iPhone drops down UK charts

irish1967

Source : Sky News



Apple's iPhone has been knocked off a list of the nation's top five favourite handsets - as Android mobiles lead the race for smartphone dominance.
Competing against cheaper models and rival Android software - especially those made by HTC - the iPhone4 fell three places to number 6, according to comparison website uSwitch.

The website's new mobile tracker, which ranks the top handsets based on live searches and sales, showed HTC dominating the top three spots with HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD and HTC Wlidfire.

The tracker also showed Android-operated handsets were a consumer favourite in the mobile market.

Half of the most popular mobiles are now running on the Google-owned operating system.

Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com, said: "The competition is taking a huge bite out of Apple's market."

Android's success has been attributed to its thousands of 'apps' developed to allow specific and unique functions like the ability to silence a call by turning the phone over.

Added to that, Mr Doku said customers were also turning away from the iPhone4, which costs £500, because of more than 800,000 deals currently giving away a smartphone for free.

"A free handset is a much more attractive proposition than shelling out for one - especially at iPhone prices," he said.

The Blackberry Curve moved up to fourth place with enticing pre-pay deals and free handset offers starting from just £20 a month. Samsung's Galaxy S took the fifth spot.

super_furry

Not a surprise really. The iPhone hasn't really changed at all over the last three generations. I know I didn't want to get an iPhone 4 after having a 3GS, plus as that article says, the price is a massive factor.

whiterebel

Good, might make it easier to get them on launch and bring down the price......

ashleey

I'm in London at the moment and if you travel on trains etc everyone seems to have an iPhone. They must be referring to other 'less affluent' areas?

naasrd

irish1967 wrote: »

Source : Sky News



Apple's iPhone has been knocked off a list of the nation's top five favourite handsets - as Android mobiles lead the race for smartphone dominance.
Competing against cheaper models and rival Android software - especially those made by HTC - the iPhone4 fell three places to number 6, according to comparison website uSwitch.

The website's new mobile tracker, which ranks the top handsets based on live searches and sales, showed HTC dominating the top three spots with HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD and HTC Wlidfire.

The tracker also showed Android-operated handsets were a consumer favourite in the mobile market.

Half of the most popular mobiles are now running on the Google-owned operating system.

Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com, said: "The competition is taking a huge bite out of Apple's market."

Android's success has been attributed to its thousands of 'apps' developed to allow specific and unique functions like the ability to silence a call by turning the phone over.

Added to that, Mr Doku said customers were also turning away from the iPhone4, which costs £500, because of more than 800,000 deals currently giving away a smartphone for free.

"A free handset is a much more attractive proposition than shelling out for one - especially at iPhone prices," he said.

The Blackberry Curve moved up to fourth place with enticing pre-pay deals and free handset offers starting from just £20 a month. Samsung's Galaxy S took the fifth spot.

Not suprising considering it's from a country that thinks Eastenders and real life are the same thing.

super_furry

naasrd wrote: »

Not suprising considering it's from a country that thinks Eastenders and real life are the same thing.

So what? People who buy iPhones are more intelligent?

All hail the Cult of Jobs.

vinnycoyne

Lads, let's not get into the whole "my phone is better than yours" pissing contest. It's a waste of time.

barryd09

i know the androids are really decent but the apps are gack!
3 mates of mine have them and not an interesting/useful app between them.
whats the story with that?
defo wont rule out owning an android based phone in the future but until it can at least match the iphone for apps its not really going to interest me.

Asphyxia

I have had both Iphone and Android phones and I am very much in love with my current Android mobile. I find the apps great and the price of the phone wins hands down towards the Iphone, I also found that after a week or two of owning an Iphone the battery went to sh*te.

Don't get me wrong I am not an 'Apple hater' I use whatever appeals to me I definitely prefer MAC to Windows but I don't mind using either one. Sadly the Iphone just isn't for me anymore.

IamMetaldave

ashleey wrote: »

I'm in London at the moment and if you travel on trains etc everyone seems to have an iPhone. They must be referring to other 'less affluent' areas?

