Mobile OSs What's Your Deciding Factor? [to stick with Android over iOS]

[w00t951]

I've been using Android for nearly 6 months, and it's my smartphone OS of choice. The deciding factor for me, however, isn't the larger screen of my Galaxy Nexus - it's AdAway. After browsing for months with my Galaxy Nexus, I feel that the Internet is ruined for me without ad blocking software.

Does anyone else have a specific reason why they choose to stick with Android over iOS?

 

[dalbir4444]

I love the ability to add widgets. They make a huge difference in productivity. Also, I find notifications to be far better than on iOS. There are many others, but these are some of the main ones.

 

[paulsalter]

I find the OS very nice to use and adding in googles eco system makes things very nice

If I was to only pick one thing I would select the google eco system

 

[inhalewaste]

Better hardware, better software experience that's catered precisely to my needs; better typing experience (which translates to better texting/emailing experience), better mail features (iOS mail is also so clunky and slow and doesn't give you your entire mailbox), better browser experience, easier access to settings (I think this is where iOS feels the most dated).

Simply put, I demand more out of my smartphone which I carry with me everywhere I go.

On my iPad, I enjoy the few advantages that iOS has over Android, namely gaming apps and books/magazines. I don't demand as much out of my tablet experience.

 

[ChazUK]

The way third party applications can replace system apps.

Chrome, opera, Firefox, dolphin or whatever as your stock browser? Done.
Apex, go, Nova, Zeem launcher as your default launcher? Go for it.
Swift key, swipe, SlideIT, AI type as your default keyboard? The choice is yours.

This is something that Windows Phone and iOS are lacking in.

 

[cynics]

There is ad blocking software for iOS. You need a jailbreak but at the same time with Android you need root access for ad blocking.

 

[KirkL]

For me, it's integration with my Mac. I really like the way stock Android looks and behaves but until it can sync as easily with a Mac as an iPhone does, I don't think I'd consider an Android phone.

 

[ChazUK]

There is ad blocking software for iOS. You need a jailbreak but at the same time with Android you need root access for ad blocking.

That saying, it's most likely that all high end android handsets will be rooted very quickly upon launch whereas the jailbreak community have far more trouble with new hardware than Android developers do.

 

[dalbir4444]

That saying, it'sost likely that all high end android handsets will be rooted very quickly upon launch whereas the jailbreak community have far more trouble with new hardware than Android developers do.

Why does it take so long for a jailbreak to be released for new iPhones?

 

[ChazUK]

Why does it take so long for a jailbreak to be released for new iPhones?

I think its because they are so secure (which can be a massive benefit for security purposes).

http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/iphone-5-jailbreak-close-28030/

iPhone 5 is close to a jailbreak it seems though!

 

[dalbir4444]

Does anyone else think that the Nexus devices (at least the ones sold in the Play Store) should be rooted out of the box?

 

[3bs]

Does anyone else think that the Nexus devices (at least the ones sold in the Play Store) should be rooted out of the box?

I don't know if that would have any implications or what they may be but I wouldn't mind that since I'll be rooting mine as soon as I get it.

I guess they could always sell 2 models, rooted and unrooted. That might confuse customers though.

 

[matttye]

Stuck with it over iOS for three years because of the openness.

Eventually that wasn't good enough anymore. I won't expand here as that's not what this thread is about!

 

[tmoney82]

Because unlike Android devices where someone can create a virus or malware with ease and spread it, iOS is pretty secure and much harder to hack. That should be a HUGE deciding factor, especially if you do things like mobile banking on an Android phone. Just asking for trouble.

My deciding factors were simple. I was tired of buying new Android phones that were always 1 to 2 updates behind, even at launch. Sick of carrier bloatware and my S3 would do odd things. Lag while typing, screen would go black, although I still had sound, so I had to pull the battery about once a week. No integration with my Apple products or car stereo etc..

