For those of you who have experienced both, do you prefer iPhone or Android? Why?

[Zaft]

I am due to upgrade soon, and I currently have a 4s. I am looking for more information on both.

I have switched back and forth a couple times. What always brings me back to iOS is the polish and uniformity of the OS. Also most of my family and friends use iOS so everything just comes together nicely with iMessage and FaceTime. No need to download skype. Also the apps are smoother usually.

 

[jrswizzle]

I have switched back and forth a couple times. What always brings me back to iOS is the polish and uniformity of the OS. Also most of my family and friends use iOS so everything just comes together nicely with iMessage and FaceTime. No need to download skype. Also the apps are smoother usually.

This is me exactly - though I still use both because I have two phone lines (work and personal).

If I could only keep one, iPhone all the way.

 

[jdlindsey7]

My personal opinion, I'll take iOS and the iPad over any android tablet and call it a push in regard to phones. It depends on what you need.

 

[spinedoc77]

I have switched back and forth a couple times. What always brings me back to iOS is the polish and uniformity of the OS. Also most of my family and friends use iOS so everything just comes together nicely with iMessage and FaceTime. No need to download skype. Also the apps are smoother usually.

Pretty much me as well. I love the larger screens on Android, but everytime I get one of those little turds in Android that Google forgot to polish I get frustrated and annoyed. When those build up enough I usually end up going back to iOS as I realize, once again, that my phone is more important as a business tool and less as a media after hours tool.

 

[WilliamBateman]

This is always tough to answer because I use both and like both. However, the limitations in iOS are just frustrating. Limitations like being forced to use Safari as my default browser, taking a pic and then having to back out of camera and then go into photos to share it, then when I am there I can only share it with a few things as opposed to like 20 on Android. Also hate that I can't just download an MP3 and set it as a ringtone or notification with the press of a button in iOS, why do I need to go thru iTunes and hook my phone up to my computer just to change my damn ringtone? It's just little things like this that annoy me to no end with iOS. It doesn't seems to be as big a deal on my ipad mini since that's not my main device.

 

[JaySoul]

If iPhones had:

- the option of a larger screen
- micro SD port
- a more customisable OS

then I'd stay with them, but I've recently switched to Android. It's not perfect but at least I can carry most of my music collection around. At least I can customise it to suit my needs best. At least it has a lovely large screen that I don't have to literally squint at.

Things like NFC and wireless charging are cool too, not essential but nice little extras.

Having used ART on a Nexus 5 running KitKat, I can also confirm that give it a year and Android will be fast and smoother than iPhones running iOS. ART mode is a genuine game-changer.

Saying all that, there are still things that Apple does brilliantly, like backing up into iTunes and some other stuff. But I'm willing to forego that until Apple gets their house in order.

I'm agnostic and will choose what's best, I don't have any religious loyalty to these billion dollar companies!!

 

[Brittany246]

I prefer iOS mostly because of the better app selection and iCloud. I don't really give a **** about customization. When I used to jailbreak my old iPhones and iPod touches, I would only change the background photo and add something like control center. Now that iOS 7 includes both, the only thing I would want is the ability to choose default apps.

 

[Splimmy]

I'm saying Android. Apple even with the 5s has completely missed the boat. I don't see ever going back until they not only come out with a larger phone but also greatly enhance the capability of the devices and OS.

I'm using the Samsung Note 3 aka as by my pics below, what I call the 6" iPhone.

It's spectacular in just about every way, but most impressive for me today was opening a HUGE spreadsheet. Power of the processors on board made this heavy MS Excel open instantaneously vs the iPhone 4s I had which took 20 seconds, then another 15 or so to jump over tabs. I was blown away by it's ability.

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[url=http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg378/pdqgp/Temp%20Pics/SidebySide_zpsb07b7380.jpg]Image[/URL]

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Well frankly there's over two years difference between these two phones, plus there are a million different apps for spreadsheets so it sounds like the one you had wasn't very fast.

The 5S would probably be just as fast if not faster than the Note 3.

 

[Technarchy]

I prefer iOS mostly because of the better app selection and iCloud. I don't really give a **** about customization. When I used to jailbreak my old iPhones and iPod touches, I would only change the background photo and add something like control center. Now that iOS 7 includes both, the only thing I would want is the ability to choose default apps.