Big time, I was there recently and there were iPhones everywhere!!

To the point of Android handsets beating iPhones, it was bound to happen. Android is on so many devices from utter crap ones to nice high end ones. I know a number of people that wanted iPhones and just couldn't justify the price of either the device. So they went with an android phone that was cheap as chips.

andrewdeerpark

The 18 month contract and huge set monthly contract bill must be dawning on people in this austerity times.

Good to see the people wake up....

Iphone is an expensive item to own and if you need a phone buy a Nokia.

whiterebel

IamMetaldave wrote: »

Big time, I was there recently and there were iPhones everywhere!!

To the point of Android handsets beating iPhones, it was bound to happen. Android is on so many devices from utter crap ones to nice high end ones. I know a number of people that wanted iPhones and just couldn't justify the price of either the device. So they went with an android phone that was cheap as chips.

In the south of France last summer, and no joking, it seemed to me that 90% of the people were using iPhones.

seamus

The general population aren't really at that interested in the intricacies of different OSes and different manufacturers.

The iPhone got a big headstart on the competition. High-quality responsive touchscreen, mobile web access (that you didn't pay for per KB), WiFi support and installable apps are what made it great. There was a period of 18-24 months where no other device on the planet did all of these things, and the first android phones tried to all of these things but just didn't do it nearly as well as the iPhone did.
The iPhone captured the initial market - early adopters and early majority. But now the late majority are jumping on the bandwagon, and these are the biggest market.
They have less money, less savvy and are less discerning. They see an iPhone @ €600 or an Android phone @ €300 and think, "what's the difference"? From their POV, the android does everything that the iPhone does, so why pay more?

And technically they're right. It's the same reason that Macs don't have a huge market share. People look at their €500 offer from Dell, see an €800 Apple device which they're told are technically equivalent (i.e. the specs match) and think "Why would I pay more for something that's no better?". Because unless you are interested in the small details, there is no difference and the Apple device is no better than the cheaper competitor.

If Apple want to maintain their massive share in smartphone market, they're going to have to look at their pricing. I'll be looking at my next phone in Summer 2012. At that stage I will be very seriously considering an Android-based device because as far as I can see at this stage, there's very little between them. In 18 months I may be a complete mug to buy a new iPhone when Android devices are likely to be wiping the floor with iPhone in terms of spec and functionality, but pitched at half the price.
People aren't as married to their Phone's OS as they are to their PC's.

The tablet competition is one to watch though. Apple haven't nearly got the same jump on it except that the competitors seem to be unable to deliver tablets at lower consumer prices.

Cormo87

Not surprised really but could be something to do with the availibility of the iPhone 4. Stock levels are quite low after Christmas and are only starting to trickle back in, so networks are probably pushing people onto Android to keep up sales. Not saying this is the main reason it's been knocked off the top but it could be one of the factors.

The next iPhone should be out in the summer so people are going to wait till then to sign up for an 18 month contract.

jester77

Just loaded up the omniture statistics for the mobile site where I am and iphone is miles ahead of android in visits, over 7 times more visits by iphone handsets compared to android last month. Wouldn't get too worried for the iphone yet.

keithclancy

Here in Germany and the Netherlands, people are shying away from the iPhone now because it was tied to t-mobile initially. The Network is a joke, no signal in alot of heavily populated areas :rolleyes:

While you can get the iPhone now on Vodafone etc, people just arent bothering because they think the iPhone was the issue and not necessarily the network.

jester77

keithclancy wrote: »

Here in Germany and the Netherlands, people are shying away from the iPhone now because it was tied to t-mobile initially. The Network is a joke, no signal in alot of heavily populated areas :rolleyes:

I've had zero problems with T-Mobile and I work and live in a heavily populated area, 3G speed is decent. In the city center right now and ran a 3G speed test, 2187kbps down and 441 kpbs up. My gf is with O2 and she had a few days already this year without data access and problems throughout last year. Don't know about Vodafone but I would take T-Mobile over O2 any day.

