Android Vs. iPhone? Help Me Pick One!

[Leanne]

Sooo, some people here know that my parents are overly protecting with me, and as such, I'm monitored when I use the internet and I have never had my own cellphone ^^;.

But my dad came home today and told me that they are willing to get my first cellphone, so the "next month isn't too dull" - I will go to a hospital mid-October and probably be there all the time till December. I don't want to just play videogames in that time and I thought I could use an smartphone to do something nice, either for myself or someone else.

The thing is, I don't know what to pick. o: My family has tech-inclined people everywhere. My two brothers have two cellphones each, there are two "no-owner" iPads in the house that we can pick up whenever we need them, and my dad has an Android tablet. I have been able to play with all of them, and choosing just one is really hard for me!

I really don't want any fanboy-ish comments to help me make my decision ^^; I know a little bit of the good and bad things of each other, so I guess it's better to tell you what kind of things I want to do to help me decide.

I am not planning on playing games. Some of my friends who have these devices have many nice games, outstanding graphics and whatnot, but it's not something I plan to do with mine. Except the super occasional game that you can pick up when you are waiting for a doctor's appointment or something like that. Games aren't really important to me.

Instead, I love writing and reading. So the platform that has the best books access and the best writing apps will have a vote. My oldest brother has this lovely app on his iPhone called "iA Writer" and it's really, really nice to write on it. He told me I can sync those notes wireless with a Mac so when I use a Mac I can have them there. ^^. I imagine Android must have some text apps as well, but none of my brothers have any except for specific ones to edit code.

I also love music, I want to make it and I want to listen to it. The iPads in my house have this app called "Music Studio" that show me piano rolls where I can place my notes with many different instruments. There's also GarageBand which is "less pro" but it can do nice things. I have searched the Play Store and personally I haven't found any nice music creator, but if you have found any for Android please let me know ^^;.

Oh yeah! A nice camera is a plus. I know this depends on the phone itself and not on iPhone and Android. I know some Android devices have really nice cameras. The iPhone's one isn't bad, but I just want something witch which I will be able to get started with photography. Sometimes I doodle with existing images and filters, so the one with the nicest camera/filter apps will get a vote ^^;.

Customization isn't terribly important beyond the wallpaper. The simpler the better.

Aaand I guess the one that has the most interesting apps in general hahaha. Like there's this app on Android called "Google Goggles" in which you can take a picture of an object or anything, and it will tell you "what" it is. ^^ it's really cool and I haven't seen anything like that for iPhone.

I guess iPhone kinda has the advantage because I have giftcards to buy music, and according to my brothers I can use those giftcards to buy apps too. But this isn't anything major, and if I end up choosing Android I think there are "Play Store Giftcards" that I could exchange with my brother.

Sooo vote away please! I have until the weekend to make my decision. My dad insist that I can choose whatever I want, but I don't think I will abuse this privilege and get a "high end phone" for no reason at all. If I chose an iPhone it will probably be a 4S or 5C, and if I choose Android... Guess you will have to tell me that x.X hahaha. I don't want anything too powerful, but anything that can fulfill my things above will do.

Thank you ^^.

 

[ChibiSylph]

iPhone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything u said u need is on it, I hav the iPhone 4S myself I love it to death!

 

[Midoriya]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S3, and I'm upgrading to a Mega instead of S4 on October 13th, but I'll tell you pros and cons of each one.

Gaming apps are more available for Iphones, and people use Iphones more for that kind of stuff, so the point I think you were implying that androids are more for games is wrong. I must have seen a thousand commercials for game apps on the television and none of them mentioned an android, just iphones. I've also heard this from experienced people in this area. Androids are still capable of playing games you might want to play though like you said.

The Iphone has good writing and reading features, but an android is equally as good, if not better. I'm pretty sure you're able to use your voice to type on both of them. The android is definitely a better choice for writing and reading though, while Iphones, Ipads, etc. are more for gaming. Just needed to clarify those two points.

The Iphone wins in the music area, but I'm sure there's still apps on an android that allow for everything music wise.

The android wins in the photography area. Also, a lot of androids are lighter in weight than the Iphone, so that's convenient too.

There is enough customization in the android for you from seeing what you said.

I think you should try the android. It's usually cheaper than an Iphone, and it has features the Iphone doesn't have. A lot of people in my area pick Iphones because they like the style, but don't take the time to do the research about what the phone has to offer. Again though, this is all based on your preference. Go with whichever one seems more equipped for you.