With the iPhone I like having an up to date OS as it should be, integration with my Apple devices and car stereo, better build quality (especially earpiece and speaker), better quality and selection of apps, more intuitive voice commands with Siri, better speech recognition, better battery life, better photo/video quality, better display, better GPS and signal. Thats just off the top of my head

What Android based phone that was 1-2 updates behind at launch?

 

[\-V-/]

Deciding Factor: It does what I want... specifically in the area of productivity.

What Android based phone that was 1-2 updates behind at launch?

There are/were quite a few. There are phones even now launching with ICS... which I think is unacceptable.

 

[dalbir4444]

Deciding Factor: It does what I want... specifically in the area of productivity.



There are/were quite a few. There are phones even now launching with ICS... which I think is unacceptable.

Absolutely unacceptable for a high-end device. But for a budget device, I think it's fine.

 

[\-V-/]

Absolutely unacceptable for a high-end device. But for a budget device, I think it's fine.

True, but this has occurred with high end devices as well. Also, the length of time it takes for certain phones to get updates is ridiculous... on top of the less-than-rare occurrences of certain phones being PROMISED updates but never getting them. One example is the Droid Incredible 2 (Thunderbolt as well) being promised an outdated Ice Cream Sandwich update from HTC back in August... a few months went by without a word and now it's cancelled. It's a very frustrating experience.

 

[dalbir4444]

True, but this has occurred with high end devices as well. Also, the length of time it takes for certain phones to get updates is ridiculous... on top of the less-than-rare occurrences of certain phones being PROMISED updates but never getting them. One example is the Droid Incredible 2 (Thunderbolt as well) being promised an outdated Ice Cream Sandwich update from HTC back in August... a few months went by without a word and now it's cancelled. It's a very frustrating experience.

Agreed. HTC and Motorola are the worst culprits of this. From my experience, if you want updates, then asides from the Nexus phones, the only phones you should consider are the Galaxy S and Note series.

 

[F123D]

My deciding factor is notifications. Calendar, appointments, tasks are all easily customised for easy viewing. Notification center is more detailed and functional with statusbar icons. I also love the notification led. A quick glance across the room shows any missed messages without having to pick up the phone and check each time.

 

[balamw]

I won't expand here as that's not what this thread is about!

MOD NOTE: I cleaned up most of the bickering, and edited the title to make it clearer, but I fail to see how one can have a thread like this without also including the viewpoints of those who have chosen iOS over Android after using both.

B

 

[dalbir4444]

MOD NOTE: I cleaned up most of the bickering, and edited the title to make it clearer, but I fail to see how one can have a thread like this without also including the viewpoints of those who have chosen iOS over Android after using both.

B

Of course, but my concern is that some people are misstating facts and being overly biased. I welcome any reasonable discussion.

 

[strausd]

I have always been considered an iPhone fanboy by those around me. I always chose iOS because of ease of use and consistency in terms of performance. It was always extremely smooth and fluid. Integration with iCloud was another huge plus. Editing a note on my iPad and automatically having it show up on my iPhone was great. I loved the build quality as opposed to most phones being made of just plastic.

However, lately Apple has been slacking. There have been no major advances in iOS since the app store (in my opinion), and no major advances in hardware besides a higher resolution. Outside of those two things, nothing new.

I decided to try something new and ordered a Nexus 4. Should be getting here within the next week hopefully. Considering the differences in app stores is not as big anymore, I think I won't have a big problem moving over.

I expect to find things that I dislike, but I also expect to find things that I really like over iOS. I think iCloud integration will be missed as well as iMessage, but compromises are always going to occur when making a major switch. But I have no doubt there will be benefits to Android to help offset any compromises.

Apple and Google both have different vision, so different user experiences are expected.

 

[IFRIT]

I hav'nt a deciding factor a combination of things listed below why would'nt buy a iOS device.

