iphone or an android phone?

[ashatron]

Hi guys

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Im in need of a new phone and i was thinking id quite like a smart phone.
Im considering an iphone or an android based phone(g1, HTC magic etc).

The iphone obviously has lots of apps, but the android app store is getting rather large too. I dont have a mac, so dont know how that would effect my iphone use.
I understand that obviously personal preference will be a large part of it.

which android phones would you suggest?

Can you get flash websites working on the iphone?
also can you get cut/copy and paste working on the iphone 3g? - because i know it is built in to the 3gs.

What would you suggest?​

Thanks!

 

[ElliorR]

If it was me I'd go for an Android phone but I'd wait a while as new phones are being released that are more powerful than the HTC Magic, which I have.

HTC Bravo due out in Q2 of 2010
Motorola Milestone out now
Nexus One (Google phone) official announcement from Google on Jan 5th.


Plus others.

 

[#1 JLS Fan]

The iphone is still very expensive when compared to Android equivalents. To me it all boils down to whether you want the iphone apps. Although there are five times the amount of apps on Apple's store, are there enough that aren't available on Android to justify the cost?

You could always get an Android phone and then get an ipod touch for those iphone apps you just can't live without.

I'd suggest waiting a week and seeing what the Google Nexus is going to be like. I think it's being released on January 5th.

 

[Doz007]

Yeah, the google Nexus looks like a great handset with some good UI tweaks. However if I had to choose between my old iphone and the missus' HTC Magic, i'd have the iphone in a heartbeat! So much more responsive and fluid in my opinion.

As suggested above though, it will be worth waiting a week or so and checking the reviews of the new Nexus.

 

[ashatron]

wow, thanks a lot guys, sound advice there.

the droid does look awesome, and the nexus looks amazing.
i do like the response on the iphone it is very smooth.

hmmm decisions!

 

[Robbo]

Don't get an iPhone, please

To answer your questions -


which android phones would you suggest? - HTC Hero, maybe the Motorola Milestone although they are releasing an improved version quite soon, or wait for the above phones!

Can you get flash websites working on the iphone? - Not properly, no.
also can you get cut/copy and paste working on the iphone 3g? - because i know it is built in to the 3gs. - Yes, its in the 3.0 firmware.

What would you suggest? - If you wan't a phone now, get the HTC Hero (if it HAS to be android). Otherwise wait if you have the patience as mentioned above.

 

[Meatball]

Hi guys

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you to!

which android phones would you suggest?

Android phones which have been released:
HTC Hero
HTC Magic
Motorola Milestone
Android phones which are yet to be released:
Nexus One
SE XPeria X10
HTC Bravo

Can you get flash websites working on the iphone?

No, not atm.

also can you get cut/copy and paste working on the iphone 3g? - because i know it is built in to the 3gs.

Yes by updating to the latest firmware for iPhone

Perosnally I would go for an Android handset. However, I would wait till the Nexus One is released . The only big advantage the iPhone has over Android is the quality of the app store. Android has plenty of apps but most are poor compared to their iPhone versions. A good example is the official Android Facebook app vs. the official iPhone Facebook app.

Bare in mind Apple will most definitely be releasing a new iPhone this year. It looks like a 5mp higher res screen jobby .

 

[ashatron]

Thanks so much Meatball and Robboftw, you've been very helpful!!
its much appreciated.

Don't get an iPhone, please

haha, why??
i ask that question even thought toady when i was on a train from where i was standing i could see 5 iphones and 1 ipod...is that why? because they are everywhere!!

I dont agree with apple not allowing flash websites on mobile devices - mainly because they dont want web based applications (created using flash) to steal attention and money from apples own app store.

Android has plenty of apps but most are poor compared to their iPhone versions. A good example is the official Android Facebook app vs. the official iPhone Facebook app.

Yeah that is true. Its a shame but i think the android app store is coming up though isnt it.
You were very objective there, didnt give any hints as to which you would go for, iphone or an android?? tell me!!
Nexus one looks amazing!!!

thanks again!