 

[Aloha]

Right,hm.I didn't know your parents are overprotective o-o But ok.Um currently I have a iphone 4.I would say they're both good.My dad used to have this android phone that ran out of battery quick but maybe all his apps were on and weren't closed.I'd say that the iphone 5s seems pretty cool(5c is just a colorful iphone...).It has the fingerprint thing where you can instead of type a pass,use your fingerprint to unlock the screen.That is,if you're worried your parents might try to go on your phone since you said they're overprotective.They sound like they might try to get on your phone like my parents...so iphone 5s is nice - 3 - And also if your hands are small,getting a phone such as samsung galaxy s3 or s4 will be a bit troublesome since the phone is HUGE.I mean not huge huge but its bigger than iphone by a lot XD

 

[Midoriya]

Right,hm.I didn't know your parents are overprotective o-o But ok.Um currently I have a iphone 4.I would say they're both good.My dad used to have this android phone that ran out of battery quick but maybe all his apps were on and weren't closed.I'd say that the iphone 5s seems pretty cool(5c is just a colorful iphone...).It has the fingerprint thing where you can instead of type a pass,use your fingerprint to unlock the screen.That is,if you're worried your parents might try to go on your phone since you said they're overprotective.They sound like they might try to get on your phone like my parents...so iphone 5s is nice - 3 - And also if your hands are small,getting a phone such as samsung galaxy s3 or s4 will be a bit troublesome since the phone is HUGE.I mean not huge huge but its bigger than iphone by a lot XD

The S3 and S4 are smaller than the Iphone. Try holding each in your hand. I can post a source if you don't believe me.

EDIT: Are you talking about the length? If so, you're probably right, but I know for a fact that the S3 and S4 aren't as heavy as an Iphone.

 

[ShinyYoshi]

I can give you a non-biased answer, considering I own a BlackBerry.
To me, it sounds like everything you are looking for seems to fit the iPhone. And if you're going to be texting at all, I'd go with the iPhone. You're already used to both Apple and Android products so it's not like you would be completely lost getting an Android like many iPhone users can be (not saying you all are).
I know that as a teenager, everywhere I look, everyone has an iPhone. Texting other iPhones is easiest on an iPhone cause they have cool emojis that pretty much everyone uses on an iPhone.
I know the Android has the ability to share pictures and other media just by tapping the devices together and that may interest you, but the new iOS7 software has introduced AirDrop where you can pretty much do the same thing with iPhone users.
I'm not too sure about the Androids, but I know when browsing websites on Safari on an iPhone and you come across an article, you can turn on the "reader" option and it makes the text easier to read, which is really nice.

I can honestly say I prefer the BlackBerry and can recommend it, but I see that's not an option for you and I know most people don't like them. But, congratulations on getting your first cellphone, good luck with whatever is keeping you in a hospital, and I think either device will suit you just fine

 

[Aloha]

The S3 and S4 are smaller than the Iphone. Try holding each in your hand. I can post a source if you don't believe me.

EDIT: Are you talking about the length? If so, you're probably right, but I know for a fact that the S3 and S4 aren't as heavy as an Iphone.

They are O.O Maybe I'm thinking of my dad's samsung note...sorry ;~;

 

[Zeiro]

I used to have a Samsung Galaxy (1) but it broke and I've had this Nokia Windows Phone for a while. It's pretty neat-o.

 

[Leanne]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S3, and I'm upgrading to a Mega instead of S4 on October 13th, but I'll tell you pros and cons of each one.

Gaming apps are more available for Iphones, and people use Iphones more for that kind of stuff, so the point I think you were implying that androids are more for games is wrong. I must have seen a thousand commercials for game apps on the television and none of them mentioned an android, just iphones. I've also heard this from experienced people in this area. Androids are still capable of playing games you might want to play though like you said.

The Iphone has good writing and reading features, but an android is equally as good, if not better. I'm pretty sure you're able to use your voice to type on both of them. The android is definitely a better choice for writing and reading though, while Iphones, Ipads, etc. are more for gaming. Just needed to clarify those two points.

The Iphone wins in the music area, but I'm sure there's still apps on an android that allow for everything music wise.

The android wins in the photography area. Also, a lot of androids are lighter in weight than the Iphone, so that's convenient too.

