Android Cheap iPhones?

[Ry]

I have to say this is an interesting discussion on many fronts. And it appears there's a consensus with regard to the demographic that Apple appeals to. And since women tend to drive the spending dollars along with teens, it's easy to see why Apple is so successful.

Now where phones are concerned, I think judging an OS by how often it pushes updates isn't relevant. What IS relevant however is CHOICE. And while I have been loyal to Apple for years, it became blazing clear that open source developers move much quicker, develop more advanced functionality which is then matched with hardware that can deliver by an array of manufacturers working for market share. And it's also clear that the statement about the hardware manufacturers having multiple streams of income thereby not needing to do 'the squeeze', is right on the money.

And yes, I've hesitated pulling the trigger on an Android device when I see the issues. But the fact remains that MANY of the devices on the market today are far advanced of Apple and can be customized and changed to offset the shortcomings. If you don't like the way Apple creates a device, you're stuck. End of story.

But when it comes down to creating product for consumers, specifically games and app, it's iOS first.

 

[lpt2569]

And yes, I've hesitated pulling the trigger on an Android device when I see the issues. But the fact remains that MANY of the devices on the market today are far advanced of Apple and can be customized and changed to offset the shortcomings. If you don't like the way Apple creates a device, you're stuck. End of story.

I agree. I currently own 3 Android devices (GNEX, Rezound, Droid Charge), and love each of them in different ways. The Droid Charge, not as much now that I have my hands on newer devices. But each of them, in my opinion, is a better device than the current iPhone, because of the abiltity I have to customize them to my heart's content. I would be bored to tears with an iPhone, and frustrated beyond belief that I could not have it look and feel and operate the way I want it to.

And don't listen to the people who talk about the instability of Android devices. My Droid Charge has not had a single freeze, I have not had to shutdown or reboot or pull the battery once since I installed my current ROM. The same is true of my wife's Samsung Fascinate...she's been problem-free for months on end since I loaded a custom ROM for her. These devices are excellent, when given the chance to operate without all the crap piled on top of them. That's why iOS is appealing to people, because it has zero crap piled on top of it, and a lot of people have no interest in customization. There are certainly hiccups with Android devices, but the same is true of every iOS device. They are not glitch-free by any stretch of the imagination.

And just wait until you get your hands on the newer devices, like the HTC One series, or the GSIII. From what I've seen and read about them, they make the current iPhone look silly, in my opinion.

 

[lpt2569]

Colloquial usage. Didn't mean to underscore it was fact. In retrospect, I should choose my words more carefully. Especially considering the all-too-ready-and-eager-to-be-hostile audience one finds here.

It's all good. I'm just busting your "family jewels", as my 3 year old likes calling them these days! I appreciate your experiences and enjoy your posts. No hostility meant on my part.

 

[xlDeMoNiClx]

The people that push the android is cheap mentality is the apple iphone crowd. Basically they want to elitist. Sad IMHO.

Pretty much this. iPhone users like to use any method possible to make themselves look like they're a whole new level above Android users. I've used Apple products before and my 3VO that I use now suits me way better than any iPhone ever will.

I've seen threads where iPhone users will use the fact that Infinity Blade 1 & 2 are iOS exclusives as a reason why they're better than us. I'm not saying everyone that has an Apple product are like this but the majority of them that I interact with seem to be of this mindset.

Android =/= iPhone in any way, they both have their own merits and their own upsides and downsides and whether or not one is better than the other is opinion and no more. Anyone who thinks otherwise is only fooling themselves.

 

[Ry]

Pretty much this. iPhone users like to use any method possible to make themselves look like they're a whole new level above Android users. I've used Apple products before and my 3VO that I use now suits me way better than any iPhone ever will.

It doesn't help that some Android users (here on this very forum) have called iOS products more expensive.



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[Froyo is yummy]

I have to agree, you drive a good point. I personally had an iPod touch for many years. When I got my first android (This phone that I am posting this off) Is great. I love it to death and will probibally never go back to apple.

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[Maikai.Guy]

Android =/= iPhone in any way, they both have their own merits and their own upsides and downsides and whether or not one is better than the other is opinion and no more. Anyone who thinks otherwise is only fooling themselves.

Nice sentiment. Very Rodney King. "Can't we all just get along?" But I think you're being too diplomatic... especially for an Android forum. ;-)

When one can make a significant list of features and benefits which exist on one platform, but not the other, then one platform can be considered better than the other.

Customization of home screens
Widgets
Multitasking
File/Folder based
Support of various formats (Flash, codecs, etc..)
Google services integration
Contacts
Calendar
Navigation
Friends/services/offers location
Open architecture
Vibrant dev community

...just to name a few that come to me immediately.

 

[tirith]

Pretty sure the iphone has contacts, a calendar, and navigation...

Sent using my MoPho-King photon

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Pretty sure the iphone has contacts, a calendar, and navigation...

Sent using my MoPho-King photon

Apple doesn't have search or navigation at all. They depend on others... in fact... they depend on Google entirely for search. Navigation is provided by Google (and others) through third party apps. I've done a direct comparison on a couple of trips with family members with iPhone4S and they simply don't compare.

