So my AT&T contract finally runs out soon. I'm ready to upgrade to a nice smart phone, since I'm a really heavy user, and this current "full feature phone" I'm isn't sufficient anymore. My problem is whether to go the Verizon iPhone route, or the Verizon Droid route (paricularily the droid x). I need to make sure I go for the correct route, since I'll be stuck for another two years. My main draw is unlimited data. I NEED it. I don't have any sort of reliable internet connection at my house. There's no cables. Usually I rely on my phone for videos, and everything else media related. I use it for music, everything. My problem comes with which phone is best for my particular needs. If I had nice internet it would be iPhone hands down. I love the slickness of it, the browsing, and the massive amount of apps. I also love the amount of music oriented things, however I hear there is more limits and restrictions on 3g data usage compared to the droid. I love some parts of the droid x, like its massive screen, flash 10, and I read that there are lighter 3g data usage limits, however I don't feel it's as slick or music oriented as the iPhone. The main question I'm asking here is, which one is better for overall heavy 3g data usage? I have nothing else but 3g data, so it has to be good. And sorry about the text block, but (surprise) I'm on my phone .

Android + Root + Android Wifi Tether/Barnacle Wifi Tether/PDANet (you don't have to root your phone for this last one)

Also, Android has faaaaaar more wireless streaming apps than the iPhone has. Pretty much stuck with iTunes on the iPhone, whereas Android has many choices including the ability to sync everything wirelessly.

Now I'm not a US citizen, but from a quick perusal of the Verizon site it seems the iPhone and Android phones use the exact same plans, so your billing would be the same (unless one does a ton more background data than the other... I don't think that's the case). So I think they'd be about the same for 3G usage.

I will, however, recommend Android, because if you're using data from your phone, it gives you more options. It's got Flash. It can make a wifi hotspot so your laptop can use the Internet via 3G. It plays nicer with other developers and gives you more options for syncing your data to and from your phone. And it lets you have widgets. I wub widgets.

Not quite sure what you're talking about in that first sentence...sorry. What about basic apps like Pandora, Youtube, and Facebook? I really like apps and stuff, and I know thats a big thing for the iPhone. Is there still things like pocket drums, and little guitar apps and stuff for Android? Like time wasters. And how much of an advantage does flash 10 add? Also, there is a nifty guitar amp app for iPhone which I like the idea of. I'm also not really a fan of the droid x's UI, whereas I think the iPhone's is great.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-01/verizon-wireless-will-end-unlimited-data-plans-for-iphone.html

Tethering costs $20 extra. Not gonna happen. And as far as synching goes, how does that work sans itunes?

The Android Market is about the same size as the App Store, and arguably there are more apps in total for Android given out-of-market-apps and how easy they are to install (no jailbreak required). All the big apps are on both and there are plenty of time wasters on both.

Flash isn't going anywhere any time soon and many websites use flash. If you are going to be on the Internet a lot, you're going to come across flash content, no doubt about it. On the iPhone you are SOL (with some exceptions), whereas Android has flash.


The best thing about an open platform is you can make it yours. You can change to a custom ROM or just change your home screen launcher


Tethering is free on Android, see my first post

How complicated is rooting? I'm not very familiar with it. And could you give me some examples of sites involving a lot of flash content? I plan on getting unlimited data before its gone. Luckily my contract ends real soon. Thanks for the help by the way.

Well, there's a few ways:

-Wireless sync your contacts, messages, emails etc via Google account, Facebook, Twitter and a couple others
-The phone is plug n' play, so you can use it like a flash drive to transfer stuff from your computers - easier than with iTunes
-Apps are available to do wireless file transfers from your computer, or to do cloud Internet storage from both your phone and computer


Many UI apps don't even need a rooted phone. I tried a couple but still prefer stock HTC Sense.

(PS @ OP: Rooting the phone is essentially hacking your own phone to take away some of the limitations set by Google and your carrier (edit: oh, and the manufacturer too!). It voids the warranty but is safe and typically reversible.)

