around with facebook on android and then facebook on an iPhone 4 for a while and you'll see what I mean.


It's impossible to have a Droid X vs iPhone thread without some people disagreeing, but you folks have to remember different things are important to different people. Not everyone cares about having a 20000 GHZ 20 core phone with 500gigs of RAM. On the flipside I'm sure many Android users don't really care about the iPhone's strong points either, but you're naive if you won't admit that the iPhone does some things better than Android devices.

jdk33 said:

I had an issue with the default email client too, it wouldn't connect to our imaps server at work. Nothing like having to have 3 email clients on your phone (the gmail app, the regular mail app for my personal domain, and k9 mail for work email). That is pretty much what my experience with Android as whole has been like.

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You could just use k9 for all of them, that's how mine is setup

Outlaw71 said:

I guess it would probably look like showing off and rubbing it in the faces of Android users, but I would also be interested in hearing the experience of a true Androidian (someone who knows the in's and outs of an Android device, not someone who picked one up for a few days and couldn't maje heads or tails of it)who switches over to an iPhone 4/5.

I would love to hear about both the good and the bad trade-offs of switching to Apple. Personally speaking, I'm not so brazen as to think Android does EVERYTHING better than Apple/Windows. I'm quite sure if I were to find myself using an iPhone for a week or so I would certainly stumble my way across a few, "oh cool, I wish my DX could do that" discoveries. I just don't believe there would be enough of them to get me to drop this incredible phone I have in my hand.

The bottom line is, I'm quite impressed with all of the OS's out in todays market. I'm just more impressed by Android than the others.

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Agreed. I'm impressed with all off the OS...EVEN RIM. they all have their good and bad aspects

Android reminds me of webos in a way. I love all my android phones....even down to the backflip because they were all great hardware but the software user experience left a lot to be desired.

Webos has the best OS/software user experience in my opinion but their hardware leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

The good thing about the WP7 and ios, iS the equality of focus between the hardware and software. It's a great experience in my opinion. But you lose the choice and limitless customization of Android.

I just wish android would get rid of that "beta" or experimental feel.

We don't know if whatever new iPhone ("5"?) coming this year will even be on Verizon, do we? I wouldn't be surprised if the CDMA iPhone releases lag behind the GSM ones (or whatever the "standard" version is).

Going down the OP's list:

Speed: I'd suspect, on Verizon, both phones will have the same network performance (app downloads, browser, messages, etc). I'm not a fan of the Droid X's camera, I understand the iPhone's is better (the best smart phone camera?). The iPhone will, overall, feel snappier than an out of the box X. (Launcher Pro evens the playing field IMOHO)

Battery: I don't use an iPhone 4 day-to-day, so I can't answer this one. I suspect with moderate-to-heavy use all smart phones are in the same ballpark. One good thing is the X has a easily replaceable battery (the back is very easy to remove). Get an extra battery. There are also extended batteries.

Social networking? The Droid X comes with "native" support of Facebook (and Twitter?). I hated it, removed my account from the phone's settings, and just installed the Facebook app. I think the integrated social networking in the X is a negative - but it was easy to disable. I see the iPhone Facebook app getting new features ahead of Android for the immediate future, but 99% of what I want to do w/ Facebook is well served by the Facebook Android app.

You really need to get a hold of an X. The screen size is it's "biggest" asset. Other phone's screens (inc the iPhone) seem so tiny to me now. It is a joy to use for extended amounts of time.

`Ghost` said:

take what carmendiva says with a grain of salt. i've had the displeasure with getting in to discussions with her.

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Lol that is funny b/c i don't recall any of our "discussions" in the past year haha. Let bygones be bygones.

But yes, Ally and anyone else reading this please take what I say with a grain of salt. It is not meant to be a "you better do this or you're wrong" type of thing. I just wanted to offer a slightly non-biased opinion that you often don't find here in Androidforums and that is fine because IT IS an android enthusiast site.

