I got a Motorola Droid smartphone last week. I’m pretty happy with it, and am pretty sure I will keep it.
I agree that the iPhone has a few minor advantages over the Droid: I like the way it feels in my hand better, with its rounded corners. Pinch-zoom would be nice. There are more apps available (about 10 times as many).
But the Droid has some advantages too. Built-in turn-by-turn voice GPS navigation (which is an expensive app on the iPhone). Larger, higher resolution screen. Hardware keyboard. Multi-tasking. Folders on the screens to help organize your apps. Verizon’s superior network (in terms of coverage).
The lack of apps isn’t as much of an inferiority as it may sound — most of the good ones are available for both phones.
All in all, I think they are pretty comparable. Extreme fans of one or the other (Ken?) will scoff that there is no comparison based on xxx or yyy, but really they are in the same class. It comes down to carrier and personal preference, I think.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Dale // Nov 29, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I like that it has both a virtual and hardware keyboard. Being able to feel what I was typing was one thing I couldn’t get used to on my Blackberry Storm.
2 Donna // Nov 29, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Certainly when Verizon finally lands a contract for the iPhone, I’ll be switching over. They definitely have a superior network, although I haven’t had any problems in town so far. But I know coast to coast, they win hands down. Glad you’re happy.
3 Daryl // Nov 29, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Dale, the hardware keyboard is a disappointment, perhaps the biggest disappointment with the Droid. The keys are flat and small, with very little motion. I can type on it with my fingernails, but it’s usually faster to type on the virtual keyboard.
I do find it useful when I want to see the full screen while I am typing, but that’s not very often.
4 Daryl // Nov 29, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Donna, there are continual rumors the Verizon is going to start selling the iPhone, but the rumors never seem to pan out.
Maybe one of these years. When (if) it happens, AT&T is going to be hurting, unless they improve their network before then.
5 Don // Dec 1, 2009 at 1:56 pm
One of Jen’s friends just bought one and so we compared my iPhone and her Droid. I think Daryl summed up about the same thoughts that we had. I think it really comes down to personal preference.
On another note, the Verizon ad is REALLY,REALLY deceiving. AT&T actually covers most of the populated areas. The map you see on the Verizon ads is only 3G. Somehow I don’t mind if I have 3G when I’m out camping in the mountains. I guess some do though. The main thing is do you get coverage where you live and spend most of your time. If so then who cares about places you’ll never be.
6 Richard // Dec 2, 2009 at 7:20 am
Don — I don’t think there is anything deceiving about the Verizon ad. It clearly states that they are talking about 3G coverage. In our circles no one buys AT&T for that exact reason. If you happen to be in an area they cover it is fine, but they don’t cover anything but most cities, and even there the coverage is relatively spotty when compared with Verizon.
What I think is deceiving is AT&T’s response ad that rebuts Verizon’s 3G claim by comparing voice coverage, and then suggesting that they are “setting the record straight”. Voice is voice and 3G is 3G.
7 Daryl // Dec 2, 2009 at 11:19 am
At the risk of starting a “religious” war, I have to agree with Richard that the Verizon ads were not really misleading, at least not to anybody who knows anything about phone networks. They make it very clear that they are talking about 3G. The judge who refused to implement an injunction against Verizon agreed.
But I can see how someone who doesn’t understand phone networks might see those maps and get the false impression that they refer to voice coverage.
It would be interesting, though, to see maps comparing actual (not claimed) voice coverage too. I know there would be a blank area in AT&T’s map in central Pasadena where Devon lives. He has to use WiFi and VOIP to use his iPhone at his apartment. I understand that coverage in New York City and San Francisco, for example, are also very spotty.
Again, not starting a religious war. Verizon has their problems, especially in the past with their crippled phones (which the Droid, thankfully, is not) and extra fees for everything. But coverage-wise, they are the best.
8 Don // Dec 3, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Richard: For someone smart like you they aren’t deceiving but most people aren’t that smart. They don’t understand that 3G is only used for things like browsing the web and has nothing to do with voice coverage.
I’m not sticking up for AT&T but I’ve had them since my first cell phone and I’ve never felt like I was missing out. I suppose living in the San Fernando Valley instead of Bumf*** Egypt makes a big difference. 😉
But of course if you want an iPhone you don’t have much choice. You can’t even use an unlocked iPhone on Verizon.
9 Don // Dec 7, 2009 at 8:47 am
Interesting article about AT&T Vs Verizon.
http://telephonyonline.com/3g4g/news/att-outperforms-verizon-1204/
10 Daryl // Dec 7, 2009 at 7:42 pm
They seem to make the point that where AT&T has coverage, the signal strength is stronger. I have also heard other comparisons that suggest that with good signals iPhones download data faster than Droids.
However, they also say, “more than other operators, AT&T has a network with areas of intense capacity separated by gaps of low signal strength.”
I think I have heard that CDMA works better with weak signals than other technologies, which could explain why there are apparent gaps in AT&T coverage but less so with Verizon. The signals may be just as strong, but perhaps CDMA phones are better able to use the weaker signals.
11 Richard // Dec 10, 2009 at 8:50 pm
So now that you’ve had some more time with it, do you still like it? Chris has one and loves it.
12 Daryl // Dec 11, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Yes, I’m very happy with it. The longer I have it, the more I like it. It’s by far the best smart phone I’ve had (compared to a previous Palm and Blackberry).
I can’t type as fast on it as I could on my Blackberry, so sending emails isn’t quite as easy, but otherwise it’s great.
I keep finding new, neat apps that are more fun than useful.