There are rumors that Apple is working on their own search and navigation services, but only time will tell how well they've done. It's not as simple as it sounds. In any case, what they have is not integrated... info from one doesn't seemlessly flow into and out of the other.

iOS integrated twitter, text, and emails, but Google offers integration for a much, much wider spectrum of services.

The integration of Googles navigation is a good example. You can get directions, receive interesting tidbits of info along your route, info on the sites-of-interest (food, gas, stores, etc...) you are near, know if you're near a friend, receive offers from businesses in the area, etc, etc, etc,... as much... or as little... information as you want/need. ...not by clicking and pulling the info, but by setting it up and allowing it to push.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, as I reserve the right to be wrong, but iPhone can't do those things. At least it couldn't when I owned the first three iPhones and from my vicarious experience with later models little has changed on this front.

Speaking of vicarious experience, voice to text is much better on Android. Yeah, iOS has SIRI, but in a head to head, the iPhone is constantly asking "wha...?" while the Android is banging out the text, flawlessly understanding context, when to you "their" or "there", etc... This is with both phones together and speaking to them simultaneously.

My point is we can tell which platform is superior by compiling a list of features and benefits for each. The one with the larger set wins. Of course context or taste can not be ignored. It's not a raw count and features will not be equally important to all.

Call me crazy, but the general population Android has the larger desired feature set. I think this premise is supported by the dominant market share Android enjoys. Yes, some if it is due to lower cost phones, but for the most part, it's Android's features and benefits that win the hearts and minds of most users.

 

[blacksapphire08]

I know i'm a little late to the conversation but there are a lot of very nice Android phones out there with great build quality and performance. I think most people base their opinions off of the cheap Android phones that are given away for free when you sign a new contract. Those are obviously subpar and shouldnt even be considered a comparison to any iPhone. Think about it this way, you cant get a free iPhone when you sign a new contract (new models).

Before anyone forms an opinion they should try both types of phones (throw in a Windows phone or blackberry too just for comparison's sake). For me it's the lack of storage expansion, removable battery, and the one Home button for navigation that turns me off the iPhone. I realize that some of the new Android phones are starting to have similar features though :-\

 

[Maikai.Guy]

I know i'm a little late to the conversation but there are a lot of very nice Android phones out there with great build quality and performance.

Yes, absolutely. The new Galaxy S3 is a great example. That is one sweet looking phone. Very "organic"... smooth, blended lines.

Most Android phones are rounded, sleek, understated. They don't yell anything. They are typically black and do not demand attention when placed on a table. Android phones are a well fashioned tool for the role they play in our lives. They fit well in the hand, can take a ton of abuse (which is part and parcel for a mobile device) and run rings around the competition... all competition.

iPhone is a handsome phone, but blocky and squared. Made out of glass, it intentionally yells "TECH!" Depending on my mood I vacillate from thinking it's pretty (but far too fragile for its application) to thinking it is a garish (...and far too fragile for it's application). ;-)

A few people will say "Well, just don't drop it", which is, IMHO, a ridiculously naive comment. What's next? My guess would be to build a car out of glass and simply say "Just don't crash it." ;-) Nobody driving a car believes they will ever hit anything, but s--t happens. That's why glass in an inappropriate material for the body of a car... and the casing of a mobile phone.

 

[xlDeMoNiClx]

Nice sentiment. Very Rodney King. "Can't we all just get along?" But I think you're being too diplomatic... especially for an Android forum. ;-)

When one can make a significant list of features and benefits which exist on one platform, but not the other, then one platform can be considered better than the other.

Customization of home screens
Widgets
Multitasking
File/Folder based
Support of various formats (Flash, codecs, etc..)
Google services integration
Contacts
Calendar
Navigation
Friends/services/offers location
Open architecture
Vibrant dev community

...just to name a few that come to me immediately.

Haha i just try not to sound too biased ;D

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[axne1]

Hum?


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[Saiga]

I am really really late to the conversation. I didn't read the vast majority of the posts here. I hate Apple, would never even consider owning an iPhone, but I can see why people would think of Android as the cheap iPhone or the poor mans smartphone.

Plenty of Android phones come out with a high price tag, but how many people actually pay money for them? A lot of people with Android devices get whatever is the best at the time that is free and it has been like that for a long time. Android is the new dumb phone as far as pricing goes. It used to be people went and either paid $200 for a smartphone or they picked the flashiest looking free dumb phone they could find. Now people literally walk into the carrier store and purchase Android phones the same exact way.

The common everyday person doesn't see any value in a specific phone over the mountain of free ones. The Apple fans will spend the money for the iPhone because it is the iPhone, but for any other smartphone they expect it to be free now. Even die hard Android fan friends of mine are that way now. That is the main thing that is killing Nokia and RIM in my opinion. People don't want to pay the money for a Windows phone or a BlackBerry phone when they can just walkout with a free Android device.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Saiga,

You seem to be assuming/implying that one can get an Android phone for less than an iPhone, so that's why people get Android phones. You also seem to assume the free or really cheap Android phones are inferior built phones.

