Thinking about getting my first smart phone. Android or iOS ...hmmm

[+Warwagon MVC]

At the moment I have a feature phone. I?ve never owned a Smart phone. Mostly because I?m cheap. For the last few months I?ve been using Verizon prepay. I love it. The phone I have with the service is the lg extravert. I really like that phone. It?s a great touch feature phone.

Fact of the matter is, because of my job self employed ?Computer repair? I could totally deduct a smart phone and data plan as a business expense. So I was thinking about finally making the jump to a smart phone, but I was trying to decide between iOS and Android. There are things I like about both.

Things I like about iOS

Just recently, I had the opportunity to try out Siri on my sisters 4^th Gen iPad. Over all I like it a lot better than Google now which is on my Nexus 7. The feature I like the most about siri is location reminders. Why the hell hasn?t Google added this to google now already? Does Apple have a patent on that or something? Because if not Google should really get on the ball. I would use the crap out of that. How much does the battery life take a hit if you turn on location services.

While large screened phones are nice, I would much rather have a smaller screen. Not tiny but I would prefer the screen size of the iPhone 5 over the screen of the Galaxy SIII. I would still wear the phone on my hip. I don?t really care what anyone thinks about that, I just hate having to dig the phone out of my pocket. I?ve tried it a few times and it drove me nuts.

I had an iPod Touch 4^th Gen and I LOVED that device up until it got washed.

Things I like about Android.

Swift Type 3. This is one fantastic keyboard and one of the pros of Android that I like. I like having the option of switching out the keyboard. Why doesn?t apple buy these guys and incorporate it into the iPhone?

App switching. I really do like the way Android Switches application it feels far more intuitive than Apple.

At the moment, assuming the battery doesn?t take a HUGE hit with location reminders, I am looking for at the iPhone than an android device.

Does anyone have any opinions on either? How do you guys like Siri compared to Google now. I know google now is faster when you use it, but I feel like siri does more.

Update: 5/17/2013

So I activated my Samsung Fasinate, then after a few months I upgraded to a Incredible 2 I got on ebay for $72. Then after a not even 1 month I dropped it (never got a case for it) ... then I bought a Galaxy S3 off ebay for $288 Free shipping (Looks brand new). I also got a Otterbox Commutter case.

When I got it the first thing I did was unlock the bootloader, backed up the current rom, and installed Carbon Rom (Based off 4.2.2). This phone runs like a dream, I haven't been able to slow it down yet.

I'm also really enjoying Google Now, I use it for quite a few things. I installed the laucher8 and I really like it.

[neo158]

If you go the Android route then get one of the Nexus phones, having no manufacturer and carrier customisations is great. I haven't used Siri, but IMO I would say that Google Voice Search is superior to Siri, every search I've done with Google Voice Search has worked perfectly.

Google Now displays information when you need it, such as football results, weather, and frequently used trips. IMHO Google Now is better than Siri for the simple reason that the primary function of Siri is searches.

[+Warwagon MVC]

If you go the Android route then get one of the Nexus phones, having no manufacturer and carrier customisations is great. I haven't used Siri, but IMO I would say that Google Voice Search is superior to Siri, every search I've done with Google Voice Search has worked perfectly.

Google Now displays information when you need it, such as football results, weather, and frequently used trips. IMHO Google Now is better than Siri for the simple reason that the primary function of Siri is searches.

Its just that the location reminders ... like "Remind me to do X when I get home" or remind me to do X when I leave home or Remind me when I do X when arrive at X. I can see myself using the **** out that.

[alphamale]

Its just that the location reminders ... like "Remind me to do X when I get home" or remind me to do X when I leave home or Remind me when I do X when arrive at X. I can see myself using the **** out that.

you are buying a phone right? there is way more to consider than just reminders. you may want to sleep on it before you jump. google navigation in your business should be giving you the wood not reminders, a calendar reminder will work for that. google drive for invoice creation and on and on. nice features while on the move. look at it closely and good luck with whatever you choose

[+Warwagon MVC]

you are buying a phone right? there is way more to consider than just reminders. you may want to sleep on it before you jump. google navigation in your business should be giving you the wood not reminders, a calendar reminder will work for that. google drive for invoice creation and on and on. nice features while on the move. look at it closely and good luck with whatever you choose

Thanks

As far as navigation goes, I have a garmin GPS mounted on my dashboard next to the stearing wheel. It lives in my SUV. As far as invoices go I use quickbooks, but I also have a license I think for Invoice2go. Something I can use to create an amount on the spot.

As far as sleeping on it, oh yes I will. In fact i'm still thing about it / putting it off because i'm so cheap! :D

[Growled Member]

Helping someone pick out a smartphone is like helping someone get a date. It's almost impossible. I always make lists. When I come to a decision I go and try it out. You should do the same. Heck, if you don't like it then just take it back and try something else.

[Colin McGregor]

I was gonna say WP8 but I remember how hard of a time you had figuring out windows 8 search so i'd say android.

[Manish]

App switching. I really do like the way Android Switches application it feels far more intuitive than Apple.

