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Nov

8

2010

Five reasons why Android is better than the iPhone

29

by Tyler Cunningham
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The Android versus iPhone debate has been heating up in the recent months as consumers, journalists, industry folk, and even CEOs argue over which platform is superior. Now, obviously an article found on an Android website discussing these issues is going to be a little (ok, maybe a lot) biased, but hey… this isn’t NPR.

There are dozens of Apple sites that will make the argument that Apple’s iOS platform is superior to Android, and they may even be right about a few of them. That being said, there are some really good reasons why I feel Android is better than Apple and the iPhone. In fact, I have five reasons, and you can find out what those reasons are by continuing to read after the break.

Open Source:

This is a very hotly debated aspect of Android, with many people associating this as something negative about Android. Many have argued that Android being open source leads to a lack of control by Google, and thus results in fragmentation. With that being said, however, I think the pros of the open source model vastly outweigh the cons, and here’s why.

Developers and manufacturers are free to implement and change Android in any way that they would like, which opens up the platform to tons of new ideas and innovations. Granted these changes aren’t always for the better, but the potential for a developer or manufacturer to create something unique and customized using Android is there – thanks to the fact it is open sourced.

Take the MIUI Android ROM (pictured above) for example. Thanks to Android being open source, developers are able to produce custom ROMs that look and function amazingly. Having the freedom to choose where and how to implement a platform simply offers much more flexibility, which is ultimately better for everyone.

Adobe Flash:

Many companies (including Adobe, ironically) are beginning to push for HTML5 to become the new standard. However, until that day comes, Flash still powers a lot of the Web’s multimedia. That being said, Android enjoys full Flash support with Android 2.2, whereas the only way to even watch Flash video on an iPhone is to use the recently released iOS version of Skyfire.

In all honesty, I’ve had very little problems using Flash on Froyo. I haven’t noticed any significant decreases in my phone’s performance, and doing something as trivial as watching a YouTube video where it’s embedded on a page is a nice feature. Flash may be a dying star, but while it’s still here, Android has it, and the iPhone does not.

More Carrier Options:

Many iPhone users can attest to their love/hate relationship with AT&T. As it stands, AT&T is the only carrier that has the iPhone, and I have read countless horror stories about their network. Constant dropped calls, lost service and delayed messages are just some of the gripes iPhone users haves with AT&T.

Even as I sit here writing this, I am staring at an AT&T cellular base station my roommate has to use to get a signal in our apartment. With Android, you have the option of just about every carrier in the US, including some of the little guys. Now granted, we may see the iPhone headed to Big Red sometime in the new year, and AT&T’s upcoming 4G network may solve a lot of the woes iPhone users deal with on a daily basis.

Fully Hackable:

I alluded to this a bit up above when discussing ROMs, but the hacking aspect is one area where Android severely trumps the iPhone. Perhaps it’s the Linux geek in me, but there’s something about being able to install custom recovery software, custom ROMs, and having root access to my device that just makes me feel more comfortable about using the device.

For example, I am using the popular CyanogenMod ROM for my Droid Incredible, but was having a problem with an application crashing and causing my phone to restart. I was unable to uninstall it conventionally (it had become corrupt somehow) but I was able to use my superuser privileges to remove it for good.

Another wonderful element of Android’s hacking aspect is the developer community. Forums such as XDA-Developers are a treasure trove of knowledgable individuals who are able to do some pretty incredible things with these phones. The number of custom ROMs, applications, tips, and tricks I have come across on that forum alone is countless, and it is the spirit of the developer community that is going to take Android to new heights.

Dozens of Phones to Choose From:

The iPhone is a beautiful piece of hardware, but what if you want an iOS phone but want something with a QWERTY keyboard? Or suppose you want something a little bigger, or something a little smaller, or something a little more cost effective?

