Droid vs. iPhone: The reviews are in
Motorola and Verizon invited comparisons, and that's what they got
Photos: Motorola, Apple
The Droid lands in stores Friday, and on Thursday the heavyweight reviewers — which is to say the Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg and the New York Times' David Pogue — weighed in.
Given that Motorola (MOT) and Verizon (VZ) pitched the Droid in its first TV ad as everything Apple's (AAPL) and AT&T's (T) iPhone was not, it was perhaps inevitable that every reviewer so far, including these two, treated its arrival as a grudge match.
Mossberg's review is positive but tepid — especially the video version. He plods through the comparisons item by item like a slightly boring homework assignment. His top-line summary:
"While it has some significant drawbacks, I regard it as a success overall. It's the best super-smart phone Verizon offers, the best Motorola phone I've tested and the best hardware so far to run [Google's (GOOG)] Android. I can recommend the Droid to Verizon loyalists who have lusted for a better smart phone, but don't want to switch networks." (link)
Pogue being Pogue has more fun with the assignment, even running a Twitter contest to come up with a new term for these newfangled gizmos. (He's going with "app phones"; Mossberg calls them "super-smart phones.") Pogue's bottom line:
Since Verizon seems to want a Droid-iPhone faceoff, here it is: the Droid wins on phone network, customizability, GPS navigation, speaker, physical keyboard, removable battery and openness (free operating system, mostly uncensored app store). The iPhone wins on simplicity, refinement, thinness, design, Web browsing, music/video synching with your computer, accessory ecosystem and quality/quantity of the app store." (link)
For a more thorough comparison, written by someone who actually seems to care, check out developer Greg Kumparak's 2,500 word review in TechCrunch. His conclusion: "At this point, I honestly feel that either choice would make any sane person incredibly happy."
[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]
look back to the 256 mb on board after an over haul of memory and music downloads the phones processing time is going to be horrid on the other hand ,the iphone uses its strict 16 and 32 g that its on board not a separate memory , if Moto was to change there on board as the same as apples there phone would be thicker! come on guys really u know apple is just going to come out with a new iphone this june and make this moto look like a black berry storm hahah, all it is, a matter of time my friends
OPEN SOURCE = PAYMENT TO PROGRAMMER
I think that comment is spot on.
As a developer, I really like the concept of Android, and I hate the Apple App store concept. The Apple App store forces the developer to essentially build Apple's business reputation if they do good work, but wear the development costs if they do poor work. Android lets the developer control their own business.
However…
As a developer, I really HATE the Android development environment, and I hate it so much I break out into a cold sweat when I open it up and start using it. the Apple development environment is, by contrast, a joy to be involved with.
So I suspect that I will continue to develop "in house" applications for the iPhone (the only way to refuse to participate in the App store) while I wait for Google to learn how to build a useful development environment.
My advice to google would be (that is joke: Google are perfect, nobody can tell the folks at google anything) to develop their own language, and develop their own development environment and then make that open source.
That is not going to happen, because the corporate culture simply cannot grasp the idea of devoting a huge amount of resources to sponsor an open source environment. It is the digital equivalent of communism.
But if Google are serious about becoming a software company instead of an advertising company with good software, they need to develop their own language. If they want to continue to be the friendly face of the open source community, they are going to need to develop this language for everyone, and SHARE it.
Bottom line: Google and Android are facing an ideological paradox that is all tied up with this myth of Google being about everyone's freedom. Google can spout their freedom mantra to the masses as much as they want. If they want to compete in the development environment, Apple have twenty years head start, and Google are facing a huge investment commitment that defies their open source ideology.
It is exactly the same problem as that which faces all the open source Unix software, and has done for decades now.
Hey Tony Smit, I totally with you about your favourite analog handset. I used to have a Motorola Startac back in the day. I worked for a large telecom doing customer service and we used to joke that "You'll take my Startac, when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!"
OPEN SOURCE = PAYMENT TO PROGRAMMER. Check OVI – SYMBIAN, or PCLINUX-OS.