IamMetaldave

Cormo87 wrote: »

Stock levels are quite low after Christmas and are only starting to trickle back in, so networks are probably pushing people onto Android to keep up sales.

Funny you say that, my Dad was in Vodafone there 2 weeks ago looking to get an iPhone, they had iPhone 4's in stock and they were still pushing him toward a HTC Galaxy.

JoeA3

seamus wrote: »

The general population aren't really at that interested in the intricacies of different OSes and different manufacturers.

The iPhone got a big headstart on the competition. High-quality responsive touchscreen, mobile web access (that you didn't pay for per KB), WiFi support and installable apps are what made it great. There was a period of 18-24 months where no other device on the planet did all of these things, and the first android phones tried to all of these things but just didn't do it nearly as well as the iPhone did.
The iPhone captured the initial market - early adopters and early majority. But now the late majority are jumping on the bandwagon, and these are the biggest market.
They have less money, less savvy and are less discerning. They see an iPhone @ €600 or an Android phone @ €300 and think, "what's the difference"? From their POV, the android does everything that the iPhone does, so why pay more?

And technically they're right. It's the same reason that Macs don't have a huge market share. People look at their €500 offer from Dell, see an €800 Apple device which they're told are technically equivalent (i.e. the specs match) and think "Why would I pay more for something that's no better?". Because unless you are interested in the small details, there is no difference and the Apple device is no better than the cheaper competitor.

If Apple want to maintain their massive share in smartphone market, they're going to have to look at their pricing. I'll be looking at my next phone in Summer 2012. At that stage I will be very seriously considering an Android-based device because as far as I can see at this stage, there's very little between them. In 18 months I may be a complete mug to buy a new iPhone when Android devices are likely to be wiping the floor with iPhone in terms of spec and functionality, but pitched at half the price.
People aren't as married to their Phone's OS as they are to their PC's.

The tablet competition is one to watch though. Apple haven't nearly got the same jump on it except that the competitors seem to be unable to deliver tablets at lower consumer prices.

Totally concur with the above. I have an iPhone4 and had a 3GS before it and I'm a big fan of the iPhone. However I have tried some androids and have been very impressed, particularly the Samsung Galaxy. They seem to beat the iPhone in some areas, e.g. the home screen on the iPhone looks very static and maybe even a little dated/stale in comparison to the floating widgets and animation you see on the androids.

That being said, I wouldn't swap at all. The overall iPhone package wins, the integration with iTunes (which I love but it seems a lot of people hate) wins it for me.... for now at least.

EDIT: Good point someone made above on stock levels. Stock levels have always been an issue with Vodafone/02 whereas it seems much easier to get your hands on an Android. Also, when you see Vodafone/02 advertising smartphones, they seem to push the androids much more and barely mention the iPhone... ?!

Spazdarn

I had a 3gs and lost it recently and was compelled to go with Apple again. Solely because I had all my purchased apps already to drag onto my new phone, I suppose there's the level of familiarity with the phones also.

My main problem with the Androids is the apps available aren't as good as what's currently available for iPhone, when this eventually catches up which I believe it will, I'll definitely get one..

sink

I bought a 3gs the day it was released here. At the time it was without a doubt the best smartphone on the market. Android devices were still in their infancy.

I will be buying a new smartphone this year and while I waiting to see what apple are doing with the iPhone 5 at the moment I would be heavily leaning towards android, perhaps one of the new tegra 2 dual core phones.

Apples dominance was never going to last with their locked down hardware and software strategy, iOS will eventually go the same way as Mac OS.

jimmycrackcorm

sink wrote: »

I will be buying a new smartphone this year and while I waiting to see what apple are doing with the iPhone 5 at the moment I would be heavily leaning towards android, perhaps one of the new tegra 2 dual core phones.

Apple will follow the same suit as before - it'll be the same but with some minor improvements. It suits their target market which is a bit like people who choose automatics over manual cars.

raymann

naasrd wrote: »

Not suprising considering it's from a country that thinks Eastenders and real life are the same thing.

eh?

barryd09

ToiletFusion wrote: »

My main problem with the Androids is the apps available aren't as good as what's currently available for iPhone, when this eventually catches up which I believe it will, I'll definitely get one..