At the moment, assuming the battery doesn?t take a HUGE hit with location reminders, I am looking for at the iPhone than an android device.

Does anyone have any opinions on either? How do you guys like Siri compared to Google now. I know google now is faster when you use it, but I feel like siri does more.

I don't really see how holding the "Home" button on an Android device is any more or less intuitive than double-pressing the "Home" button on the iPhone.

On my iPhone 5, I leave Bluetooth, 3G, Wi-Fi, Push and Location Services switched on all the time, as well as an app that utilises background location services, similar to the Reminders app. Also, I use Wi-Fi a lot more than mobile data. With that setup, I can get through a whole day of moderate usage and charge the phone overnight. Heavy usage (almost constant usage of the phone) obviously requires an earlier/more charging.

In terms of Siri vs. Google Now, they're pretty closely matched. Here's a comparison on CNET. For me, neither one of these would sway me to one platform over the other.

Additionally, you're not completely losing access to Google services/apps on the iOS platform. If you want, you can download Google Drive for spreadsheet editing, Google Maps for navigation and Google Search for voice search, as well as many other apps that Google has made available on the iOS App Store.

[Robbie Ride]

It seems as though you are basing your decision on Siri or Google now, what about considering the actual platform that will become part of your every day life.

Consider what you need the phone for, will it be used for work, play or both?, At the moment you have a Nexus 7 device which obviously features the Play Store and if you consider a iPhone then you will have the App Store are you prepared for both ecosystems, when one could be ideal.

For example if you use an Android handset then you can use then same account that you already use on the Nexus 7 and it'll be easier to setup and find the apps that you have become used to as they are already listed with your email address, where as you will have to rediscover the same apps or equivalent in the Apple App Store.

There are a lot of things you might want to consider before you make the leap and there are plenty of devices out there it just depends on what you want. Head over to GSMArena.com they have the latest and greatest devices and you can check out the specs, although you cannot buy directly from them.

[Som]

get android if you like customizing your phone

get iOS if you don't

[Livin in a box]

get android if you like customizing your phone

get iOS if you don't

That brought a smile to my face :p

I always encourage people to buy Android, because in my opinion it feels very much like your own device, rather than iOS which you can only change the background of and move the icons around. Like you say, you can swap out your keyboard with another or use a different messaging app or get whole themes for your device and the like.

And comparing Siri to Google Now is pointless; basing a purchase based on one small feature that you likely will hardly use (after a month, anyway) is pointless. I have Siri on my iPod Touch 5 and Google Now on my phone and my Nexus 7, and there's really not much difference between them, other than you can say "Hi" to Siri and it says hello back. But unless you don't have many friends, you won't be doing that much anyway.

[+Warwagon MVC]

It seems as though you are basing your decision on Siri or Google now, what about considering the actual platform that will become part of your every day life.

Consider what you need the phone for, will it be used for work, play or both?, At the moment you have a Nexus 7 device which obviously features the Play Store and if you consider a iPhone then you will have the App Store are you prepared for both ecosystems, when one could be ideal.

For example if you use an Android handset then you can use then same account that you already use on the Nexus 7 and it'll be easier to setup and find the apps that you have become used to as they are already listed with your email address, where as you will have to rediscover the same apps or equivalent in the Apple App Store.

There are a lot of things you might want to consider before you make the leap and there are plenty of devices out there it just depends on what you want. Head over to GSMArena.com they have the latest and greatest devices and you can check out the specs, although you cannot buy directly from them.

Basicly I don't customize very much. I would use the phone, the browser, SMS and whatever apps I have. I don't have that much boughten on android, actually I think I may have a few more things bought on iOS.

I currently have a samsung fasinate for verizon I got for $50 on the local facebook swap group. I use it mainly on wifi. I could use that on verizon I guess, but it's single core and I would prefer to use an android device with more power, this one kind of lags.

I also have a nexus 7 on android. Then I have an iPad 2. So i've been in both ecosystem for quite some time. I just think back to my iPod touch, aside from not having swift keyboard 3, I LOVED that iOS device.

I was explaining to my friend kory about how location reminders work. he's someone who doesn't get excited about much in tech, but even he thought he would use the **** out of that.

[darkz]

get android if you like customizing your phone

get iOS if you don't

if you jailbreak ios, you can get tired from customizing it.

[hackdoom]

I would buy a WP8 device.

Seeing as that's not an option here, I would go with an iPhone.

I currently use an Android phone...

:laugh:

[Robbie Ride]

Basicly I don't customize very much. I would use the phone, the browser, SMS and whatever apps I have. I don't have that much boughten on android, actually I think I may have a few more things bought on iOS.

I currently have a samsung fasinate for verizon I got for $50 on the local facebook swap group. I use it mainly on wifi. I could use that on verizon I guess, but it's single core and I would prefer to use an android device with more power, this one kind of lags.

I also have a nexus 7 on android. Then I have an iPad 2. So i've been in both ecosystem for quite some time. I just think back to my iPod touch, aside from not having swift keyboard 3, I LOVED that iOS device.

I was explaining to my friend kory about how location reminders work. he's someone who doesn't get excited about much in tech, but even he thought he would use the **** out of that.

