As the iPhone 4S prepares to hit store shelves, there are many Apple fans around the world that are excited to finally get their hands on it. Sure, it might not be the long-rumored iPhone 5, but it’s the next-best thing for many folks. And when it comes to Apple products, even the next-best thing is a worthwhile purchase for millions of people around the globe. But for Android owners, that’s not necessarily the case. Quite the contrary, Android owners aren’t all that impressed with the iPhone 4S, and see it more as a derivative addition to the mobile space, rather than something that the average person feels is truly groundbreaking. After all, those folks might say, they have handsets they’re already using that deliver much of the functionality being offered in the iPhone 4S. And in some cases, the devices offering that functionality are cheaper than Apple’s own option. Simply put, the iPhone 4S might not be for everyone, especially those who already own the latest Android-based products. Here’s a look at why the iPhone 4S isn’t impressing Android fans.
of
They Have Bigger Screens One of the most important things to many smartphone buyers today is the size of their device’s screen. And unfortunately, in that area, the iPhone 4S fall short. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 4S has a 3.5-inch screen. Many recent Android-based devices, however, come with a 4.3-inch display. It might not seem like much on paper, but in person, it’s huge.
They Have the Real 4G Apple has been trying to drive the point home that its iPhone 4S will be able to deliver the same kind of downlink speeds as 4G alternatives. The company says that the iPhone 4S supports 14.4Mbps downlink, which matches the speeds capable in Android-based 4G counterparts. But whether or not Apple’s smartphone will be able to make good on that promise remains to be seen. Plus, it’s better KNOW you have LTE speeds than to hope for it, right?
They Can Choose Any Carrier Already Much has been made about Apple making the iPhone 4 and 4S available to Sprint. And while that’s a welcome addition, it’s important to remember that Android handset owners already have all the options they want. If they decide to use an Android device on Verizon or AT&T’s networks, they can. If they opt for a device on Sprint or T-Mobile’s networks, that’s up to them. If choice matters most, Android has iOS easily beaten.
They’ve Already Chosen Android Over iOSThere might be one simple reason Android handset owners are not impressed with the iPhone 4S: they’ve already decided that iOS isn’t for them. The iPhone is readily available in the marketplace, and if customers really wanted to buy it, they could. But Android owners have decided, for whatever reason, that iOS isn’t right for them. Considering the iPhone 4S will be running iOS 5 at launch, why should Android owners that don’t like the operating system, care about Apple’s latest handset?
Better Notifications? Have It. One of the nice additions to iOS 5 is an improved notification system. Now, iOS users won’t have their sessions in apps interrupted by an SMS alert or other notification. What’s more, the Notification Center makes it easy for users to find notifications. The only problem is that Android has had improved notifications for quite some time. So, the fact that the iPhone 4S will have better notifications, courtesy of iOS 5, isn’t all that impressive to Android owners.
More Form Factors Matter The big disappointment with the iPhone 4S is that it features the same physical design as its predecessor, the iPhone 4. Although that design is quite nice, and many people like it, Android owners have voted with their wallets, saying that they like the design of their own handsets instead. If Apple showed off a new design with the iPhone 4S, maybe it could have coaxed more Android users to its side. But the iPhone maker didn’t do that, and most Android handset owners will likely stay put because of it.
The Internals Aren’t Impressive Enough The iPhone 4S comes with a dual-core processor and an 8-megapixel camera -- two features missing from its predecessor. Although iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners are happy to see that, many Android handset owners are doing all they can not to laugh. For months now, those folks have had 8-megapixel cameras and dual-core processors. The fact that the iPhone 4S is playing catch-up doesn’t make it all that appealing to handset owners who are already enjoying those key components.
The App Advantage Isn’t All That Great For years, one of the key advantages for iOS has been its App Store. But over the last several months, developers have been increasingly turning to the Android Market to offer their applications. What’s more, several other marketplaces, including Amazon’s own Android app store, have helped make Google’s operating system a favored destination for many developer creations.
Pricing Matters Although there are several high-priced Android smartphones on the market, there are still many others that consumers can buy for quite cheap. In fact, there are some nice Android handsets offered for free with two-year contracts. The iPhone 4S, however, starts at $199, and goes up to $399. Considering today’s economy, that’s somewhat expensive, and it makes all the cheaper options available in the Android ecosystem all the more attractive.
Many Don’t Like Apple Anyway It might sound callous, but one of the main reasons many Android handset owners aren’t impressed by the iPhone 4S is that they simply don’t like Apple. For years, those folks have looked at Apple and seen a closed, controlled organization. And finally, those Android users have, in their opinions, found a platform that effectively takes Apple on. Android is, and will continue to be, their desired platform.
Intel Technology Provider Program
Intel Technology Provider Program (ITP) helps resellers better understand Intel products which power the technology they sell, and enables value-add services such as remote manageability or anti-theft tracking. Learn More
WindowsForDevices.com
WindowsForDevices.com is the comprehensive news site covering Windows embedded technologies. Visitors get news, technical white papers, opinion columns and extensive directories covering the products and companies in the marketplace. Click Here
10 Key Ingredients That Have Made Apple So Successful
10 Reasons RIM`s New CEO Won`t Fix the Company
Eight IT Jobs Skills That Win Six-Figure Salaries
Social Media Best Practices to Land that Dream Job
Channel Executives On The Move: 2012
Why SOPA Is Such A Big Issue
See All Slideshows