 

[Meatball]

Thanks so much Meatball and Robboftw, you've been very helpful!!
its much appreciated.


haha, why??
i ask that question even thought toady when i was on a train from where i was standing i could see 5 iphones and 1 ipod...is that why? because they are everywhere!!

I dont agree with apple not allowing flash websites on mobile devices - mainly because they dont want web based applications (created using flash) to steal attention and money from apples own app store.

The android app store is coming up though isnt it.
Nexus one looks amazing!!!

thanks again!

The Android store can only improve . It's the only real advantage the iPhone has over Android. If you're not that bothered abouts apps I would definitely go for an Android device . There's a wealth of information on the Nexus One here.

Another platform you may wish to look at is Nokia's 'new' OS Maemo 5 as featured in their new phone, the N900. It's Nokia's new OS based heavily on Linux and has gained a large and ever growing community. A lot of Linux games and programs can be ported to the OS fairly easily.

 

[Super Tigers]

Android is still in its infancy at the moment, you can liken it to the Iphone 2 years back, it shows great potential and much is in development for it.

Google will not let Android fail, it is a main component of their vast integrated communication, location and data model. Android is favoured because of its linux/unix structures and has less constraints than Apple's Iphone. The Iphone is all about generating revenue streams for Apple and its re-sellers, it is over-priced, over-hyped but it has a stunningly powerful but simple GUI that all others will have to beat.

If you want to experience Android cheaply, then get a T-mobile Pulse on payg for £140 at the moment but if T-mobile have a sale on they sell for about £110. Plenty of features GPS, compass, wifi, HSDPA, 3G, capacitive touch screen etc everything the Iphone offers but a lot less in price. Have had mine for 2 months now, it has its faults e.g. camera, version 1.5 software but Android 2.0 is due to be released in the next 2 months.

I am not an Iphone hater, I used to have a 2g iphone but I sold it on for more than I paid for it new. I recommend you head off to some stores and have a play with some Android phones and see if you like the interface.

 

[Robbo]

You are more than welcome ashatron.

To answer your question about what I would get, well, I have an iPhone 3G, a HTC Hero, and soon a Nokia N900 (ordering it tomorrow).

My girlfriend decided she loved my HTC Hero and her old iPhone 2G is starting to play up, so I decided to give her the Hero and get myself a new phone.

After a weeks hard searching, reading every review under the sun and studying various other things, I decided that for me, the N900 looks a fantastic phone. It might not be for everyone, as its not primarily a phone, more of a mini laptop, but regardless, it looks the best bit of kit around.

For you, if you want a phone now, you should be deciding between the HTC Hero and the N900, depending on what you want it to do. The Hero is a VERY good phone, let down only by its quite poor camera.

When it comes to iPhones, I think they are very good at what they do. Which is basically to offer a simple apple phone interface that everyone can use. While this is good, and the reason that you see so many of them, it also means it is poor when it comes to customisation, and various other things.

That said, the hardware in them is good and they are a solid mobile device, thus I am not surprised we are now seeing so many of them around! However I don't like seeing many of them around, I want a phone that is a bit more special than an iPhone, without the same limitations, and not that every man and his dog own.

Any more questions feel free to ask, but I would honestly say if your heart isn't set on Android and you are a bit of a gadget freak, give the N900 a look. It runs Maemo5, which is certainly looking to be quite a monster of a mobile platform!

Otherwise, for now the HTC Hero is a very safe bet, or you can wait to see how the array of upcoming phones fare in the market!

All the best!
Robbo

 

[ashatron]

Meatball, Super Tigers, Robboftw, you guys are awesome!!!
Thank you so much for all that sound advice!! Really really helpful!

It's Nokia's new OS based heavily on Linux and has gained a large and ever growing community. A lot of Linux games and programs can be ported to the OS fairly easily.

Ive never beem interested in nokias, but that does look nice! linux based is great! just installed ubuntu on my laptop, its great. ill check it out cheers!

If you want to experience Android cheaply, then get a T-mobile Pulse on payg for £140 at the moment but if T-mobile have a sale on they sell for about £110. Plenty of features GPS, compass, wifi, HSDPA, 3G, capacitive touch screen etc everything the Iphone offers but a lot less in price. Have had mine for 2 months now, it has its faults e.g. camera, version 1.5 software but Android 2.0 is due to be released in the next 2 months.