I had exactly 4 tweaks with my last jail break, and Apple clairvoyantly added all 4 features in iOS 7.

I don't much about customization either. It's a word thrown around a lot, but has far less meaning and purpose to me in actual real world use.

 

[mib1800]

I had exactly 4 tweaks with my last jail break, and Apple clairvoyantly added all 4 features in iOS 7.

I don't much about customization either. It's a word thrown around a lot, but has far less meaning and purpose to me in actual real world use.

Maybe you haven't explored other uses of a smartphone which iphone is not.

have the phone auto switch to silent during an appointment. Beats having to remember to flip that switch on iPhone.

auto call management based on rules e.g who to let in during a meeting or late at night or whether to redirect line etc etc.

have phone automatically performs tasks (change settings, run apps/background services) when you tap on a nfc tag or when you move into a new location or during scheduled time.

have the phone act as a pedometer in the background to track your activities.

have the phone make use of the various sensors to automate task e.g. shake the phone to unlock or when you take it out of your pocket.

auto record phone conversation.

...and many many more. ALL which the iPhone can't do.

 

[Technarchy]

Maybe you haven't explored other uses of a smartphone which iphone is not.

have the phone auto switch to silent during an appointment. Beats having to remember to flip that switch on iPhone.

auto call management based on rules e.g who to let in during a meeting or late at night or whether to redirect line etc etc. (Consider the sheer amount of people that depend on me for service assurance and the dollar amount involved it would literally be impossible to filter do

have phone automatically performs tasks (change settings, run apps/background services) when you tap on a nfc tag or when you move into a new location or during scheduled time.

have the phone act as a pedometer in the background to track your activities.

have the phone make use of the various sensors to automate task e.g. shake the phone to unlock or when you take it out of your pocket.

auto record phone conversation.

...and many many more. ALL which the iPhone can't do.

I see absolutely no value in anything you listed. Doubly so since nothing you wrote does anything to counterpoint the reasons I choose the iPhone as my current platform of choice.

 

[mib1800]

I see absolutely no value in anything you listed. Doubly so since nothing you wrote does anything to counterpoint the reasons I choose the iPhone as my current platform of choice.

I am just countering your point about customization has no real use.

To different people customization can make a lot of different. You are happy with the functions iphone gives you fine with it. Other people see lots of value in those customization that is not possible with iPhone.

 

[pdqgp]

Well frankly there's over two years difference between these two phones, plus there are a million different apps for spreadsheets so it sounds like the one you had wasn't very fast.

The 5S would probably be just as fast if not faster than the Note 3.

No way. I'll know for sure in the morning as one of my reps who has the 5s is with me. I say no way as many of our reps with the 5s still complain.

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I am just countering your point about customization has no real use.

To different people customization can make a lot of different. You are happy with the functions iphone gives you fine with it. Other people see lots of value in those customization that is not possible with iPhone.

It's also worth noting the customizations go well beyond just appearance changes. iOS is crippled and until I owned and used a droid based phone I never realized how much.

 

[Jacob SMITH]

I prefer Android.Because I like android apps more than IOS.it is comfortable to me.Rather the latest iPhone sizes are not suitable in 2013 standard.like galaxy s4.note 3,htc one,xperia z1 etc.

 

[Technarchy]

I am just countering your point about customization has no real use.

Actually what I said was " It's a word thrown around a lot, but has far less meaning and purpose to me in actual real world use."

With all my android phones I spent plenty of wasted hours tweaking and "customizing" to do a bunch of stuff that seemed cool for a week. Been there, and the reality of it never works as well in practice or function when compared to how it sounded on an internet forum blurb.

 

[Aika]

Both OS are now as good as each other on phones (tablets is a slightly different story) so it comes down to hardware and which ecosystem you are most locked into.

 

[WilliamBateman]

Both OS are now as good as each other on phones (tablets is a slightly different story) so it comes down to hardware and which ecosystem you are most locked into.

