I have had both types. I will never go back to an iPhone. I know you will do what you want in the end. I'm sure that people won't be able to change your opinion on the iPhone either. However, I do want to give my two cents just to say that I did. Since I have had both, I think I am a more reliable source than people who have only read about them. Also... I have played with almost every single Android phone that is out. Only a few have gotten past me! That being said, Let's roll!
When I first got the iPhone, I thought it was an amazing little machine. (Not to mention, I finally felt that feeling of Accepted by the rest of the world. Since having an iPhone means you are "cool" and having an Android means you are a "wanna be")
I played with that phone for hours on the first day. I took those hours learning the tricks and shortcuts that were possible. And after I had them all down, I felt complete. Then it was time to start getting apps. (Yay!) I looked up the most popular ones first. Then after seeing the price on some of them, I looked at the ones that weren't so popular. I started selecting which ones to get. Here it came! The big moment of downloading my first app on my new iPhone. WOW!!! Ten minutes later.... I had Google Earth. (I was not on WIFI) Okay.. ten minutes isn't terrible, is it? YES! The next one, some stupid game that I ended up having to go through iTunes on my PC to get it on my phone. I didn't want iTunes on my computer. Had to happen though.Then I wanted to make a ringtone that was specifically for my wife. Guess what... after spending the time to download the app that would allow me to make Custom Ringtones, (You guessed it..) I had to go through iTunes. After a few more shocking discoveries about needing iTunes for EVERYTHING but making a call, I broke out of the "My phone and I care cool" stage. I realized that compared to my G1 (The FIRST Android phone) this phone wasn't for me.
I went back to the Android phone for a couple weeks before my wife wanted my G1. I took the iPhone back, but I didn't want to.
I grew more and more unhappy with it until I had it Jailbroken. Now it was a decent phone. Except... I could now download apps that would harm my phone. I didn''t like that, so I hardly used the Cydia market place to get things.
Now, my story is over because I got sick of the iPhone. I hated being under Steve Job's rules. I want Flash on my phone! I want to download an app in under a minute without being on WIFI since I am not always around a WIFI connection.( I work in substations, not an office where I can link up to a connection all day). I want to use the phone I paid for to do things, not have to sync up to "Big Brother" iTunes for every little thing. By the way, Making a ringtone with an Android phone on requires music on your phone, and ONE APP called Ringdroid. (Or the countless others like it!) I want to have shortcuts to calling people I call regularly. Direct Dials are a blessing! And I DO NOT... I repeat DO NOT want to have to HACK into (Jailbreak) my phone to make it do what I want it to do.
When you buy an iPhone.... you are paying a good deal of money for it. You shouldn't though. You want to know why? I'm gonna tell you regardless! When you buy it, you can only do what they let you do. Apple made a phone and said "Here you go! Please use OUR PHONE all you want." When Google took that incredible concept that Apple created, but opened it up for other folks to use, here is what they said...." Here you go! Please use YOUR PHONE all you want."
Android has more freedom. iPhones only let you do what Apple says you can do. Yes... the Android market has some issues. It isn't any different than Apple's Store! Android doesn't have as many apps... here is why. iPhone app makers make an app for one PHONE. Android makers have to try to make them work for hundreds of different models. Way harder than making an app that works on one kind of phone.
In my opinion... and that is all it is, Android wins HANDS DOWN. Apple created this Monster and I am thankful for that. However, I am even more thankful that Google perfected it. Slowly, the iPhone will lose its luster to so many more. Due to prices... and other Rules they tack on.
You probably wanted something short and sweet. I'm sorry I got off on a big old rant. I wanted to say that to everyone... not just you. Thanks for reading... if you made it this far.
