yet another iPhone v Android query

[rarewolf]

Personally, I almost pulled the trigger on a Nexus One a long time ago ... but I wanted to also purchase a smartphone for my wife, and for reasons you can well imagine, I decided both phones should be the same. Towards that end, I decided to wait until the new iPhone had been reviewed, believing it was a much more mature OS, tried & trusted, and most likely much easier to use.

Not wanting to start a evangelistic war, but still wanting to ask ... objectively, pro v cons, which phone would you advise for my wife (who's somewhat computer-savvy, but still leans on me for many issues)?

To ask a slightly different question to those who've used both, is Android as fun as having an iPhone??

[pedro]

I own an Android (Samsung Galaxy with Bell) phone and an iPod Touch, which is enough to compare experiences since my voice usage is pretty low. I am frustrated with not being able to upgrade Android to the latest version, even though I just got the phone a few months ago.

From a polished user experience view, iPhone come out on top. Apple gets all of the details right, as long as you don't mind being locked into their closed iTunes Store world. When I use my iTouch for email, for example, I find it a better experience than on Android.

I think Android is still a little rough around the edges in comparison, but it is advancing at a quick pace and the gap is closing.

[North_of_Calgary]

Well rarewolf, I'd question why you want them to both be the same? I have the N1 and the iPhone and like I've posted many times on this site, both are great, both have their merits, and both have their flaws.

In my house it's all about Android for me and the iPhone for my wife. It's really great having the best of both worlds where ever we go.

But if you really want to commit to just platform I'd almost have to suggest the iPhone. Not because of what Apple puts into it - but because of what they don't put into it. Sure Android has options galore but they're sometimes layers deep in the menus. And there are some minor quirks (i.e. digitizer getting inaccurate) where as the iPhone is rock solid. Overall the iPhone user experience is simple and reliable.

And to answer your question, I think Android is more "fun" from a using email, we browsing, other apps perspective but not from a games perspective.

Just like everything else in life, it's a matter of where your priorities are. What Apple does it does well, and remember, what Apple doesn't do "Driod Does".

[rarewolf]

... I'd question why you want them to both be the same?

Ok, ok ... I'll confess ... this 61-yo brain doesn't pick up on this new technology as fast as it used to. Both my wife & I will on a learning curve, but hopefully the most gentle.

But if I hear you correctly ... short of games, the Android OS is just as much fun ... but a bit deeper as to making it want you want(?)

Also please clarify "... digitizer getting inaccurate". Does this refer to the touch accuracy of its display? In this same regard, has anyone experienced the dreaded display lockup problems associated with the N1, or is this a 1 in 100 phenomenon?

Thanx again for all your replies ...

[TorontoColin]

If you use Google accounts and services then Android is far and away the better option. The synergy with Gmail, Google Maps, Google contacts, etc is something you won't find anywhere else.

In terms of user experience the iPhone is simpler and easier, however it has a few drawbacks. Being stuck in Apple's ecosystem (no Flash, limited web browser choice, etc) is one of them, however for me the biggest was long-term contracts and the fact that all iPhones are carrier locked. If you can live with that, the iPhone may well be the right choice.

Personally though I think Android is much more fun just because of Google's development pace, they're constantly adding new features at a much faster rate than Apple. The other sizable advantage to Android is that if you wanted 2 Android phones they don't both need to be the same. You could potentially get yourself an N1 if you want to be on top of the Android curve and get your wife a different Android phone like the Droid, Omnia, or the Galaxy. Cheaper and less prone to drastic software changes, but still Android at the core.

[TKG26]

i just got my wife the motorola backflip. Pretty impressive for a phone that has half the hardware specs of the N1 and others. and its full keyboard was what won my wife over.

We are both google/gmail users so its been a fairly easy transition for her. She gets her crackbook,email and texts all on the homepage.

[Arthur Dent]

Well, when I tried to buy my wife an Android phone, she told me to piss off and if it's not an iPhone, she doesn't want to hear about it.
True story, and it confirmed to me what I suspected - that as strong as iPhone's appeal is among geeks, it is the undisputed favourite of women. They seem to like everything about it.
As a punishment for her rudeness, though, it looks like in July she'll be getting my used 3GS, and probably a year later a used iPhone 4.

[Nuje]

That's a good woman you have there, Arthur!

[GSMfan]

Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

Well, when I tried to buy my wife an Android phone, she told me to piss off and if it's not an iPhone, she doesn't want to hear about it.
True story, and it confirmed to me what I suspected - that as strong as iPhone's appeal is among geeks, it is the undisputed favourite of women. They seem to like everything about it.
As a punishment for her rudeness, though, it looks like in July she'll be getting my used 3GS, and probably a year later a used iPhone 4.

You're too nice...if that was my wife and she said what your wife said, I would have told her to go buy her own bleepin' phone! Of course, I would never have offered to buy her a phone in the first place!