My experience with android, iOS and Windows Phone

[micallan_17]

So here I am an ordinary guy that likes to use different gadgets,l ikes to keep updated with tech news. First let me say that I am a big Microsoft fan am all into the Microsoft ecosystem and I like the integration i get by using Microsoft services.

I will try not to be one sided here, but my issue with other competing mobile oses is the following (two of my main issues):

For Android, the first thing I wanted to do when I got an android device was to get root access, reason being that out of the box android devices (not including pure android devices) are so bloated that the first thing I wanted was to remove all those useless apps that come preinstalled and most of the time with no way to uninstall them without rooting. Rooting to some extent is a fun thing to do and quite an experience. My personal preference is that I see it as a security issue or to the average user a way to brick their devices.

The second is that no matter what highend device or low end you will mostly have lag, for eg. The GS4 is a nice device IMO but the lag when using it is sometimes annoying and knowing that it has 2GB of RAM I expected more.

App selection is great but yet again I don't use many apps.

iOS (iOS 7.1.2)

As with android my issues with iOS are the same except that with iOS we use the term jailbreaking, its also fun and an experience to do.

Lag is mostly not an issue but there is lag, I used an iPhone 4S and every time I used to go to Settings>cellular>cellular data connection, I always experience lag there and since I have had this issue on 3 different devices I believe this is not a hardware issue.

As with android app selection is great but I don't use many apps or play a ton of games.

Windows Phone 8/8.1 (Lumia 520/522)

My first time I ever used WPhone was with a 520 with Windows Phone 8.0, lag IMO is non existent, I never got the urge to root or something (which i believe is not available and if it was i wouldn't use it either) similar I just liked how it is, bloatware apps come pre-installed but they are easily uninstalled.

After upgrading to 8.1 via PD I was amazed at how much more you can do. I have often said this: Windows Phone deserves way more credit than what it's given. The 520 was born again, battery life improved by a lot.

There is a great selection of first party and 3rd party apps, and all the services I've used in iOS and Android are all there. One of the things I do miss is the game selection, my one game I miss is sonic dash, but can live with that.

So there you have it, thanks
micallan_17

 

[mazubo]

I love your view on the 3os's. I started with Blackberry OS, switched to iPhone, then Android for about 5 years, and now WP as of 2 months ago. If people had an open mind, and didn't follow the masses, there would be a lot more WP users... Just saying..

 

[trekgraham]

Same feelings here, blackberry, Android, iPhone, and iPad before my Windows Phone. And my Windows Phone rocks

 

[micallan_17]

thank you guys I like all 3 oses but IMO WP caters my needs and for me its the best.

 

[Guytronic]

thank you guys I like all 3 oses but IMO WP caters my needs and for me its the best.

Thanks for the words mic...
Nice to read positives about our friends in the other arenas.

 

[micallan_17]

Thanks for the words mic...
Nice to read positives about our friends in the other arenas.

You're welcome, and mostly people go with the flow but am not that kind, I go with what fits my needs, one thing I forgot to mention was that the keyboard on WP blows android's and iOS's keyboard, when I type a sentence the prediction software is just plain awesome, based on my typing it learns and it does it quickly, something I have not seen on android or iOS

 

[trekgraham]

Love the new keyboard in Windows phone 8.1

 

[Highdefjunkie]

I had a BB, Iphone, Android and then I settled on WP for 4 years now. It just works for me. I have nothing bad to say about the rest it's all just preference.

 

[RobGG]

My experience...

Iphone user since 1st generation of iphones... got into it after buying an ipod touch, i loved that device and wanted to make calls with it, the iphone was magical.

Got a bit bored after the poorly made IMO iphone 3g, tried the nexus one for some months only to find out Android was full of lag, less apps, messy music organization.

Went back to iphone... wanted to try an WP for the longest time and bought the L925 last year, man was i surprised at how apps sucked BIG TIME, honestly i didnt know how people defended such limited third party apps, only answer i could tell myself is that they probably hadn't tried apps on ios before. Dont get me wrong, i liked live tiles, that is it.

Then this year i wanted to try something else, maybe give android and WP another chance, bought an HTC M8 and the ICON.

Ive tried using the icon over the M8, but i get frustrated when some apps are not fully supported or don't do the same as apps on android. Usually i find workarounds with 3rd party apps or doing thins on IE, but it gets tiring after a while... truth is when i want something to work fast and without having to do extra steps i just get the M8 and do it..


So in conclusion this is how i would describe my experience with the 3 major OS and the devices i tried.

Android: Pros- Not laggy anymore, very fluid and open. Downloading stuff is very easy, very customizable....Cons- Messy at times, gotta be careful with 3rd party apps or apps not from the app store. Apps a little bit sub par in comparison with IOS. Some times looks like IOS and that becomes boring.

WP- Pros: Live tiles, Live Folders, Refreshing to see something different. Cons- Limited apps, limited support for major apps, 3rd party apps are not the same, im sorry, they try so hard but lack essential features. Bugs, yes... bugs! my lumia icon freezes on the lockscreen sometimes, reboots randomly. Also, when i pin a tile with info i want it opens another feature of the app that i didnt pin down (for ex: a search query on twitter). Phone gets hot, firmware and OS updates take ages.

IOS Pros: fluidity, NO LAG, at all... no lag at all... not on settings, not on anywhere. Apps are always supported, updated and just look and work better. OS updates are a breeze, OTA or with Itunes, so easy, and on time. Everything is organized, spotlight search rocks! Music organization is amazing, toggles easy to get from swiping up on the screen. CONS: boring at times, small batteries that dont last a day.


I admire the 3 OS in some way... i like some ideas on wp and android but to me IOS is the most practical OS available for a while now. So, going back to IOS this fall, still deciding if i sell my m8 or the ICON.