Switching to a new phone is often a complicated process, especially when you aren’t sure what type of phone you want. One of the most important decisions you must make is whether you prefer an Android or an iPhone. What exactly are the differences between these two options? Here’s a peek.
Android Software: More Colorful, Less Predictable
Android phones come in all shapes, sizes, and price categories. They also come packaged under a multitude of brand names: You could own a Samsung Android, a Motorola Android, an LG Android, and so on. That is because Google, the father of all Android software, sells their wares to many phone manufacturers.
Apple phones, on the other hand, are more predictable when it comes to both hardware and software. iPhone buyers choose which model of iPhone they want, but all iPhones contain the same basic innards – and nobody messes with those innards. For better or for worse, customers who buy phones with iOS are stuck with Apple phone products.
Android phones are less predictable than iPhones. They are also more colorful, meaning that the quality of the Android in your hand is highly dependent upon what the manufacturer did to it before you bought it.
Outdated Phone Support: Apple vs. Android
Most people, at one point or another, find themselves saddled to a semi-outdated phone. When this happens, taking advantage of factory-supplied software updates is one of the best things you can do to keep your phone current.
Apple customers tend to get more support for their outdated devices than Android users. For example, iOS 6 is compatible with the iPhone 4, an older phone because Apple wanted iPhone 4 owners to have access the newer technology. Does every company that sells Android make sure their users have immediate access to all updates? Certainly not. Some Android sellers stay on top of updates, of course, but many don’t.
Once again, a major difference between user experiences is rooted in the fact that Apple is one company – one top-notch, conscientious company – whereas Android providers run the gamut from first class to low-class phone manufacturers.
User Interfaces: Tapworthy Apps vs. Responsive Design
The user interfaces, or UI, of iPhone and Android are distinctly different. Whereas iPhone apps focus on “tapworthy” buttons that allow users to press their way around, Android apps focus more on fluid and responsive design which presents itself intuitively on a 2-D screen.
Apple is fond of tab bar controllers, push view controllers, and back buttons that allow users to feel in control of where they are at all times. With the click of an arrow, iOS users know where they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. Android, on the other hand, likes to immerse its users “in the moment” by eliminating many of the roadmap indicators typically found on an iPhone. Android screens are “tap anywhere” as opposed to arrow-specific, creating a sense of flow that is less interrupted by icons and buttons.
Humans are adaptable creatures and can adjust to just about any UI. If you’re making a switch from Android to iPhone or vice versa, however, it will take a little time for you get the hang of your new device’s interface and navigational system.
Sharing: Some Do It Better Than Others
Remember that kid in the lunchroom who’d share her cupcakes with anyone? Android is that kid. If you’re into sharing photos or other digital data, Android lets you accomplish just that with any sharing app you happen to download. Think Samba Filesharing. Think Transdroid. Think Photobucket. Whether your goal is to share word files, bit torrents, or photos, Android wants to help you reach that goal.
Apple phones share, too, but in a more limited way. iPhone users choose from a smaller menu of sharing options which include standards like Facebook and Flickr. This works on a functional level for most people, but some Android owners appreciate the chance to try new things.
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Personal Capital lets you see all of your accounts in one convenient place. Sign up now for free.Let’s face it: Today’s phones are awesome. Whether you choose Android or iPhone, you’re in for a bundle of digital benefits your ancestors never even dreamed of. The trick is to figure out which benefits you’ll love the most.
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