iPhone vs DROID: Making The Switch

Hi, I’m Janis, and I used to write here… I’m back and energized to write and learn from you guys! In the mean time I have launched a new site www.InboxAlarm.com and we are finally getting ready for Elementz Nutrition (Facebook Page) to have products…

A quick post on my new phone.

Droid vs. iPhone

http://tveskov.com/blog/droid-vs-iphone.png

In this post I wanted to go over my recent switch from the iPhone to the new Motorola DROID. I will go over things that I find important in a phone. I won’t me too specific, but cover the basics that matter to me. It’s important to get a sense of what the phone is geared towards. This becomes easier if you closely match the specifications of the phone to the aims of the manufacturer – for example the Blackberry Bold is a business phone, the I phone 4 could be just as much for play as organizing meetings and sending company emails. The basics paint a picture of the kind of experience you’ll have with that particular handset.

Call Quality: The Droid wins this battle with relative ease…. I have not a had a dropped call since getting the phone. Something that I had not experienced with the iPhone and AT&T. I also use Google Voice and LOVE it! This feature alone is worth the switch. I get transcribed voice-mails, custom settings for different callers, and native use on the Droid with the Google Voice app.

Oh and did I mention not dropping calls??  Verdict: Droid

Applications: The Apple app store is way ahead of the android market. However, with the influx of new android phones, the android market will start to catch up. 90% of the apps I used on the iPhone are available in the android market. They are not as polished, but I think this will keep improving as more developers embrace the android marketplace.

Take a look at the latest data by AdMob:

The two dominant operating systems, iPhone OS and Android, account for 75% of all requests by  Smartphones. With the introduction of the Droid and other phones like it, the Android market will keep growing. With that the apps will improve and will be a real competitor to the Apple app store.

The ability to run apps in the background on the Droid is useful. I play Pandora, and check my email at the same time. I get notifications about my favorite teams from SportTap and get news article from the Feedr app. Verdict: Split

Ease of Use: The Droid is not as polished as the iPhone. Things take a bit longer to figure out, but compared to anything besides the iPhone, the Droid is very easy to use. But, you just can’t compete against Apple and their UI. Verdict: iPhone

Keyboard: Mixed feelings here… I’ve started to use the physical keyboard on the Droid more than I thought I would. This is mainly because the touchscreen keyboard on the Droid is not as good as the one on the iPhone. The physical keyboard makes up for it now… But the whole android OS needs improvement to really compete with the iPhone. Verdict: iPhone

Battery: Battery Life is comparable to the iPhone, when a lot of apps are running you have to be careful that the battery doesn’t run out. I will most likely buy another battery once there is a nice charging station. The nice thing is that I can replace a battery easily, something that I couldn’t do with the iPhone.

Verdict: Droid

Favorite Droid Apps:

  • Google Voice
  • Foursquare
  • Twidroid
  • Seesmic
  • Last.FM
  • Pandora
  • Tripit
  • Cardio Trainer
  • Movies
  • OpenTable
  • Evernote

Screen: I had no problem with the screen on my iPhone, but the screen on the Droid is in another league. Very clear, just gorgeous.

Camera Test:

Droid–

iPhone–

Conclusion:

The Droid is a good phone on a great network. The iPhone is a great phone on a bad network.

I signed up for a 1 year contract for a couple of reasons:

  • To see if the iPhone will be available on other networks.
  • How will the android market mature
  • The unknown…
    • Other phones
    • How long will Apple have an exclusive deal with AT&T
    • What platform will the public embrace

Buy if call quality is very important and you like the adventure of having the new exciting toy. Don’t buy if you want the phone to be perfect… it’s still a work in progress.

The Droid is the 18 year old rookie with a lot of potential going up against the 4 year pro who knows all the tricks. The rookie has more raw talent but needs time to mature.

Let me know if you have made the switch or just general thoughts on the Droid vs. iPhone discussion.

November 28, 2009 6 Comments Short URL

  • http://www.blackberry-fr.com Alexandre

    Happy to read you again Janis! I was in Chicago 2 days ago (I’m from Switzerland) and played with the Droit at Verizon… and wouaw! I really like this phone! (I’m a Blackberry addict for sure).
    The price without plan is 449.99$ (the guy told me…) but why buying a Droid when I have the new Blackberry Bold…
    I will see with the German version of it maybe.
    Thanks for your review!

  • http://profile.typepad.com/jkrums Janis Krums

    Thanks Alexandre!
    I agree the price without the plan can be shocking, I got the one year plan for myself to cut down on the cost a bit.
    I haven’t been a blackberry person so the bold wasn’t an option for me, plus when I tried the Bold I had many issues with it… So far enjoying the Droid and the android platform… it’s a work in progress for sure.
    Janis

  • http://www.wildwoodinteractive.com CJ Romberger

    Great post! Thanx for the clear information. I've been on Sprint for over 15 years. I'm still there, but I bought an iPhone. I've migrated over to the iPhone now, but I HATE AT&T. I can't say that often or loud enough. They drop almost every single call I'm on if it lasts longer than 2 minutes, even when I'm in places for which there's no acceptable excuse!

    Have you seen anything about tethering, with or without a charge? Or heard anymore about Flash becoming available?

    I'm thinking, cuz I know now why everyone hates iPhone's choice of network.

    Imagine a world where you could freely switch…I wonder if AT&T would go out of business? Or rise to the occasion and fix their issues. Hm…

    Thanx again for the post.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/jkrums jkrums

      I'm not sure about tethering on the Droid, you're able to do it on the iPhone just have to find the latest hack to open the service up.

      I know what you mean about the network, that's the main reason for my switch. At a certain point you can't take it anymore! haha

      I would think that ATT would step their game up but one thing that might be happening is that they never imagined that the iPhone would be this popular so their network was not ready for this much strain… who knows..

      Thanks for the comment!

  • SDoherty

    Thanks for sharing info. I am a Verizon junkie here in SoCal because the coverage is THE BEST and my Verizon store has amazing personnel. I would have an iPhone except that AT&T has inferior coverage in my area and where I go. Just today, someone told me to check the 'droid. I will do so, though I am satisfied with my BB Storm. Keep posting.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/jkrums jkrums

      I would wait to see what Apple announces and to see what new phones appear on the Adroid platform. They seem to be releasing a new phone every month or so… the Droid is ancient already! :)

      Thanks for the Comment! I will try to post more frequently!