I won't consider iOS on iPhone equal to Android until I can do basic things like choose a different default browser than Safari, choose a new keyboard, change ringtones and notification tones from my phone without having to download it to my computer, put it in iTunes and then plug my phone into my computer and download it, share photos and content to more than just messaging, email and Facebook and about a dozen other things.

 

[JH-]

I won't consider iOS on iPhone equal to Android until I can do basic things like choose a different default browser than Safari, choose a new keyboard, change ringtones and notification tones from my phone without having to download it to my computer, put it in iTunes and then plug my phone into my computer and download it, share photos and content to more than just messaging, email and Facebook and about a dozen other things.

That's a fair statement.

I also have a question for everyone in this conversation that prefers Android. Does anyone in here have problems with Bluetooth connectivity to their cars? I see posts all the time that state that there are issues with xxxx phone and xxxx Bluetooth device/vehicle. I have a feeling it's just a product of the squeaky wheel getting the grease but want to make sure.

One of the only reasons I keep coming back to iPhone is how many accessories are made specifically for it and how for the most part it is just plug and play. The down side is if the iPhone doesn't automatically work with something there isn't really much you can do to fix it. Where with Android you can tinker until it works correctly.

 

[tobeornottobe]

I prefer both so I have both

 

[animalx]

That's a fair statement.

I also have a question for everyone in this conversation that prefers Android. Does anyone in here have problems with Bluetooth connectivity to their cars? I see posts all the time that state that there are issues with xxxx phone and xxxx Bluetooth device/vehicle. I have a feeling it's just a product of the squeaky wheel getting the grease but want to make sure.

One of the only reasons I keep coming back to iPhone is how many accessories are made specifically for it and how for the most part it is just plug and play. The down side is if the iPhone doesn't automatically work with something there isn't really much you can do to fix it. Where with Android you can tinker until it works correctly.

My phone works perfectly in both of my cars.

 

[Jett0516]

In short...

the iPhone feels like a wife while the Andriod is more of a girlfriend.

 

[Dontazemebro]

I own both, enjoy both and they each have their pluses and minuses but at the end of the day android 's openness trumps Apple's smooth cohesive ecosystem for me

 

[joshwithachance]

Both have a lot going for them. iOS wins in the ecosystem (iMessage, iTunes, etc) & app quality. While Android wins in functionality (I mean I can install a freaking DS emulator on it!), screen sizes, tweaks/customization, and variety. It's really up to your usage needs that determines which is better for you. I love the 5s, but overall the Note 3 suits my life better.

 

[AAPLinc]

I prefer iOS on my cell phone and Android on my tablet. I really do enjoy and appreciate both platforms near equally. iOS has a better selection of apps and the software seems more sound, but Android is fun to tinker with and aesthetically more pleasing with the widgets and customizations/themes/roms, etc. Of course iOS has jailbreaks, which I partake in as well.

I think Android is best on a bigger device which is why I picked up a Nexus 7 rather than a iPad mini. I picked up a 5S for my phone because iPhones are straight forward and I only call/text on my phone, for browsing and media consumption I love my Nexus 7.

Again, I prefer both. I could see myself getting an Android phone one day, they are becoming more and more pleasing to me and now that I've learned Android from my Nexus 7, I find it very enjoyable. But at the same time, I love having both platforms at once.

 

[Aika]

I won't consider iOS on iPhone equal to Android until I can do basic things like choose a different default browser than Safari, choose a new keyboard, change ringtones and notification tones from my phone without having to download it to my computer, put it in iTunes and then plug my phone into my computer and download it, share photos and content to more than just messaging, email and Facebook and about a dozen other things.

I agree, that's part of why I switched to Android. However IOS is far more polished:

The Android camera app is awful.
Google Play Services sometimes decides to eat away at the battery.
Skype contacts are just dumped into the address book so I have a ton of duplicates.
Hangouts is not nearly as well implemented as iMessages.
Why is there a Gallery app and a Photos app?

Right now 4.4 is very good and all of the above can be fixed (while Apple are unlikely to ever let us set default apps) but it's a little rough around the edges in certain key areas so much so that it feels like a beta. If they can fix this stuff 4.5 will undoubtedly be better than IOS7 but for now I think both OS have strong and weak points.