Same as that.the apps are a major let down on android.about as exciting as nokias attempt at apps.
Is there a reason why there arent the same level of apps on android vs iphone?

squeakyduck

Personally I think Apple are mass producing phones to keep their profits up. People are not upgrading because they are waiting on I phone 5. Not much info is available on the I5. Vodafone at the moment have put a block on vodafone Iphones to be sold on upgrade as their stocks are VERY low since Christmas. 3 is suffering with this too, its a struggle to get iphones on some networks into the country. The supply and demand is down to a T. Everyone is looking for them, but can't get them.

Android is beginning to strengthen as they offer more on a phone... a more competitive price on the I phone, maybe the same price prepay if not cheaper but more attractive offers on other networks. The nexus S is an example of this. Majority of apps free on the store, more open app market.

IamMetaldave

I dunno, waiting for 7 months (or so) for an iP5 is mad. The 4 is barely 6 months on the market here. I got a new iP4 3 weeks ago after my last one was stroked, I couldn't not have one! And going back to my 3G was not an option. I'm no Apple fan boy, but I sure as hell wouldn't touch an Android phone, the UI is just too busy.

BrianD

jester77 wrote: »

Just loaded up the omniture statistics for the mobile site where I am and iphone is miles ahead of android in visits, over 7 times more visits by iphone handsets compared to android last month. Wouldn't get too worried for the iphone yet.

That's a very interesting point and it's borne out by other research. the iPhone garnered an impressive market share in a very short space of time and captured the publics imagination. However, they are well and truely punching above their wright as they are actually in 4th position worldwide behind Symbian, Android and RIM.

However, iPhone users are keener to use the full features of their phone including web access. I'm guessing that there are plenty of users of Android and Symbian who don't even know you can access the Internet on their phones. RIM (Blackberry) users are probably just using their phones for e-mail only.

BrianD

barryd09 wrote: »

Same as that.the apps are a major let down on android.about as exciting as nokias attempt at apps.
Is there a reason why there arent the same level of apps on android vs iphone?

Apple have a very good ecosystem i.e. iTunes for delivering apps. Android doesn't yet.

TheDoc

I walked into Carphone warehouse last summer ready to buy an iphone.

Girl in the shop told me the pricing and I was a bit stumped that it cost so much but thought, what the hell. Then I looked at the contract and again was starting to get worried but figured what the hell, I want a smartphone.

Sensing my wearyness the girl on the counter asked if I had heard of Android, which I hadn't and basically gave me a lowdown. She knew her stuff and she also had a demo model of the Desire and gave me some hands on. I said I'd go home to research and come back tomorrow ith a decision.

My friend, working for google, gave me the breakdown on Android and after literally 30 minutes of research I was convinced I was going Android and I've enver regretted it, I've been tempted to switch to the iphone but when I look at it, I know I made the right decision for me.

I went back to the shop and the girl handed me an unbranded, unlocked HTC Desire for €200 with my tradein for my NokiaN95, I started a little thread over on the android forum about the price that caused an absolute panic with everyone ramming to their local CPW to pickup. I'm not implying i started an android rush, but I know I got a phone call from CPW regional manager (she said they were aware of the boards post and my email address on boards matched the one on their file when i bought the phone) and I got a very complimentary and appreciated voucher.


Specs wise, there is no difference, nothing for €400 difference anyway.

So my purchase option was iPhone 4G 32gb for €600 or HTC Desire for €200, it was a no brainer

And I have all the apps I need, plus more, that are not available on the iphone. I had an itouch i used alot jailbroken and all the apps i used daily I got on Android, plus all the top quality Google apps, that come out WAY sooner then the iphone.

And not to mention I am with Meteor, solid data network, and my bill is about €15 a month.

In my view , I could never understand why people went iPhone beforehand with such big prices, and new upgrades coming out every 12 months.