Neither assumption/implication is accurate.

Here's a link to the AT&T iPhone site. AT&T is providing the 3GS for free and the 4 for only $49.
iPhone Deals and Packages - Shop - from AT&T

Verizon offers phones of similar age of the 3GS for free and some more recent phones for $49. None of which can be considered inferior built. In fact, the Samsung Charge was Verizon's flagship Android phone last Summer.

Everyone has the freedom of choice to get a free (or really low cost) iPhone or Android phone. There is little to no difference between the marketing of these two rival products.

BTW, I am absolutely certain that some people on this very thread would swear a free 3GS or a $49 iPhone4 would beat the tar out of the phones Verizon is offering for free or for $49. ;-)

No, people are not flocking to Android because you can get one for free. They can just as easily get a free (or cheap) iPhone.

 

[lpt2569]

Totally agree with Maikai.Guy. There are options from both platforms at all price ranges. The misconception that Android phones are "cheap" comes from what I mentioned in an earlier post...the manufacturers can afford to release less expensive devices because of the multitude of revenue streams they have. Apple cannot afford, and simply does not want to do that with their new devices, it is not their business model. They make most of their money from hardware sales (43% from iPhone sales alone).

Google makes over 95% of their revenue from advertising, Samsung/Sony/Motorola make billions from a multitude of revenue streams other than mobile devices. But the top end Android devices (and even some of the mid-range devices) are easily as nice or nicer from a quality/build perspective than the iPhone, in my opinion. And let's not forget that Android device mfgs are pumping out a multitude of models throughout the year, so they are not banking on any one single design to carry the load at any point in time.

People are picking Android over Apple in the smartphone arena because of the choices they have with devices both in price and manufacturer, and the ability to customize as much or as little as they want to make their purchase feel like it truly is their own. Apple is falling behind here, and I'm not sure what, if anything, they will do to step up their game. I think the new iPhone coming this year will be a really important release for Apple in more ways than one.

 

[Saiga]

Saiga,

You seem to be assuming/implying that one can get an Android phone for less than an iPhone, so that's why people get Android phones. You also seem to assume the free or really cheap Android phones are inferior built phones.

Neither assumption/implication is accurate.

Here's a link to the AT&T iPhone site. AT&T is providing the 3GS for free and the 4 for only $49.
iPhone Deals and Packages - Shop - from AT&T

Verizon offers phones of similar age of the 3GS for free and some more recent phones for $49. None of which can be considered inferior built. In fact, the Samsung Charge was Verizon's flagship Android phone last Summer.

Everyone has the freedom of choice to get a free (or really low cost) iPhone or Android phone. There is little to no difference between the marketing of these two rival products.

BTW, I am absolutely certain that some people on this very thread would swear a free 3GS or a $49 iPhone4 would beat the tar out of the phones Verizon is offering for free or for $49. ;-)

No, people are not flocking to Android because you can get one for free. They can just as easily get a free (or cheap) iPhone.

I wasn't assuming either of those things. lol you read way way too much into what I was saying and turned it into some strange iOS vs Android thing trying to justify why people buy Android.

I was saying Android is the new dumb phone to a lot of people. The majority of consumers are not on the web researching their next phone purchase. Increasingly people will take the free Android phone they know nothing about over the $200 Android phone they also know nothing about. Even some of my own friends who are on the web researching their next phone purchase stick to free Android phones.

Has nothing to do with quality or os wars or anything like that. If I stop and think about all the people I know who have an Android phone, most of them got whatever was free at the time.

 

[Ry]

For consumers, the iPhone being much more expensive is a myth.

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[Maikai.Guy]

I wasn't assuming either of those things. lol you read way way too much into what I was saying and turned it into some strange iOS vs Android thing trying to justify why people buy Android.

I was saying Android is the new dumb phone to a lot of people. The majority of consumers are not on the web researching their next phone purchase. Increasingly people will take the free Android phone they know nothing about over the $200 Android phone they also know nothing about. Even some of my own friends who are on the web researching their next phone purchase stick to free Android phones.

Has nothing to do with quality or os wars or anything like that. If I stop and think about all the people I know who have an Android phone, most of them got whatever was free at the time.

Sorry, I don't understand where you're coming from. On one hand, you say Android is the new dumb phone because you can get one for free. When I point out that iPhone can had just as free, you balk?

Pardon me for being painfully obvious here... but the context of this particular thread compares Android phones to iPhones. Perhaps you think you're in a different thread?

I'm not turning it into "some strange iOS vs Android thing", it already is some strange iOS versus Android thread by the clear intent of the OP.

 

[furygoalbrtis39]

What's sad to me is that most "average consumers" think that the iPhone is the best phone on the market. There are just so many things wrong with it just like every other phone.
Like just the other day, my friends and I were talking about the iPhone, and I said "its really not all that great" and their jaws dropped.
I think that the iPhone is a cheap version of android with the latest iOS 5 update.

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