Mobile phones

Mobile phones

Android vs Apple: which operating system should I choose?

Chances are, you’re already within either an Android or Apple ecosystem. By that we mean you most likely have a smartphone, tablet and laptop that all use the same software – that’s not to say that you can’t go in a different direction. In a nutshell, considered wisdom is this: Apple is easier to use and Android provides more choice. So let’s have a look at the benefits of each and what sets them apart:

• Apple: if you choose an Apple operating system (OS) then you are locked into an iPhone, however many prefer this as it then limits decisions to models only. One of the benefits here, however, is that you will always have instant access to the latest version of iOS, while Android systems can be slow to update these as they need to come from another source entirely. If you’re an Apple fan though, you’re buying into the ecosystem that will operate your entire electronic life, and the Apple suite of products really do work seamlessly together.
• Android: There are a number of obvious advantages to buying Android. Google Android is an open platform; this means that anyone can develop apps that use this OS. As a result, the amount of choice, in terms of apps, far outstrips Apple. However, in terms of integration, the open platform then plays against Android – as moving between devices is not quite as seamless and it doesn’t “feel” the same. Another advantage to going Android is the hardware angle. Android software is available to many smart phone makers including Samsung, HTC, LG and Motorola, so there is an incredible amount of choice in terms of brands and models.

Benefits of buying an unlocked smartphone

First up, what is an unlocked phone? An unlocked smartphone is one that isn’t tied to a particular phone carrier and can then be used on any network you choose. The benefits of this are that you have more brands and models to choose from (some carriers have affiliated phone companies), you can use international SIM cards more easily, you can switch carriers without costly penalties if you break your phone contract and, generally, it will have a higher resale value. The one downside? A higher up-front cost.

Other features to consider:

• Screen size: of course, this comes down to personal preference. If you like to watch content on your phone or play games, then a larger screen is best. And if one-handed use (or if you just have smaller hands!) is important, then look at a screen that is smaller than 5.5 inches.
• Battery: low battery anxiety is a real thing – you should always look for a smartphone that lasts over ten hours on a single charge.
• Camera: more and more, people are using their smartphone camera as their primary photographic tool. If this feature is critical to you, then you need to do your research on resolution, image quality, aperture and speed or frame rate. And if you plan to take loads of photos, then look for a smartphone with a micro SD card slot.