Why do (Android) phones need so many cores?

[xchange]

Unfortunately you have to choose your OEM wisely when it comes to making an android purchase. I've owned several flagships that were every bit as smooth as any other OS, even back to 4.2. But I've also owned a couple that weren't optimized so well. Sadly it's the latter that cause the uninitiated to paint them all with the same brush.

JB in itself is every bit as fast and smooth as iOS* if the software engineers do a good job with whatever fork they make of it. I'm including the Nexus devices in that as well because they are Google's "fork" of android since nobody sells pure AOSP any more, including Google. As for which manufacturers do a proper job of it, let's agree not to name names or we'll end up in an android phone war

Bear in mind - and this is an important point to remember - there is no such thing as a mobile OS that does not have documented and reported lag in some circumstances or another. Not if we're being up front and honest.

 

[JRDroid]

I don't agree with that. There's nothing stopping Android OEM's from optimizing the OS to their hardware. Motorola did just that with the X8 and off loading sensor data to dedicated processor "cores." Each version of Android is tailored to the specific hardware. It's why you have to use a ROM made specifically for your phone. A different version of Android almost certainly won't work on your hardware.

The issue is that most OEM's don't go to the trouble of getting super optimized and customized with their version of Android. They buy off the shelf hardware, add a compatibility layer to Android for their hardware (at least that's how I assume they do it, they might tweak Android itself, I'm not really sure), tack on their GUI and features and away they go. If the processors are powerful enough there isn't a need to get super optimized. It's a lot of work and money for minimal benefit and that cost is passed on to consumers.

The question still is, why does it matter if they optimize rather than choosing more powerful hardware if the end result is similar?

I did not say it was not possible for Android to be optimized to that level, just that it (usually) is not. In a market as competitive as Android, every penny saved counts. The fact is it is cheaper and easier to throw in a more powerful processor than to optimize the OS. If that weren't true, more companies would go the Moto route.

The Moto X actually proves my point. The Moto X, due to its optimization, runs as good as or better than phones with more powerful processors (I'm looking at you Galaxy S4).

 

[JeffDenver]

The Moto X actually proves my point. The Moto X, due to its optimization, runs as good as or better than phones with more powerful processors (I'm looking at you Galaxy S4).

It is also running something very close to vanilla android.

 

[xchange]

I did not say it was not possible for Android to be optimized to that level, just that it (usually) is not. In a market as competitive as Android, every penny saved counts. The fact is it is cheaper and easier to throw in a more powerful processor than to optimize the OS. If that weren't true, more companies would go the Moto route.

The Moto X actually proves my point. The Moto X, due to its optimization, runs as good as or better than phones with more powerful processors (I'm looking at you Galaxy S4).

I don't feel it's usually that way. Of the major OEMs, only a couple are known culprits when it comes to so-so optimization for a smooth experience. Again, not naming names to avoid an off topic vendor vs vendor topic derailment.

 

[Fr0gburp3r]

It wasn't optimization...they just got rid of the animations that they were initially using to mask the lag. On Android, you can control these animations via launchers. On iOS, the animations cannot be removed or reduced or stopped prematurely (at least not without jailbreak).

Do you even own an iPhone with iOS 7.1?

We get it, you dislike Apple. Just stop posting incorrect info.

There's no shortage of Android device owners who are complaining about problems with their device on these forums and many other Android forums. From what I've been reading KitKat seems to be a disaster with a lot of people.

 

[A895]

Do you even own an iPhone with iOS 7.1?

We get it, you dislike Apple. Just stop posting incorrect info.

There's no shortage of Android device owners who are complaining about problems with their device on these forums and many other Android forums. From what I've been reading KitKat seems to be a disaster with a lot of people.

Not a disaster. Small annoyances if anything. KitKat has higher android OS battery usage. Then the Nexus 5 camera battery bug. Thats all that was mainly reported.

 

[pappy53]

Yes, thank goodness.


Hey, but fewer crashes! Progress!

Do you really want me to post all of the forums with Android problems? They are probably ten-fold more than iOS problems on the forums. 7.1 has been a great improvement for most people, but some problems are going to show up, which will be addressed.

 

[pappy53]

On iOS, the animations cannot be removed or reduced or stopped prematurely (at least not without jailbreak).

Not true.

 

[JeffDenver]

Do you even own an iPhone with iOS 7.1?

Did you read my source? It's not me saying it.

Just stop posting incorrect info.

What have I posted that is incorrect? I provided my sources. They are from an Apple fan site.

Users report freezing, lagging iPhones with Apple's iOS 7.1, but overall crashes are down

Do you think they are secretly Android fanboys or something?

