Key differences between Iphone and Android systems?

[Wrace]

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

[magicbus]

lynndiwagon wrote:
One thing you will miss if you get an Iphone is the BACK BUTTON.

I second that emotion! :C

Dave

[lynndiwagon]

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.

[Gjac]

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.

[wa8yxm]

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.

[8_1_Van]

I would say iOS in the iPhone is more easy to use compared to Android but my smartphone is a 6.44" Sony Xperia Z Ultra that has Android 5.1.1 that I use with the Sony Smartwatch 3 that also has Android Wear 5.1.1 that shows me who is calling and gives me notifications so I don't have to pull out my phone as much.

Android 6.0 vs. iOS 9: More Alike Than Ever

[APT]

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.

[dons2346]

Wrace wrote:

guidry wrote:
By the way, you do know that Verizon will be adding $20 per smartphone each month in a few days. I was on the unlimited and just switched to a plan. Good luck

I didn't know that, thanks for the heads-up.

From what I have heard, the $20 charge is for those of us that still have an unlimited data plan.

On edit here is the latest from Big Red.
http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/verizon-to-raise-price-of-grandfathered-unlimited-plans-by-20month/

[accsys]

Wrace wrote:
So the Iphone 5S will do the foxfi - mobile hotspot ok?

On our iPhone 5c you just turn on the hotspot in the settings, no app needed.

[Wrace]

So the Iphone 5S will do the foxfi - mobile hotspot ok?

[Wrace]

guidry wrote:
By the way, you do know that Verizon will be adding $20 per smartphone each month in a few days. I was on the unlimited and just switched to a plan. Good luck

I didn't know that, thanks for the heads-up.

[1492]

Your hearing aid needs may ultimately dictate which phone you get?

Personally, I've got two iPhones on Verizon, a Samsung Note and Galaxy on Sprint. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the Samsung Note using Android 5. It's considered a Phablet, so somewhat large. Similar to the iPhone 6s.

It's got a smart stylus built-in, which can be remarkably handy for taking notes, copy&pasting, and screen captures. Makes it incredibly easy compared to using just touch.

IPhone does some things better, such as email. But my vote goes to Samsung Android OS which has features still not available in iOS. I can pretty much access most all settings I need from the home page, such as toggling 4G data or pairing devices without having to click through the options in settings. Among the most annoying features missing in iOS for me personally. Though have not yet updated my iPhones to iOS 9.

Also, IMO, the Samsung photo and HD/4K camera beats the iPhone in overall quality. So good that I'm beginning to leave my compact digital camera at home when traveling.

[mileshuff]

Not sure whats generating all the pop up ads. Only time I've had any are associated with certain freebie apps. They want me to buy the full version to get rid of those ads. The ads only come up when I'm running that app. If ads come up too much with that app I delete it.

As for overall usage it really depends on the person. Some prefer iOS, some prefer Android. I've used both and greatly prefer Android but then I'm a bit of a techie type that prefers the open platform OS. Plus, I can't stand iTunes!!! Much easier for me to organize and load music on my Android but again, thats just me and becomes a personal preference. Both are good in their own ways.

[guidry]

By the way, you do know that Verizon will be adding $20 per smartphone each month in a few days. I was on the unlimited and just switched to a plan. Good luck

[donn0128]

Wife and I both have hearing aids. We both have Phonak aids and also have the Com Pilot/TV link. With this and the phone link we can talk on our cell phones listen to TV all in stereo thru our hearing aids. If your a vet and are already on VA medical there free. If not, Costco will be the best buy. There are other brands that also have phone/TV links that will pair via bluetooth to any bluetooth enabled phone. BTW Im using a Galaxy S4, DW has a Iphone4. Both work well. Depending on your hearing loss, you may find phone calls better on a cell using the bluetooth link.