Argument for the Android

Now, if you haven't seen my first article on what this is all about, you can do so here. Make sure you take a look at the one about the iPhone also, just so you're informed of both sides.

Starting with the pros

Androids do a lot of things great, from allowing the user to control a lot, to bringing the latest innovations to the mainstream. First, let's talk about how innovative the platform is. Because Android is open-source, meaning that anyone can use it and modify it, there are so many different versions to choose from, and they are each able to be put on just about any device with the right skill set. This allows for different brands to have their own versions, so you might prefer one brand's to another. But if you don't like it, but you do like the phone as a whole, you can easily download things like icon packs or skins, or even a whole new OS if you want. The software innovations come in the form of things like the camera quality. Take a look at the Pixel 3. It has one lens, and still managed to take better photos than any other phone from its generation. That all comes down to the brilliant software Google used to allow for all of the post-processing that it needed to keep up with the competition.

On the hardware front, we're now seeing some of the biggest changes in phone design from companies making Android phones. Some are making bezel-less screens that slide up to reveal the camera. On others, the camera flips out from the back. Samsung has even brought us a dual screen folding phone (one that actually works this year). The new technology being brought to market every year continues to amaze me, and it doesn't stop at screens. Now we're seeing phones that can be controlled with gestures in the air. These innovations set the platform apart from Apple and really stick it to those that are really paying more for less.

Now the main part of an Android. Options. There are nearly limitless possibilities for what you ca do with your Android phone. You are given the option to make whatever changes you can think of. Some phones give you a choice of multiple different ways to unlock your phone, like eye scanning, fingerprint, passcode, palm scanning, facial rec, and the list just goes on. Unlike Apple who only offers one for each phone, and isn't as quick as you might think. But you have options for pretty much everything. You can change (as I said earlier) the appearance, the software, you can connect external devices like keyboards and mice, even expand the storage on some phones.

Another great part is the price. You can pay anywhere from $5 to $2000. All depending on what you need/want. Phones like the Pocophone F1 deliver top-notch specs for a real budget price. Or at the other end of the spectrum, you can get the Galaxy Z Flip which has multiple screens and top notch specs. In truth, there is an Android for everyone, each having their own benefits.

And the not so good

Now there are a few drawbacks. Support compared to Apple is a fair bit shorter. Some iPhones have been supported for as long as 7 years. Big companies like Samsung only usually support theirs for 3-4, with updates coming slowly. Granted, that is just Samsung, so you'll have to decide which matters most to you, update speed and support, or a fancier device. In truth though, you can download a stock Android OS through your computer, and them your device will continue to receive updates, but without that, your updates will start to slow pretty quickly if you have a Samsung. Google is better about this and delivers day one updates, but they recently cut off the original Pixel from the update list, so that's only 4 years before you have to install Android yourself and then get updates.

Another drawback for a lot of these devices is the camera. You do have phones at the top end, like Samsung, and those in the middle, like Google, that have some of the best cameras out there, but you're pretty limited for options if you want a good camera a low price. Those mainly being the "a" series from Google.

Another few misconceptions

If you're wondering why I'm talking about companies like Google, that's because the Android operating system is made by Google. The Pixel is also made by them, but everything else is up to the other companies. And there's more than just Samsung, LG, and Sony. Companies like Rokit (sound familiar?) and (until recently) Huawei use Android too. Anyone can.

Also, I am well aware that a handful of Samsung Galaxy Note 7's had issues with the battery that caused them to catch fire. That does not mean that every Samsung and Android phone has a crap battery. In fact, Apple has a worse track record with batteries than most Android-based companies. Take a look at the iPhone 6 and 6S.

In conclusion then

There are benefits and drawbacks to both kinds of phones. I personally enjoy my Pixel 3 a lot more than I did my 6S, but your mileage may vary. If you have any interesting issues or comments, please be sure to share below.