The reason of me starting this conversation is that I want to hear other people's opinions on some of my thoughts on smartphones.*
First and foremost, what are smartphones? My definition is that smartphones are mobile phones that are very capable of doing some legacy PC stuff, such as surfing the net and playing games, through the multi-touch user interface via an integrated online app store, while still being able to be carried around all day. Although it's an entirely different class of phone, it's still a mobile phone.*
Now, let's see if today's smartphones match my definition. Many of today's smartphones are certainly very powerful, very capable, and even more powerful than we could have ever imagined. Already a number of Android phones are powered by quad core processors. What's more, some even have those stunning 720p HD displays. Doubtlessly very capable of doing so many things in a beautiful way with the simplicity of a mobile phone.*
However, we have missed one essential feature. And that is mobility. Mobility of smartphones,sounds weird huh? Well, it sounds weird because today's smartphones are not very mobile although they are still mobile phones. *To pack all of the ultra fast chips, high res displays, 4G networking, and etc, all the phone manufacturers have gradually increased the size of their smartphones to an extent where our phones do not fit in our pockets and can't be used single-handedly. Except for one manufacturer. iPhone has kept the SAME comfortably-fits-in-your-pocket and easy single-handedness form factor for 5 consecutive years.*
I may be going too fast, this leads to the controversial inference from my above-mentioned thoughts: iPhone is the best smartphone available in the market right now. The main reason is that simply, it is the only truly mobile smartphone on the planet and yet is just as capable and powerful as other Android super phones. I would love to hear anyone's opinions on this.*
But this isn't the end, because I have other reasons for calling the iPhone the best smartphone, not from an end-user point of view but from a .... I would call a *technical point of view.*
Firstly, design. Many Android phones nowadays really, I mean really, and honestly and sincerely, look great. I appreciate the designers' efforts in making such gorgeous phones. For example, the HTC One X, has a marvellous design. It looks great, feels great, and yet very durable and rugged. I am not praising their designs for the sake of making a well-rounded argument. I really mean it.*
Now let's look at the iPhone. Hmm... I am speechless. I know I may be exaggerating as I explain the iPhone's design. But I am still gonna say what I think. Just one word: stunning. It's hard to describe. When you hold it in your hands, you feel the reliability and ergonomics of the phone. More importantly, you get to appreciate the premium feeling that the beautiful stainless steel band gives you. And the glossy glass at front and back....A stunningly simple yet amazing design that you can marvel at for years. That's how I'll put it.*
( yes, the glass breaks easily. But would I want that glass removed for durability? For me, nope. What do u think?)
Secondly, the limitless possibilities without sacrificing mobility. I probably don't need to explain how many apps are available for iPhone. But I probably have to tell you that the majority of these apps take advantage of numerous iOS features, the Retina display and are perfectly compatible and very secure. But what's more important is that a phone that can do so much still fits in your pocket, and still can be used easily with one hand. Now, here I would like to highlight that this is something many people overlook. Apple has been improving the iPhone annually for five consecutive years and has kept the same form factor. The same size, actually, thinner(3GS to 4), and yet more capabilities. This is an engineering achievement to be applauded. To put this in comparison, every version of Samsung Galaxy has increased in size to accommodate new hardware or extra. And believe me, iPhone 4S is just as fast, not slower at all, compared to Galaxy S3, which has a quad-core processor. ( just to add, there aren't even many Android apps that require that much CPU power) This shows that Apple really cares for the user. It knows what's really important for the user. Yes, many Android phones have 4G networking, but at the cost of mobility. Apple wants to make no compromises. And in case you didn't realise, iPhone 4S has this dual antenna system that doubles download speed. I've used it, compared it to an Android 4G phones, and....