Android was a no brainer after research

naasrd

TheDoc wrote: »

I walked into Carphone warehouse last summer ready to buy an iphone.

I went back to the shop and the girl handed me an unbranded, unlocked HTC Desire for €200 with my tradein for my NokiaN95, I started a little thread over on the android forum about the price that caused an absolute panic with everyone ramming to their local CPW

In my view , I could never understand why people went iPhone beforehand with such big prices, and new upgrades coming out every 12 months. Android was a no brainer after research

And now that you went Androd you'll never know.

whiterebel

TheDoc wrote: »

I walked into Carphone warehouse last summer ready to buy an iphone.

Girl in the shop told me the pricing and I was a bit stumped that it cost so much but thought, what the hell. Then I looked at the contract and again was starting to get worried but figured what the hell, I want a smartphone.

Sensing my wearyness the girl on the counter asked if I had heard of Android, which I hadn't and basically gave me a lowdown. She knew her stuff and she also had a demo model of the Desire and gave me some hands on. I said I'd go home to research and come back tomorrow ith a decision.

My friend, working for google, gave me the breakdown on Android and after literally 30 minutes of research I was convinced I was going Android and I've enver regretted it, I've been tempted to switch to the iphone but when I look at it, I know I made the right decision for me.

I went back to the shop and the girl handed me an unbranded, unlocked HTC Desire for €200 with my tradein for my NokiaN95, I started a little thread over on the android forum about the price that caused an absolute panic with everyone ramming to their local CPW to pickup. I'm not implying i started an android rush, but I know I got a phone call from CPW regional manager (she said they were aware of the boards post and my email address on boards matched the one on their file when i bought the phone) and I got a very complimentary and appreciated voucher.


Specs wise, there is no difference, nothing for €400 difference anyway.

So my purchase option was iPhone 4G 32gb for €600 or HTC Desire for €200, it was a no brainer

And I have all the apps I need, plus more, that are not available on the iphone. I had an itouch i used alot jailbroken and all the apps i used daily I got on Android, plus all the top quality Google apps, that come out WAY sooner then the iphone.

And not to mention I am with Meteor, solid data network, and my bill is about €15 a month.

In my view , I could never understand why people went iPhone beforehand with such big prices, and new upgrades coming out every 12 months.

Android was a no brainer after research

So the prices you quote are the Prepay prices for the iPhone and Desire? Also, what trade-in did they give you for the N95 as a matter of interest?
Just wondering, because I didn't pay anything near €600 for my iPhone 4 on contract.

Inquitus

BrianD wrote: »

Apple have a very good ecosystem i.e. iTunes for delivering apps. Android doesn't yet.

Android now has a far better ecosystem - https://market.android.com/

How about that, you can buy and manage apps from the web and have them download automagically to your phone without having to plug it into a PC or install a bloated POS like itunes......

The new Android Market is also pretty snazzy:

god's toy

IamMetaldave wrote: »

the UI is just too busy.

...and thats one thing I love about Android, if you dont like the UI, just download a new launcher and switch it! Simples.

challengemaster

The killer is the $1 = €1 that apple do with everything, meaning instead of things being a few hundred cheaper than the US price, we get ripped off

I've a 3g, would love a 4 but just cant afford one.

TheDoc

whiterebel wrote: »

So the prices you quote are the Prepay prices for the iPhone and Desire? Also, what trade-in did they give you for the N95 as a matter of interest?
Just wondering, because I didn't pay anything near €600 for my iPhone 4 on contract.

I am with Meteor, and wanted to keep my contract so I was looking at €579 for iPhone 4GS

They gave me €100 euro off for my Nokia N95 and were running a deal on the phone at the time.

The price subsequently was changed after, I actually put a photo of the receipt on the Android forum because people wouldnt believe the price I got it at

seamus

Inquitus wrote: »

How about that, you can buy and manage apps from the web and have them download automagically to your phone without having to plug it into a PC or install a bloated POS like itunes......

You've always been able to do that with iPhone apps.

