iPhone vs. Android: Which is Better For You?
There’s a cultural divide right now in America that’s been going on for well over a decade- the debate between iPhone and Android users over who has the better system. The truth is that the answer isn’t as simple as determining who has the “best” platform, as both the iOS and Android systems place emphasis on different aspects of the mobile phone experience. Here are some of the pros and cons of each device- you’ll have to decide for yourself which is better for your specific needs.
iPhone Pros:
- Design and app aesthetics. Apple holds app developers to a notoriously high standard- even when it comes to art and design. With few exceptions, iOS apps look cleaner and more appealing than their Android counterparts- a big plus if you can’t stand to look at a sloppily-designed app.
- Extensive iCloud backup. While the Android device can save documents, music files, and spreadsheets to the Google cloud, Apple offers a comprehensive and automatic iCloud backup that will essentially keep a clone of all apps, music, contacts, and other data stored in a third-party arena. This can be a lifesaver if you’re the type that loses or breaks phones often, as an iCloud backup will keep all your important information safe for your next upgrade.
- Simple and intuitive setup. It doesn’t take much to get a new iPhone up and running- setup for a new device takes less than ten minutes, which is perfect for technophobes and the digital novices.
iPhone Cons:
- Hardware limitations. For most other phones on the market, purchasing a smaller-capacity phone is no issue; you can simply install an extra SD card should you need more space. Not true for the iPhone- the device does not support SD capacities, so you’ll need to upgrade to a larger gigabyte phone if your current model isn’t storing everything you need.
- Limited backup options. Tech-savvy users will not like Apple’s lack of choice when it comes to data storage- all data will automatically upload to the iCloud or iTunes platform, which can be a major pain for Windows or Linux users.
- Ironclad warranty rules. If you’re purchasing an iPhone, don’t even consider jailbreaking or rooting the device to compensate for missing features, as doing so will immediately void the warranty attached to the phone.
Android Pros:
- A customizable experience. If you can dream it, you can do it on the Android platform; widgets (unsupported by the iPhone) can allow users to save data without opening additional applications, and SMS and file management customization can give an Android phone functionality that rivals a desktop PC.
- Notification preferences. A neat and unique feature of the Android platform is the ability to set notification preferences. If you’re the type that gets bombarded with texts, emails, and calls, you can set contacts to “priority,” so you’ll be able to see thee notifications first- a really great time-saver for busy working professionals or the popular set.
- Improved email organization. If you don’t use Gmail as your email provider, you’re essentially out of luck on the Apple platform; the system’s email organization is bare bones to begin with and even worse if you’re not a Gmail user. However, Android’s improved digital mailbox allows users of all platforms to browse folders and switch accounts with a single swipe- perfect for those with multiple accounts, and doubly so if they are on varying platforms.
Android Cons:
- Poor backup options. If you lose your Android phone, expect to take an entire day off of work getting back to basics; unlike the iCloud storage system, Androids can only store specific Google data, which means that you’ll be forced to manually reinvent your phone should you lose the SD card.
- Disorganized and incomplete contact options. Favorite contacts are artfully and intuitively laid out on the iOS system based on which users are called or texted most frequently, and Apple’s Facetime feature makes video chatting quick and simple. The Android contact layout looks like a disorganized mess by comparison, and you’ll need a separate widget to enable video chatting.
The bottom line? If you’re looking for a device that allows you to prioritize what’s most important to you and do more than the standard texting, calling, and app games, the Android phone is the undeniable winner. If you’re interests include a phone that works right out of the box and keeps its basic features clean and organized, the Apple iPhone is for you.