1. Hate iOS's simplistic design you see one iPhone you've seen them all and the way the ui is like it designed for a 5 year old.
2. Hate that i'd be restricted by iTunes in what i can put on my phone.
3. Hate that i'm dictated my Apple at what apps i can install.
4. Hate how i can't change things like the default keyboard or the fact that if i installed a different browser for instance Opera would still be used my the OS in some circumstances.
5. Awful notifications.
6. Hate how i'd have to enter numerous apps to get the data i want instead of just glancing at a widget.
7.Dislike how over priced Apple devices are.
8. Dislike Apple are as a company, watching their keynotes make me want to vomit with hyperbole they come out with laying claim to things that have been out for years like they invented it just because they gave it a stupid name.

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.

You should'nt use the word "build quality", Apples are not built to any higher standard then any high end phone like from Samsung or Nokia, they just use materials some perceive as higher quality.

 

[strausd]

You should'nt use the word "build quality", Apples are not built to any higher standard then any high end phone like from Samsung or Nokia, they just use materials some perceive as higher quality.

While I respect your opinion, I have to disagree. For the most part, Android phones are made from plastic.

And I disagree that materials are just "perceived" as higher quality. Metals are more durable than plastics. That is not my false perception. Why do you think large structures meant to be sturdy are made from a kind of metal? It is not a false perception my friend.

This is also not just a false perception:
http://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-5-vs-samsung-galaxy-s3-drop-test-116898/

While you can argue that the video in that link isn't exactly "scientific," to which I would agree, it is still not surprising that something with an aluminum backing and aluminum band held up better than something made of plastic.

I am not trying to start an argument about build quality here. I personally preferred the premium feel that iPhones typically have. There are some Android phones that give off that premium feel, and the Nexus 4 has been talked about in this sense on many reviews, which is one reason I am trying it out. But make no mistake, metal being more durable than plastic is not just a false perception.

 

[jsw]

Since I'm in the midst of deciding what to do with the iPhone 4S and Nexus 4 I have, this is a very relevant thread for me.

I've yet to decide to stick with Android over iOS, and the more i use both, the more I strongly suspect I'll keep both. However, I realize that I've been using iOS in its various incarnations for over half a decade, and I've been using Android (not counting the Kindle skin) for a few months, and Android on the phone for two days, so there's a strong chance I might change my mind - either way - once I get more familiar with the OS.

If we exclude the mobile component, I generally prefer Android. I do find that iOS apps are generally more polished, and I appreciate that, but I also find that Play is so much nicer to use than iTunes/App Store. I like being able to find apps while browsing on any computer and have them sent to any device I choose. I like the variety of apps for rooted devices that are in one place (Play) instead of needing to go to an entirely different store (Cydia) on a jailbroken iOS device. I like that rooting happens almost immediately instead of potentially taking months (or forever) on a new iOS release. I like that, when I got the Nexus 4, it took pretty much zero time to have the "desktop" I'd set up on my Nexus 7 appear on the 4. Apps, of course, took longer, but the general look and feel were almost instantaneous, and that's over fairly crappy cellular at the mall.

If we include the design of the devices that run the OSs, then I'm still swayed to the Android side. I love the apparently endless battery life of the iPhone 5 (unlike the horrid battery life of my 4s) as well as that of the iPad line. However, I'm sick of aluminum. I love the look. I hate the feel. I prefer the feel of the 4S to that of the 5, but I prefer the feel of the Nexus 4 to that of the 4S. Why? No sharp, cold aluminum. Aluminum's great, but not when I'm holding it.

Ah, but now we come the the OSs when used in mobile devices as mobile devices, and in that case, at least as far as I can tell, iOS wins. Siri, as much of a fussy bitch that she can be, is better at stuff I want to do when I can't see the screen while driving than Google Play is (sending texts, etc.). The phone/contacts integration seems better. iMessage rocks. Generally, it just seems to me to be easier to make/take calls (including selecting the recipient) and to send/read messages.

So... I've got a decision to make, with one of the options being to use both. When not communication with someone, I prefer Android (JB 4.2 in particular). When communicating, I prefer iOS. My mobile devices alternate between both use cases consistently, so it's not an easy call (pun not intended).