Strictly speaking, aside from the initial activation you don't need a computer to have an iPhone. Music and apps can be downloaded directly to the handset.

I would be interested to know how many people have actually got extensive experience with both an iPhone and Android handset - i.e. having used both for at least 6 months.

It seems to me that most people who declare the betterness of one over the other base their opinion on having handled the "other" device for ten minutes. I know a number of people who claim that the iPhone is "crap" despite having never owned one. Likewise for Android devices.

There seems to be the same snobbery out there that you have in the PC -v- Mac debate where most people actually don't have sufficient knowledge of the alternative to form a valid opinion.

whiterebel

TheDoc wrote: »

I am with Meteor, and wanted to keep my contract so I was looking at €579 for iPhone 4GS

They gave me €100 euro off for my Nokia N95 and were running a deal on the phone at the time.

The price subsequently was changed after, I actually put a photo of the receipt on the Android forum because people wouldnt believe the price I got it at

Ok, I was wondering, as the cheapest HTC Desire Prepay is 419 at the moment.

IamMetaldave

god's toy wrote: »

...and thats one thing I love about Android, if you dont like the UI, just download a new launcher and switch it! Simples.

Fair point, but other things like, I don't like the actual look of many of the phones and I also don't think the screens (of the phones I poked around with) are anywhere near as responsive or as smooth as the iPhone.

seamus

IamMetaldave wrote: »

Fair point, but other things like, I don't like the actual look of many of the phones and I also don't think the screens (of the phones I poked around with) are anywhere near as responsive or as smooth as the iPhone.

There is also the comfort factor with the iPhone.

Most of us have owned our fair share of phones over the last ten years and have most likely got our hands on one or three bogey handsets - terrible UI's, unintuitive menus, slow responses, etc.

The iPhone works. We know it works. And we know it works well. I had no hesitation buying the iPhone 4 in terms of "is this a good buy" because I knew exactly what to expect and I knew I would be happy with it. The Android handset though is an unknown quantity. They buyer doesn't know if they're going to get a good phone. You could end up paying a large chunk of cash and being stuck with a device that isn't great. But there was never that fear with the iPhone.

Obviously this is eroding now - the big uptake of Android handsets means that others will tell you it's great and you also get the opportunity to have a good mess around with one for no obligation. But there will still be the "stick with what I know, or risk getting a bogey handset" question for iPhone users for a few years yet.

TheDoc

seamus wrote: »

There seems to be the same snobbery out there that you have in the PC -v- Mac debate where most people actually don't have sufficient knowledge of the alternative to form a valid opinion.

I know it me, the main factor was price. And it also stems from the Pc V Mac debate.

For what I use a computer for, Mac options while having some nice specs, are in most cases twice the price. And the extra beffyness cannot be allocated to the current generation of gaming, basically being redundant.

I can fully understand how someone using multiple intensive software packages might prefer a Mac, but for the average user, Mac's are too expensive.

They have the "proffesional" label for a reason, the only people who can properly utilise their specifications and justify the price are the people who use seriously intensive software packages.

Alot of friends of mine and colleagues have moved from iPhone to Android and they don't claim the iphone to be ****, but the pricing, contract offerings were major factors, while none of them feel they are "missing" anything from their Iphone.

TheDoc

whiterebel wrote: »

Ok, I was wondering, as the cheapest HTC Desire Prepay is 419 at the moment.

Noticed that alright when I went int to look at upgrades last month.

And minor correction I paid €249, here is the post on the Android forum I made that sparked my inbox to explode

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=66188950&postcount=407

IamMetaldave

seamus wrote: »

There is also the comfort factor with the iPhone.

Most of us have owned our fair share of phones over the last ten years and have most likely got our hands on one or three bogey handsets - terrible UI's, unintuitive menus, slow responses, etc.

The iPhone works. We know it works. And we know it works well. I had no hesitation buying the iPhone 4 in terms of "is this a good buy" because I knew exactly what to expect and I knew I would be happy with it. The Android handset though is an unknown quantity. They buyer doesn't know if they're going to get a good phone. You could end up paying a large chunk of cash and being stuck with a device that isn't great. But there was never that fear with the iPhone.

