iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, What’s Right For Me?

Probably one of the more common questions I get asked by new phone adopters is, “Should I get a BlackBerry or an iPhone?”. Finding the answer to these questions is often hard, most answers are based on a biased decision. If you ask your friend who’s an iPhone user, chances are he’s going to tell you to get an iPhone. An Android user would probably recommend an Android, thus nothing truly gets answered. The real question you should ask yourself is, “What am I going to be using it for?”

I’ve been around the mobile world and back. I started working for RIM using multiple blackberries. From there on I jumped to iPhone for a couple years, then Android. Recently I grabbed myself a Windows Mobile Phone to play with. I’m not one of those people who says “Android is best because I use one”, I have respect for all platforms. Those people who say iPhone is best, or Android is best, they are just waving flags for their teams, you can ignore them. There’s no such thing as the best phone, it comes down to what suits you best.

I like Media, Games, and Loads of apps.

When it comes to a large selection of media, games and apps, iPhone is probably what you’re looking for. Apple’s iPhone has the largest selection of games and apps of any mobile phone on the market today. Not only do they have the largest selection of all these things, they are also one of the most easiest touch and go devices available. Any user can grab one of these phones and have it mastered in just about one full day of use.

iPhone has its ups and downs like any other phone on the market. You’ll get Apple’s famous retina display which is very nice to look at, but on the other hand, you’ll also have one of the smallest touch screens on the market. iPhone handles all tasks very well and has fairly good integration with social media apps, but sometimes suffers from its multitasking that’s not true multitasking. Some apps will continue to run in the background, where others will freeze when you navigate away from them. This can sometimes be a hindrance to heavy multitaskers, but it’s definitely not a deal breaker.

One flaw I found about the iPhone is the lack of customization. You are limited to the sounds Apple gives you, some of which are not changeable. You can import your own ringtones, but when it comes to sounds, that’s about it. Choice of wallpapers is like any other phone, but you will always be stuck with a screen full of apps or folders.

iPhones are slim, solid and beautiful devices, but also have glass on both sides. This really gives it that wow effect, but also has more potential for damage if dropped. Being one of the most expensive phones on the market, you’ll really want to keep a good grip on your little glass buddy.

I don’t care about apps and games,  I just want Texting and Emails and Social Media.

If you’re not a gamer, but rely on your phone for communication and heavy use of social media networks and perhaps business use, BlackBerry is probably what you’re looking for.

BlackBerries come in two forms. the full touch screen with an slide out keyboard, or a non-slide dedicated keyboard but a smaller screen. BlackBerry has proven themselves as one of the most secure mobile devices on the market when it comes to maintaining your privacy, hence why a lot of businesses still use them.

BlackBerries are the masters of text messaging and emails, also with a very good handle on social media and instant messengers. These phones are slim, sleek, and with their world famous BlackBerry Messenger, they clearly stand taller than any device on the market today for keeping in touch. They have limited clutter from carriers, and icons can be hidden to make things look less cluttered. Optional themes can be downloaded from BlackBerries App world to give you device that now flavor should you find it looking a little stale.

However, BlackBerry suffers from lack of app availability. They are by no means a gaming device, and sharing pictures and videos with friends and family is often not desirable due to it’s small screen. This phone is the boss of text, emails, social media and security with average camera quality, but it won’t take you much further than that.

I want customization, BIG SCREEN, lots of apps, social media, text, Emails.

If you’re the person who likes the tinker around, tweak your device to make it heavily customized to your tastes with lots of options, you probably want an Android.

Android is probably one of the LEAST user friendly phones available. What makes me say that? The amount of customization and options this phone offers can often make new and inexperienced users feel lost. Android phones allow you to change the sounds of every single app that supports notifications, import your own, use the built in ones, even make your own. Getting a little tired of your home screen? Get a new one…

Yep, you can download a whole new homescreen layout, change the way your entire phones looks and feels. Don’t like your texting app or keyboard that came with your phone? Go download a new one. Android allows you to replace nearly every single aspect of your phone with a new one from the Android Market (Now known as Google Play Store).

Android has a very high integration with Social Networks. In fact, Facebook and/or Twitter are often built in to many Android phones. Sadly Android also has the least battery life of all the available mobile phones on the market. Not to say you’re going to have to charge 2-3 times per day, but you’re going to need to charge every night for sure.

Android has more flavours than just Apples and Berries. Android releases multiple phones per year from different manufactures ranging from $249 to $729, of course cheaper and often free on a contract. Every model and manufacture offers a little something different than the other companies. So no matter what your flavour is, chances are Android has something for you.