Of course, 4G was still significantly faster. But it's a matter of whether you are willing to sacrifice mobility for 4G. The iPhone 4S was no slouch.*
So this is what I think. Please pen(or type)your thoughts on my thoughts. I am open, and willing to change my mind if I am convinced. But right now, I am very convinced that the iPhone 4S I m using now is the best smartphone in the world.*
First and foremost, what are smartphones? My definition is that smartphones are mobile phones that are very capable of doing some legacy PC stuff, such as surfing the net and playing games, through the multi-touch user interface via an integrated online app store, while still being able to be carried around all day. Although it's an entirely different class of phone, it's still a mobile phone.*
Now, let's see if today's smartphones match my definition. Many of today's smartphones are certainly very powerful, very capable, and even more powerful than we could have ever imagined. Already a number of Android phones are powered by quad core processors. What's more, some even have those stunning 720p HD displays. Doubtlessly very capable of doing so many things in a beautiful way with the simplicity of a mobile phone.*
However, we have missed one essential feature. And that is mobility. Mobility of smartphones,sounds weird huh? Well, it sounds weird because today's smartphones are not very mobile although they are still mobile phones. *To pack all of the ultra fast chips, high res displays, 4G networking, and etc, all the phone manufacturers have gradually increased the size of their smartphones to an extent where our phones do not fit in our pockets and can't be used single-handedly. Except for one manufacturer. iPhone has kept the SAME comfortably-fits-in-your-pocket and easy single-handedness form factor for 5 consecutive years.*
I may be going too fast, this leads to the controversial inference from my above-mentioned thoughts: iPhone is the best smartphone available in the market right now. The main reason is that simply, it is the only truly mobile smartphone on the planet and yet is just as capable and powerful as other Android super phones. I would love to hear anyone's opinions on this.*
But this isn't the end, because I have other reasons for calling the iPhone the best smartphone, not from an end-user point of view but from a .... I would call a *technical point of view.*
Firstly, design. Many Android phones nowadays really, I mean really, and honestly and sincerely, look great. I appreciate the designers' efforts in making such gorgeous phones. For example, the HTC One X, has a marvellous design. It looks great, feels great, and yet very durable and rugged. I am not praising their designs for the sake of making a well-rounded argument. I really mean it.*
Now let's look at the iPhone. Hmm... I am speechless. I know I may be exaggerating as I explain the iPhone's design. But I am still gonna say what I think. Just one word: stunning. It's hard to describe. When you hold it in your hands, you feel the reliability and ergonomics of the phone. More importantly, you get to appreciate the premium feeling that the beautiful stainless steel band gives you. And the glossy glass at front and back....A stunningly simple yet amazing design that you can marvel at for years. That's how I'll put it.*
( yes, the glass breaks easily. But would I want that glass removed for durability? For me, nope. What do u think?)
Secondly, the limitless possibilities without sacrificing mobility. I probably don't need to explain how many apps are available for iPhone. But I probably have to tell you that the majority of these apps take advantage of numerous iOS features, the Retina display and are perfectly compatible and very secure. But what's more important is that a phone that can do so much still fits in your pocket, and still can be used easily with one hand. Now, here I would like to highlight that this is something many people overlook. Apple has been improving the iPhone annually for five consecutive years and has kept the same form factor. The same size, actually, thinner(3GS to 4), and yet more capabilities. This is an engineering achievement to be applauded. To put this in comparison, every version of Samsung Galaxy has increased in size to accommodate new hardware or extra. And believe me, iPhone 4S is just as fast, not slower at all, compared to Galaxy S3, which has a quad-core processor. ( just to add, there aren't even many Android apps that require that much CPU power) This shows that Apple really cares for the user. It knows what's really important for the user. Yes, many Android phones have 4G networking, but at the cost of mobility. Apple wants to make no compromises. And in case you didn't realise, iPhone 4S has this dual antenna system that doubles download speed. I've used it, compared it to an Android 4G phones, and....
Of course, 4G was still significantly faster. But it's a matter of whether you are willing to sacrifice mobility for 4G. The iPhone 4S was no slouch.*
So this is what I think. Please pen(or type)your thoughts on my thoughts. I am open, and willing to change my mind if I am convinced. But right now, I am very convinced that the iPhone 4S I m using now is the best smartphone in the world.*