When it comes to smartphones, the two most popular platforms would have to be Apple’s iOS for iPhone and Google’s Android. Both platforms have their fair share of advantage and disadvantages, as well as different hardware options when it comes to Android.
Being in the tech reporting industry, I carry both with me – an iPhone 4S and a Samsung Galaxy S2. Both devices have their pros and cons and today I am going to tell you my biggest likes and peeves with them in hopes that it will make it easier to decide which direction to go with your smartphone purchase.
iPhone vs Android: which is better for you?
Starting off with apps, the iPhone wins hands down. Not only does it have a bigger selection but because they are developed for a single screen size (3.5-inches) and platform (latest iOS update), the apps appear to be of a higher quality. This is because app developers don’t have to make adjustments to be compatible with a wide range of devices like in the case of Android (Samsung Galaxy S2, Motorola DROID X, Android 2.3, Android 4.0, etc).
Keyboard: While the iPhone keyboard is possibly the best stock touchscreen keyboard out there, it doesn’t compare to the many options you have on Android. Third party keyboards like Swype and SwiftKey let you choose which type of typing style you are most efficient at. As an added bonus, if you want a physical keyboard, you can opt for an Android smartphone with one (e.g. Samsung Epic 4G).
Display: Comparing it directly with my Samsung Galaxy S2, I can confidently say that it display blacks more better than the back-lit iPhone 4S. This makes the multimedia experience look that much more richer. But at the same time, the iPhone 4S displays whites better than the Samsung Galaxy S2 which make reading on it more comfortable.
Camera: The iPhone 4S has arguably the best camera on a smartphone in my opinion. With zero adjustments to the settings, the iPhone 4S takes more perfect shots than the Samsung Galaxy S2 in my time with both devices. In other words, if you don’t want to have to fiddle with settings or look for the best lighting angle, the iPhone 4S is a safer bet over other 8-megapixel Android smartphone options out there (e.g. Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note, Motorola DROID RAZR).
Now there are a couple of peeves I have with Apple regarding the iPhone. Their Gmail app is disappointing when compared to Android, there is no LTE, access to the radio toggles require you to go through a couple of screens (you can access toggles for Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, GPS, Brightness all from widgets on Android), and there is lack of a good free turn-by-turn navigation app. So keep that in mind.
Lastly, we get to the accessories. You will immediately find more accessories catered to the iPhone 4S and its dock connector than Android. When it comes to 3rd party cases, sound docks and even vehicles (e.g. Kia Sorento, BMW 3-series), more third-party manufacturers are focused on Apple than Android devices.
When all is said and done, both the iPhone and my Samsung Galaxy S2 are more than capable of carrying out smartphone duties and you can’t go wrong with either. On a side note, if you decide to go with Android make sure to pick one of the many popular devices (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Motorola DROID RAZR, HTC One X, etc). It will increase your odds of getting the next big update (if not direct from Google then by way of custom ROM developers).