There is enough customization in the android for you from seeing what you said.

I think you should try the android. It's usually cheaper than an Iphone, and it has features the Iphone doesn't have. A lot of people in my area pick Iphones because they like the style, but don't take the time to do the research about what the phone has to offer. Again though, this is all based on your preference. Go with whichever one seems more equipped for you.

I think you misread me a bit in the gaming part. O: Hahaha. I don't want a phone for gaming, so it really doesn't matter which one has "better hardware" for that. I probably won't have anything beyond Angry Birds if I install any games. Actually I always only hear people compare the hardware between iPhone and Android and in the comparison gaming always find its place, with Android being the winner most of the time. My brothers told me that the iPhone 5S is really good for gaming because *insert techie talk I couldn't completely understand here*, but I don't want to ask for an iPhone 5S if I won't be able to use half of the power it offers.

Voice typing is cool but I very much prefer to type with my fingers. ^^ I've seen both support that feature but it's not something I will be using unless I need to send a quick text. For reading though, the iBooks app is really, really beautiful and the font looks pleasant in a retina display. I have read a few books in iPads and the experience was great. The iBooks store has a lot of books too (many which I probably will never be able to afford) x.X . I could be very very wrong, but I don't think I have seen an "e-book" store like that for Android. If there is I will really take that into consideration ^^.

What I like about Apple in general is that "unification" allows me to get things easily. If I want a movie, or an album, or an app, or a book, I can use the same giftcards to buy them all. I know there are Google Play giftcards, but I really only think you can use them for apps and music (I think?). I have never heard of Google Stores that sell books and movies with Giftcards, but if I'm wrong please correct me! (and link me ^^ - book access is really, really important for me). There must be third party apps that sell books in one way or another, but whether I can get them is a different story, because they could have no easy Giftcard system and only credit card support, at which point I'd probably get killed. x.x I think this is one of the things that make me choose iPhone over Android.

The app collection in general seems to be better for what I want in the Apple App Store. At least when I ask my brothers to lend me a phone I will ask for the iPhone if possible hahaha. I have never ever seen the music creation apps in the Play Store that are in the Apple Store. That Music Studio I told you about is really, really nice. Probably favorite app for iPhone hahaha. Sadly I have never found anything like that for Android. But maybe I'm just not looking hard enough ^^.

As for Photography it def looks like Android wins! I still need to get used to the whole techie talk but at least I think 13 MPs is better than 9 MP though I don't know the real difference ^^. For photography apps themselves I think they kinda tie. Many apps seem to be in both places so that's something to consider. But for example, "Aviary", while it is present in both, it looks like you can get more filters and the like if you get it on Android (by paying for them, but still more selection than in iPhone).

Many people say Android is much better for customization and my brothers agree, they say you can change the *insert another techie talk here that involves the words "ROM" and "ClockWorkModRecovery" here, which I got completely lost for x.x*. As long as I change my wallpaper it's fine ^^. I don't think I am so technologically friendly to change everything in the phone like some people and my brothers do. x.x so customization doesn't really matter, as long as I can change the wallpaper (which I hopefully assume all the phones can do that hahaha).

Right,hm.I didn't know your parents are overprotective o-o But ok.Um currently I have a iphone 4.I would say they're both good.My dad used to have this android phone that ran out of battery quick but maybe all his apps were on and weren't closed.I'd say that the iphone 5s seems pretty cool(5c is just a colorful iphone...).It has the fingerprint thing where you can instead of type a pass,use your fingerprint to unlock the screen.That is,if you're worried your parents might try to go on your phone since you said they're overprotective.They sound like they might try to get on your phone like my parents...so iphone 5s is nice - 3 - And also if your hands are small,getting a phone such as samsung galaxy s3 or s4 will be a bit troublesome since the phone is HUGE.I mean not huge huge but its bigger than iphone by a lot XD

My parents are CRAZY with overprotection, specially my dad! It's funny, he will probably read this post later tonight >_> but we tend to joke about his overprotectness and they recognize they are overprotective so everything's fine. O:

Anyway, I really don't think I'd take advantage of an iPhone 5S. My parents are over-protective and they'd probably check the phone, but in the end I have nothing to hide from them. If anything I'd passlock my diary apps, since they have no need to check those because I cannot share my personal information with an app that can't do that. My parents just really make sure I don't share personal information online and that no one can contact me back unless I use "approved" forums hahaha. It's a big exaggerated, but that's how I have lived for two years and I really don't mind ^^; They allow me to visit literally any site any time, as long as I am not giving my personal information to anyone. So the fingerprint reader is a little bit overkill for what I want hahaha. I don't mind if my parents check things like my photos, and if they do take my phone away for whatever reason they will just make sure I haven't contacted anyone weird, so they would check calls and messages, the browser apps, things that give me an outlet to share personal information. Anything else they wouldn't check, or I wouldn't mind if they did. It's really weird I know, but they respect my privacy to a certain extent hahaha ^^.

