Apple's iPhone and Google's Android
operating system hit the marketplace one decade ago. Ten years later, there's
still plenty of debate over which is better. I've lately been asked which of
three new flagship phones is better: Apple's iPhone 8, its iPhone X, or Samsung's
new Galaxy S8, which runs Google Android?
First, these are all excellent
smartphones that have redefined leadership in the sector. They have improved
over the last decade. However, there are real differences.
In fact, there are significant
differences between the iPhone 8 and iPhone X.
Until the iPhone X finally
became available some weeks back , iPhone 8 sales were very slow. Now that
users can compare, I expect sales of both models to pick up steam.
Many users who waited for the iPhone
X have found the new design harder to use and less satisfying.The camera is better, but many miss the
familiar Home button. To some, the new iPhone looks and feels like a Samsung
Galaxy phone, and they don't like that.
The iPhone 8 may be more appealing
to those customers. As for the Home button, though, Apple has been messing with
it for the last year or two -- the iPhone 7 and 8 have different Home buttons.
What's available now is not really a button.
Many users prefer the feel of the old time, real button. However, they have no
way to get it on newer devices.
This is an instance of Apple pushing
users outside their comfort zone, which is something many dislike.
iPhone
X: Love It or Hate It
Even those who find themselves
confused by the new iPhone X design will become used to it in time and possibly
even come to like it.
The real question is, why did Apple
find it necessary to frustrate the user base and mess with its already-winning
design? Change for change's sake is not always a winning philosophy among
users.
Smartphones are far more advanced
today, as they quickly have become the most important tool we carry around,
both personally and professionally.
In the recent past, when we left our home
for the day we had to remember our wallet, keys and phone.
Going forward, all we will have to
remember is the smartphone.
It will do everything. It will have our wallet,
credit cards, personal information and pictures. It will open doors and start
cars.
iPhone,
Android User Loyalty
If you prefer one smartphone over
the other, chances are you will stick with the brand. It makes life a less
complicated. It's about more than the smartphone you hold in your hand -- it's
all the services and apps you use.
Apps are made differently for iPhones orAndroid phones, each system has its own cloud services for backing up and
storing data.
There also are significant
differences in the way the devices work. The iPhone is easier to use and more
secure; however, it is not as flexible.
Phones running Google's Android OS
are much more flexible, and many love that. However, along with flexibility,
Android has more security problems.
Carrier
Choices
Besides the phone itself, you also
have to choose a carrier. The two with the most customers and biggest market
share are AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless.
T-Mobile and Sprint are smaller, but
growing in the wireless-only space.
Comcast Xfinity Mobile is new, and its
customers seem to like it. Charter Cable TV wireless service is coming soon.
Google Project Fi is available as well.
As a wireless analyst, I regularly
get all sorts of smartphones to evaluate and compare. Smartphone makers and
networks want me to try their devices and comment on them.
This gives me the opportunity to play with
lots of phones and operating systems and see how they compare, and how they
have improved over time.
I like the iPhone 8, the iPhone X
and the Galaxy S8 for different reasons. I still have not found one perfect
phone. I would love a phone with the flexibility of Android and the security of
the iPhone, but you can't get both.
Which
Do You Prefer?
We all have preferences. Some people
love the simplicity and security of the iPhone iOS, while others like the
freedom and flexibility of Android. Both iPhone and Android fill the bill for
different types of users. However, both have changed in recent years.
Size is one thing that has changed a
lot over the years.
The original one-handed size was perfect. The original
iPhone and Android models were smaller, but much easier to handle and operate
with one hand. However, many prefer the larger screen.
That makes it easier to watch video,
but today's phones are heavier and larger, so they stick out of your shirt
pocket and are impossible to use with just one hand.
Apple finally did the right thing:
It reintroduced its smaller-sized device for those who want it.
Users often find that switching between iPhone
and Android is time consuming and messy, and it creates all sorts of headaches.
My suggestion is to try them both, decide which you want, and then stick with
it.
Of course, if you like them both and
need more than one smartphone, you can always get both! I know many who have
both.
However, the vast majority only use
one device. If you are like most, you have a choice to make. So, which is your
favorite, and why?
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