With the iPhone, you’re stuck with just the iPhone. With Android, however, there are dozens of options available to consumers. You have the low-end phones for customers that want the Android experience but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the mid-range models for people that only want to spent $50 or $100, or power users who want the biggest and baddest devices, and have no problems spending $200 plus dollars.

With new Android phones coming out every week it seems, the potential for outstanding devices is massive. I think we’re only seeing a small fraction of what is possible, and I am very much looking forward to what Android 3.0 and the year 2011 have in store.

Conclusions:

I know I’m going to get flamed for this article, and I welcome it. The great thing about opinion articles is the discussion that results and I am looking forward to hearing what people have to say about this.

Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means saying Android is a perfect platform. On the contrary, it has its fair share of problems just like any other. I do firmly believe though that these are five very legitimate reasons that make Android a better platform than iOS and the iPhone.

Hopefully, as Android continues to progress and manufacturers continue to produce better and better devices, we can continue to add to this list. For the time being, however, these are the aspects of Android that I feel make it better than the iPhone, and I encourage you to leave a comment below and let your voice be heard.

» See more articles by Tyler Cunningham

Categorized as Android News

Comments

  • http://www.phonedog.com Nicole Cozma aka @c0z

    Thank you for writing this.

  • MitchRapp

    Awesome, except this is the third “top reasons why Android is better than iPhone” article I’ve seen today.

  • http://www.smartsites.biz JonnyZaggi

    I like your article….
    where are just two things that just f*** up at android: That you can’t regulary connect to ad-hoc networks and that the most apps do not look that beautiful.

    I got an iPod Touch, too (of course jailbreaked) and i just experienced how much more comfortable android is.

  • KTP

    You are comparing a phone to an operating system. If anything it should say, “5 reasons Android is better than iOS.” Android is not a phone. Yes, iPhone only has iOS, but still should be corrected. Secondly, you could easily add 50 reasons why Android is better.

  • http://questional.com Dom

    Anyone who flames you needs to sit back down, and shut up to be honest – You’re not bashing the iPhone at all, just giving pointers as to why Android could be a preferable device to some people.

    Personally, as an Apple fan (I use a MacBook, iPod etc) I actually bought an Android due to the overall cost, including plan, of an iPhone to be utterly ridiculous. Am I poor? Sure, why not. I’m a full-time Uni student, and I only work part-time, I can’t afford to be locked down to a plan and I definitely can’t afford the insane pricing of the iPhone 4 plan-less (in NZ you can get it plan-free… at a cost). I have nothing against iPhone users, I have PLENTY of friends who use one, but I just can’t justify the price when you weigh the two up.

    Also couldn’t agree more about your point on variety. An iPhone is an iPhone. It’s hardly even surprising to see someone whip one out anymore. If I whip my Xperia X10 out, I genuinely get “Oooo”s.

    Anywho, good article.

  • http://... Mikkel Bonde

    The 5 worst reasons I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot …

  • http://www.google.com/profiles/dbin78 Dain Binder

    I, in my opinion, agree with your opinion.

    The iOS/iPhone started the craze and is still an excellent platform and will be for a while to come. It meets the needs of most users and is simple, stylish, and sophisticated. Notice how I elude that iPhone and iOS are interchangeable? They are one in the same, and that is why it is so locked down. iOS will never have the chance to be more because it is type to one phone.

    Android is the grand poobah of platforms. It will be the Symbian and then some in the future. Completely customizable and on so many different devices (not just cell phones). You can install what you want and do what you want. I could not find an app on the Android market, so I found the .apk and installed it. Life is good; try to do that on the iPhone! Android works for the basic user up to the most experienced programmer. It may not be sexy, but it is the best.

    Android can and will be anything you want it to be. iOS is the iPhone. Period.

    Viva la Android!!

  • Tony Hedges

    Hey you are preaching to the converted. Apple=shit Android=dogs bollocks

  • http://waynemay.com Wayne May

    I agree and disagree with you on a few points.

    I am an Android evangelist and have been using it since day 1 of the G1.