Obviously this is eroding now - the big uptake of Android handsets means that others will tell you it's great and you also get the opportunity to have a good mess around with one for no obligation. But there will still be the "stick with what I know, or risk getting a bogey handset" question for iPhone users for a few years yet.

Couldn't agree with you any more! The other thing I found is that, prior to getting my first iPhone (a 3G) I was going through 2 phones a year, either they broke or they bored me.. I never get bored with my iPhone, there's always something new for it. Keeps it fresh. Guess the same could be said for an android phone too, though.

The Brigadier

seamus wrote: »

The general population aren't really at that interested in the intricacies of different OSes and different manufacturers.

The iPhone got a big headstart on the competition. High-quality responsive touchscreen, mobile web access (that you didn't pay for per KB), WiFi support and installable apps are what made it great. There was a period of 18-24 months where no other device on the planet did all of these things, and the first android phones tried to all of these things but just didn't do it nearly as well as the iPhone did.
The iPhone captured the initial market - early adopters and early majority. But now the late majority are jumping on the bandwagon, and these are the biggest market.
They have less money, less savvy and are less discerning. They see an iPhone @ €600 or an Android phone @ €300 and think, "what's the difference"? From their POV, the android does everything that the iPhone does, so why pay more?

And technically they're right. It's the same reason that Macs don't have a huge market share. People look at their €500 offer from Dell, see an €800 Apple device which they're told are technically equivalent (i.e. the specs match) and think "Why would I pay more for something that's no better?". Because unless you are interested in the small details, there is no difference and the Apple device is no better than the cheaper competitor.

I disagree on this. Apple are in a similar position to Microsoft with Windows. They are the dominant platform with regards to software availability.

If you buy a new PC and look at offerings running OSX or Windows it is all well and good choosing the one you prefer but if you can't run programme X you are screwed. I have looked at buying Macs before but as I know I will just spend all my time running Windows I don't see the point.

With the iPhone apple are in the reverse position. The amount of useful apps only released on iOS is amazing. I have an iPhone4 at the moment and had a Desire beforehand. The Desire was a better phone in so many ways. It fell down for me on battery life but also in the range of apps.

god's toy

IamMetaldave wrote: »

Fair point, but other things like, I don't like the actual look of many of the phones and I also don't think the screens (of the phones I poked around with) are anywhere near as responsive or as smooth as the iPhone.

Hmm cant say I tested every phone running android and yep I suppose that could be said for some of them as different cpu speed and ram amounts can change how it reacts to touch and scroll. not likeing the look? well thats odd seeing as there are so many makers now but each to there own I suppose. for me it's all about the screen, I have yet to come across any screen that tops the samoled thats used in the sgs. Maybe the new sgs2 will however. LCD just looks washed out and dull next to it.

jonseyblub

I've had the HTC desire for about 6months before i 'came back' to the iphone 4. I loved the desire for the most part but I travel up to 4 hours a day and the main thing for me for a phone (apart from being a phone) is the music player. The different apps on the desire wasn't a big problem for me but the music app was a disaster. I listen to a lot of podcasts so the whole integration with itunes is perfect for me. Another point worth mentioning is the whole accessory market for apple products. You think of any stereo system, alarm clock or music centre etc they are all designed with the iphone/ipod in mind too while the fact there are so many Android handsets makes it almost impossible to do so for them.

Dodge

Don't understand why some try and convert the world to their preference.

Some prefer iphone, some prefer android. Everyone's happy so why the pissing contest?

bd250110

seamus wrote: »

I would be interested to know how many people have actually got extensive experience with both an iPhone and Android handset - i.e. having used both for at least 6 months.