OPERA (closed source) is available on most good op systems. Perhaps soon to be on Android.
I have hade apples iPhone since it came out and I have seen it's changes within the years and it's been better and better. I don't mind compitition but I can't say this is compitition. The iPhone will continue to evolve Im shur the droid is a great phone but Im happy with apple and hating the iPhone is jest dumd enjoy tech and that's it.
The reason that no on is commenting on the 256mb of storage onboard is that it comes with 16GB of removable memory. Enough to store music, apps, or whatever you need.
Don't think for a minute that Google's services are really free. They are collecting all kinds of marketing data on their users, which they will use to make money.
Also, open source does not mean free as in no cost. A lot of open source is free, but these are two totally different concepts.
I have been a software developer for 15 years, and open source is the biggest exploit of software developers I have ever seen. Companies, like Google, entice developers to create software for free, so their platform will become more popular. They can then make more money from it. In return the developers get none of this revenue.
Open source is all about creating commodity markets so compaies, like Google, can make more money. These are companies, they exist to make money. Don't think for a minute they forgot about that.
It is very sad to see developers be exploited like this because most of them (including me) really love what they do.
At least Microsoft and Apple would like developers to get paid for their work. Those "great" open source companies just want to keep all the money for themselves.
Now, I am not saying there should be no free software. If you want to release your software for free you should, but don't be fooled by the open source movement's message, it is a big smoke screen.
Search for "Joel Spolsky Strategy Letter V" for a good read on the economics of open source.
Why hasn't anyone mentioned the fact that the DROID only has 256MB of on-board memory?? One of the main advantages of the iPhone is that it can hold tons of music, pictures, and apps. I have not used the DROID, but the storage limitation alone is enough for me to dismiss the DROID as a pathetic attempt by Verizon/Motorola/Google to gain some of the iPhone market. FAIL.
i love how all the comparisons on browser speed show the iphone being quicker with the wi-fi turned on. network to network is the true test.
Bah. I want my Nokia 252 phone to work again, but it was an analog phone and the cellular networks no longer support it. I really liked the larger size and ease of handling it, and the display characters are larger than today's tiny phones have.
i have an iphone and i really do think its going to be a tough one my friend works for verizon and told me a lot about the droid it seems really good comp for the iphone, even if moto comes out with another droid after this one, we all know apple has its little surprises so come on now apple does make its own computers and software and their stock has just skyrocketed lately and these components will lead to something even better but we will have to wait till this summer
These reviews reflects what each individual thought, observed or experience from each phone. The true benchmark will be the actual consumers. Give it time and we will see. Will it be a hit or a miss?.
As for being an "iphone killer"? This is what I have to say. Iphone is Iphone, the rest are smartphones.
I agree Chad, the iPhone will always have the best web browser that will probably never support flash…just sayin'
Have to agree w /u Chad. Being a fan of what works the best for YOUR lifestyle and makes life easier, is the only true measurement.IPhone is an amazing product that surely fits ME and makes MY life easier(not to mention it is entertaining). Browser works better in my opinion than WindowsMobile did. And as for ATT, i must be the luckiest man on earth, cuz I never have dropped calls, and reception is perfect(even when my friends on VZ have none). Not a "fanboy"(what does that even mean?), just giving you FACTS about how the Iphone works for ME. Everyone should kill this silly debate and just use the phone that suits your purposes the best. Dont drag one down, and raise one up based on pure opinion….you know what they say about opinions…everyone has one.
"if anyone claims he can browse the web on a 400px screen better than on a 850px wide screen, i call him a liar or at least an idiot if not a fan boy in disguise."
Are you seriously that narrow minded that you think pixel density is the only factor? I'm guessing you would also say that a 6 megapixel camera can't take better photos than a 12 megapixel camera cause the 12 will always show more detail. Its just not true! Compare a 6 megapixel digital SLR with a 12 megapixel point and shoot. I currently use a 6 megapixel SLR and it takes way better photos than any 12 megapixel point and shoot I have ever seen.
