by Robin Fiedler
Verizon's Droid smartphone ads are calling out AT&T's iPhone. As prices plummet on the iPhone and with the new release of the Motorola Droid phone at a comparable price with 2-year contract, I am finally feeling compelled to buy an apps phone. Which one, though? The Google Android phone with Verizon or Apple iPhone 3GS with AT&T?
Time to consult the Tech Geeks about androids and applications. 
David Coursey writes in PC World, "a hardcore business user--the sort of person who would otherwise have a BlackBerry--is a better match for a Droid, with its 'real' keyboard and Microsoft Exchange support. Likewise, someone who lives with an iPod or iTunes always playing is a better match for the iPhone." When it comes to apps, he declares iPhone the clear winner, but gives a nod to Droid for exclusive Google apps with more to come.
Coursey is also a clear fan of the Droid's Verizon Network over iPhone's AT&T: "Verizon has better 3G coverage, and that matters to smartphone users."
The NY Times David Pogue's review sums up pros of each: "the Droid wins on phone network, customizability, GPS navigation, speaker, physical keyboard, removable battery and openness (free operating system, mostly uncensored app store). The iPhone wins on simplicity, refinement, thinness, design, Web browsing, music/video synching with your computer, accessory ecosystem and quality/quantity of the app store."
Noting this as a real drawback for travelers, Pogue claims the Droid doesn't work outside the US like the iPhone. Business users who travel may find this limitation problematic.
Keyboard adds weight: Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal describes the Droid. "There's also a slide-out physical keyboard. It's only a tad longer and thicker than the Apple product. But it's 25% heavier, which makes it less comfortable to carry around in a pocket."
Mossberg hits the Droid hard for keyboard functionality. "Unfortunately for lovers of physical keyboards, I found the one on the Droid to be pretty awful. It has flat, cramped keys that induce too many typing errors, yet lacks auto-correction. I found myself using the virtual on-screen keyboard, which was pretty fast and accurate for me, and did include auto-correction." He described the car and desktop docks as a "cool" plus. The docks are $30 extra each, but expand use of the Droid as a GPS and alarm/music player.
For a tie, Cnet.com gave the Droid a 4 stars excellent rating and the iPhone 3GS a 4 stars excellent rating. Engadget's Josh Tolopsky's separate reviews have detailed, thorough demonstrations of the features with actual photos and video using the Droid and the iPhone. For the Droid, photos were disappointing while video was awesome. Engadget praises the sound as the best ever: "Second to none." Motorola's screen has no pinch multi-touch like the Apple's.
Engadget's June 2009 review of the iPhone concludes that "While the smartphone market has cracked wide open lately, the iPhone is arguably the market leader (at least in mindshare), and really does showcase a superb platform -- lack of physical keyboard and multitasking aside. AT&T, on the other hand, isn't exactly acting like the top-tier carrier it's supposed to be, and its service can sometimes be maddeningly poor."
Engadget's Tolopsky's final word on the Droid Nov. 2009 review was, "If you must compare the DROID to the iPhone, then know that the Android platform still has a ways to go before the experience of using the phone is as seamless as the one Apple has created -- but also know that Apple has a long way to go before its messaging, email, and customization can match what Google is offering. Both products have very distinct strengths and weaknesses."
As I researched the tech reviews, rumors and speculation about a new 4th generation iPhone coming out next year caught my attention and threaten to paralyze my decision. Should I wait? Am I unrealistically searching for the 'perfect' smartphone? Am I just commitment-phobic since whichever decision I make, iPhone or Droid, I'm stuck in a 2-yr contract? Well, it's time that I settle. I think the iPhone. No, the Droid. Or maybe the iPhone. The Droid....the iPhone....
Resources
Coursey, David. "Droid vs. iPhone: Which Revolution Should You Join?" PCWorld 5 Nov. 2009.http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/181510/droid_vs_iphone_which_revolution_should_you_join.html
Mossberg, Walt. "Motorola's Droid is a Smart Success for Verizon Users." Wall Street Journal. 4 Nov. 2009. http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20091104/motorolas-droid-is-smart-success-for-verizon-users/
Pogue, David. "A Place to Put Your Apps." New York Times. 4 Nov. 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/technology/personaltech/05pogue.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
Topolsky, Joshua. "iPhone 3GS Review." Engadget. 17 June 2009. http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/17/iphone-3g-s-review/
Topolsky, Joshua. "Motorola DROID Review." Engadget. 30 Oct. 2009. http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/motorola-droid-review/
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One Response to “iPhone versus Droid”
I have found the droid to be much better than the blackberry (was a nearly 10 year user prior to my switch).
The functions and features of the droid are outstanding!