Based on the current rumors du jour, Apple is expected to announce the next iPhone, along with a smaller version of the iPad, on Sept. 12. This same rumor has the devices going on sale nine days later, on Sept. 21. Whenever the new iPhone materializes, you can expect millions to buy them, some even lining up overnight for the privilege.
This time, though, I may not be among the multitudes.
Although I’ve been an iPhone user since the 3G, and I’m now carrying a two-year-old iPhone 4, I’m not sure I’m going to make the leap to the next model. I’m seriously considering a platform switch to Android.
This isn’t set in stone. I want to see what Apple has to offer this time around, and I could end up packing what’s presumptively called the iPhone 5. But after looking at the current crop of Android-based devices â€" particularly the HTC One series and the Samsung Galaxy S III â€" Apple’s got a lot of work to do to win me over.
To be clear, my issue is not with Apple itself, or with the controlled iOS ecosystem. I actually like the curated nature of the App Store and Apple’s fanatical attention to detail. However, at this point I’m also looking at trajectory â€" where Apple’s hardware and design trends are headed compared to those of Google’s Android and its hardware partners.
The Galaxy S III and the HTC One are remarkable smartphones. Both have big, gorgeous screens that rival the iPhone’s current retina displays. Both are remarkably fast. They feature technology that isn’t in the current crop of iPhones, such as 4G LTE connectivity and Near Field Communications capabilities â€" though both are expected in the iPhone 5.
Apple’s design trajectory has it taking incremental steps. The original iPhone was a dramatic leap for smartphones, and the iPhone 4 was another big step. But while Apple tweaks its smartphones between two-year design-change cycles, Android devices advance in big ways each year. While few people buy a smartphone every year, this pace ultimately leads to more innovation.
As a result, Apple’s going to be playing serious catch-up with the hardware of the iPhone 5. It’s possible the next device will leapfrog Android devices, but in six months, a new Android phone will likely eclipse it. Apple’s annual refresh cycle is starting to put it at a disadvantage, at least for those users who want state-of-the-art hardware.
At the moment, I think Apple still has an edge in terms of software. iOS remains a more intuitive and consistent operating system, and the design quality of its apps are generally superior. But the latest version of Android is much improved, as are the shells companies like HTC and Samsung lay on top of the interface. As I’ve written before, I’ve come to really appreciate HTC’s Sense and, to a lesser extent, Samsung’s TouchWiz (please, Samsung, come up with less embarrassing name, OK?). For the average user, they do indeed make Android better.
And Apple’s primary innovation in its current software â€" Siri, its voice-based personal assistant â€" increasingly strikes me as a gimmick. It simply doesn’t work that well. That said, the equivalent on Samsung’s Galaxy S III is worse, and Android’s built-in voice actions are marginally better. Siri is going to have be a markedly better feature in the iPhone 5 to win me over.
What I really like about Android, though, is that it generally is more convenient to use. Prime evidence: The ability to install home screen widgets that allow you to turn features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS on and off quickly. Every time I have to dive three menus deep to turn off Bluetooth on my iPhone, I get more annoyed.
What could keep me from defecting? Aside from Apple producing an incredibly kick-butt iPhone 5, there are several issues.
The first is that I’m heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. Everyone in my family has an iPhone, and almost all of us use Macs. The latest update to OS X has ties into iOS, most notably in its Notification Center and Messages. I like that type of integration and I’m hesitant to give it up.
I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about malware on iPhones, thanks to Apple’s heavy-handed curation of the iTunes App Store. Malware on Android is a growing problem, and that’s a serious concern for me.
Finally, I’ve got a lot invested in iPhone apps. I haven’t totaled up how much I’ve spent, but I suspect over time it’s been well over $150 for the apps I use regularly â€" maybe more. While many apps can be matched between iOS and Android, developers generally don’t give you credit on one platform when you’ve paid for apps on another.
When the next iPhone is announced, I’ll weigh all these factors and come to a decision. Meanwhile, I’d love to hear from iPhone users who made the leap to Android, as well as Android users who’ve switched to iOS. What’s your experience been like? And how have you dealt with the issues that make me hesitate to switch?
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