    Manufacturers are making it increasingly hard to hack our phones. It is also against Google’s licencing agreement to distribute binary apps with the ROM. I am not sure how much you understand licencing, but technically, Google could come after YOU for using a ROM that contains apps that violate their licence.

    I dont think fragmentation is that big of an issue, but I do however think that all of the unremovable ‘bloatware’ on the phones is becoming a problem. I also think that carriers like AT&T prohibiting you from installing 3rd party apps is a problem.
    Then there is the fact that carriers are starting to implement replacements for the “market”. Yes, more choices for the end user, but more headaches for the developers.

    By all means, for you and me, people who root our phones, install custom ROMs, and tweak the heck out of our phones, this is awesome and not a problem. But think about the average consumer.

    In my opinion, manufacturers and carriers are killing exploiting Android too much, and might end up hurting the little green robot.

  • Ks

    I totally agree android is the way to go, I used many other mobile OS and I have to say I couldn’t be more impressed on how fast android took flight that opened up manufacturers to produced these awesome handsets. You can pretty much find any device that fits your needs which is good if your new to the android world.

  • M

    Android as a concept is far superior to the iPhone. However, Android implemented fails to measure up. Instead of an open-source, customizable OS, what we get is a closed-source, manufacturer/carrier modified bloatware loaded experience, with apps that are just half-assed ports from the iPhone, months (and sometimes years) behind the original.

  • http://waynemay.com Wayne May

    @M, I completely agree on the half ported apps.
    A lot of Apps come to Android looking like an iPhone app. Even books are written to make web apps for Android look like iPhone apps. (WTF?!?!?)
    Corporations and businesses are not taking Android seriously enough.

  • Felix

    I love my android BUT I do think manufacturers are taking way to long to update users to most current software. Tmobile is notorious for this!!!

  • raymond lee

    And there are probably five reasons why BB OS > Android > iPhone

    1. BB kboard
    2. Less apps, more time for life
    3. Push email
    4. Just gets things done
    5. Superior battery life

  • http://waynemay.com Wayne May

    @Raymond
    I only agree with #2 and #5
    1# BB keyboards blow, IMHO
    In my case #3 does not apply, I host all my email through Google Apps, so it pushes to my phone instantly.
    #4 It gets things done alright, for a few months, then then everything becomes unstable.

  • Migueltherocker

    @Raymond

    1. Android has many many many keyboards to choose from, hardware and software.
    2. Fewer apps is a good thing? Really?
    3. Android has this as well.
    4. Android can do just about anything a blackberry can, and more.
    5. Obviously. If you’re using your phone less (I’m assuming because of your 2nd point), your battery life is going to be better. Also, large, bright TOUCH screens are naturally going to use more battery. If you want to give up the ease of a touchscreen to save battery (Don’t see why, my phone goes 24 hours easily without charging), that’s great for you I guess.

  • Ronaldo

    Good article. My wife has an iPhone 4 and she got me the SGS (running Eclair) all because she remembered hearing me talk about Android at one point. Quirk on the title of your article aside (should be why Android is better than iOS), totally agree with it. My wife offered to swap phones with me when I told her I wanted an iPhone 4 though I said give me a couple of days with the SGS so I can see first-hand what Android is all about aside from what I’ve read. When she offered to swap again after a couple of days I said NO with a smile on my face. I previously had the iPhone 3Gs for a couple of years and was very happy with it. After experiencing how much in-control I feel with an Android-based phone I really don’t miss having an iPhone at all. Users happy with a nice phone they can use apps and make calls from, then iPhones will suit just fine. Users who want more control over their phone however, get an Android-based one. Is it 100% stable? Heck no. This is one of my annoyances with it (probably its because of Samsung’s Eclair version which suck), but OCLF really calmed me down. And this is the point. The fact that you can get utilities like this that improves user experience from talented Android developers is a real plus for me. Sure there have been high-security bugs found in Froyo, but this is the beauty of open-source that good and bad, they’re all transparent. Can’t say much about iOS because I don’t know if Apple’s imposed any NDA’s to security firms, but who knows how many high-security bugs they have floating around. Here’s to Android, you’ve won me over :)

