I’ll start this by saying I’m something of a connoisseur when it comes to technological devices. I have my opinions, but I love to try everything I can get my hands on to see what’s available to me as a user. After all, we use these devices day in and day out, for work and for play – so you need to love what you have.
To friends and family, I’ve always been known as an Apple fanatic. Whether it’s an iPhone, MacBook, iMac, or iPad, I’ve always supported Apple’s products. And when Apple released the iPhone back in 2007, I knew I had to have it.
When I got the original iPhone, it felt like something from the future. It was unlike any phone I had ever used or seen before. I couldn’t put it down; always playing and tweaking.
With each year that’s passed, Apple has updated their operating system, adding features and revolutionizing the industry. Whether it was the ability to access all of your music and video on your phone via iTunes, or introducing new mobile applications, Apple has set the standard for the industry that others are still trying to replicate. Let’s face it, iTunes stands head and shoulders above any other online digital storefront (at least in my opinion).
Considering all this, I found it was very difficult for myself (and many others) to imagine investing in any other mobile device around that time frame (from about 2007-2011).
At the time, some of my friends were on the Verizon network and only had access to Android phones. To me, they seemed to be a humble imitation of an iPhone; I wasn’t convinced.
However, after a few years, Apple’s iOS system didn’t seem to be pushing the boundaries of mobile technology as much as they had in the beginning, and I soon found myself becoming bored of my once beloved iPhone.
My iPhone was no longer a cool toy for me to have or play with. It was now simply a normal, unimaginative phone, not unlike those I used before its original release back in 2007. It was time for me to try something new.
In 2012, my curiosity got the best of me; I finally decided to see what all the Android fuss was about. It’s true: this Apple enthusiast picked up his first Android phone, the Galaxy S3.
Let’s just say it was short-lived.
Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome and liberating to have an extremely open and customizable operating system that allowed me access to custom roms and different widgets, as well as access to third-party keyboards that Apple simply didn’t allow on their iOS.
Still, with all of those advantages, for me, Android just couldn’t measure up in the reliability department, especially when compared to the smooth and reliable iOS. And so, with a new iPhone coming out that September, I ran back to my old friend Apple’s devices.
Fast-forward my story two years to 2014 when I grew bored of my iPhone once again.
Reluctantly, I decided to give Android another fair shot; but this time it felt different. All of the issues I had two years prior with Android seemed to be corrected (e.g. bad battery life, laggy interface, constant crashes, etc.). As an added bonus, I was experiencing the freedom of a phone with a larger screen that I could customize precisely to my own likes and preferences – I could make it my own. Additionally, having the ability to switch between phones easily with the pop of a SIM card gives me peace of mind that doesn’t come standard with an iPhone.
Don’t get me wrong: being an Android user isn’t perfect. To me, iTunes still provides a better user experience when compared to Google Play, and App Support isn’t as strong as it was with Apple. Nevertheless, here I am in 2014, loving Android in its current state.
Comparing the two today, I would say that Android seems to be the one pushing the industry forward. However, this fall both iOS 8 and Android L are due to be released, and with iOS 8’s inclusion of third-party keyboards, widgets (which will be limited to the dropdown menu) and, rumor has it, two sizes (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch), who knows, I may just make the switch back.
So in the end, who is currently winning in the ongoing phone market battle?
The consumer.
This industry, like most others, goes through cycles. There will always be the company that sets the standard and revolutionizes an industry; in this case, it was Apple. And just like in other industries, companies become complacent and allow for others to step in and innovate.
For all consumers, this is a great thing; as long as you know that as a consumer, you have choices out there. Competition fuels fire for innovation, and as long as both Apple and Google are in competition (with Microsoft on the outside looking in with Windows Phone 8), we can expect to be introduced to new and exciting choices of technology beyond the realm of our imaginations.
For me, being in the digital marketing industry, it’s vital that I have a reliable device that keeps me connected, and so I keep my options open. Similarly, if you’re a business browsing the endless marketing options out there as a consumer, and find yourself at a crossroads between modern social media marketing, traditional advertising techniques or even paid advertising, just remember you have options.
In the end, it’s not about one mobile device being better than the other. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
For any other tech enthusiasts out there: In case you were curious about life as a newly converted Android supporter, I started this summer with the Galaxy S5, but decided to give the LG G3 a shot. I love both devices, but seem to enjoy my G3 more due to its build, which has a premium look and feel, while enlisting the benefits of a lightweight plastic frame – as well as its sharper screen.
The post In the battle of Android vs. iOS, who prevails? A consumer perspective appeared first on Mainstreethost.