Android or Apple

[Tikiflame]

don't lose your cool, they are just phones.

:ak472: :sniper:
:uzi: :gun5:

:rockthrow:

You can visit me and my friends at http://forum.xda-developers.com/ for any questions concerning your mobile devices.
And whoops, I forgot to include those Windows phones on the poll.

I own an LG G2 and a Samsung Note II. I'm probably going to wait until Feb, or March to get a new phone. I want to see what all comes out between now and then. The LG G4's were just recently released, equipped with a Beautiful Camera and Display. Then I see this article about the Note V that will probably be released later this year, maybe November. By the time February gets here, there is no telling what kind of choices I will Have.

 

[tS_kStin]

WAR WAR WAR!!! Lol. This could be an interesting thread.


I have used both. Prefer android much more. Love custom launchers, rooting and all the customization one can do. I started with an IPod touch 4th gen, jail broken to actually do something with it. Then got pissed off with how slow it was when I got it how I wanted it, so I went from that with a dumb phone to an HYC droid DNA. Loved that phone but used my dads upgrade to get the HTC one M8 and gave my dad the DNA. I will be getting the LG G4 soon.

 

[Thai]

Why LG? I would get Samsung S6 over G4. Way better processor. Arguably better camera (but probably tied). More future proof...again, due to processor. I personally would stay away from Qualcomm CPUs until they have more time to develop their own custom cores.

G4 does give your micro-SD capability and removable battery...but i rather just spend to get high storage Galaxy S6 (way more stable internal memory vs volatile mico-SD). Removable battery is a minus for S6 no doubt, but a minor one since you can charge it anywhere with USB cable or battery pack.

As for software, i trust Samsung a lot more than LG in terms of updating your phone software in the future...again, future proofing. Both are bloated, but from reviews, LG G4 thinner/lighter software does not really improve on the lag/stutter.

I am no fan of Samsung, but the S6/Edge is the best of Android by far IMO.

 

[Tikiflame]

You might wanna wait on the G4, Unless you just gotta have that camera, display and all the SD you can throw at it. Man would I love to have a couple of these https://shop.kingston.com/partsinfo.aspx?ktcpartno=SDCA3/64GB (this is not advertisement, its preference) I'm not going to take the risk of a 64gb SD showing up as 8gb when ordered from Amazon.

My reason for waiting out is that the Note V should drop in a few months, And no telling what else. Sooo... I'm gonna wait until March, my G2 should hold me till then. Another thing is, I'm not sure if I want to go back to a 5.5" display on a cell phone. After a year with my Note II as a daily, I am probably gonna go with the best 5" that specs out, Which is currently the s6 with a price tag of 885.00 plus tax for the 128gb model.

The s6 and G4 are direct rivals. Its going to be personal preference, because tech spec's are pretty much equal, but I do have to say, If the s6 had a SD slot on the side, at the bottom, Somewhere! It would have sold better. Because when you record video 1080p @ 60fps or 720p @ 120 fps the output file is going to take up some space Mmm Kay, I need to quit reading specs that s6 is Nice.

*Thanks for the votes and replies guys. I'm out :sleepy:

 

[vanion2]

I have had an LG G2 for the past couple of years and my G4 will be here Tuesday.

I looked at the S6 and passed after a majority of the reviews say the battery life is terrible and even with the faster processors it wasn't a huge improvement over the S5. Many are disappointed because it no longer has a removable battery and no microSD slot. Camera review showed the usual poor low light quality but then that's what DSLRs are for.

LG did a great job in grading the Android for the time I have had the phone (running 5.1 right now) and the fact that I can go almost 2 days with regular use between charges is one of the reasons I bought the G2 to begin with.

G4 now has a microSD port with 32 GB on board storage. That means I can now store music, pics, and movies without hogging on board space. Battery life is claiming a 20% improvement (I will find out soon enough) which even if it breaks even with the G2 will still be 3x better than the S6. Cameras will probably be equal but my G2 took some amazing shots so higher resolution and upgraded tech can't really hurt me there.

Just because something looks good on paper doesn't add up to real world performance. 3rd gens prove that everyday.

And that also answers whether I prefer apple to Android. The better selection of apps that I prefer to use (like Torque) are no available to apple and their latest phones are massive ( my friend has one). They are pretty nice but I have never been an apple fan and nothing they are offering has changed my mind about that yet.

 

[CXS]

This could be an interesting thread..

