iPhone Envy

So I realize this thread might not go over well, but just looking for a little discussion to see where others stand.

I'm a die hard Googler. I currently own a Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7. I couldn't live without Gmail and its advanced feature set. I use Google+, Maps, Calendar, Contacts, Photos, Music, etc. on a daily basis and I truly believe that Google's services blow Apple's crappy iCloud junk out of the water. iOS is a constrained OS that isn't scalable enough to satisfy my inner geek (I've used iPhones enough in the past to have learned this the hard way).

This brings me to the iPhone 5. Even though I know iOS isn't for me, and even though I can't stand Apple's direction with respect to mobile devices, I find the hardware extremely appealing. The level of engineering is exceptional, and the overall fit and finish results in a device that looks and feels like a work of art. The best analogy I can think of is that the iPhone is the Mercedes Benz while most Android handsets are your typical Honda or Toyota.

Am I the only one that is desperate for somebody to step up and make us a solid, well built, powerful Android device? It seems like Samsung is addicted to plastic, HTC insists on spoiling their otherwise solid hardware by bloating the whole experience with the crapware known as Sense, Motorola is intent on releasing 20 versions of the same funny looking device, and the rest are spinning their wheels. If somebody were to step up and offer an Android handset that had external appeal comparable to the iPhone, I am confident it would be the nail in the coffin for Apple's smartphone sales.

RANT COMPLETE

I'll go ahead and chime in here because I've given some thought lately to why specifically I prefer Android over iPhone - not because I'm trying to convince myself to switch, but because I want to know why my needs/opinions differ from seemingly most of the population.

Okay, right off the bat you have the fact that I'm a technical person/software developer, that makes me "different" than the mass market. But there are plenty of techie people who still like iPhones, so how am I different from them? When I think about the iPhone 5, I definitely like its fast CPU, good camera, and great battery life. I was never a fan of the hard edges and glass, but the thing is durable - the girlfriend tosses it all over the place and it's usually fine.

The thing is, that's about where my envy ends. When I think about iOS and the ecosystem - the boring SpringBoard, literally just a sea of app icons to choose from, the reliance on iTunes, the limitations and lack of options left and right, it just makes for an experience that is not very interesting. Sure it will get things done okay, but I won't be fascinated with it or want to play with it, unlike with Android.

What specific limitations?
- No Picasa integration in Photos like Android's Gallery, have to use G+ app for that
- General lack of options in G+ app (saving photos)
- Have to generate app-specific passwords for the billion Google services I use (Reader, etc.) instead of having apps grab a credential token like in Android
- The new, worse Maps experience in iOS 6
- Having to choose between best web renderer (Safari) or Chrome tab syncing but with gimped embedded web renderer, can't have both
- Various Mail limitations vs. Android Gmail app
- Can't download files from internet, change default apps to open files with, or generally do some more PC-like things with it
- Sucky Google Voice integration, so goodbye free SMS
- Lack of Tasker
- The general restrictive UI, no concept of a "menu" so devs do weird things like the hidden side menu (Facebook, G+), or abuse the "share" button menu, or hidden things like having to long-press the email body to add an attachment

These are just some of the things. In general, I love Android's UI, its principles (open source, install apps from anywhere, focus on streaming and cloud storage with Music, G+ photos, etc., as opposed to iPhone's focus on "downloading" everything), its feature set and options, inter-app communication, the home screen that I can arrange the way that best suits my needs with widgets and icon placement, etc. It just feels more "alive," more interactive, and more flexible as a future computing platform. As things like CPU/GPU power and battery life improve and get "good enough" and the UI continually matures and gets smoother, etc., Android gives you more and more the best of both worlds. Just look how far it's already come from the Froyo/early Droid days to today with the Nexus and Jelly Bean.

I hope these things give other people some interesting points to think about as well.

TL;DR - iPhone has great battery life and is very easy to use, but I prefer everything else about Android.

Here's what I don't understand, everyone talks about look and feel of manufacturers devices, and then they go and buy a case. Why buy a iPhone and talk about how beautiful and great it feels only to turn around and throw a cheap plastic case on it while complaining that the gnex is inferior cause it feels like its made of cheap plastic. Everyone must think of their phone a a female Muslim that needs covered!, seriously wtf is wrong with people, my gnex goes naked daily and feels great in my hand.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I agree the iPhone 4 is sexy and the 5 is as well. I have been waiting for an android phone which has quality hardware and is better looking.

I think I may stick with android and wait for just that. The iPhone to me is like a gorgeous girl with a great body, but, lacking personality, smarts and has nothing in common with me.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I do like the build quality of the iphone as well. But I've also been thrilled in every way, shape and form with the GNex. And hey, drop either of'm and I'd say the Nexus has a better chance of no damage.