Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi.Yankees vs. Red Sox. Batman vs. the Joker. This list includes some of history’s greatest rivals.
Joining that list, as new rivals, is the iPhone vs. Android battle for the top spot in the smartphone field. These 21st century competitors continue to spark debates between supporters on either side.
Many consider smartphones to be one of the greatest technological ad- vancements of the past seven or so years.
“Smartphones are definitely one of the pillars in mobile technology and have an immense impact on the efficiency and capabilities of daily life.” said Dawson Young, senior electrical and computer engineering major. “The best thing about smartphones is immediate mobile connectivity.”
As an owner of both the iPhone and now, an Android, Young sees the appeal of both phones and said individuals should choose the operating system that meets their needs.
When Apple Inc. made the iPhone, it dramatically changed the telecommunication world.
Initially released in 2007, Apple’s iPhone was a revolutionary device that set a new standard for mobile phones. Before the iPhone, cell phones were primarily used for phone calls, text messaging and limited entertainment and media activities.
Apple created a phone that pushed the boundaries of mobile capabilities. Apple gave users a whole new range of possibilities: a larger megapixel camera, GPS, email, social media access, 3G capabilities, media and quality music player.
Five years and six versions later, the iPhone is still flying off the shelves, selling more than 41 million iPhone 5s since its release in September 2012.
While the iPhone has been setting industry standards and continues to raise the bar for competitors, Android phones have recently been catching up with Apple. Many different phones are using the Android platform, some particular models are creeping ahead as the front-runner in the race against the iPhone.
The LG Nexus 4 and Samsung’s Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are just a few of the competitors to the iPhone 5.
Android phones give users incredible freedom, which may be the reason they are selling in such large volumes. They have surpassed the iPhone, and now account for 75 percent of phones sold in 2012, a 20 percent increase since 2011.
Whether it is due to the larger variety of Android handsets compared to Apple’s single iPhone 5, or just personal preference, consumers are becoming more informed about the different kinds of handsets.
Brandon Scorza, Information and Technology technician at California Baptist University, said he prefers Androids over iPhones.
“Android phones come with the same features as an iPhone,” Scorza said. “People often spend more money just because they assume that Apple is better due to all the hype, but it’s not worth spending more money just to get an Apple logo on your phone.”
Both of these products have their positives and negatives. iPhones pride themself on being easy to use, while Androids are more open source.
When choosing between the iOS and Andriod, it is important to remember to choose the phone that is best suited for one’s needs.
