# Android vs. IPhone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 31, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966 "2011-12-31T18:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/41 "2012-01-01T22:27:17Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > A very bright fellow I work with said it best - Androids may make for a fun hobby, but if you want your hobbies to be about something other than making your phone work right, get an iPhone. Android phones work right out of the box too _shock horror_. It’s not like you have to tinker with them at all, but if you want to you can, easily. Also, you can get a form factor that suits! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/42 "2012-01-01T23:12:49Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Android phones work right out of the box too _shock horror_. That’s not true. I had to put the battery into mine before it would work. That constituted such high degree of “fucking around” that I nearly gave up and bought an iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/43 "2012-01-01T23:46:48Z")
Seeing cow-orker’s Samsung plugged in to his office computer “So, how long does your phone’s battery last? I’m at about 40% by the time I get home from work” “Oh, shoot, it’ll die in 2 and a half hours if I don’t plug it in…but it’s running Ice Cream Sandwich! Power consumption isn’t one of [platform hacker’s] top priorities.” See, I can come up with stupid anecdotes, too! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/44 "2012-01-01T23:58:49Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > That’s not true. I had to put the battery into mine before it would work. That constituted such high degree of “fucking around” that I nearly gave up and bought an iPhone. Did you have to put the SIM in too? My mum successfully managed both those onerous tasks. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/45 "2012-01-02T00:01:48Z")
In the US we’re not allowed to touch the SIM…it would be a DRM violation. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/46 "2012-01-02T00:09:21Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > In the US we’re not allowed to touch the SIM…it would be a DRM violation. Not sure if serious? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/47 "2012-01-02T00:13:11Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Not sure if serious? I swap my SIM between phones all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/48 "2012-01-02T00:17:42Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Not sure if serious? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/49 "2012-01-02T00:35:26Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > 😃 Well, you sure got me there. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/50 "2012-01-02T00:55:27Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Well, you sure got me there. believe it or not, my Verizon phone has a SIM in it :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/51 "2012-01-02T13:18:48Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > That’s not true. I had to put the battery into mine before it would work. That constituted such high degree of “fucking around” that I nearly gave up and bought an iPhone. Well, there you go! iPhone batteries are built in, right from the start. It should be obvious that a cell phone without a battery in it can’t do anything useful at all, but for some reason the Android builders don’t get that. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/52 "2012-01-02T17:11:15Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > It should be obvious that a cell phone without a battery in it can’t do anything useful at all, but for some reason the Android builders don’t get that. What it really means is that I can always carry two or three extra, fully-charged batteries with me ($3.70 each on Ebay), and just put one in when the present battery runs out. I never have to go to a wall socket to charge if I don’t want to (I have a charger separate from the phone–$8 on Ebay). And I am never, ever at all concerned about how much power I’m using with my smartphone. The fact that iPhone batteries last longer is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/53 "2012-01-02T17:15:46Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > What it really means is that I can always carry two or three extra, fully-charged batteries with me ($3.70 each on Ebay), and just put one in when the present battery runs out. if you’re buying lithium-polymer cells that cost $4, I would recommend not carrying them on your person, nor leaving them on any combustible surface in your house. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/54 "2012-01-02T17:26:10Z")
I don’t understand why people found it necessary to “fuck around” with an Android phone. Entering your Google username/password is all it takes to get it up and running (including Gmail, Google Calendar, etc). If you want to add other functions you download an app for it, just like on an iPhone. The big difference is that there are some things that are customizable on an Android phone, but not on an iPhone. The on-screen keyboard is one example (or was, on my last i-device, a 1st gen iPad). On Android if you don’t like the stock on-screen keyboard, there are dozens to choose from on the Market. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/55 "2012-01-02T17:58:55Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > if you’re buying lithium-polymer cells that cost $4, I would recommend not carrying them on your person, nor leaving them on any combustible surface in your house. Don’t worry, Mom–these are the original manufacturer’s batteries. If they don’t explode or leak in the phone itself, they’re not going to do that in my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/56 "2012-01-02T19:04:36Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Don’t worry, Mom–these are the original manufacturer’s batteries. If they don’t explode or leak in the phone itself, they’re not going to do that in my pocket. Of course, we know that no one on ebay sells counterfeit goods. I’ll buy 3rd party batteries, but only those made by companies I’ve heard of and sold by companies with a reputation to protect. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/57 "2012-01-02T19:17:08Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Of course, we know that no one on ebay sells counterfeit goods. Very true, but after over a year, these batteries have behaved exactly as the originals–(certainly no leaking or exploding). I haven’t been maimed by any of these these batteries, and their longevity is the same as the original that came with the phone. Guess what, electric current works they same whether it’s counterfeit or not. This is one case where no hand wringing is necessary. Relax. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/58 "2012-01-02T19:26:47Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Very true, but after over a year, these batteries have behaved exactly as the originals–(certainly no leaking or exploding). I haven’t been maimed by any of these these batteries, and their longevity is the same as the original that came with the phone. Guess what, electric current works they same whether it’s counterfeit or not. This is one case where no hand wringing is necessary. Relax. _sigh_ it has nothing to do with “electric current” and everything to do with the fact that lithium cells rely on very chemically reactive components and are very sensitive to contamination as well as flaws in the cell’s construction. on many cell types, an internal short means a dead cell or at best very short run time per charge. on a lithium cell it means a high risk of the thing overheating and igniting. Hell, even cells made by reputable manufacturers have had issues with this, so forgive me if I don’t see the wisdom in purchasing counterfeit lithium cells made who-knows-where under an unknown standard of quality control. what is it with this “aggressive ignorance” these days? ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/59 "2012-01-02T19:27:10Z")
Does Android allow the daringly modern idea of cursor keys? The fact that there are no cursor keys on iOS system-wide keyboards irks me. Correcting typos is unnecessarily tedious on iPads and iPhones. These are some of the most-used keys on any keyboard! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966/60 "2012-01-02T19:34:02Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Does Android allow the daringly modern idea of cursor keys? The fact that there are no cursor keys on iOS system-wide keyboards irks me. Correcting typos is unnecessarily tedious on iPads and iPhones. These are some of the most-used keys on any keyboard! The stock Android keyboard doesn’t have them AFAIK, but I’ve used a couple of HTC phones where the custom HTC kbd had them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-vs-iphone/607966.md?page=4)