My mobile phone contract is up which has prompted me to ask myself 'which mobile phone do I get next?'
The mobile phone has become a status symbol and to some people its almost as important as the car you drive. When someone gets a new phone, people will flock to have a look and feel. Pull your shiny new phone out at work or in a pub and within minutes everyone will be comparing handsets.
My obvious list topper is the iPhone - The market leader and everyones favourite. This piece of tech was a game changer which also introduced us to the world of the 'App Store'. Apps have turned the mobile phone into a pocket gadget with functional possibilities that are seemingly endless. From e-mail to social networking to games to Sat Nav, there really is an App for that!
OK, I'll make no secret of that fact that I want one. I've had an iPod Touch for two years and I love it. The only draw back I find is that I can only use the Apps in Wifi hotspots or at home.
So, do I buy one? The iPhone 3Gs is The Daddy right now but will it soon become the Grand Daddy as the new kids on the block step up to the plate with their offerings.
HTC have shown what can be done with their Hero - a lovely spec'd phone boasting the Android Operating System from Google and with that comes access to the Android App store. The phone itself has a really nice look and feel with the touch screen that ranks alongside the iPhone. On the downside there is lack on internal memory, although it does support micro SD cards and it can't compete with the iTunes compatibility offered by the iPhone. This final point will always let down the Android camp since Apple's refusal to allow any other device to sync with iTunes.
I like the idea of the Android OS and the enormous potential their App store offers. With all the major handset makers launching Android based smart phones it surely won't be long before they eclipse the iPhone in terms of look, feel and most importantly the functionality they offer.
The trouble with gadgets is that there is always something better on the horizon.
And that's my perplexity. Do I buy the iPhone or wait a few months and see what the Android pack has to offer? Decisions, decisions.
2 comments:
I just had the same dillema - the iPhone is clearly out in front and the only downside I could find to it was the price. If that's not a factor, it's not a problem, but it was for me so I solved my dillema by taking a punt on the Nokia N97.
I have to say it's a gamble that paid off. It's an amazing phone - easy to use, a social networking dream and very speedy internet access, in a package that is not as heavy as it deserves to be.
In many areas, it actually beats the iPod - not least the real keyboard, which is a valuable pop-out alternative to the touch screen keypad.
Taking everything into account, including the price, I think it's the best option out there. If budget is an issue, then there are so many cracking phones on the market now that you can hardly go wrong - and if it's not an issue then the iPhone is probably for you.
The compromise might be to keep your powder dry. With the networks now going head-to-head on the iPhone, the price is sure to come down, though Vodafone's market-entry level in February is probably going to be £40. Give it another six months and that might start to fall.
Thanks for the feedback. I have never been a fan of Nokia. I'm not sure why as I've never owned one. Maybe it’s a subconscious thing associated with that annoying ring tone they are famous for!
The N97 looks a great phone, has all the features I am looking for with a decent camera too boot! I think the physical keyboard adds to the bulky nature of the phone which is probably its only drawback in my opinion. I do like the touch screen keyboard on the iPhone especially now that it works in landscape.
I see that Tesco are also going to be selling the iPhone from next month, although I doubt they will be anymore competitive on pricing as they are partners with O2. I suspect that Vodaphone will come in at the £30 mark as well to compete with O2, Orange and now Tesco but I doubt prices will come down too much more. Within 6 months it is more than likely that we will have the next iPhone model and with that will come another dilemma as Apple are sure to raise the bar once more.
You are also right that there are so many cracking phones on the market right now for a fraction of the cost and the sensible side of me says I should look to one of those.
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