HELP!! Droid or iPhone... $$$

[SDSorority]

Hi everyone. We have Verizon, and DH wants an iPhone type device that he can use to surf the internet, etc. I know that Verizon has the Droid or something, but he's leaning towards an iPhone. Since his contract is not yet up for Verizon, I can just see us paying $$$ to get him out of his contract, then $$$ to buy him the phone, then $$$ to buy him a plan... agh! Is the Droid comparable to the iPhone? I would figure that this would be the way to go, at least until his contract runs out?? I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for this.

The reason he wants it is his work is kicking them off of the internet, and he's worried that if he has to catch up with his personal emails at home, rather than over his lunch hour, it's going to dig too much into his evening.


Any advice?

 

[niclodn]

I would check out the service in your area first. While the iphone has some great applications, the service in my area is crappy -- couldn't even get online with it at the local AT & T store! I've had Verizon for years and have been very happy with their service, but the iphone was tempting me to switch. After checking out the service, I decided it wasn't worth it for sporatic (sp?) service. I currently have the enV touch (Droid wasn't out yet) which works great for checking email (both work and personal), GPS and some web surfing, but plan to upgrade to the Droid in the near future. Unless he wants the apps that the iphone offers, I would stick with Verizon.

 

[4forMe]

I wouldn't switch service providers at this point. Everyone we know who has the iPhone loves all the apps. but complains about dropped calls, etc. We have Verizon and have no service problems. There is also a rumor that Verizon is supposed to be offering the iPhone in a couple of months.

If your DH is only concerned about getting personal e-mails, he can easily do that with a BlackBerry (what I use) which is way cheaper than the Droid or iPhone.

DH has friends that have the Droid and love it. He is waiting 6 months for his contract to be up so he can upgrade to the Droid, and he thinks it will be cheaper at that point as well.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Donaldswife]

My husband got on in November and it is awesome! I say go with the Droid. We have two friends that upgreaded last week and they had a buy one get one free promo going on. Maybe you can both get one!?! Some of our friends who have Iphones are thinking of switching to Droid, they have tons of free apps and service with Verizon in my area is MUCH better than AT&T. Don't discount Droid so quickly. Do a little research and your hubby may find he likes it better.

 

[Kitzka]

I think it will depend on the service in your area. In my area Verizon is only okay and i often have dead zones and dropped calls. We swtiched to AT&T and got the iphones about 2 years ago. I have no problems with dropped calls and the only time i have phone issues is when i am talking to someone on their verizon cell phone!

Also, one thing to keep in mind, you mention having your DH upgrade to a dropid to 'tide' him over. you will prob be locked into a new 2 year contract to get the discounted rate if you do this.

But hoenstly, i would ask people where you live. they can tell you best about service etc.

Lara

 

[2minnies]

Droid is great but if you use Outlook mail forget about it....trust me on this

 

[JB2K]

Another VZW user, here...

I recently re-upped to the BlackBerry Storm 2, which is very "iPhone-like"...

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

iphone owner here.

I can not comment on the Droid but I can comment on the posts about dropped calls, never had one! Not one. No sporadic service either.

I am not saying others have not what I am saying is talk to your friends, co-workers, and family about what plans they have, how the service is in your area with their provider etc.


I love my iphone, the service here is great, the phone is awesome!


You did not say how long he has until his contract is up?

 

[dec181981]

My DH and I got droids for christmas and absloutly LOVE them. Ther are a couple of bennefits that they have that the Iphone does not have (like a flash for the camera, and the ability to have more then one app open at a time) We havent had any dropped calls or service issues. They are even coming up with a newwer better version in a month or so. Verizon is also coiming out with the lam prie plus in feb that is supposed to be even better then droid or iphone

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

My DH and I got droids for christmas and absloutly LOVE them. Ther are a couple of bennefits that they have that the Iphone does not have (like a flash for the camera, and the ability to have more then one app open at a time) We havent had any dropped calls or service issues. They are even coming up with a newwer better version in a month or so. Verizon is also coiming out with the lam prie plus in feb that is supposed to be even better then droid or iphone

just curious as to what you mean by having more than one app open at a time...can you give an example?

 

[sceavis]

just curious as to what you mean by having more than one app open at a time...can you give an example?