Well if you don't use apps that much aside from SMS, web browser and a small number of others then why bother with a device that has more power if your not going to use it to its full potential.

Currently I have the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, it's a good phone, single core and lags here and there, my previous phone was the Samsung Galaxy S i9000 another single core handset but both of them suited my needs and I am a heavy gamer and both handle apps just fine so I myself can't see much benefit from a multi core handset.

[+Warwagon MVC]

You'll be happy to know that at the moment i'm working my way back around to Android. Last night I was downloading some applications to my fascinate to see if any one them did location reminders using my voice. I'm surprised how none of them did.There was one application that was really nice but didn't support location reminders yet. iOS as been supporting it for quite a while, I'm surprised, still there is nothing on the android side, that lets you use your voice.

[+Warwagon MVC]

So for the last month i've been using my Samsung Fasinate. Which is great. It's been working well. But it only has 512 megs of ram. Verzion does not let LTE phones activate on the prepaid network. Are there any non LTE phones with 1GB of ram?

[Livin in a box]

So for the last month i've been using my Samsung Fasinate. Which is great. It's been working well. But it only has 512 megs of ram. Verzion does not let LTE phones activate on the prepaid network. Are there any non LTE phones with 1GB of ram?

Nexus 4

[+Warwagon MVC]

Nexus 4

I've been researching that. That doesnt work on verizon does it?

[#Michael]

So for the last month i've been using my Samsung Fasinate. Which is great. It's been working well. But it only has 512 megs of ram. Verzion does not let LTE phones activate on the prepaid network. Are there any non LTE phones with 1GB of ram?

Nexus 4

I've been researching that. That doesnt work on verizon does it?

Just an fyi on the nexus 4: http://bgr.com/2013/02/14/nexus-4-lte-hack-blocked-android-4-2-2-327289/

[Livin in a box]

I've been researching that. That doesnt work on verizon does it?

I'm not sure, I don't live in the US so I don't know anything about the carriers! :p

[Rippleman]

I haven't used Siri, but IMO I would say that Google Voice Search is superior to Siri,.

is this possible without actually using siri?

[Sir Topham Hatt]

iPhone - If you use Apple's iTunes and their other devices, this would be a better choice. Their polished product is great for the bog-standard end user.

Android - If you like to tweak, customize and pirate apps you really want that aren't worth paying for.

I use Android, but desperately want to move to Windows Phone 8. Unfortunately, due to the mess the Lumia 920 availability is, then I am yet to make the change.

[Lunfai]

I've used Android in the past and the support HTC gave me was REALLY crap. I moved on to an iPhone 4 and then recently upgraded to the 5. (Had the 4S for a month but decided it wasn't really a huge jump anyway, so gifted it to my mom). Our entire family uses iPhones now, so we love iMessage to send photos and texts to each other for free. My parents already use iMessage as it's integrated within the Messages app, and I tried getting them to use Whatsapp too, but they prefer the bog-standard.

Overall, I might give Android a try again, but I'm really happy with iOS. I'm happy with what I have, and I find no reason to change. I don't need fancy customisation or tweaks but it would be nice, so maybe it's worth a look in the future.

Definitely go for iOS if you have a Mac too, the Messages for OS X application is really useful and you don't need to switch devices to reply to iMessages. Small feature for some, but this is a huge bonus for me. (*cough* I'm lazy *cough*).

Try an Android phone and if you don't like it, you can return it under the (28 day) contract period (in the UK), if you don't like it. Trade it in for a WP8 phone or iPhone.

I'm such an Apple fanboy now, but I guess it's my money. I know there might be better things out there, but I really don't see the need for me to switch platforms and repurchase all those applications again on Play or Marketplace.

[AJerman]

I've been researching that. That doesnt work on verizon does it?

No, there is no CDMA version. Regardless of LTE works or was blocked in the new update. It didn't work on Verizon before and it won't work on Verizon after.

As far as Verizon pre-paid and LTE, as far as I understand, you can activate any phone you want, but it's only going to work on 3G. I'd assume they won't even give you the SIM needed for LTE. That said, Verizon 3G is INCREDIBLY slow. If you're doing prepaid, is there a reason you need to stick to Verizon? There's a reason why they are the only carrier I've never used. Unless Verizon is the only one that services your area well, I'd look elsewhere. Then again, with prepaid, I don't think you're going to see TOO much better. For example, Straight Talk doesn't offer LTE either I don't think, but if you can at least get GSM Straight Talk, I believe they support HSPA+ which, on AT&T's network is damn near as fast as Verizon's LTE (at least what I see it run at around here).

As far as the phones, I think Android is superior to iPhone, but I understand a lot of people's likes of iPhone, and it's the best for a lot of people. These threads really are pointless because it's such an opinionated question. If you have questions about certain technologies that one or the other may support or may support better than the other, by all means, ask that to get some more info. Otherwise, just go to the store and play with a few different phones and see what you like the most. You'll never get a definitive answer asking here. I will agree, though, with what most people said. Android is more of a power users' phone. iPhone is more of the simple but does it's job well type phone.