I don't consider myself extremely knowledgeable about every android aspect such as rooting, flashing roms, and overclocking. LMAO I'm an 18 year old college student who knows more about cheerleading stunts, tons about psychology as it is my major and surprisingly a lot about sports...none of which have anything to do with Android. What I learn and know, I've read here from the great ppl on AF

However, I do consider myself an unbiased person that does have knowledge about what is important to the "everyday" person and not the "tech geek" android user and "i think i'm cool because i own an iphone" user. My device history speaks for itself: OG Droid, Droid Eris, Incredible, Droid X, Palm Pre Plus, Sprint Hero, HTC Evo, Xperia X10, Backflip, Captivate, Samsung Focus, Iphone 4, Samsung Vibrant, Mytouch 4g, and most recently an HD7

From a non-tech standpoint, Android is great...I can make my phone look like an iphone if i want to...I can make my phone look like a windows phone...Have nude wallpapers if i wanted too lmao....I can overclock it, I can download applications that I can't find in the market or things that didn't come pre-installed in my phone such as swype. I can use wi-fi calling(found on Tmobile androids) when I am in a low/no coverage area that other Android devices and iphones(correct me if i'm wrong). Supposedly more apps in the market are free vs Iphones apps(i don't believe this)

However, from the same non-tech standpoint...Android is still "beta" feeling to me. It can look like whatever I want but often times if I want to make it look like something, i sometimes have to give up a functionality of an app(GPS, Wifi, etc) to wait for a fix(usually they come fast but still)...I can overclock it to make it faster but that is not exactly the safest thing...I can download apps not found in the market but some of these viruses could have a negative affect on my phone...Wi-fi calling(found on Tmobile androids) is a good idea but failed execution because it needs more refinement...hell, i blame tmobile for this one and not Android....If i want to get the latest OS, I have to wait and hope the manufactuer/cell provider will provided SOMETIMES this year or flash a rom to get it which can be and sometimes is confusing and overwhelming

Im not praising the iphone but merely stating MY EXPERIENCE with android. Before windows phone 7, i had the choice of Android and IOS and I chose android out of having it for over a year and to a degree buying into the "hate of apple" but after windows phone 7 i began to open my eyes up a bit more.

Yes, you have to jailbreak to get features on an iphone that are standard on an Android device but people like myself...or like ally do no care about NFC...Do not care about tethering or mobile hotspots...Don't care about Cynaogen(Spelling) or the latest rom...Are not upset because this year phone is coming with last year processor(even though 1st gen 1ghz are still fast and not that much slower then 2nd gen) or that a phone is not dual-core...

With an Iphone, out of box experience is AMAZING. Music is AMAZING. App store is AMAZING. I don't mind paying for an app in the App store for Iphone but I really don't want to buy an app on Android b/c of the issues it causes.

However it is locked down and I have to use itunes to upload pictures vs just using a USB cord for Android to do it...I can create ringtones on the device with android but i have to use myxer.com to get the ringtone(not a big deal really)...The insurance premium is higher for iphones(But I have never had my friends really have a complaint about this...none of them have insurance and never had to use it)...For 4 years, i was locked to a carrier i didn't like for a phone i did like(now it is with Verizon)...I can't change much about the way my iphone looks outside of what apple "allows me"

One thing I hear that annoys me is that there is "One iphone and 100s of androids". yes i get a choice in carrier, device, features but at the same time with said choice i also may get a device that is stuck on an OS that was released literally a year ago(2.1 which is the new 1.6) or a device that has a GPS problem(Galaxy S devices) or it may or may not have a locked bootloader(Droid X...Droid Bionic/Motorola atrix). Say what you want about the Utilitarian aspect of apple but at least all iphone 4 users generally have the same problem(antenna gate) b and there is generally a fix for it Quickly or at least a bandaid(the bumpers) and all iphone 4 users will get the upgrade at the same time so there is no waiting or unfair advantage...Again, user experience...and my opinion(which may or may not be wrong)
I shouldn't have to monitor which app is causing a negative affect on my phone....which is acting negatively with another app and causing force closures.

