With many people deciding to enter the smartphone market every day, the question arises whether to buy an Android phone or an Apple iPhone. With the spread of iPhones to all the major cell phone providers, this decision can become more confusing. Back in the days when the iPhone was strictly an AT&T phone, there was a simple choice between whether or not an AT&T plan was a viable option. Now, in this new landscape, you will be faced with a variety of phones that will confuse you completely. Fortunately, there are people who have used and tested many devices and are willing to offer you their opinions.
The first point to consider is that Android is purely an operating system and not a phone manufacturer. This can lead to some confusion when trying to make a decision on which phone to choose. Many comparisons on the internet compare iPhones to much less comparable devices running Android and then claim iPhones are the overall leader. The fact is that there are a variety of Android phones and they are not created equal. The best way to make a proper comparison is to look at Android phones that are in the same price range as the iPhone in question. Taking this step will ensure that you are doing a proper analysis between the features that each device offers.
Higher-end Android devices compare very well to the newer iPhone model in many ways and continue to outshine Apple’s product in other areas. iPhones have some of the best 8 MP cameras on the market. But, many Android phones also come with 8MP cameras and take comparable photos. While many phones may not be as thin and light as the iPhone, there are certainly options that come pretty close to Apple’s smartphone design specs.
Android outshines Apple in the realm of customization, which can be a big problem for many savvy smartphone users. There’s something about having a device that doesn’t look and feel exactly like every other similar phone on the market. Every iPhone will look and feel exactly the same, while providing the same user experience. There are good and bad things to be said about this highly homogenized approach to user interaction. For the novice smartphone user, there can be an appeal in the simplicity that comes with using an iPhone. But, for someone with a little more technical knowledge, the Android phone can feel much more personalized.
The new “Retina Display” of the iPhone is one of the most beautiful displays available on the market on any device. Realistically, there is no comparison of any Android device to the pixels that are stuck on Apple’s screen. While an entry-level smartphone user will probably never notice this, it can be easily distinguished when the devices are running side by side. However, many Android devices offer considerably larger screens, which may be preferable when consuming media.
The bottom line is that the choice between the two main operating systems is personal and can be a bit confusing. The advice that many people give is that entry-level smartphone users should probably go with an iPhone. While people with a background in technology and smartphones should probably give Google’s operating system a try. Whichever you choose, getting a smartphone is increasingly necessary in this society.