Android vs. iPhone 4

[bagman67]

Hello, all -

My AT&T contract for my iphone 3GS is running out, and it's time to consider whether to stick with Apple and get the iPhone 4 when I reenlist, or to move over to an Android unit (currently looking at the Samsung Infuse).

I am not a heavy duty app consumer, so the breadth and depth of apps is not a huge consideration for me - but the Infuse's huge screen is a selling point since, alas, the eyesight is beginning to fail a bit, and I've heard good things about the customizability of the Android environment.

So tell me - am I failing to think of serious considerations as I contemplate this change?

Thanks

Bagman

 

[Cagey]

I'd do the 'droid. Apple has shown repeatedly that they believe they should be the ones who decide what is and isn't good for you. While maintaining a death-grip on their platform has paid dividends to them as far as support and security is concerned, it's also deprived people of apps and features they might like to have. It's difficult to prove a negative, so who can say whether their philosophy is the correct one? They don't suffer the same kinds of attacks on their equipment that some hardware/software suppliers I could mention do. But, I also have a scorpion-repelling painted rock. Does it work? Sure. I don't have any scorpions around here <grin>

At the end of the day, Apple's OS is simply naturally tamper-resistant, as is Android's for the same reason(s), but Android puts fewer shackles on you. The only OS you have to avoid is Windows, and by association Microsoft, and you're fine. Apple's only real downside is AT&T, who seems to feel that usurious fees should be a way of life for people who wish to communicate. So, you can avoid both of those things by doing the Android deal. Plus, you'll have a wider variety of devices to choose from.

 

[back2thefutre]

I like my droid a lot!

 

[pabloman]

I have Verizon and I love my Droid as well. Verizon does carry the iPhone too. I guess it comes down to what features you want and what you are going to use the phone for. I wanted mine for internet and email. I also use it for media. It has an 8.2 megapixel camera. I have a 16 gig memory card. it smokes my blackberry storm 2. It's just a toy though. For work the blackberry was fine.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I like my droid as well (thunderbolt) and they just turned on 4g in our area and it is CRAZY fast!  One advantage the IPhone has right now though is better music apps if you have any idea to use it for that.  The iRig adapter and app is pretty cool for a mobile practice rig and right now they say they have no plan to port to android and noone has a like product (yet - hopefully soon).

 

[Eric Banjitar]

Droid for me.

 

[Stew]

I'll go the other way ...

I'm a 'droid user whose thinking of going iPhone!

I appreciate Cagey's argument and to be honest that was one of the big reasons I went with Android.

The problem with the whole 'droid thing is that the phone manufacturers are taking the basic OS and dickin' with it (to what ever extent) to add their own options, UI etc. Some companies seem to be doing this well (HTC?) and some are doing a less than stellar job (I'm looking at YOU Sony/Ericsson).

With an Apple product you buy into their limitiation of what you, the owner, can do with the device ... many see that as a negative but if it means that the device actually works properly with the hardware (and apps, they're all screened too) and gives a first class user experience then that's a big plus as far as I'm concerned.

If you do decide to go Android steer well clear of SE!!

 

[Stew]

iPhone may be the only game in town soon anyways ...

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/apple-deals-massive-patent-blow-to-htc-android-in-serious-trouble/13714?tag=nl.e539

 

[Alfang]

I've got the new , well maybe not new anymore, HTC EVO 4G, and love it, this is my first phone that is more than just a phone.  I like that you can drag and drop music and video into it and it works, just like an extra hard drive on your pc.

My ole IPOD really wanted me to use their I-tunes to load music and videos, WINAMP fixed that BullShite.  I think when it all comes down to it, they probably all work about the same, do the same stuff.

And by the way I bought 4 of those damn EVO's one for everyone in the familly and everyone is happy, usually after two months the daughter is wanting to know when we can get new phones, those of you with teenage daughters are all nodding and laughing.

While I like Steve Jobs inovation, I hate his excecution

 

[kboman]

I'd wait for the next iPhone before making a decision, I think it's due within 6 months/a year or so. I'm in pretty much the same seat as you Bagman, I have a 3GS but feel pretty agnostic re: platform for my next phone. Right now I'm not all that impressed by anything availiable.

 

[bagman67]

Well, the former contract is up in a couple weeks, so waiting for the next new offering from anyone is not happening - I gotta choose now-ish so I can continue with an all-you-can-eat data plan.  I went with the Samsung Infuse 'droid phone, with a 30-day return window in case it does not suit.

Thank you everyone for your opinions, insight, and so forth.

Bagman

 

[jackthehack]

I'd wait for the next iPhone before making a decision, I think it's due within 6 months/a year or so. I'm in pretty much the same seat as you Bagman, I have a 3GS but feel pretty agnostic re: platform for my next phone. Right now I'm not all that impressed by anything availiable.

+1, no one knows the exact release date, but most likely will be September for at least the announcement. By that time all the latest Android models with latest generation dual core CPU's will be released as well, worth your while to wait whichever direction you go in.

Given equivalent hardware, there's not all that much practical difference between the two platforms other than that there are some music-related apps like Amplitude that are available on the iOS platform but not on Android.

 

[kboman]

Those are pretty harsh conditions. I get free data traffic for as long as I keep the contract: when the phone has been payed for in 6 months all that happens is that the monthly fee goes down until I get a new phone.

 

[ptirman]

Iphone 4
My iphone 4 has now officially been organically incorporated into my body (I ate it).
Just kidding, I couldn't function even at work without it. I started off being a seldom cell phone user and now with this phone do so many things with it including apps. Haven't used a droid but I'm sure it has the same importance to those who use it.

 

[back2thefutre]

Just saw a commercial for Android 3D or sumpthin. Gotta get one now :laughing7: