Author Topic: Droid or iPhone 4 - Verizon (Read 4069 times)

J_K_M_A_N · « **on:** July 23, 2011, 01:59:26 pm »

I am going to take the plunge and get a smart phone. I am trying to decide between the iPhone 4 and a Droid of some kind. I have an iPod touch so using the iPhone 4 would be very easy but I have heard other people complain about the iPhone 4 and service.

I know it is very subjective but does anyone have any ideas one way or the other and why? It seems like more and more apps are available for both so I don't know if that is an issue or not. Is there any one (or two) things that make you pick one over the other?

J_K_M_A_N

Nephasth · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2011, 02:21:10 pm »

I was in the same boat you're in a few weeks ago. I was going to hold out until September for the iPhone 4, but I got the Droid 3 the day after it came out. Really happy with it so far. I got the optional battery cover to charge it wirelessly. It shoots 1080p video (so it says), and 8mp pics (they're pretty good too). I love the full slide out qwerty keyboard with a seperate number row. And I have classic console emulators on it and haven't had a problem with any of those. I want to make a BT game pad out of an SNES controller for it. I had an iPod Touch a couple years ago, and I just can't see that being as useful of a phone as the Droid 3 is.

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:12:34 pm »

Depends on how technical savvy you are and what features you want. For the average person who knows only the basics in computing, then I'd say go for the iPhone. It has an extremely user friendly interface, but is still powerful enough to do your computing. However, if you know what rooting your phone is, without having to look it up, then you may want to go for the droid. You have much better access to the underlying system and can tweak it like no other. Also, if your a programmer and don't have a Mac, then the Droid is the way to go since it is much easier to develop for.

The other thing to think about are features. I really wanted an actual keyboard instead of the touchscreen, so the iPhone wasn't even a choice for me.

As for apps, at this point the iPhone still has more apps, but all of the ones you would want are either on both systems or an equivalent of the app is available, so I wouldn't use this to decide.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:36:43 pm »

The droid phones are too big and dont have as good battery life or as good of an app selection. All I know is every time a droid phone comes out the tech sites always run a "is this phone an iPhone killer?" and the answer is always no.

People also seem to forget that is also an iPod. I plug it into my car and listen to all my music, run with it and use the gps to record and keep track of my runs. Just to give you some non-geek, real world perspective

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2011, 06:02:49 pm »

None of those are really iphone exclusive though. Go with a droid and you can always add a newer, bigger MicroSD card for more storage if the onboard 16gb isn't enough.

But again for real world examples... are there any "killer apps" for either phone that the other doesn't have or something very similar?

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2011, 07:12:24 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on July 23, 2011, 04:36:43 pm

The droid phones are too big and dont have as good battery life or as good of an app selection. All I know is every time a droid phone comes out the tech sites always run a "is this phone an iPhone killer?" and the answer is always no.

With a good battery saver app (I use juice defender) the battery life on the droid is as good or better then the iPhone (mine lasts 4-5 days with medium use, I have no idea what the battery life on an iPhone is though). Besides, with a droid you can always keep a second battery around, or buy an extra large battery if needed, which is something you can't do with an iPhone.

Quote

People also seem to forget that is also an iPod. I plug it into my car and listen to all my music, run with it and use the gps to record and keep track of my runs. Just to give you some non-geek, real world perspective

Funny, I do those exact same things with my droid

Honestly, you can't really go wrong either way. They are both great phones and only fanboys will say argue that one is significantly better then the other.

drventure · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2011, 08:33:52 pm »

I've been pretty happy with tmobile and an HTC Windows Phone 7.

All three types look like they've got similar capabilities. The iPhone has em all trumped with the appstore, but, really, I've found everything I've wanted in some form or another on the MS Marketplace.

Plus, if you know .net, you can write apps for the wp7 fairly readily.

The only thing I don't care for with WP7 is that it doesn't multitask (yet).

I've really been eying those driod pads though....

Donkbaca · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2011, 08:43:49 pm »

Yeah, I just prefer the iPhone for the iPod, battery, form factor and ease of use

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2011, 09:34:58 pm »

What exactly is it about the Apple appstore that everyone things is so wonderful? In the dozen or so iPhones i've set up at work, I've been nothing but frustrated setting up Apple accounts for people, setting up a credit card, etc. I can set up two or three Droids in teh time it takes to set up one iphone.

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2011, 10:50:00 pm »

Quote from: pinballjim on July 23, 2011, 10:04:55 pm

Droid is fine if you don't care that everyone that sees it will think you're poor.

I was curious about the pricing, so I checked out Verizons site:
       Apple iPhone 4        DROID 3        Revolution
Price       $199.99        $199.99       $199.99
Standby Time*    up to 300 hours     up to 300 hours     up to 335 hours
Usage Time*    Up to 420 minutes     up to 550 minutes     up to 435 minutes

Looks like prices are the same, it also seems the iPhone no longer has superior battery life (for comparison, the Droid 2 is rated at 220 hours of standby time).

Donkbaca · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2011, 11:33:29 pm »

I didn't have a problem setting mine up. I imagine j you buy anything wether it be the app store or droid whatever, you would need to input credit card info. Not a big deal to me, you only set the thing up once

wp34 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:08:24 am »

Quote from: AtomSmasher on July 23, 2011, 07:12:24 pm

Honestly, you can't really go wrong either way. They are both great phones and only fanboys will say argue that one is significantly better then the other.

+1

I've used an iTouch for years and now have a Droid X. I agree you can't go wrong either way.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2011, 02:25:54 am »

Why don't you cruise something like CNet or read reviews at wire for info from guys that review phones for a living?

Hoopz · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2011, 07:28:46 am »

Not having to use itunes is reason enough to avoid the iphone.

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2011, 10:22:32 am »

Quote from: Hoopz on July 24, 2011, 07:28:46 am

Not having to use itunes is reason enough to avoid the iphone.

+1

J_K_M_A_N · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2011, 10:31:26 am »

I did check out a bunch of reviews but I figured you guys would give some real world usage ideas. I have a guy on my pool league that works at Verizon and he was close to the same. Either one is nice. I went with the Droid 3 though. Main reasons were the external micro sd card and battery replacement and keyboard. I didn't think I would want a keyboard because I don't text a whole lot but then I started to goof around with surfing and thought I would for sure want a keyboard for that. The other thing I like is the HDMI port. I am hoping that will look good enough to take with us on vacation and bring some movies. I have to get a cord first though.

Now the question for droid users....what are the best apps?

J_K_M_A_N

Justin Z · « **Reply #16 on:** July 24, 2011, 11:45:03 am »

Google Sky Map is pretty amazing.

There's a program called Emulator ROMs that you have to download on the web and then install from your SD Card, it basically makes console emulation really easy. Then, get Wiimote Controller and you can bluetooth a Wiimote to your phone and play emulated games with it.

If you root your phone, Titanium Backup is nice--once you have all the apps you want installed it'll back them all up to your SD Card in case you need to factory reset your phone or something. You can also backup and then remove the Motorola bloatware on your phone, e.g., get rid of NASCAR.

One of the older versions of PdaNet that's out there on the web, versions before they started charging for it, are great for tethering your phone to your computer for 'net access.

I prefer Dolphin Browser and Handcent SMS over the stock Browser and Messaging apps.

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:04:01 pm »

The droid version of Firefox is a little slow, and has some rendering quirks on my Galaxy Tab, but its nice that it supports Sync, so saved passwords and bookmarks and the like are the same between my handheld and my desktop.

wp34 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:32:34 pm »

Download the Amazon App Store. They offer a free app every day. Then download EasyTether (currently on sale at Amazon for $5). It allows you to Tether a laptop for free. Works on Verizon too.

DropBox is great for syncing files.

+1 on JuiceDefender as recommended by AtomSmasher.

J_K_M_A_N · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2011, 02:02:13 pm »

Quote from: Justin Z on July 24, 2011, 11:45:03 am

Google Sky Map is pretty amazing.

Got it. Pretty cool.

Quote from: Justin Z on July 24, 2011, 11:45:03 am

There's a program called Emulator ROMs that you have to download on the web and then install from your SD Card, it basically makes console emulation really easy. Then, get Wiimote Controller and you can bluetooth a Wiimote to your phone and play emulated games with it.

That sounds AWESOME!

Quote from: Justin Z on July 24, 2011, 11:45:03 am

If you root your phone, Titanium Backup is nice--once you have all the apps you want installed it'll back them all up to your SD Card in case you need to factory reset your phone or something. You can also backup and then remove the Motorola bloatware on your phone, e.g., get rid of NASCAR.

I want to look into that. Sounds cool. I like hacking stuff.

J_K_M_A_N

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2011, 03:15:17 pm »

I would recommend reading through this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=110634.0

A lot of good suggestions in there.

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2011, 03:21:51 pm »

Also, something to think about after you've gotten used to your phone. I just recently rooted my phone (so incredibly easy to do, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner) and installed the app Widget Locker. It's pretty cool because it let me completely customize the lock screen. On the lock screen, I now have a very cool looking calender, a slick looking mp3 player (which only appears if music is currently playing), the weather, and the ability to turn blue tooth on and off (I found it to be a big battery drain, so I only turn it on when I get in the car).

Nephasth · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2011, 04:46:11 pm »

Quote from: AtomSmasher on July 24, 2011, 03:21:51 pm

Also, something to think about after you've gotten used to your phone. I just recently rooted my phone (so incredibly easy to do, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner) and installed the app Widget Locker. It's pretty cool because it let me completely customize the lock screen. On the lock screen, I now have a very cool looking calender, a slick looking mp3 player (which only appears if music is currently playing), the weather, and the ability to turn blue tooth on and off (I found it to be a big battery drain, so I only turn it on when I get in the car).

Seems the Droid 3 has a locked bootloader and can't be rooted yet (or can it? I have never done this before.)

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2011, 04:58:55 pm »

Quote from: Nephasth on July 24, 2011, 04:46:11 pm

Quote from: AtomSmasher on July 24, 2011, 03:21:51 pm
Also, something to think about after you've gotten used to your phone. I just recently rooted my phone (so incredibly easy to do, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner) and installed the app Widget Locker. It's pretty cool because it let me completely customize the lock screen. On the lock screen, I now have a very cool looking calender, a slick looking mp3 player (which only appears if music is currently playing), the weather, and the ability to turn blue tooth on and off (I found it to be a big battery drain, so I only turn it on when I get in the car).

Seems the Droid 3 has a locked bootloader and can't be rooted yet (or can it? I have never done this before.)

Oh, that sucks. I'm sure they'll find a way around it soon enough. For the droid 2 they made it so you simply have to run a single batch file and it does everything for you.

notroubleclubber · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2011, 05:18:14 pm »

No one mentioned bout jailbreaking an iphone. Ive jailbroke my iphone 4 and it opens it up so much that its like open source software.

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #25 on:** July 24, 2011, 05:22:52 pm »

Quote from: notroubleclubber on July 24, 2011, 05:18:14 pm

No one mentioned bout jailbreaking an iphone. Ive jailbroke my iphone 4 and it opens it up so much that its like Android.

Fixed your quote for you


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