Yup, the 5C is just a colorful iPhone, but so far I think it's the one I'd most likely get. The color has no influence but I like the bigger screen compared to the 4S. I'd just say "iPhone 5" but I think the 5C has completely replaced the 5, so if I wanted just an iPhone 5 with no fingerprint readers and the like I'd have to get a 5C whether I like it or not hahaha.

The S3 and S4 are actually beautiful phones. O: My brother has an S4 and I have made a post or two with them, but I think they are overkill for what I want hahaha. I like it how you can have "widgets" and the like, but I also heard they affect your battery life. The one thing I don't like about these two phones is the keyboard. For some reason I just can't type properly in them. Also they vibrate weirdly whenever you type a key (so I'd hope this can be disabled ^^). But really, typing is a bit hard x.X . I cannot type a single word without making a typo.

Oh yeah, while we are in the topic of size/weight, none really matter. I'd put it in my bag and that's it. The weight difference between an iPhone 5 and a Samsung Galaxy S4 isn't too much and not a factor I'd consider if the final showdown was between them.

Keep the opinions/corrections/anything else coming please!

EDIT: Ohhh, replying to everything new in a sec, one sec ^^...

I can give you a non-biased answer, considering I own a BlackBerry.
To me, it sounds like everything you are looking for seems to fit the iPhone. And if you're going to be texting at all, I'd go with the iPhone. You're already used to both Apple and Android products so it's not like you would be completely lost getting an Android like many iPhone users can be (not saying you all are).
I know that as a teenager, everywhere I look, everyone has an iPhone. Texting other iPhones is easiest on an iPhone cause they have cool emojis that pretty much everyone uses on an iPhone.
I know the Android has the ability to share pictures and other media just by tapping the devices together and that may interest you, but the new iOS7 software has introduced AirDrop where you can pretty much do the same thing with iPhone users.
I'm not too sure about the Androids, but I know when browsing websites on Safari on an iPhone and you come across an article, you can turn on the "reader" option and it makes the text easier to read, which is really nice.

I can honestly say I prefer the BlackBerry and can recommend it, but I see that's not an option for you and I know most people don't like them. But, congratulations on getting your first cellphone, good luck with whatever is keeping you in a hospital, and I think either device will suit you just fine

Thank you for your input! Yup, both can do nice image sharing but apparently AirDrop only works on the iPhone 5 and above. Luckily I really don't think I will be sharing pictures and the like so I think it should be fine ^^. Actually most of my friends have Blackberry because of "BBM", but I heard BBM was recently released for both iPhone and Android. I don't think I'd use BBM and it looks like the Blackberry app market is really, really small and limited compared to iPhone and Android. I want lots of apps and the like because there will be little to entertain me >.O hahaha.

Thank you for your nice wishes and congrats! ^^

I used to have a Samsung Galaxy (1) but it broke and I've had this Nokia Windows Phone for a while. It's pretty neat-o.

I actually wanted a Windows Phone originally because I have never used one, but at the same time it's the reason I don't want one anymore hahaha. My parents are being very generous with this and I don't want them to buy me something that has a chance I won't enjoy. According to my brothers the App Market is really small too. But thank you for your input! ^^

 

[pengutango]

I personally think that the iPhone is over-hyped. It's not a bad phone, just don't get why so many people think it's like the best thing ever. I've tried iPhones on numerous occasions and I didn't like it (though Siri's funny. ). Partly because of lack of customization and found the keyboard to be tiny (funny since I have small hands.. and it wasn't much better when in landscape mode). It's been a while since I've tried an iPhone, so don't recall off the top of my head what else I don't like about iPhones.