  • http://g33ky.de Dr. Azrael Tod

    ok…
    Open Source and Fully Hackable wont be of an argument for most users. Adobe Trash is just crap that noone really wants anyway.
    The other 2 Arguments (multiple Phone-Styles and carriers) though will kill the iPhone.
    The End-User will just see endless rows of Phones, one or two of them beeing iPhone and the other ones beeing android, Blackberry, S60 or anything else. Of course: Apple can try to minimize this by putting more effort in Marketing and Ads, but even this won’t last for long.

    We should never forget that having better Hardware/Software means nothing if your product isn’t sold.

    And no: i’m really not saying apple has this. I’ve seen some Apple-iPhone-Dev-Fun in the last months and…. i don’t know how this is designed on Android (but i fear this java-crap might be similar b0rken) but it really can nearly impossibly be worse.

  • lex

    im getting sick of this “why android is better” thing. ffs why? i own both 3g and nexus, and i cannot say which is better. iphone feels like a finished product whilst i always kinda feel like im waiting for the next big update with android.

    true. i gave my old 3G to my dad, but still i think sometimes id rather have an iphone over nexus just because its a finished product. google stuff tends to always be in beta. etc.

    there are cons and pros to both of them and there is no winner. i hate em both, i love em both.

    and this constant battle of fanboys trying to make their product seem better and appeal to more people and “win” is just annoying. i do enjoy nice argument, but thats just bs here. sorry.

  • lex

    also, considering the fact that everything that came after the iphone is a ripoff in one way or another.. kinda feels cheap sometimes. windows mo7 seems like a new approach.. almost.

  • Benjamin

    @Dr.Azrael Tod

    -If you don’t want to hack a phone, you don’t have to. It’s just a way to make your phone much more intuitive. Tons of iPhone users Jailbreak their phones.

    -I would say I really want flash on my phone. But suit yourself. I want my websites to be loaded correctly and how they were intended to look. Go to notionink.in on an iPhone… Oh, wait, you can’t.

    -Hardware most definately matters. And Android does sell.

    If you want to prefer a phone over another, I don’t care. Just don’t say generalizations like “NOBODY wants flash.” It’s the main reason I like 2.2 over 2.1.

  • Bart

    A touchscreen app is a touchscreen app. It doesn’t mather if it’s installed on the iphone or the android os. It’s about the logic way of implementing a layout for user controll on a touchscreen.

    My reason is that I don’t want to be restricted to the rules of apple. I love google’s way of thinking. They provide a free search engine and even youtube. And now they gave me the power of open source to my mobile phone.

  • http://danielmarquard.com Daniel Marquard

    Tyler,

    This was an opinionated post; it’s my belief that such a point of view should be communicated in an article’s introduction and not its conclusion. Naïve readers of this website may interpret your article as fact rather than opinion as a result.

    First of all, Android is an operating system and not a phone, just as iOS serves as the operating system for the iPhone, a physical handset. Such an understanding is crucial prior to communicating your hangups with the iPhone. Your title should be altered to reflect this idea.

    Open source. You are 100% right on this. I wish iOS were open source. Great reason, in my opinion, to resort to Android over iOS.

    Adobe Flash. You and I have the ability to travel (almost) anywhere in the world and connect to the World Wide Web with any computer, any Internet service provider, using any operating system and any browser. Beautiful. But when we want to watch a tutorial wrapped in a dynamic player, we’re FORCED to use a 100% proprietary protocol. You are a hypocrite for touting Android’s GNU status while retaining outspoken support for a protocol that is not very “open” at all! I liken the world’s attachment to Flash to the fact that over 99% of Americans still embrace the QWERTY keyboard (which was intentionally designed to be inefficient [I type in the Dvorak keyboard layout]). If you’re in support of the Open Source Movement, Tyler, then why aren’t you pushing for the demise of Adobe Flash? I for one can attest to my objection of it.