One of the big things that the droid has over the iPhone is multitasking.You can listen to music and surf the web the same time for example. You can also have many apps open at once such as say a tip calculator and what ever where the iPhone you have to close the the calculator and pick another.The droid also has Google maps turn by turn gps directions that you can use for free I love that feature where i think the iPhone uses garmen software that cost 100 bucks . IPhone has a much better app store.For me to summarize the two phones.If you like to do allot of media things like apps music videos itunes the iPhone is better.The driod is catching up with all that stuff it can do it just it is easier on the iPhone.Google is working on software called audio that is going to compete with iTunes.I have the droid and love it i feel like it is more solid and future proof then the iPhone. On the droid you can make any sound file your ring tone not like the iPhone you can also have background wallpapers change icon's you can customize the droid to your style allot more then the iPhone.Google keeps on putting out updates to make it better and faster.I hope this helps a little

 

[wenrob]

One of the big things that the droid has over the iPhone is multitasking.You can listen to music and surf the web the same time for example. You can also have many apps open at once such as say a tip calculator and what ever where the iPhone you have to close the the calculator and pick another.The droid also has Google maps turn by turn gps directions that you can use for free I love that feature where i think the iPhone uses garmen software that cost 100 bucks . IPhone has a much better app store.For me to summarize the two phones.If you like to do allot of media things like apps music videos itunes the iPhone is better.The driod is catching up with all that stuff it can do it just it is easier on the iPhone.Google is working on software called audio that is going to compete with iTunes.I have the droid and love it i feel like it is more solid and future proof then the iPhone. On the droid you can make any sound file your ring tone not like the iPhone you can also have background wallpapers change icon's you can customize the droid to your style allot more then the iPhone.Google keeps on putting out updates to make it better and faster.I hope this helps a little

I don't know much about the Droid but-

I can surf the web and listen to my music at the same with my iphone. Heck, I can even take a phone call while doing both.

DH and I use Google maps (that comes with the phone) quite often, DH out of state and it's gotten us where we need to go. No it won't 'speak' to me but I use the list which is turn by turn.

I don't understand the wall paper thing-screen saver?-yep, we can do that too.

We use our own music to make ring tones all the time.

Like I said, I know next to nothing about the Droid but a lot of what you say the iphone can't do it can.

edited to add: I meant to add that if you're looking for a work horse type of phone that's not the iphone. But if you're looking to have a portable 'entertainment center' and want to be able to check your email as well it more then serves that purpose.

 

[sceavis]

I don't know much about the Droid but-

I can surf the web and listen to my music at the same with my iphone. Heck, I can even take a phone call while doing both.

DH and I use Google maps (that comes with the phone) quite often, DH out of state and it's gotten us where we need to go. No it won't 'speak' to me but I use the list which is turn by turn.

I don't understand the wall paper thing-screen saver?-yep, we can do that too.

We use our own music to make ring tones all the time.

Like I said, I know next to nothing about the Droid but a lot of what you say the iphone can't do it can.

the talk and internet may have been a bad example.far as wallpapers apple does not let you have a wallpaper behind your icons unless you are using a jail broken phone plus you can change themes on android where where you can not on the iphone.Far as ring tones are you using acc files? if so thats why cause it is a apple file.the iphone does not see flac wav and many other audio file format plus you can make your ring an entire song if you please the .far as Google maps yes you can use maps for basic turn by turn directions.You get ton more features with Google turn by turn like traffic view and layers that tell you about restaurants, atm ,gas stations that you get for free that you pay allot for on the iphone only the android has Google turn by turn.The iphone is a great phone I just feel that apple has to many restrictions to it for my taste.I am the tech nerdy type that like to change every thing I want so the droid is better for me.I am glad you and your dh like your phones