There's no shortage of Android device owners who are complaining about problems with their device on these forums and many other Android forums. From what I've been reading KitKat seems to be a disaster with a lot of people.

Source?

 

[Haalcyon]

Did you read my source? It's not me saying it.


What have I posted that is incorrect?

I think that may have been stated from when you pointed out that iOS animations couldn't be disabled, which is not correct.



via the tablet

 

[JeffDenver]

Do you really want me to post all of the forums with Android problems?

Sorry, don't shoot the messenger. Your claim was clearly wrong...and I posted an Apple source to prove it.

The idea that iOS is lag and crash free is a myth. No amount of "OMG Android has problems too" will change that.

 

[Haalcyon]

Sorry, don't shoot the messenger. Your claim was clearly wrong...and I posted an Apple source to prove it.

The idea that iOS is lag and crash free is a myth. No amount of "OMG Android has problems too" will change that.

I'm SURE there are iOS7.1 devices that have problems. To believe otherwise is some of the worst kind of ignorance. I don't think lagging and crashing are common problems for iOS7.1 users, but rather the exception, not the rule. The exact same thing may be the case for android too. I have only my experience and the experience from others who've posted in these forums to go by as fas as android is concerned. I have read a lot of threads and posts discussing lagging and crashing around these parts...certainly more than you'll find up the street at iMore.


via the tablet

 

[Haalcyon]

I'm SURE there are iOS7.1 devices that have problems. To believe otherwise is some of the worst kind of ignorance. I don't think lagging and crashing are common problems for iOS7.1 users, but rather the exception, not the rule. The exact same thing may be the case for android too. I have only my experience and the experience from others who've posted in these forums to go by as fas as android is concerned. I have read a lot of threads and posts discussing lagging and crashing around these parts...certainly more than you'll find up the street at iMore.


via the tablet

via the tablet

 

[Fr0gburp3r]

Did you read my source? It's not me saying it.


What have I posted that is incorrect? I provided my sources. They are from an Apple fan site.

Users report freezing, lagging iPhones with Apple's iOS 7.1, but overall crashes are down

Do you think they are secretly Android fanboys or something?


Source?

I was referring to your statement about the animations.

I don't have to provide sources for Android issues. It's all over AC and other forums. I know your a lot smarter than that.

Doing a clean install of iOS 7.1 through iTunes usually fixes those glitches. A lot of people who experience problems when they updated to iOS 7.1 are the ones who restore from a jailbroken backup.

 

[Haalcyon]

Please disregard. ...clicked 'Quote' by mistake.




via the tablet

 

[JeffDenver]

I was referring to your statement about the animations.

I don't have to provide sources for Android issues. It's all over AC and other forums.

Yet another "fact" that everyone seems to just take for granted. Like how iOS is lag free and crash free.

Apple people are understandably annoyed when these myths are exposed. The emperor has no clothes...everyone can see it.

 

[Fr0gburp3r]

Yet another "fact" that everyone seems to just take for granted. Like how iOS is lag free and crash free.

Apple people are understandably annoyed when these myths are exposed. The emperor has no clothes...everyone can see it.

I never said iOS was lag free and crash free. Although, I've never experienced lag on a "stock" iOS device. But then again, I've always had the latest idevice. I don't jailbreak anymore because I have Android devices (S2, S4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10) for my customizing and tinkering phases.

 

[Haalcyon]

I never said iOS was lag free and crash free. Although, I've never experienced lag on a "stock" iOS device. But then again, I've always had the latest idevice. I don't jailbreak anymore because I have Android devices for my customizing and tinkering phases.

That could be why I never see problems either. I'm running the latest Apple hardware. I know though, that my wife with her iPhone 4 running iOS7 sees lag all of the time. I don't know how she tolerates it but I've tried to get her to upgrade and she's resistant. Good 'ole Verizon contract. I can NEVER understand why she went with an iPhone 4 just because there was no $$ down at the time. I couldn't be bothered with the level of performance she gets. I've read that when she does finally update to iOS7.1 things will be a little better for her, but she's dragging her feet.

It'll be curious to see how my current hardware handles iOS8.


via the tablet

 

[JeffDenver]

I never said iOS was lag free and crash free.

Well, lots of Apple people are. Even on this thread.

 

[Haalcyon]

Well, lots of Apple people are. Even on this thread.

I certainly hope that wasn't me. I can't speak for anyone but myself. I don't know what happens on other people's gadgets and TBH I do and will spend zero (0) time researching it (not my idea of rewarding or fun).


via the tablet