Forum Discussion

Wrace's avatar
Wrace
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015

Key differences between Iphone and Android systems?

My wife, my son, and I are on Verizon with an old plan and grandfathered unlimited data. We buy used phones off-contract and most recently purchased a couple of Samsung Galaxy S4 phones off ebay for about $140ea. My son also uses an S4.

In general I'm happy with the S4 and android os, but I'm a light-weight smartphone user. I don't really put many Apps on thing, just basic stuff. This phone has been a bit frustrating for me with all the advertising etc that seems to randomly pop up at times. I don't know what a bunch of the icons on this phone do yet, and further when I try to clean it up I find I can't delete some of them.

Off the top of my head, I use the Samsung galaxy S4 for the following:
- phone calls obviously
- texting, maybe average of one per day or so.
- a mobile hotspot to connect my laptop and other wifi devices when traveling, and occasionally during power outages at home. We use foxi-fi and of course take advantage of the unlimited data.
- use the camera, which works quite a bit better on the S4 vs the droid incredible I had before. I use the camera for relatively close-up reference pictures on projects I'm working on in my shop.
- the family uses the 'our groceries' app as a list maker.
- I occasionally use the bubble level app and the compass app.
- solitaire.
- occasionally access the internet for directions to a location while on the road.

At this point I don't routinely use the phone to access the internet, I don't us my email on it, nor calendar etc. However, I am significantly tied to the MS windows os on my PC's, and the MS office (outlook, word, and excel) programs. So if sometime in the future I decide I want to start accessing my calendar, email (gmail), ms office documents etc on my phone I hope that wouldn't be a problem.

Recently I've been seeing a couple of doctors regarding hearing loss and other hearing related issues, and the audiologist is recommending some hearing aids that are controlled by your smartphone. Apparently these aids have programs that can be used and customized to help with my hearing related issues. Apparently these aids are 'designed to work with Iphone' but will also 'work with android' though an additional device is required.

The doctor said the additional device required for use with android is about the size of a deck of cards and costs an additional $500. This of course means I would have to carry this device with me in addition to aids.

Given the above situation, I'm now wondering if I'd be better off buying a used Iphone off ebay so I wouldn't have to carry this additional device? The doctor said the minimum requirement for Iphone is the 4S but a, 'newer version would be better.'

Outside of hearing-aid control, what other day-to-day differences are there between the android phones and the Iphones and their respective operating systems?

Thanks
  • Should you pick Apple, don't get a new 5S. It's already 2 years old. While it's performance is fine today, in 2-3 years with IOS 11 it will suffer. Spend the extra $200 on a 6S or 6S plus.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Well to me the key difference is I consider the TLA IOS to mean Inferior Operating System (It is a closed system and Android is more open, thus better)>

    But in practice for most users there are no major differences..

    BUT: APP writers may actually work for Google or Apple and if that happens a specificA application (program) may be written only for one platform. This has been the case since the first days of personal computers.

    My advice back then, has not changed one letter.

    If you have a specific program you need to run, and it only runs on ONE specific computer. Then that's the computer you need.

    NOTE: You do not substutite "phone" for Computer.. the Phone you are talking about (Smart Phone) IS a computer.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    I just returned from getting a cell phone for my BIL he is older than me and has never had a smart phone. I have an I phone but I got him the Galaxy grand prime(Android) for $149. For the price I thought it was great phone. It has 8 GB of storage that can be expanded, a 12 MP camera and a replaceable battery. I can't expand my storage or replace a battery on my I phone. The people that he knows all have the Androids and can help him get started which is why I chose it. I choose the I phone because my kids all have them. But to me being able to change your own batteries and add storage is a big difference.
  • Evidently the new Galaxy S6 will not have a replaceable battery. Big mistake on Samsung's side. The S5 is a great android phone. I do almost everything with my android phone. Navigation, speedometer, stream music, monitor my diesel engine and check trouble codes, aim satellite dish, monitor camera's in camper and home, provide hotspot, watch movies, etc. One thing you will miss if you get an Iphone is the BACK BUTTON.
  • lynndiwagon wrote:
    One thing you will miss if you get an Iphone is the BACK BUTTON.
    I second that emotion! :C

    Dave