Which Is The Best Smartphone To Buy
Here at Eggy Web Design we are currently facing a bit of a dilemma, our mobile phone contracts are due for renewal and we are unsure about what handset is going the best to suit our needs.
Ultimately it came down to a choice between two handsets;
the HTC Desire vs the iPhone 4.
It must be said that both phones are very good, choosing between them has not been an easy task but after some exhaustive research our minds are made up. Read on to find out who wins the battle of the handsets.
Apple iPhone 4
iPhone 4 Benefits
- Best looking phone on the market
- Loads of great Apps
- Facetime video calling
- High resolution screen: 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
- Good quality Camera and Video Recording
- App Store is accessible for developers
The iPhone 4 is without doubt a classy gadget, judged purely on the look of the device the iPhone 4 wins hands down. It’s clean lines and shiny body are very alluring – but it is not without its faults.
iPhone 4 Faults
- Reception is known to be problematic
- Glass display reportedly cracks very easily
- You must use Apple approved software
- Not compatible with Flash
- The battery cannot be changed
- The storage on the iPhone cannot be upgraded
- Most expensive smartphone
All bells and whistles aside the main function of the iPhone is really to make and receive calls so the issue with the iPhone having poor reception is clearly very off putting. Apparently Apple are releasing a software update to fix the reception problem but how a software update is supposed to fix a hardware issue is baffling.
Battery Life
It is accepted that the battery life on a modern smartphone is not great. There is a high demand on the battery due to the processor handling all the various applications that are being used. If you are using either the iPhone 4 or the HTC Desire, the likelihood is that you will have to charge the battery every day.
Most of the comparisons between the HTC Desire and the iPhone fail to mention that you cannot change the battery on your iPhone. One day that battery will run out and iPhone owners everywhere will be left with a useless device. How long will the battery last? Two years maybe, just enough time for your contract to expire and by this time we will likely all be salivating over the iPhone 6.
Does this pose a broader question about the throwaway nature of modern day society and Apple’s apparent plan plan to accommodate this?
Feel free to comment.
Summary of iPhone 4
Apple devotees with argue tooth and nail that the iPhone 4 is the best thing in the World since the 3Gs.
It is a slickly marketed and desirable object but at the end of the day the iPhone 4 is by no means perfect. The research carried out for this article has exposed some flaws in Apple’s wonder device but will that be enough to tip the vote towards the HTC Desire?
Read on to find out.
HTC Desire (Android)
HTC Desire Benefits
- Customisable user interface
- Part of the Open Source Movement
- Slightly bigger screen than iPhone 4 – 3.7 inches
- Screen is responsive and is every bit as intuitive as the iPhone
- Better support for third party apps
Many online reviews of the HTC Desire are filled with enthusiastic owners who have nothing but good things to say about it. It is part of the Open Source Movement, which means that third party apps are not spoon fed.
HTC Desire Faults
- Camera not as good as the iPhone
- Difficult to see the screen in direct sunlight
- Resolution of the screen is lower than the iPhone 4
- Currently more apps available for iPhone
- The storage of the phone is a poor 512MB
Finding faults in the HTC Desire has been difficult. It seems to be a great phone and it’s a lot cheaper than the iPhone 4.
Any negative with the HTC Desire issues are seemingly being resolved.
The storage can be upgraded with a 32GB Micro SD card, which can be swapped if required.
The Android app store, which is the main marketplace for buying apps for the HTC Desire is experiencing a higher rate of growth than Apple’s app store.
The video camera has recently been upgraded to record in HD with the recent update to Android operating system version 2.2, and as for not being able to see the screen in direct sunlight, that can hardly be judged as harsh criticism.
Summary Of The HTC Desire
There is more of a sence of freedom surrounding the HTC Desire, the interface being highly customisable is a beacon of sorts for the nature of the device and the way people can contribute.
The Winner Is…
The advertising campaign used by Apple claiming “This Changes Everything – Again” seems rather brash, especially when compared to the somewhat less pretentious saying adopted by HTC – “Quietly Brilliant”.
It must be said that quietly brilliant seems to be accurate when describing this phone. If you can overcome the desirability of the iPhone 4 and compare the two phones side by said then it must be said there is not that much difference in functionality and usability.
This begs the question why should we pay more for the iPhone 4?
Head over to the website if you would like some information about the HTC Desire.
What an excellent article. I love the pic!
It’s great to be able to read a clear comparison of iPhone and HTC.
The HTC would also benefit you as a web developer as it has great support for Google, and of course the battery issue with the iPhone is a definite no no in todays environmentally aware market. Nobody wants a dead appliance on their hands!
Sounds like the HTC has a lot more to offer when it comes to upgrades and updates.
Let us know how you get on when your new toy arrives!
Buying a HTC Desire shows your commitment to the future of the web and the open source community. Android is gaining momentum and will only get stronger as we finally see a phone which looks good and works as equally well as the iPhone. The difference is that it is built on open source software which is good for everyone, as it means anyone can contribute, an extensive app store, portability (SD, AVi, Flash) and customisation. Good choice.
i h8 all technology!
Nice comparison, I like it however for people who are looking at a contract which is most (considering you need a Network for a phone..duh) price is less of an issue, best phone is
I have played with the Desire briefly and the touch screen did not feel as responsive as the iPhone nor was the app that I tried google earth, rather laggy, Apple is good at tweaks and optimization.
The question is if there where no reception issues for the iPhone would this even be a competition?
Just a final note:
* Reception is known to be problematic <- Biggest problem
* Glass display reportedly cracks very easily <- Dropping any phone will damage it
* You must use Apple approved software <- Not true Jailbreaking is legal in the U.S.A. and gives you all the freedom you want
* Not compatible with Flash <- Agreed
* The battery cannot be changed <- It can be changed by an Apple technician and really takes several years to deplete
* The storage on the iPhone cannot be upgraded <- What you get is arguable sufficient
* Most expensive smartphone <- Carriers problem
Extra positives:
* Highest speed wireless! 4G and wireless N are huge upgrades!
* Reliable software updates including usability (improving for years to come) and security (safe to use)
* Apple's long life cycle for their products!
* Great resale value, as with all Apple products
The only Apple product I own is an iPhone 3G but I have to say the iPhone is a magical combination of technology and humanity, that's why people buy it, I always thought the iPhone was big and ugly, until I tried it, then I couldn't go back to anything else
Great comments Martin, although you still haven’t swayed my opinion. I will be getting an HTC Desire next week when my contract expires.
Anyone else who cares to contribute to the debate please feel free.
Interesting review, Eggie. I have an iPhone 3 which I like. But I could be persuaded to buy another brand when my contract ends. Time will tell. The main benefit of the iPhone is fitting in with the cool crowd (bit sad, really, but true). M