Android, Windows or stick with Apple?

[GreasyDiablo88]

I'm currently using an iPhone 5 but I'm starting to get bored of it. I've been looking at the iPhone 5S and 5C but I think I want to branch out and try something new. But what to go for, Android or a Windows phone.... Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[lamboman]

Difficult to answer without knowing budget (presume high as you've stated you've looked at the 5S), the services and apps you use, the tasks you commonly use your phone for (eg. heavy browsing, videos while travelling), and how heavily you have invested in iOS already (apps).

However, you're going to hear Nexus 5, HTC One, S4, and the Note 3 as the top ones from the get-go.

Along with what people suggest here, you'd be best off going into a store and trying them yourself.

Don't like manufacturer skins myself (the design is dreadful for many of them). Nexus 5 would be my choice. Otherwise, Sense is my personal favourite, so I'd be inclined to go with the HTC One. Note 3 if you want massive battery life.

 

[dasyad]

Moving from a 5 to a 5S/C would be an absolute waste of time IMO. As above I'd be looking at a Nexus 5 if you want to go Android; Note 3 if you fancy something large Any of the latest round of Nokia Windows Phones would be worth a look if you're considering WP.

I'd go in a shop and try out as many phones as you can to get a feel for what you would enjoy.

 

[dymetrie]

I've used all three and have found them all to have strengths and weaknesses.

iOS is really slick and there is so much choice, in the app store, that you can always find something for what you want to do. But that being said, you're very much restricted by what Apple will let you do, and what hardware they will let you have. To overcome software restrictions then you can jailbreak, but I found it to be very hit and miss as to what would work how I wanted and went back to stock quite quickly.

Windows is also very slick and the home screen is much more configurable than iOS. I really liked the way it worked and how so much integrated into the design of the theme. I loved the seamless integration with my PC and how quick the device felt (Lumia 520) even though it was the most budget device available. However, the major downside of windows was third party support (otherwise known as the whine of "why hasn't Microsoft got xyz app on their ****** phone") and I felt there were some big name apps missing, or severely curtailed (such as kindle not letting you use your own books).

Android is great and gives so much choice over almost everything that you can sometimes get confused over what to go for. The range of hardware is simply amazing and the fact it is open source means that there are lots of different flavours of Android to try (CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, etc) if you don't get on with what you have combined with a veritable army of people who are ready to help, suggest (and sneer like arrogant richards, of course) if you have trouble with something. The choice of apps, and the wonder that are widgets, means you can always find something that does what you want, and make your phone/tablet look how you want. The downsides are that there is maybe too much choice, so finding the right handset/app can be a struggle, but I've found most Android owners will be open about the cons as well as the pros.

As others have said, the Nexus 5 is fantastic (typing this post, at the speed of light, on mine) as I've finally found thr lovely slick interface I had on iOS and windows with the dynamic customisation of Android, but you should really try out everything, in a shop or from friends, before deciding whether to switch or stick.

 

[Christmas themed thank]

Windows Phone has so few apps that you'd feel frustrated coming from iOS. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it.

As others have mentioned, 5 to 5c is utterly pointless as their specs are nearly identical. 5 to 5s would be decent upgrade, but I still don't think it's worth it.

I've recently switched to Android myself and the customisation is probably the best thing.

I'd try out the Nexus 5 before you buy if you can, so you can see if you like it more than your 5S.

 

[Squink]

I've recently switched to Android myself and the customisation is probably the best thing.

And the fact that it's a stable, functional, easy to use platform for people who don't want to change it straight out of the box

 

[Mr Jones]

Windows Phone has so few apps that you'd feel frustrated coming from iOS. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it.

There's only truth in that if you're a complete app whore (not in a nasty tone here).

My mate downloads every app in the world for his iPhone 5 and shows them off where possible. The apps he uses more than twice a week all fits in the first front screen. Of which, the only app that's missing when compared to my Windows 8 is Instagram - however Third Party apps such as 6Tag works fine for me and Instagram has confirmed a direct app to arrive soon.

My brother loves his Android, he's on Nexus 4 since launch and he's still loving how customisable it is. He does however find loads of useless apps and 'fakes' because of how open it is - you need to filter though loads of crap to find a good one - unless you go to recommended sites or read loads of review.

Personally, if you aren't fussed about the OS, then go for hardware such as Camera (Lumia 1020) or screen size (Note 3).

 

[Rainagul]

If you use a SkyDrive/Office/Microsoft Account then consider the windows phone as it integrates and uses all these features nicely. It is lacking on the custom App front, and threw me off at first coming from an iPhone but at the end of the day I realized I didn't care as I barely used any apps.

 

[DeathStorm]

I'm currently using an iPhone 5 but I'm starting to get bored of it. I've been looking at the iPhone 5S and 5C but I think I want to branch out and try something new. But what to go for, Android or a Windows phone.... Does anyone have any recommendations?

It depends.

What do you like about iOS? What do you dislike?

 

[Amp34]

Windows Phone has so few apps that you'd feel frustrated coming from iOS. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it.

There's still over 100k apps on windows... There are a few "big" apps and games missing compared to iOS and Android but on the other hand there are quite a few "big" games and apps on windows that arent on the others either.

Moving from WP to Android I have to say WP may not have the number of apps but it certainly has a lot more quality, especially games. Android is missing a lot of really good games and many of those that may be good are unplayable on a 4.7" 1080p screen because of poor scaling. Not a problem with WP.

 

[Ryan-3]

Moving from WP to Android I have to say WP may not have the number of apps but it certainly has a lot more quality, especially games. Android is missing a lot of really good games and many of those that may be good are unplayable on a 4.7" 1080p screen because of poor scaling. Not a problem with WP.

I moved from iOS to Android and definitely found this. There is a huge selection of apps, but most of them are pure ****.

 

[Locke]

I say go play with some of the phones in a nearby phone shop, or ask your friends about them.

All the core apps that you'd use on either platform are good on Android and Windows Phone. Much more on Android as they'll be some missing from Windows Phone.

It isn't as hard as people say to look for an app (especially on Android) there are forums, review sites, and even the Play Store reviews for a reason. All the platforms have this issue, one way or another.

 

[Brenn47]

I moved from iOS to Android and definitely found this. There is a huge selection of apps, but most of them are pure ****.

I bought a Nexus 7 v2 because I love tower defence games, I was pretty disappointed when I realised most of the apps on the Play store are utter bilge. Going to buy a Windows tablet instead for usability.

 

[BD10NNF]

I have the HTC one and previously had and still own the Galaxy Nexus. Having a stock Android phone is great. You get the latest software plus you can put what you want on it.
The iPhone is a good phone but I wouldn't bother upgrading from a 5 to a 5c or 5s I just can't see the point. It would be like going from a white shirt with one pocket to another white shirt but it has two pockets.
As for Windows phones well I've not owned one for such a long time I couldn't comment.
Android is the best option if you like variety but if you want something familiar then stick with your current phone and wait for the new iPhone to come out as that would be more of an upgrade.

 

["andy"]

I moved from iOS to Android and definitely found this. There is a huge selection of apps, but most of them are pure ****.

its really annoying

especially when i must have heard ''android app store is loads better now'' a bazillion times

other than that im starting to like my S4. certainly better games on ios though , especially the really top quality ones from smaller developers

 

[GreasyDiablo88]

I'm gonna go for Android. I haven't decided on the handset cause I've still got a couple of months left on my contract so we'll see what's around then. Cheers for your help everyone!