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

One of the big things that the droid has over the iPhone is multitasking.You can listen to music and surf the web the same time for example. You can also have many apps open at once such as say a tip calculator and what ever where the iPhone you have to close the the calculator and pick another.The droid also has Google maps turn by turn gps directions that you can use for free I love that feature where i think the iPhone uses garmen software that cost 100 bucks . IPhone has a much better app store.For me to summarize the two phones.If you like to do allot of media things like apps music videos itunes the iPhone is better.The driod is catching up with all that stuff it can do it just it is easier on the iPhone.Google is working on software called audio that is going to compete with iTunes.I have the droid and love it i feel like it is more solid and future proof then the iPhone. On the droid you can make any sound file your ring tone not like the iPhone you can also have background wallpapers change icon's you can customize the droid to your style allot more then the iPhone.Google keeps on putting out updates to make it better and faster.I hope this helps a little

not sure about other's iphones but I can multitask on mine, I can not have two games open at once but .....while this ability is limited, I can listen to music and surf the web, send emails, on my iphone. I can also be on a call and use apps to surf or do another task at the same time. My phone is not jailbroken. If you jailbreak your phone (after warranty has expired) then you can make your phone fully multitasking.

Better app store is putting it lightly. The iphone has over 100,000 apps the droid has 10,000.

The iphone can be fully customize and has 10 screens of customizable app pages the droid has 3, I believe. True you can not add a backgound picture behind the apps, but you can add foreground pics. Again if you jail break you can add background pics.

If you just need GPS there are many GPS apps that you can use running from FREE and up

As far as Turn by Turn GPS you can purchase and use the following:

TomTom $59.99


TomTom also sells a kit so that you can mount your iphone for use as a GPS turn by turn device.

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/06/09/tomtom-announces-turnbyturn-gps-navigation-iphone-30/

Apple also releases updates to make the iphone faster, better and more competitive.

the talk and internet may have been a bad example.far as wallpapers apple does not let you have a wallpaper behind your icons unless you are using a jail broken phone plus you can change themes on android where where you can not on the iphone.Far as ring tones are you using acc files? if so thats why cause it is a apple file.the iphone does not see flac wav and many other audio file format plus you can make your ring an entire song if you please the .far as Google maps yes you can use maps for basic turn by turn directions.You get ton more features with Google turn by turn like traffic view and layers that tell you about restaurants, atm ,gas stations that you get for free that you pay allot for on the iphone only the android has Google turn by turn.The iphone is a great phone I just feel that apple has to many restrictions to it for my taste.I am the tech nerdy type that like to change every thing I want so the droid is better for me.I am glad you and your dh like your phones

I am also a tech nerdy type and yes while there are restrictions on the iphone if not jailbroken anyone has the option to jailbreak their phone and I believe that apple/att will loosen some of these restrictions on non jailbroken phones as other super smart phones are released onto the market to stay competitive.

While the iphone may not be the right phone for you please stick to the true facts. TY

 

[umaangel00]

I would wait a while. Verizon is supposed to get the iPhone at some point this year. I hope it happens because I really want one and will never go back to AT&T.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I would wait a while. Verizon is supposed to get the iPhone at some point this year. I hope it happens because I really want one and will never go back to AT&T.

you may have a long wait, this is just a rumour, although I hope it happens because it will release some of the restrictions.

 

[sceavis]

not sure about other's iphones but I can multitask on mine, I can not have two games open at once but .....while this ability is limited, I can listen to music and surf the web, send emails, on my iphone. I can also be on a call and use apps to surf or do another task at the same time. My phone is not jailbroken. If you jailbreak your phone (after warranty has expired) then you can make your phone fully multitasking.

Better app store is putting it lightly. The iphone has over 100,000 apps the droid has 10,000.

The iphone can be fully customize and has 10 screens of customizable app pages the droid has 3, I believe. True you can not add a backgound picture behind the apps, but you can add foreground pics. Again if you jail break you can add background pics.

If you just need GPS there are many GPS apps that you can use running from FREE and up

As far as Turn by Turn GPS you can purchase and use the following:

TomTom $59.99


TomTom also sells a kit so that you can mount your iphone for use as a GPS turn by turn device.

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/06/09/tomtom-announces-turnbyturn-gps-navigation-iphone-30/

Apple also releases updates to make the iphone faster, better and more competitive.



I am also a tech nerdy type and yes while there are restrictions on the iphone if not jailbroken anyone has the option to jailbreak their phone and I believe that apple/att will loosen some of these restrictions on non jailbroken phones as other super smart phones are released onto the market to stay competitive.

