With all of the recent iPhone 4 buzz coming out yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate to compare Froyo (Android 2.2) to iOS4. While not everybody is running these operating systems, it will be helpful to those who haven’t chosen a side yet…Android or Apple. Reuters does a great comparison but here are the specifics.
Right now the only people who are officially using Froyo are some Nexus One owners and developers. If you want it on another devices, chances are that you are getting it from an unofficial source.
iOS4 is also available to developers right now but won’t be available to iPhone 3G, 3G S, or Touch users until 6/21. If you are one of the many to purchase the iPhone 4, you’ll be able to get it already pre-loaded, starting 6/24.
Advantage: Draw
As I just mentioned, there are very few devices running either of the new OS right now. The big drawback for Android users (like myself), is that the roll out time for new updates usually takes a while. Apple will have to roll out their OS to existing 3G, 3G S, and Touch units.
Advantage: Draw
Android, yes…Apple, no. HTML 5 is the choice of Steve Jobs and has implied that some crashes on the Apple devices have been due to Flash problems. I’m particularly a fan of flash and with the new 10.1 release available on Froyo, I believe Android has the upper hand.
Advantage: Android
Plain and simple here. Sprint has been toting their mobile hot-spot capabilities with the Evo 4G just in case you wanted to set up your own network. While this requires and additional monthly fee, I believe it is a fantastic feature.
Advantage: Android
Front facing cameras are standard on the Evo 4G and iPhone 4 with very similar specs so this one is a wash from a hardware standpoint. The main difference here is that Apple comes equipped with FaceTime while Android phones are only software supported through apps from the Android Market. The FaceTime application only works from one iPhone 4 to another iPhone 4 so that capability is limited.
Advantage: Draw
This is similar to the video chat. Apple comes equipped with iBooks where Android requires add-on apps. This allows choice, however, it’s pretty convenient when something comes pre-loaded…as long as you like it.
Advantage: iOS4
Who on earth right now doesn’t use iTunes? iTunes automatically syncs your iPhone with your desktop iTunes. This is a great feature (again assuming you like iTunes). Android offers the choice of apps in the Market and lets the user customize their handset. Most users enjoy Pandora, Grooveshark, or Slacker Radio.
Advantage: iOS4
Both will have now even though Apple was late to the party with iOS4.
Advantage: Draw
Available Apps
Right now there are approximately 200,000 iPhone apps. Android hasn’t been out as long as the iPhones so right now there are 50,000 apps in the Android Market. Some people would say that the clear advantage here is Apple. I disagree. If you look at the time each has been around, the Android Market has a bigger growth rate. I think that based on the sheer number of apps that get added weekly, the 50,000 will be much closer to the 200,000 by the end of the year. Another huge point here is that Apple is filtering Apps in their App Store. The Android Market allows the users to filter their own based on their needs and wants.
Advantage: Draw
• iPhone is the only device from Apple running iOS4. Enough said.
• HDMI Out is currently available on the Evo 4G, not iPhone 4.
• Screen size – iPhone 4 only has 3.5” display
• Camera resolution – 5MP only on iPhone 4
Advantage: Android
While I never have objected to being called pro Android, the operating systems themselves seem to be quite close in comparison. When you add the additional features of the phones, choice of handsets and carriers, as well as some other features noted above, I would choose an Android device 10 times out of 10. This is just my preference so please let me know how you feel.
For a detailed look of the HTC Evo/HTC Incredible/Apple iPhone spec comparison, please look here.