But as i stated above, please take my comments with a grain of salt. I'm just carmen lol and im only speaking on MY EXPERIENCE with the devices I spoke above about. If anything I said is incorrect, remember...I'm just a dumb teenager haha!

VanDums said:

I don't see how the web is superior what so ever. How is that Flash rendering? If you want to talk about email than Blackberry kills all. Everyone's iPhone looks exactly the same. Android has customizable everything. If you don't like the default apps you can find a different one. Create your own ringtones and notification tones. Iphone is one of the most locked down devices ever. It works very well but is very boring.

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Exactly! The iPhone works really well, because it is so locked down.

It's the same argument of Mac vs. PC: Mac "just works" because everything from the OS to the hardware is controlled. And, for that "just works", you pay for freedom.

And, it's the same argument of Windows vs. Linux: The OS is so locked down with Windows, that it's a guaranteed if the software/hardware says: Windows compatible, it will work. With Linux, there is so much freedom, distros are fragmented.

So, you can trade ease-of-use with freedom. The freer and ecosystem is, the more problems can arise. The less free, fewer problems, because fewer variables.

Some people prefer "just works" to freedom, and some prefer freedom to "it just works".

My Droid X works very well too as did my Eris. I love them. It's not like throwing DOS at someone who had used a GUI their whole life. There is just more you can do with Android. You are still touching icons. The iPhone is smoother. Not an argument, but that doesn't mean Android doesn't work. It works pretty well or it would have failed, but instead it is growing quickly. I don't hate the iPhone at all. It is a great device. I just prefer Android. The simplicity does nothing for me. In my mind Android is pretty easy. My wife wanted and iPhone, but got a Droid 2 and said she would never go to an iPhone. She never used a Droid phone before.

If there was a what does your iPhone look like thread it would be pretty repetitive and boring.

You can argue for months about the merits of each but the Droid, Droid X, iPhone, Windows 7 and others -are all good phones. To the OP's question though, don't upgrade now. You are in the nice place of being able to but not having to. There's nothing more attractive to a perspective carrier than that.
None of the current phones are that much different than the Droid to warrant locking into current technology for 2 years. Wait till this summer or fall to see how 4G is going. If positive, jump on a 4G phone. If not, pick from one that offers dual processors, front facing camera, etc.

Wait for the iPhone 5.

lessit said:

To the OP's question though, don't upgrade now. You are in the nice place of being able to but not having to. There's nothing more attractive to a perspective carrier than that.
None of the current phones are that much different than the Droid to warrant locking into current technology for 2 years. Wait till this summer or fall to see how 4G is going. If positive, jump on a 4G phone. If not, pick from one that offers dual processors, front facing camera, etc.

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That is pretty poor advice to be honest. All of the hardware upgrades you're talking about will offer a small upgrade in user experience at best and there will always be something new on the horizon. If a Droid X doesn't blow your mind now a 4G phone with dual core isn't going to change that in the least.

There is a lot of talk about dual processors, desktop grade memory, etc in this thread... The fact of the matter is faster processors and more RAM are a bandaid, not a solution. Not to mention as hardware specs go up, battery life goes down.

jdk33 said:

That is pretty poor advice to be honest. All of the hardware upgrades you're talking about will offer a small upgrade in user experience at best and there will always be something new on the horizon. If a Droid X doesn't blow your mind now a 4G phone with dual core isn't going to change that in the least.

There is a lot of talk about dual processors, desktop grade memory, etc in this thread... The fact of the matter is faster processors and more RAM are a bandaid, not a solution. Not to mention as hardware specs go up, battery life goes down.

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And this is based on what experience with the dual core/more memory phones? You make some pretty big assumptions.

Wally World said:

And this is based on what experience with the dual core/more memory phones? You make some pretty big assumptions.

