What phone to go for iPhone 4s , Android , Windows Phone or BlackBerry

grumbler

thegoodman wrote: »

Is it true that most android phones have Microsoft operating system?

This is nonsense.

wannabehermit

thegoodman wrote: »

Is it true that most android phones have Microsoft operating system? A friend of mind was saying htc, samsung and most others pay MS $10 per unit because of copy. If this is the case can you chane the os to win phone require?

What grumbler said. A few htc's have ms os, the htc7 for example and one htc (can't remember which) does run both ms & droid. Stay away from anything with ms, but imo you can't go wrong with android

Badger_Lady

I've been a regular user of a Blackberry, an iPhone and an Android, and my personal opinion is:

- Blackberry - great for communication, particularly with a physical keyboard (rather than touch screen) because it's much easier to type quickly on the fly. The BBM network allows free messaging to other BB users and you get instant alerts of texts and emails in the same sort of way. HOWEVER it's the worst for user experience - menus are not intuitive, it takes some effort to find what you're looking for and even after years of use you never really get used to navigating it.

- iPhone - fantastic usability, obviously. Very swish, easy and polished interface with a lovely touch screen. Great for playing games, experimenting with different apps... BUT I never found a good way to get push alerts on emails, to type messages without having to constantly correct them... and worst of all is the syncing with iTunes. If you have more than one computer that you regularly use, it's a nightmare to keep the phone's software and content up-to-date. You can work around the 'normal' setup and use drag-and-drop to put items on your iPhone but then you can't delete anything. It's way too restrictive for me and after 2 years I got properly fed up with it!

- Android (I've got the LG Optimus 3G). This balances the two... you have most of the great usability of the iPhone, with a quite similar interface (though arguably less polished). However you do get instant notifications, different options for how to enter text (for example Swype or handwriting), and you get complete control over your own device. You can transfer files through your normal file explorer, you can download a plethora of apps through the Android Market (many of them the same as Apple but cheaper / free) and you can integrate it with your gMail, Google Maps etc.

So overall, I'd go with Blackberry if you're a teenager or businessman. Apple if you're really dense about technology and unconcerned about money. Android if you're a little bit tech-savvy and use Google normally.

Badger_Lady

Yeah, stay away from Microsoft - awful. Just awful. Not good for anyone.

sirmosh

thegoodman wrote: »

Is it true that most android phones have Microsoft operating system? A friend of mind was saying htc, samsung and most others pay MS $10 per unit because of copy. If this is the case can you chane the os to win phone require?

They do pay a licensing fee but only because certain parts of the software infringe patents owned by Microsoft. Many manufacturers including HTC make phones that run Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 software which isn't bad at all but in my opinion falls short when compared to Android.

You can't go wrong with a high-end Android handset such as the HTC Sensation or Samsung Galaxy S II but for some people the iPhone ticks all the boxes.

The new iOS5 update for the iPhone adds some stuff which Android has had for ages and does make the iPhone a much stronger contender but for me the tiny screen of the iPhone means it doesn't come close to a nice 4.3 incher such as the Sensation.

You need to have a go with a few phones hands on, visit you local phone shop and ask for a few demonstrations.

chez_2

I have an iPhone 4 as my main phone and an Android phone at home for wifi tethering.

Both are great, you really need to try them out.

Before I got my iPhone, I hated them and swore I'd never get one. Now I wouldn't get anything else for day-to-day use.

LauraCow

Having gone from iPhone 3G to HTC Desire on Android I had this question in mind, I realised I loved my iPhone a lot more which is why I'm getting the iPhone 4s tomorrow.

I've had too many problems with my HTC. The battery life is dire (I thought the iPhone one was bad!) i end up charging it whenever I am near a plug socket or in my car.

With Android, the system is a lot simpler in my opinion as you can customise it to how YOU want it, whereas with the iPhone you can't customise it that much.

The only think I'll miss most about my Android is the widgets, such a good idea.

The plus side to the iPhone is the apps. As they are in a closed market it they are mostly all good quality and also as the app developer is doing it for only one phone size (slightly?) it is a lot better. On Android as it is an open market the apps are a big rubbish, but a lot are free. Also on iPhone you tend to get a lot of apps first over Android

Having the HTC Desire the quality of sound is shockingly bad (through external and internal speakers) whereas on the iPhone its technically an iPod with a phone.

If you want a phone for apps, music, functionality and genuinely better quality i'd chose the iPhone. But if you are more into technical side and like customising your phone more, I'd go for Android. But in my opinion I'd pop into a store and ask if you can try one of each. Or if you do order either one you normally have a 7-day cooling off period to which you can change your mind.

JJ_Egan

As i see it if you need your hand holding then its Iphone as it is more child friendly user friendly for many . Likewise if you want to be locked in to stuff like ITunes .
Android is an OS not one phone type and in consequence has a very varied range .Android is slightly lacking in apps in the market but saying that i have yet to come across one from the IPhone I am missing .Android more customizable right across the board .

jje

SGS2 Android 2.3.5 Androidmeda-HyperDroid-v1.0.0 rom

thegoodman

wannabehermit wrote: »

What grumbler said. A few htc's have ms os, the htc7 for example and one htc (can't remember which) does run both ms & droid. Stay away from anything with ms, but imo you can't go wrong with android

If Android got nothing to do with microsoft than why microsoft is making money from them.
http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-to-make-444-million-in-revenue-from-android-licenses-in-fy-2012/
Microsoft to make $444 million in revenue from Android licenses in FY 2012

So do I need to say away from Android since it must have somthing to do with Android

grumbler

If MS are lucky to hold some patents that are difficult to overcome (that is hardly a surprise) this doesn't mean that Android has much to do with MS.
If a wheel were invented recently and, say, BMW hold the patent this wouldn't mean that all other cars had anything to do with BMW except the wheels.