Android no doubt.

I wounldn't probably be going with HTC. I'm looking more at the droid x. MAYBE the droid 2 or incredible, but I like the big screen. I'm getting more convinced by the second to get a droid. What about gaming, how does the droid compare to iPhone? And are there still apps for CNN, Gamespot, IGN, ect.?

Ok, I'm going to say this once and once only: Apple doesn't have some stranglehold on the smartphone app market, in fact, Android App development is at a faster rate than for the iPhone. Practically all big-name apps are available on both platforms. Don't ask if an app is available because it probably is. Want to be sure? Check yourself:

http://www.appbrain.com/

https://market.android.com/

I'm sorry if that comes off rude or anything, but your acting like Apple is the only company making smartphones with apps.

Also, http://lifehacker.com/#!5795542/miui-is-a-gorgeous-super-fast-rom-for-android. Alternatively you can make it look like a http://www.talkandroid.com/23308-windows-phone-7-ui-comes-to-android-%5Bcensored%5D-weep/

I think it's all the commercials . However, it seems like its always said that there are more/better apps on iPhone. I'm just a little new when it comes to android. None of my friends have it, whereas I'm slightly versed in iPhones.

Wouldn't surprise me, with Apple's advertising budget....

That's what happens when you http://xkcd.com/125/.

That sounded like a jab . Hm...d'you know if you can do conference calls via skype on the android version. Didn't seem like it based on the market reviews but you never know I guess. And sorry if I'm coming across as clueless. I just want to make sure I make the right purchase.

Now now... Let's not be patronizing. From what I've seen, the Apple App Market still offers more robust offerings, and more quality apps than Android's - not surprisingly since it's been around longer. But it's just barely more these days, and the gap is closing fast. Android already has more handsets on the market than iOS, and app development is following suit.

Don't forget to count the Cydia store too.

Skype isn't very great on Android. There's no video support, since most of the phones don't have dual cameras. That's one area where iPhone is still king.

You can partake in conference calls, but I don't think you can host them. Still, just comparing the two, the http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/download/skype-for-android/ is more full-featured than http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/download/iphone-for-skype/ (not surprising given the restrictions on the iPhone app store)


indeed, but then there are countless out-of-market apps on Android too :shrug:

I kinda feel like the android just doesn't have as nice of a setup for apps and UI, however I love the freedom and that it's open source. And I suppose I COULD change the UI.

From my experience, Android phones are more like mobile computers (with a phone of course), and the iPhone is an iPod/Phone. iPhone seems to be aimed at the less tech-savvy person. While Android is easy to use and can be simple, you can make it sophisticated.
For example;
* On Android there are terminal apps. In some cases they could be useful for developers and the like. You can only get a terminal app on a jailbroken iPhone.
* The iPhone has a built in media player/iPod, easy to use and very simple. Android has some music/video player that I never used until I saw it in my task manager(Android has them. iPhone doesn't as far as I know). I downloaded a third party media player.
* Android has tons and tons of setting options available. iPhone, not so much.
Android has the capability to be powerful and easy to use.
iOS as far as I know, is a bit more restricted but still very simplistic.

I upgraded from the Blackberry Curve to the Droid 2 Global a few weeks ago and love it.

I think I'm going to have to mess around with both in the store awhile. I also really like the front facing camera, but i guess it's not a must have. And I can't afford the thunderbolt, nor do I want it's short battery life.

I dunno if this is still good, but: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/htc-thunderbolt-drops-to-130-for-new-verizon-customers-at-amazo/

Also, battery issues can be resolved by using a low-voltage kernel and disabling 4G when not using it (or leaving it disabled if not available in your area). http://www.droidforums.net/forum/htc-thunderbolt-battery-discussions/132327-tips-help-improve-battery-life-thunderbolt.html

Edit: Oh, I guess it's probably not still good, all I knew is it was when I was looking at it yesterday