Recently got my first smartphone, which is the Samsung Galaxy S3. I love it and I've been wanting it for a while, so was really excited when I finally got it. It's a big phone, so it's not the best phone if ya don't like big phones. I'll admit that it's huge for me and my small hands, but I've quickly adjusted to it. Besides, it's smaller than their Galaxy Note line... XD Those phones are seriously hitting tablet size territory, least in my opinion.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both Android and iOS devices, which have already been mentioned by previous users. Don't think people have mentioned this though. One of the things that I believe iPhones don't have is Swype, which I find to be much more useful and easier (and faster) to type, than the normal keyboard.

I would do your research before committing to a one or the other. I feel a like a lotta people simply get the iPhone because it's so popular. There are also Blackberry and Windows devices, but I honestly can't say much about either since I've never really tried it.

 

[windfall]

It seems like you're pretty set on an Apple device! With a 4 inch screen, it's a but on the small side but there's a very good app ecosystem on it. I personally don't have an iPhone (but that gold 5s is really, really nice looking!).

But on the flip side, Samsung isn't the only maker of Android devices. Consider checking out Google's Nexus line of devices. I've had a Nexus 4 (made by LG) since December of last year and I can honestly say I'm really pleased with how it's holding up. I have never experienced lag before, and the colours are more "natural" than Samsung's AMOLED screens. There have been leaks of the next Nexus device (which will probably be announced in November), but you're not into the race for the best specs, the Nexus 4 on google's play store (off contract!) will seriously give you the best bang for your buck. It recently had a $110 price drop, but before that it was already pretty cheap. Here's the link! https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/Nexus_4_8GB?id=nexus_4_8gb&hl=en

If you choose a Nexus device, they get their updates straight from Google with no carrier bloatware. Android KitKat 4.4 is coming out soon too! Android has improved leaps and bounds over the past couple years, and I don't expect anything less from 4.4.

Also, the back sparkles. lol.


And Android is super customizable. Check this page out! http://mycolorscreen.com/

- - - Post Merge - - -

One of the things that I believe iPhones don't have is Swype, which I find to be much more useful and easier (and faster) to type, than the normal keyboard.

Swype/Swiftkey (or the default Google keyboard, if you choose to go Nexus) has this super cool thing called gesture typing - check that out too! It's pretty much how I spend my time typing (on my non-dominate hand, while eating/commuting LOL).

 

[pengutango]

Swype/Swiftkey (or the default Google keyboard, if you choose to go Nexus) has this super cool thing called gesture typing - check that out too! It's pretty much how I spend my time typing (on my non-dominate hand, while eating/commuting LOL).

I've heard the Nexus phones are pretty good. Might look into one when my contract's up. Think one of my friends (pretty sure) has it and he loves it.

Yeah... not fond of the bloatware, but it doesn't bother me since I have more space than I personally know what to do with. XD

And really? Gesture typing?! XD How does that work?

 

[windfall]

I've heard the Nexus phones are pretty good. Might look into one when my contract's up. Think one of my friends (pretty sure) has it and he loves it.

Yeah... not fond of the bloatware, but it doesn't bother me since I have more space than I personally know what to do with. XD

And really? Gesture typing?! XD How does that work?

Here's a quick video of gesture typing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkjiMpN9hvA
The letters that pop up are a bit different now (since that was Android 4.2), but the general idea is still there. All you really need to do is slide your finger around.

Swiftkey/Swype learn from your typing patterns, so autocorrect gets pretty good. Typos are bound to happen for longer words, though.

 

[BellGreen]

I love the iPhone, and I don't have one myself (my mom SAID that once the 5C's come in stock at Target she WILL buy me one. I'm hoping she's not kidding.) but my mom has one and it's pretty great! I agree with pengutango as the customization is lacking (but in iOS 7 there are dynamic wallpapers and it moves depending on how you tilt it, pretty cool) and the keyboard is WIDELY small but it is a good phone.
My dad had an Android before and it's those phones that lag a bit :/

The 5S has a thumbprint, I thought that is pretty cool. I think the iPhone is the better choice though.

 

[pengutango]

Really? Haven't experienced any lagging on my Android phone. *shrugs* Maybe his was an older one perhaps...? My boyfriend has one of the newer Android phones as well and his doesn't lag as well.

I thought the fingerprint thing's cool too, though I kinda wonder how secure that is... Dunno if iPhones have face recognition as a lock (it's new-ish for Android, think since ICS), but it's not exactly secure, even says "Low security" on the screen lock selection page. XD Dynamic wallpapers are cool, but they eat your battery life, so if ya want max battery life before ya need to charge it, don't use it.