These always are predictable and boring. :boxer:

 

[Drunner97]

My first "smart" phone was a T-Mobile Dash. Basically a blackberry running windows mobile os (put a custom OS on it). Was good for web browsing and some games, mostly just used it for the keyboard for texting. Then I picked up an Iphone 3 (jailbroken) for free at some point. Had it about 3 months when the Nexus One came out and grabbed that. I've been with Android ever since. I've tended to stay with the Nexus line because I prefer the vanilla os experience and I'm up to a Nexus 5 now. Not sure what I'll upgrade to next. I don't need or want a 6" screen really, just too damned big in my opinion.

 

[Thai]

I looked at the S6 and passed after a majority of the reviews say the battery life is terrible and even with the faster processors it wasn't a huge improvement over the S5.

Battery life...i have no comment on since i do not own one.

However, as for processor difference b/w S6 and S5, you have to understand that S6 has an ARMv8 architecture CPU vs. USA model S5 which uses ARMv7 architecture CPU. Yes, ARMv8 is 64-bit (and backward 32-bit compatible). But, ARMv8 architecture is a lot more efficient...unfortunately, Samsung went with a whole bunch of cores (yes, i know about big.LITTLE config) which kills battery. big.LITTLE does not work in mobile.

At this time (32-bit everything in Android), not a huge difference. But, once those high-end games appear and they are optimized for ARMv8 chips, you will notice a HUGE difference. Remember, from here on out, most of Android chips (Qualcomm, Mediatek, Samsung) will be based on ARMv8 architecture. So, big name apps will optimized their apps to ARMv8.

So, in 6 mos, there will be a clear difference in gaming (for example) b/w Galaxy S6 and USA model S5.

(Apple made the transition 2 yrs ago...and now, most high end games are optimzied for ARMv8 chip-equipped Apple products [via Metal]. For example, there is a BIG difference b/w iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s/6 on Asphalt 8, Modern Combat 5, Geometry Wars 3, etc..)

LG G4 does use ARMv8 chip, but it uses mid-grade CPU/GPU from Qualcomm (S808). This should be fine.

And this is why no one should NOT buy Nexus 6...........................

 

[vanion2]

I read the CNET review of the LG G4 last night and it looks like the battery life is actually better with the S6. Of course you can always buy a 2nd battery for the G4 and put that issue to rest.

I hear you on the processors and longevity but I don't game on my cell phone. Most of my usage is based around fitness tracking, gps, text, pictures, ECU tracking (Torque), etc. If I want to game I bust out my tablet just because it has a bigger screen.

On the processor benchmarks the G4 wasn't all that impressive but the review stated that LG optimized the processor for the G4 and said that usage wise the apps were snappy compared to the other phones.

Adding the removable battery and microSD slot pretty much is the reason I went with the G4. But that is because it had everything I needed for how I use my phone. As always you should always buy the phone based on what you want out of it. I am particularly happy I can shoot in RAW format so I can really get the most out of that camera.

 

[SupaSupra]

I've got a Note 3 currently running CM12. I like it, but I miss my Lumia.

 

[Drunner97]

I read the CNET review of the LG G4 last night and it looks like the battery life is actually better with the S6. Of course you can always buy a 2nd battery for the G4 and put that issue to rest.

I hear you on the processors and longevity but I don't game on my cell phone. Most of my usage is based around fitness tracking, gps, text, pictures, ECU tracking (Torque), etc. If I want to game I bust out my tablet just because it has a bigger screen.

On the processor benchmarks the G4 wasn't all that impressive but the review stated that LG optimized the processor for the G4 and said that usage wise the apps were snappy compared to the other phones.

Adding the removable battery and microSD slot pretty much is the reason I went with the G4. But that is because it had everything I needed for how I use my phone. As always you should always buy the phone based on what you want out of it. I am particularly happy I can shoot in RAW format so I can really get the most out of that camera.

I don't understand why anyone would want to shoot raw with a cell phone camera. You'll never get the same quality out of the sensor as you would out of a DSLR or Point and Shoot camera. Cell phones are only good for social media and 4x6 pictures. If you need raw to edit/print (bigger than 4x6), you'll always be better off using an actual camera.

And before anyone says it, higher megapixel's don't necessarily mean better pictures. It's all about the actual sensor controlling the capture and you can't fit a sensor big enough in a cell phone to match the capabilities of a sensor in an actual camera. Granted cell phone sensors are getting much much better, but they just don't have the same capabilities (especially in low light situations) to really compare.

edit: that's not to say that I don't use my cell phone as a snapshot camera, but when I actually want to shoot quality/raw I'll make sure I have my DSLR with me.

 

[Thai]

I don't understand why anyone would want to shoot raw with a cell phone camera. You'll never get the same quality out of the sensor as you would out of a DSLR or Point and Shoot camera. Cell phones are only good for social media and 4x6 pictures. If you need raw to edit/print (bigger than 4x6), you'll always be better off using an actual camera.