Bottom line is, pixel density is one of many many factors that make up the overall experience. Too many people worry about spec sheet comparisons and forget about real life comparisons.
"Does anyone actually believe Apple is sitting on its laurels?"
I'm sure they're not. The question is, is Motorola and/or the rest of the Android Universe?
If Apple stays true to form, they'll have the new iPhone 3GSX out in June. June is a long time away. By the time June rolls around, the iPhone hardware may be playing catch-up with phones from Motorola, Samsung, and HTC. We might even see a new version of the Android OS by then…
the droid is going to be a great phone, but the iphone will still be the one to beat. As for those saying that verizon made a bad decision for passing on the iphone, it was actually a good decision. Apple wanted all the profits on the sales and the service. verizon said no so apple had to go elsewhere and change their demands.
Android OS is going to be huge… Trust me Google has already made a computer OS… They want to free up the world of all this locking down.
Apple Fans wake up… This is what you want. You think you are happy because you taste a little freedom in 3rd party because you have been locked down for so many years by the verizons, sprints, Microsofts.
Trust me Google is OPENSOURCE.
Mac, will only play that hat for a small portion of their business.
GOOGLE = TRUE OPENSOURCE.
I will create a UI that looks just like the IPHONE put it on my Droid.
You won't notice the difference. I will make free copies of your precious apps…BY the way my screen will be bigger and clearly awhile i am on the best network.
I think people don't realize what Google is! What they stand for? How they work?
This Droid by itself offers way more than an Iphone. I love the Iphone it is a great phone. But there are some drawbacks.
For instance if a 3rd party wants to create an app for the UI of the Iphone it first has to go through Apple.
Google on the other hand does not care what UI you make, create, develope.
Pretty soon you start seeing a lot of cool stuff on this phone. For instance a web browers that is better, Audio, UI candy.
P.s. played with the phone… IT IS QUICKER than the Iphone suprised that wasn't in the review. Quicker network, quicker phone.
I must be an idiot then. I would like to see you surf the net from the couch with your wide screen on your lap.
If I am a fan of anything, it's a fan of amazing products.
The iphone is the best electronic device I have ever purchased and it keeps getting better.
iPhone fans should not simply dismiss the Droid. It will be competitive. It has Google support some killer free apps like Voice and turn-by-turn navigation. I also heard that my personal favorite app NeuroMobile will be available on the Droid soon. I may not switch but I can see why others might.
"I agree everything but the web browsing there. I hate using Safari on my iPhone, it completely sucks. If web browsing is better on the iPhone I would hate to see the Droid, it must be pitiful."
You're out of your mind. the iphone has the best browser than any mobile and desktop platform.
I love my Mac, but for the apps I use most, I abandoned Apple long ago in favor of Google. I prefer Google's apps for email, calendar, contacts, & photos over Apple's, and they're all free. I also use Google Documents more than MS Office on my Mac. And I use Google Maps all the time.. I'm one of those on the Verizon network who would never switch to AT&T just to get an iPhone.. People make such a huge deal about having 100,000 apps available for the iPhone. Isn't the most important feature of any smart phone still the phone? And if you have a lousy network like AT&T, your phone is very limited. As for the apps, I already use Google's apps 99% of the time, and for that last 1%, I don't really care whether Android ONLY has 10,000 apps to choose from. So for me at least, the Droid is MUCH more attractive the the iPhone, in addition to being on a MUCH better network.
Wow, completly sucks? Do you know of a phone with a better browser? I don't. Please share your massive insight. What browsers are you using for comparrison? The iPhone is the first browser that I find highly usable.
The comparison has never been between iPhone and Droid/Android. Verizon would like you to think that, but it's an obfuscation. It's between the Droid/Android and all the Windows Mobile (or Windows Phone if you must) devices. iPhone is an integrated standalone device. The Droid and Android are nothing less than the death knell for Windows Mobile.
"iPhone killer"?