 

[Leanne]

It seems like you're pretty set on an Apple device! With a 4 inch screen, it's a but on the small side but there's a very good app ecosystem on it. I personally don't have an iPhone (but that gold 5s is really, really nice looking!).

But on the flip side, Samsung isn't the only maker of Android devices. Consider checking out Google's Nexus line of devices. I've had a Nexus 4 (made by LG) since December of last year and I can honestly say I'm really pleased with how it's holding up. I have never experienced lag before, and the colours are more "natural" than Samsung's AMOLED screens. There have been leaks of the next Nexus device (which will probably be announced in November), but you're not into the race for the best specs, the Nexus 4 on google's play store (off contract!) will seriously give you the best bang for your buck. It recently had a $110 price drop, but before that it was already pretty cheap. Here's the link! https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/Nexus_4_8GB?id=nexus_4_8gb&hl=en

If you choose a Nexus device, they get their updates straight from Google with no carrier bloatware. Android KitKat 4.4 is coming out soon too! Android has improved leaps and bounds over the past couple years, and I don't expect anything less from 4.4.

Also, the back sparkles. lol.


And Android is super customizable. Check this page out! http://mycolorscreen.com/

- - - Post Merge - - -



Swype/Swiftkey (or the default Google keyboard, if you choose to go Nexus) has this super cool thing called gesture typing - check that out too! It's pretty much how I spend my time typing (on my non-dominate hand, while eating/commuting LOL).

Yup the reasons I am so far leaning more towards iPhone than Android are the apps I know about and that I can buy anything with giftcards.

I was saying customization isn't too important... But after seeing your link I'm kinda changing my mind because some of them look really, really beautiful v.v I just fear I'd break my phone by trying to do something like that.

I have actually used the swype keyboard, but on a friend's phone. I don't really like it ^^; If I go for Android I guess I will need to get used to typing sheningans, or at least if I go for a Samsung phone.

 

[ben_nyc]

I've fiddled w/ both platforms before & this point is really important for 1st time owners & those that want to switch:

Unless you Root (this will Void your warranty) your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) has a CLOSED ecosystem tied to iTunes.

Meaning, if I have a song that I made or a music CD which I converted to music files (mp3), I can't share them w/ an Apple user. I'll have to upload it to YouTube or some Cloud storage like Dropbox for you to access it.

That's a deal-breaker for me. My phone has tons of space & an App that can send media files to any Android phone. It acts as a USB storage device so I can shuffle films & music. For Apple users, all content has to be purchased through iTunes.

Also:

1. The release disparity for Apps aren't as lengthy between platforms- iOS still has an edge but there's always a comparable alternative in Android & vice versa.

2. The tech is also not as competitive as 2 years ago. We have quad-core cpus, most apps will NOT be limited by how adequate today's phones are.

3. Most females appreciate the size of the iPhone because it fits well; however Android phones have models covering many sizes & shell designs.

4. Apple devices have stricter contract plans (more costly) than Android.

5. Apple has a foothold on accessories, meaning... they will charge what they want & you have no option but to buy @ their price. Conversely, Google devices allow 3rd parties to sell items like the wall charger.

6. Power users appreciate that some Android phones have & sell spare batteries.

7. Unlike iOS, you have tons of options to customize your Android device- see HERE. Edit: Windfall beaten.

Good luck, Leanne! ^o^

 

[Colour Bandit]

I'm just going to add a little Windows Phone in here.

I have a Nokia Lumia 920 and the camera is vastly superior to the majority of Androids and Apples, I've done comparisons! The picture quality is much higher and with a larger screen on the Windows Phones you can see a much clearer picture. The low light pictures are beautiful, I was at a disco/party a few weeks ago and even without the flash on the pictures came out very vibrant! Even my friends have commented on Facebook that my pictures look amazing.

In terms of reading and writing, you have the majority of Windows Office preinstalled on the phone and it easily connects to Microsoft Skydrive for easy PC to Phone file sharing. There is a free Amazon Kindle app which can connect with your Amazon account and allows you to read your Kindle books on the phone that you have already bought or you can buy more through the app.

The main downside to the Windows Phone is there are noticeably less apps and games available, but all the necessities are there... Though there is no free Angry Birds.