And before anyone says it, higher megapixel's don't necessarily mean better pictures. It's all about the actual sensor controlling the capture and you can't fit a sensor big enough in a cell phone to match the capabilities of a sensor in an actual camera. Granted cell phone sensors are getting much much better, but they just don't have the same capabilities (especially in low light situations) to really compare.

edit: that's not to say that I don't use my cell phone as a snapshot camera, but when I actually want to shoot quality/raw I'll make sure I have my DSLR with me.

Agree 100%. Smartphone camera sensors are too tiny to do RAW. Useless, marketing feature. Even most P&S cameras are useless with RAW. I have Sony RX100 with 1" sensor...i don't do RAW either because it is not worth it.

What matters more than MP is each pixel size. I would not want more than 12 MP...16 is OK...20 is just stupid. For a given sensor size (on a smartphone) and for pics that you use a smartphone for, i rather have pixel size than mega-pixel! Now, if you have a large sensor (DSLR), then yeah, more MP is nice (but there is a limit there too).

And no, more MP on a tiny sensor does NOT mean that you can blow up the picture easier. Garbage in = garbage out.

 

[vanion2]

You are entitled to your opinions but I don't always have my DSLR in my pocket on an afternoon hike and so I make due with my cell's camera. I have gotten some pretty good shots doing this and the ability to use RAW may be useless to you but I take advantage of every tool at my disposal.

I am well aware that DSLR cameras are on a completely different level in capabilities as I have used both for years but since we are talking phones here I find myself wondering why you keep comparing them to DSLRs as opposed to other phone's cameras.

 

[Thai]

You are entitled to your opinions but I don't always have my DSLR in my pocket on an afternoon hike and so I make due with my cell's camera. I have gotten some pretty good shots doing this and the ability to use RAW may be useless to you but I take advantage of every tool at my disposal.

I am well aware that DSLR cameras are on a completely different level in capabilities as I have used both for years but since we are talking phones here I find myself wondering why you keep comparing them to DSLRs as opposed to other phone's cameras.

RAW of garbage is still garbage. Extreme thinking...sure, but you get my point. A tiny sensor is the problem here. I don't need RAW on a smartphone...how about software and/or hardware that takes a decent picture in the first place so that i can post it to Facebook or to send as text/email or maybe good enough for 4x6. That's it.

Instead of focusing so much on RAW, why don't manufacturers (of smartphones) focus on getting the hardware and software calibrations right in the first place. Instead, we have mega-pixel race to see who can top each other, which is about as stupid as you can get. Instead of working to increase sensor size (or other mechanical ways around that problem) or to improve lens technology or to focus on individual pixel size (= better low light performance without having aberrations from resorting to low f-stop), everyone is focusing on MP and RAW.

And you wonder why Apple iPhone rules the Instagram world. iPhone does not necessary have better camera than S6 or G4...but they make taking a good simple picture quickly and without hassle. Sure, you can manually adjust the hell out of a G4 or S6 or HTC to get a good (or even a better) picture...but by that time, your infant kid has wandered off or that sunset moment has gone away.

Smartphone camera is about instantaneous pictures. Taking pics of cute moments with your kids.

It is NOT about landscape photography or wedding photography or planned events. These things may need RAW. These things need to you to tinker. These things need sensors bigger than 1/3" or even 1/2.3". I am finding out that 1" sensor on my RX100 is lacking too.

 

[Drunner97]

I never really said a cell phone camera was useless, just personally there's really no point in shooting raw with a cell phone camera because they don't have the sensor/glass for a pixel density that makes it worth being able to edit at the raw level. You'll get the same level of editing shooting jpeg and I'd never buy a cell phone merely on the fact that you could shoot raw with it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I started with a Samsung Galaxy 1 and was very impressed, which led to me getting my Samsung Galaxy 2 (I was saddened to see the very nice metal backing plate with solid locking mechanism from the S1 disappear in the following versions and the build quality going towards predominantly plastic.) I skipped the S3 because it really didn't seem like a worthwhile upgrade hardware wise and didn't feel as great as my S2 at the time. By the time the S4 rolled around I was very impressed by the specs and it felt very much like an upgraded S2, which is what I had hoped. As of the beginning of this year my S4 is somewhere out on the side of Mt. Bachelor; so I begrudgingly picked up an S5 Active (I wasn't all that impressed with the S5 to be honest, but the Active model really felt better to me than the standard unit.)

I was eagerly awaiting the S6, but now that it's out and that it seems that even the Active model will not have a removable battery and SD slot (though it will have a larger battery than the current S6 offerings) I felt somewhat insulted and am conflicted on whether I will pick up an S6 Active when it comes out.