You're kidding, right? Just to be considered "iPhone equal" would be huge.
Which it isn't, of course. At best, it's "potentially iPhone equal". And even then, that's this season's iPhone. Does anyone actually believe Apple is sitting on its laurels?
Puh-lease!
REALLY fortunate, that BOTH will have their work cut out to win our Hearts, Minds, and most importantly, our WALLETS!! DON'T see VZ getting the iPhone for a long time; Jobs doesn't like it when VZ made fun of his baby. STILL waiting to see how this plays out for another 6 months or so…..
hoe ridiculous are those "two heavyweight" reviews, they are both inconclusive, equivocal and sometimes pathetic.
if anyone claims he can browse the web on a 400px screen better than on a 850px wide screen, i call him a liar or at least an idiot if not a fan boy in disguise.
I switched from the iPhone to the HTC Magic (first 3g android phone i found) and have never looked back. Not too sure about Motorola as their phones seem to be very hit or miss… and I could care less about my loyalty to either Apple/Google. Although I am an Apple user, I like my Android phone better.
As a new iPhone user, key to my decision to go with the new 3GS rather than wait for the Droid was the "quality/quantity of the app store". I think the android network will eventually catch up, but right now the iPhone clearly has the broader market base and is attracting more app development.
"The iPhone wins on simplicity, refinement, thinness, design, Web browsing…"
I agree everything but the web browsing there. I hate using Safari on my iPhone, it completely sucks. If web browsing is better on the iPhone I would hate to see the Droid, it must be pitiful.
Other than that the only thing I think the Droid will have is the Verizon network. AT&T has the worst coverage ever, my phone is constantly loosing signal in the most populated areas where as my wife's verizone cell never drops.
Here's the thing about the iPhone. It soon will be able to customize, the camera apps are great and allow low light photo taking, and if there's ever a problem Apple fixes it through updates. You can do so much with the iPhone it can take the place of your laptop. As far as Google goes, Google needs to take a look at their own service. The Google maps and directions are fantastic on the iPhone though. The biggest problem with the iPhone is AT&T, but Verison is buying up these other providers and are stretching too far. There is going to be huge problems for Verison as a result. People I know are unhappy about it, and one case a friends bill doubled last month. They are going to lose customers if this keeps happening. Thank you for reading my thoughts and opinions.
Still waiting for Tech Crunch's, "Crunch Pad"? Funny how they think they know how these companies should run their business yet the one and only product they make still can't find it's way out of a paper bag…
Here we go again. The next iPhone killer? This is getting tiresome and why aren't people pointing blame at Verizon's CEO? He's whining that Apple can come to us if they want… Apple did come to you first you moron. And you turned them away and led them straight to AT&T. It was YOUR call. I'm really really surprised the board hasn't bounced someone like that who made one of the worse decisions in the history of wireless phones. Please tell me a worse decision?
and now, we get to hear Verizon say iPhone killer this and iPhone killer that. And in the same breath, we want the iPhone here on Verizon.
Interest but I'm still sold on iPhone. Droid is too much of a "brick" in my opinion. The screen being shown is too cluttered even when it's beside the iPhone with all APPS showing.
What a waste of time, both reviews are ill-informative and have no conclusion too what phone is the best. Crap give me the driod to test and i can tell u the phone sucks or not
The Droid does a great job of tackling a lot of the iPhone's no-brainer omissions, and doing it one better in a few categories.
Android isn't /quite/ there yet for business use, but it is rapidly getting there, and will certainly be more open than the iPhone OS.
The only real gripe I've heard about the Droid is that the camera is awful — but the good news is that it might be a software problem which could be fixed by an update.
Finally, I find Pogue's conclusions amusing, as he basically says that the Droid wins on pragmatic features like hardware, while the iPhone wins on cutesy stuff like 'refinement' — I think that says a lot about how productivity-minded users will view these two phones.
I got my Motorola Droid 2 days ago. It has some flaws but overal it is pretty awesome. They should release one without a slide-out keyboard.