    More carrier options. You’re totally right on this one. AT&T has and will continue to retain iPhone exclusivity until early 2011, at which point, your argument will be of little significance. Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, I have *never* had an issue of any kind with AT&T’s service at any point in the last six years. I will concede, however, that their coverage outside of the Charlotte area is less than admirable.

    Fully hackable. There is no need to hack the Android operating system; you have root access immediately following its compilation. Your carrier or handset manufacturer are responsible for imposing such restrictions. And I’m not sure you’re correct about Android phones being FULLY hackable (Droid X, among others?).

    Dozens of phones to choose from. At first glance, one might prefer this over a standardized model. Not me. As a programmer, I would rather not design an ever-increasing number of versions of my application to provide seamless support for all hardware, resolutions, etc. I recall on several occasions friends of mine complaining that a select few Android apps would not function on their particular handsets. Google should be responsible for the seamless functionality of ALL apps across ALL handsets, anything less than this is, in my opinion, unacceptable.

    Conclusion. Tyler, either be objective in your comparison of Android/[insert Android handset here]/iPhone/iOS or be VERY communicative with regard to the fact that your assessment is purely arbitrary. For anyone interested, I am a current iPhone owner, but a future Android owner; I don’t share Tyler’s bias in my personal assessments of the two smartphone platforms.

    Best regards,
    Daniel Marquard

  • http://www.amazingandroid.blogspot.com Alhazmi

    This is a great article. I just got my android rooted and it is now even more customisable and powerful compared to iPhone. It is entirely hackable. Bravo Android!

  • andrew

    hey i had a question, that screen shot that you had in this article. what theme was it? i’ve been looking around but can’t find it. You mind telling me what theme it is? i’d really like to have it on my droid too.

    thanks tyler!

  • http://www.androidappsheaven.com most expensive car

    Anyone can make his own Android Apps? Its very difficult i think.

  • Joe

    So why is Google starting to move in the same direccion as Apple? as far as app control goes the open source platform the everyone enjoys is coming to an end. As usual, Google following Apple. Look it up and enjoy it while you can.

    • Iphonesucks

      Google following Apple? That’s funny, considering there were dozens of features Apple STOLE from android phones with IOS 5, and one of the most known is the pull down notification bar.  Apple has been stealing ideas for years, and they’re always a step behind in terms of hardware, people are just too sucked up in their products to even realize.  They’re  products are overpriced and over exaggerated, and each year apple tries to make it sound like they’ve created something incredible on their own, but in reality their product is still lagging behind what’s already available.  You Iphone users paid for an overpriced phone with technology that has been on past and current phones (especially androids) for a long time.  It took apple this long to come out with a phone that has a dual core processor, and they’re already lagging behind with the new Samsung Galaxy which now has a quad core.  Face it Iphone users, you will always be a step behind, and you will always continue to get ripped off.  I’ll enjoy my less expensive android phone that does more than your phones will ever do, and it will continue to be that way considering android cares about what they’re customers want, and what they plan to do with their phones, unlike apple.  

    • Ipodsucks

      Apple also enjoys not having competition, hence the reason why they sue like it’s their real job whenever they can.  Less competition means the demand for their products goes up, which  means they don’t have to change or improve their current products to fit the needs of their costumers as often.  Take a look at the numerous Ipod versions, each generation has very few or less significant improvements, yet they all sell for the same price or more.  Apple is smart in terms of business considering their products are always high in demand, but the way they create and distribute their products in my opinion is unethical and unfair.  Their software sucks (iTunes), and when you own one of their products, you’re forced to use it.  You don’t even have the option to choose your own music library for YOUR MUSIC.  What’s the point in owning something when you have little to no control over how you want to use it, apple is very picky about what their costumers can do with their products, which is why I chose the android route.