I've played with a few different phones from friends to see the competition, currently have looked a bit over my friend's new Chinese brand (not a knockoff, some new company I guess?) and it seem interesting.

As for the OS, I have been far happier with Android than with iOS, every single person's iPhone I have had the displeasure of having to use has been a pain and I just don't like how things are set-up. That combined with the malicious updates from Apple, the tyrannical chokehold they have on their software and the need to basically be forced to jail break the phone to do much of anything with just turns me off. Not to mention the fact that almost 2/3 of all iPhones I see are shattered to hell and back from apparently dropping it off a desk (all my Galaxies have been flung, bounced, skidded, and dropped in the shop regularly from my clumsiness and my S4 broke after being dropped over a dozen times and finally just hitting a rock just right to crack the screen.) I also am not partial to the design of the phone either, I prefer Android's 3 Button layout to Apples mono-button. Granted I am running Samsung's bloated version of Android (the S1 and S2 didn't seem to be as bad as the S3-S5 phones in terms of them really laying their custom Samsung overlay on it.) But there's enough functionality when tweaked that it is enjoyable to use without having to root it to a standard Android build... so far.

All in all, ever since I stopped drinking the Mac kool-aid back when I finally went from a Macbook to a quality Laptop running Windows 7 64-Bit I really haven't seen any reason to have to pay a subscription fee to Mac's coffers (because that's all it is really, you end up buying their stuff so regularly you might as well just pay their stock yearly.) So much of the Mac craze when the iPod, iPhone, and iTakeYourMoney products came out felt more or less like disposable products hampered by Apple's dictator-like need to strangle their software and release new versions on a cycle that almost makes Call of Duty's development cycle look glacial.

 

[ndcent]

I am my cell phone, it's my life.

 

[vanion2]

Well my G4 arrived and I can honestly say the battery performance is still awesome. I am still at 78% after a full day of normal usage. Which includes GPS tracking with my Runkeeper app, regular texting and emails, checking the weather, and a few phone calls thrown in the mix.

It feels significantly lighter than the G2 and because both phones are LG I used the LG backup app which transfered all my pics, music, docs, contacts, texts, etc to the new phone in less than 15 minutes by peer to peer wireless. So awesome.

It doesn't feel faster but it is quick to launch apps and the screen is super responsive. Throw in the bonus of LG giving me a new extra battery, charging cradle and 32 GB microSD because I bought it before the end of the month for free and I can honestly say that I think I am off to a great start.

Sure, the S6 has better specs and if you run a lot of graphic intensive apps the G4 may not be the phone for you. But if you want a phone that will last a 24 hour day on a single charge, has a microSD port, a removable battery, and pretty damn good performance on most regular apps then this is definitely a phone to consider.

And it launched with Android Lollipop 5.1.

 

[Thai]

Well my G4 arrived and I can honestly say the battery performance is still awesome. I am still at 78% after a full day of normal usage. Which includes GPS tracking with my Runkeeper app, regular texting and emails, checking the weather, and a few phone calls thrown in the mix.

It feels significantly lighter than the G2 and because both phones are LG I used the LG backup app which transfered all my pics, music, docs, contacts, texts, etc to the new phone in less than 15 minutes by peer to peer wireless. So awesome.

It doesn't feel faster but it is quick to launch apps and the screen is super responsive. Throw in the bonus of LG giving me a new extra battery, charging cradle and 32 GB microSD because I bought it before the end of the month for free and I can honestly say that I think I am off to a great start.

Sure, the S6 has better specs and if you run a lot of graphic intensive apps the G4 may not be the phone for you. But if you want a phone that will last a 24 hour day on a single charge, has a microSD port, a removable battery, and pretty damn good performance on most regular apps then this is definitely a phone to consider.

And it launched with Android Lollipop 5.1.

Congrats! Sounds like a great phone! Seemingly water resistant too!

It will be interesting to see which phone (S6/Edge vs. G4) will get Android M first.

 

[vanion2]

Congrats! Sounds like a great phone! Seemingly water resistant too!

It will be interesting to see which phone (S6/Edge vs. G4) will get Android M first.

I'm not sure about the water resistant part since the shell on the back is easy to open and I wouldn't want to field test that to see what the results would be. Lol. Maybe the Ballistic case I ordered will help out a touch there.

I just looked up to Andriod M and am also intrigued when it will start launching (still in dev mode right now). Some of the features are already integrated into my G4 (tap on/off) but I really like the feature about limiting permissions on apps that M will offer. It seems ridiculous what app devs feel their app should be allowed to do and it's only getting worse.

Why does every app need to be allowed to use my camera, view my contacts, etc? Privacy is a thing of the past with a smart phone. Maybe M will help bring some of that back.