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That's a pretty open ended question, what are you looking for in specific? Most single celled organisms could deduce most of the things I've mentioned easily without having to have first hand experience.

Wally World said:

And this is based on what experience with the dual core/more memory phones? You make some pretty big assumptions.

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jdk33 said:

That's a pretty open ended question, what are you looking for in specific? Most single celled organisms could deduce most of the things I've mentioned easily without having to have first hand experience.

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jdk33 said:

That's a pretty open ended question, what are you looking for in specific? Most single celled organisms could deduce most of the things I've mentioned easily without having to have first hand experience.

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Right, and many people with no basis for their claims would respond as you have. Making major assumptions with zero experience and then backing up that assumption with nothing more than an insult.

Wally World said:

Right, and many people with no basis for their claims would respond as you have. Making major assumptions with zero experience and then backing up that assumption with nothing more than an insult.

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I've never been shot in the head but I assume it hurts, and I bet my assumption is pretty accurate


If you won't bother pointing out anything specific and proving why I'm wrong, why would I bother responding in any other way?

jdk33 said:

I've never been shot in the head but I assume it hurts, and I bet my assumption is pretty accurate

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It hurts a LOT!

jdk33 said:

I've never been shot in the head but I assume it hurts, and I bet my assumption is pretty accurate


If you won't bother pointing out anything specific and proving why I'm wrong, why would I bother responding in any other way?

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Your right about being shot in the head, and are right to base that off OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE. Since these phones are not out, and there is very little experience, the analogy doesn't stand.

jdk33 said:

I've never been shot in the head but I assume it hurts, and I bet my assumption is pretty accurate

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Not necessarily, if it kills you instantly you'll never feel it. But saying dual core, higher ghz and 4g will make little difference is like saying my Droid X isn't much better than my blackberry storm was. At first the battery will suffer some (how much exactly only the manufactures know right now) but over time it will get better just like the current smart phones have. They started off with similar battery life that we have with the current phones only they were only running speeds a sixth of what current phone do with batteries just a fraction smaller.

eraursls1984 said:

Not necessarily, if it kills you instantly you'll never feel it. But saying dual core, higher ghz and 4g will make little difference is like saying my Droid X isn't much better than my blackberry storm was. At first the battery will suffer some (how much exactly only the manufactures know right now) but over time it will get better just like the current smart phones have. They started off with similar battery life that we have with the current phones only they were only running speeds a sixth of what current phone do with batteries just a fraction smaller.

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Smartphones have gotten to the point where expecting a night and day difference just by upgrading the CPU/RAM isn't plausible. If you're talking about a Droid Eris or something, I can understand that. But you guys are acting like a dual core droid will blow your face off if you're a current Droid X user. It just isn't going to happen. Not to mention Android won't even support dual core until Honeycomb, and no one knows exactly when that will come out. Then developers have to reprogram their apps to support dual cores to get the most out of it. My point in mentioning it in the first place was that instead of making Android run smoothly on current hardware specs, people are already looking to dual core as the solution which is a long way off, whereas Apple's OS and applications run smoothly even on my 'ancient' iPhone 3Gs.



And you're right, in certain situations 4G would be nice, but OP already stated there won't be 4G in her city for a while.

My brother got an iphone 4 in september....its a nice phone,I have the DX,It is only january and his iphones battery is already getting weak,when it was new it barley stayed with my droid xs 3 month old original battery. I now have an ext life battery,and can easily swap them when one dies...You keep mentioning battery life,and the fact that the Iphones isnt servicable and 4 months we are seeing shorter batt life,and signs of a weak battery are not encouraging.....That alone would keep me away from the Iphone....I have an ipod 4th gen,very similar to the Iphone,its a nice device,but the apps are better and cheaper on android IMO.Apple apps that are free are LOADED with ads,and I have grown to like the android market more than the itunes app store....its all prefference,I have both,love both,but if i had to pick one,it would be an android device..although you cant go wrong with an apple...