That pulse looks ace! doesnt look entry level at all, looks very smart, thanks dude ill check it out.

My girlfriend decided she loved my HTC Hero and her old iPhone 2G is starting to play up, so I decided to give her the Hero and get myself a new phone.

its good to get an opinion from someone who has had an iphone and one of the best androids, thanks dude!!

I think the 4 day wait for the nexus one is necessary! and the upcoming unveiling of some new apple thing, potentially a new high res iphone or tablet.

ooooooo exciting!!

 

[Meatball]

Happy to help . Let us know what you go for!

 

[Locke]

I'm in the same boat and am currently waiting on the Google phone details or might wait a few months till that Bravo arrives

 

[Syphon]

In a similar boat. Had an iphone 3G for 18 months with the contract up in a few weeks. I hardly use any apps that aren't available on Android and largely use it for phone / web / e-mail. I've been looking at the Hero but am waiting to see if the Nexus is going to be available in the UK before my contract runs out (here's hoping!). Otherwise I'll probably either go for the droid or the Hero. I really like the HTC Sense interface though on top of android. Whatever I get the iphone will be going to the mrs.

 

[Meatball]

I'm in the same boat myself as well. My contract with o2 finished in December and I've ported my number to a T-Mobile PAY&GO sim. Top-up £10 a month and I get unlimited texts and internet. When the Nexus One/Bravo/XPeria X10 are released I'll be ready to sign 18 months away!

 

[ashatron]

Thanks to all you kind gents and your advice, i think ive decided on an iphone!

went down to my local phone shop, put a htc hero next to an iphone had a play and the iphone is so much more responsive and smooth with the transitions.
Android is still immense however.

I am going to wait a bit to see the new stuff this month (android 2.0, nexus phone etc), but im set on the iphone i think.

where do you guys think is the best place to buy one? (im uk btw)
contract or handset purchase (with a different sim deal)?

is it easy to unlock iphones?
and is it true that you cannot send emails with attachments?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
its very refreshing to get such considerate and thoughtful help on an internet forum. You really actually explained the strengths and weaknesses of both as opposed to the usual "iphone/android is noob lol" replies. ill frequent ocuk forums more i think Thanks!!!

 

[Meatball]

Thanks to all you kind gents and your advice, i think ive decided on an iphone!

Don't commit yourself to an iPhone yet till you've seen the Nexus One. The Hero is laggy compared to an iPhone but the new Android phones coming out are supposed to be very snappy . Also the 3GS is over half way through it's lifecycle click me .

where do you guys think is the best place to buy one? (im uk btw)

Mobile Phones Direct is a good bet .

is it easy to unlock iphones?
and is it true that you cannot send emails with attachments?

Unlocking your iPhone. You can add attachments to Emails as well

Its very refreshing to get such considerate and thoughtful help on an internet forum.

Welcome to the mighty OcUk Forums, you'll get hooked in no time . Check out the other sections as well .

 

[ashatron]

cheers for the advice mate!

Mobile Phones Direct is a good bet .

they dont appear to do iphones but they do androids!
i have high hopes for android 2.0

Unlocking your iPhone. You can add attachments to Emails as well

So they unlock any iphone? even if it was say on orange? :O

Im tempted by buying a handset and avoid monthly out goings.
Even tempted by a 2nd hand one thats in good nick. hmmm

Thanks again dude! ill wait it out for now!
Nexus looks great.
i suppose if apple do release a new iphone at this upcoming event the old iphone will get really cheap and i might be tempted by the new one!

 

[Robbo]

If your main issue was the "lag" on the Hero. You should be made aware that the ones in the shop are probably on the original firmware, which suffered from lag problems. The new firmware fixed that problem, very well.

My HTC Hero is runs at the same speed as an iPhone, as is its responsiveness.

Its your choice though, the Nexus doesn't look that great to me (ie. Over rated), however I will look forward to reviews and whatnot. (It also might be a pain to get hold of!)