I just want a phone… an all around simple but beautiful.

If you’re looking for a phone that can handle a little of everything, and save a little money while doing it, You probably want a Windows Phone.

Windows Metro theme they use on their phones is pretty appealing. They use a very nice fly-in animation and have a lot of slide in options without leaving the current app you’re using. Microsoft’s Windows Phone boasts being the fastest mobile phone on the market, especially with the recent “Smoked by Windows Phone” event they have been doing.

On paper, there is no way the Windows Phone is faster, but on the field it actually performs very well. How can a phone with under developed  hardware beat the phones of today? The answer to that is simple.

Windows Phone has an in-your-face design. The minute you turn your phone on, everything is right there just ready to be tapped to launch. Mail, Text, Facebook, Twitter, Phone calls as well as a missed notification counter on each tile. Know how many texts, calls and instant messages you missed the second you unlock your phone. Simply touch that tile and jump right in to the conversation.

Windows Phone has arguably one of the nicer designs that appeals to my eyes, while some others find it disgusting. It’s fast operating system but at the cost of functionality. I found Windows Mobile to have lack of customization options, as well as functionality. The App Market is also lacking as this phone is still growing. This phone might be a good option if you’re looking to save some money, but I’d strongly recommend trying one of the other phones such as iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android. I believe Windows Phone is still young, and needs to get more developer support before it can run along side the big competitors.

In summary, my thoughts:

iPhone pros:

• Largest selection of apps.
• Apple’s beautiful retina display.
• More games than any other competitor with online scoreboards.
• Pick up and go ease of use.
• One of the longest lasting batteries.
• Great integration with other Apple products.
• Slim, sleek, solid design.
• Good camera and clear pictures.

iPhone Cons:

• Glass Face and back, more potential damage if dropped.
• One of the smallest screens compare to other competitors.
• Lack of Customization.
• No flash, Limited download ability outside of the App Store.
• One of the most expansive on the market.
• No expandable storage or removable battery

BlackBerry Pros:

• The king of Texting, Emails and Social media.
• Highest level of security and encryption to safeguard your data.
• Physical keyboard and design allows for comfortable typing.
• Great support for instant messaging.
• World famous BlackBerry Messenger.
• Compact size.
• Long lasting battery.
• Customizable sounds and LED notification light.
• Reasonable price.

BlackBerry Cons:

• Lack of apps in the BlackBerry App world.
• Little to no games available.
• Very small screen, not ideal for viewing videos and pictures.
• Slower than many competitors.

Android Pros:

• Changeable Home screens.
• Has some of the largest screens available on the market.
• Easy modification and replacement of system apps such as texting and Email, keyboards.
• Live Wallpapers.
• Large selection of apps.
• Large selection of phones, often with leading hardware amongst competitors.
• Very good integration of social media apps and services.
• Many Google services often work better and have more features on Android.
• Many widgets and tools to use on your home screen.
• True multitasking.
• Easy modifications, replacement of system files
• In-depth system analyses. See what your system is doing, what’s eating your battery and how much.

Android Cons:

• One of the shortest lasting batteries.
• Due to all the options, often takes new users longer to master.
• Carrier and Manufacture pre-installed apps look cluttered and eat away your battery (can be removed with modifications)
• Lacking selection for Games on the Google Play Store.
• Figuring what Android fits you best is often hard to decide on.

NOTE: Android phones range from low to high end phones, these pros and cons are based on mid to high end phones such as Galaxy S II.

Windows Phone Pros:

• Theme and style is very sleek and looks beautiful (not everyone agrees).
• Built-in integration of FaceBook and Windows Live messenger.
• Dedicated camera button (on some models)
• Mid-range battery life.
• Very simple pick up and go interface.
• Very fast OS operation, lots of integrated options for sharing to FaceBook.
• Xbox Live integration and arcade games to play online with friends.

Windows Phone Cons:

• Very fast OS, but at the cost of functionality.
• Lack of apps in the Market.
• Lacking hardware compared to competitors.
• Lack of developers to produce apps.
• Lack of popularity, not much carrier support.
• Poor camera quality

These are my un biased opinions on all these devices. Everyone sees things differently, so not everyone will agree with what I’ve posted here. I’ve personally used every single platform and this is how I experienced them. Should you disagree, or feel something should be added or subtracted, feel free to state your case in the comments below.

Please avoid hate comments towards brands over others. Let’s try and keep this civil and an open minded to all styles of phones.