I even wrote this post on my Nokia! You are stuck with IE on here but you can download other browsers from the store. You can also connect your Xbox account onto a Windows phone and there are some Xbox games that can be played on the phone!

I hope you consider the Windows Phone in your phone hunt as it can compete and surpass the Androids and Apples in many areas, especially price!

 

[Leanne]

Yup, I'm aware I'd have to be "locked into" "Apple's Ecosystem", but I wouldn't mind that because I think that's easier for everything I want to do. I know you can get a song and sync it to the iPhone if it is in mp3 or m4a, and that there are conversion tools for anything else, but I have actually bought legally all the music I own from the iTunes Store. I am not into music sharing. When I like a song or an artist I like releases a new album, I will charge an iTunes Giftcard and get it from the iTunes Store, unless someone in my family manages to get a physical CD first, at which point I ask for it to be ripped. So if I hear a song I like, I'd just launch the iTunes app and purchase the song. That's probably my favorite thing in Apple, that everything is so nicely integrated and buying anything is really easy. The more I think about this advantage, the more I want to go for iPhone hahaha.

Last time we traveled I took one of the iPads with me and I wanted to watch some anime on it on the plane (because it was a whooping 8 hours flight). I couldn't find the anime on the iTunes Store, but my oldest brother graciously got it with other methods, converted it, and I was able to get it in the iPad ^^. I don't think moving songs and videos to an Android or iPhone would be a big problems. Eventually my brothers will get tired of doing those things for me and they will end up teaching me how! hahaha.

"Rooting" and "Jailbreaking" don't matter to me. My brothers are into that scene and like "hacking into" the platforms and whatnot, but I certainly didn't get that gen from my dad hahaha. I just really want the easiest thing to set up and use and the one that fits most of my requirements. I don't care about "hacking" or "platform openess" because none of them apply too much to me. If I choose an iPhone, use it for years, and then suddenly decide to change to Android, my brothers told me there are ways to convert all the songs, movies, and whatnot to work with Android. I don't think I'd get a new phone in a long time because my parents are being really generous with this and it would be just wrong to ask for a new one to them hahaha (that's also part of the reason I must get my decision right!)

2. The tech is also not as competitive as 2 years ago. We have quad-core cpus, most apps will NOT be limited by how adequate today's phones are.

I really don't understand what that means fully but my brother just told that unless I am a scientist attempting to find the atomic weight of plutonium, I shouldn't care O: hahaha.

3. Most females appreciate the size of the iPhone because it fits well; however Android phones have models covering many sizes & shell designs.

Not a problem on either case because I will put it in a bag and not in my pocket. ^^ I could literally get a Samsung Mega and the size wouldn't be a problem hahaha.

4. Apple devices have stricter contract plans (more costly) than Android.

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that we don't really use plans. We only have pre-paid plans. Where I live you have to be like super rich to afford a contract plan >_>. Whatever phone I get will be paid full price, contract free.

5. Apple has a foothold on accessories, meaning... they will charge what they want & you have no option but to buy @ their price. Conversely, Google devices allow 3rd parties to sell items like the wall charger.

Something to consider but I don't think it will be a problem on either case because I am really careful with the things I own (IE never dropped my DS) and... I don't think I'd need an extra charger or something like an extra-battery pack because I live on a wheelchair and am not allowed to leave the house unless I'm accompanied, so I could just charge my iPhone here ^^. If the charger dies I have seen some third party brands, but I'm sure my brothers would at least let me use their laptops to charge mine with the cable, and lend me their own cables if I need them. I'd say I'm covered on this one whether it's iPhone or Android.

6. Power users appreciate that some Android phones have & sell spare batteries.

I don't think I'd consider myself a power user. It's true I will be using it a lot but when I return to my normal life it will probably be one of those things I use casually in my daily life ^^. Covered either way!

So far the customization I have seen on the website you and Windfall linked to is really, really nice. But I still haven't found a Google Books store that allows me to buy books with Google Giftcards and I haven't found replacements for the apps I want on an iPhone (specially the music creation ones). It's really tough to pick just one. But iPhone so far has an advantage because of the stores and app selection. I can live without the customization part (like I said, being allowed to change the wallpaper is good enough for me hahaha) it's very true the above screens are stunning, but I probably wouldn't be able to pull half of any complete screen there. I was actually looking around some of them and they require a lot of third party apps/widgets to work ^^;

 

[Lauren]

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I love all of my apple devices!