While the iphone may not be the right phone for you please stick to the true facts. TY

You sound like a apple fan boy i was stating facts like you have to pay for good turn by turn gps with iphone I do not. You can not listen to pandora radio and use another app the same time i can. You can listen to your itunes and surf but it is not the same as multitasking .Iphone does not do custom roms unless you jailbreak it but then you do not have to hack anything on droid totally open unlike the iphone.Yes lot bigger app store but it has been around allot longer. Google does not make you pay for updates apple does.I can go on and on.Iphone is a great phone but way to restrictive for my taste.I want an iphone I hope they loosen things like you said.But in my eyes the droid is a better option for me until things change. Glad you like your phone

 

[Kitzka]

You sound like a apple fan boy i was stating facts like you have to pay for good turn by turn gps with iphone I do not. You can not listen to pandora radio and use another app the same time i can. You can listen to your itunes and surf but it is not the same as multitasking .Iphone does not do custom roms unless you jailbreak it but then you do not have to hack anything on droid totally open unlike the iphone.Yes lot bigger app store but it has been around allot longer. Google does not make you pay for updates apple does.I can go on and on.Iphone is a great phone but way to restrictive for my taste.I want an iphone I hope they loosen things like you said.But in my eyes the droid is a better option for me until things change. Glad you like your phone

I just wanted to comment on the bolded. I have had an iphone for about 2 years now. I have about 50 apps of which about 35% were paid for and have been updated a few times. I have not had to pay to update any of them.

Lara

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I just wanted to comment on the bolded. I have had an iphone for about 2 years now. I have about 50 apps of which about 35% were paid for and have been updated a few times. I have not had to pay to update any of them.

Lara

Lara-

what are you waiting on! you need more apps girl I have over 700 now and have only had my phone 2 months, yes I am an app addict

not all are stored on my phone some are just hanging out in my itunes acct. until I need them.

Like the london metro app, the currency converter app.

I think I download most every app that is free just in case I will ever need it.

Of those 700 apps I probably have paid for no more than 20% of them, if that, the rest were downloaded when offered for free.

You sound like a apple fan boy i was stating facts like you have to pay for good turn by turn gps with iphone I do not. You can not listen to pandora radio and use another app the same time i can. You can listen to your itunes and surf but it is not the same as multitasking .Iphone does not do custom roms unless you jailbreak it but then you do not have to hack anything on droid totally open unlike the iphone.Yes lot bigger app store but it has been around allot longer. Google does not make you pay for updates apple does.I can go on and on.Iphone is a great phone but way to restrictive for my taste.I want an iphone I hope they loosen things like you said.But in my eyes the droid is a better option for me until things change. Glad you like your phone

Yes I am a apple fan, I love my iPhone it is the only apple product I own so I am not brand exclusive.

I do not see the difference in listening to my music and surfing the web and you listening to pandora radio and doing the same both are multitasking.

Yes the iphone does limit your multitasking but not if you jailbreak and I feel not for long even on a non jailbroken phone.

You can not address whether or not the Droid will in the future charge for updates being that you own the first release of the Droid.

Apple did not charge for updates until there was several releases of the iphone.

Another point about iPhone apps on ave they are much cheaper than Droid apps, at least the ones I have seen.

and I could go on and on.

Glad you are enjoying you phone that is what matters.

 

[sceavis]

Yes I am a apple fan, I love my iPhone it is the only apple product I own so I am not brand exclusive.

I do not see the difference in listening to my music and surfing the web and you listening to pandora radio and doing the same both are multitasking.

Yes the iphone does limit your multitasking but not if you jailbreak and I feel not for long even on a non jailbroken phone.

You can not address whether or not the Droid will in the future charge for updates being that you own the first release of the Droid.

Apple did not charge for updates until there was several releases of the iphone.

Another point about iPhone apps on ave they are much cheaper than Droid apps, at least the ones I have seen.

and I could go on and on.

Glad you are enjoying you phone that is what matters.

Blue Fairy I want to apologize for the fan boy remark that was out of line for me.Reading back on my posts I think I did not explain my self good enough some times i do not enplane my self well .I am glad you enjoy your phone.Both phones are great and both have strengths and weakness and if anybody chooses either one I am sure they will love it.Sorry again for the fan boy remark