I currently have a 3Gs, iPhone 4 and HTC Desire at the minute. In the past I've run a BB 8900 Curve, Nokia E71 and iPhone 3G as well.
All have had their issues and problems. The 3G was a nightmare on iOS4, very slow and frustrating. The BB 8900 had such a lovely keyboard (without doubt the best I've ever used), but was difficult to use.
I find Android great for it's WiFi hotspot, interaction with google services and navigation, notifications are brilliant and I love the Sense UI. App management has improved greatly with 2.2 but I prefer the iPhone implementation, which gives many more recent apps than Android does. I find the iPhone apps are higher quality and iTunes integration is brilliant. I see lots of bi**ching and moaning about this, but it gives one place to manage the device, fill it with music, video, apps, etc. Android market is weak, many of the apps are bloated with Google ads.

I love the android fanboys (who are far more intense than the legendary Apple fanboys!) who insist Android will "take over the world". Unfortunately Google/Android are the ones making money, not the app developers, until this changes, the best apps, innovation and accessories will always be on the iOS side.

Honestly it's horses for courses. Android is certainly no bargain either, when you compare the likes of SGS/SGSII/HTC Desires with iPhone. The cheaper stuff is not really directly comparable with iPhone, IMHO. The wildfire is a decent handset and undoubtedly steals sales from the iPhone, but it's no Desire or iPhone.

Zascar

Android grew 888% last year from 3.9% in 2009 to 22.7% in 2010 - and its going to continue to grow. Tehy are second to Symbian but now with them being replaced by Microsoft, which is rubbish, its kinda game over. With a multitude of different handsets available depending on your needs, but the OS always being strong, its going to continue to dominate Apple. For an OS that was almost nothing a few years ago, to come this far, is amazing. iPhone users really need to have a good play with Android to understand why its better. Now I'm not saying its better at everything, or a better choice for everyone... For very very simple users, the iphone is an easier choice. But really why get a smartphone if you are not going to sue it for what its meant for. The iPhones camera is better and so is the battery, and the music integreation is not great on Android, but with the new handsets on the way out, and the enxt version of Android - that will change.

Android's widgets is one of the big pluses, iphone lags well behind because of that. I can change a multitude of settings like Data, Wireless, portable hotspot, gps, torch, auto-rotate, silent, 3g etc etc etc - from one single touch on the home screen through a widget (extended controls). Iphone requires loads of menu jumping to do all this. Also, iPhones over simplification with just one button, where the HTC Desire has 4, makes a huge difference. I lvoe having a home, contextual menu & search, and a dedicated back button. The integration with Google and facebook is fantastic too.

The thing is, iPhone may not dominate but it will always compete, because no matter how much better the Android phones and OS get, Apple will always have its army of fanboys who will never change. Apple are a marketing juggernaut and they are absolutely incredible at it - so year on year they are going to continue to bring out a new model of whatever device, with a few small changes that should have been there in the first place, and claim that it 'changes everything' and people will run out and buy the never version anyway!

gbee

I'd agree with some of the comments about the iPhone, I've a iP4, whilst I love it, it's a bit dated ~ mind you I thought it looked dated at first, just moreso now.

Both my sons have android of the two major competitors and they are brilliant ~ I think I'd be equally happy with either of them.

Not enough just yet to make be switch phones, just maybe in 2 years my first choice might not be Apple.

Not complaining either BTW, I'm very happy with my iP4, thank you very much.

Zascar

Oh there are rumours that Blackberry are working on a type of Virtual Machine that will allow BB users to run Android apps. That would be a very interesting shakeup to to the market

bd250110

I think a lot of Android enthusiasts (to put it mildly!) forget that much of their cherished functionality is not available to the average user, right out of the box. Don't get me wrong Android is potentially a great platform, but it is nowhere near as customer friendly as iOS. Android users do not generate anywhere near as much revenue for developers as iOS users do, this is a fact. Market value is a fraction of iOS App Store and this is not improving anywhere near as quickly as the platform growth would suggest it should.

While Android has seen much growth in the past 12 months, it was coming from close to zero. There are numerous form factors, multiple price points. The next 12 months will tell a more complete story as both iOS and Android become a more mature market. There is no doubt in my mind, Android can never dominate until it gets the Enterprise side working and allows developers to monitise their creations.