The test we’ve all been waiting for. A longtime Android user will revisit iOS. For some time others have always thought that I’ve never used Apple’s mobile OS, you couldn’t be more wrong as I’ve used it heavily in the past, which is why I know about it and can speak on it to a good degree. However, now the test will begin as I will use the latest version of iOS on an iPhone 5s as my daily driver for one full week.
I will break down what’s good, what’s great and what absolutely sucks.
With the release of Apple’s iPhone 6, 6 Plus and iOS 8 there have been a flurry of reviews, some highly one-sided and some more favorable. On DexJohn’s PC, I aim to be non-biased and look at things from a pure technological standpoint. With that being said, let’s review this device shall we?
[This is an Android user’s review after having a brief hands-on with the iPhone 6 Plus.]
Feel of the device:
First off, the model I had time with was the iPhone 6 Plus, mentioned above, has an incredible build quality and overall solid feel to the device. This phone does not feel cheap, overly light or bulky. However, this cannot be said about the predecessor to this device, the iPhone 5/5S — this model looked well crafted; yet, after holding feels almost too light and unsubstantial (as if a breeze could whisp the phone away from your hands). Many early reviews of the device balk at the fact that the camera protrudes slightly from the back. My opinion, get over it! Honestly, when you put a high quality sensor into a device it is o.k. for it to stick out slightly on the back (hence the Nexus 5, Galaxy series devices) or either the phone would be thicker. But you wouldn’t want that would you?
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in hand comparison.
Since I was dealing with the Plus version, I can say that although the device is the largest iPhone yet — it feels great. My daily driver is a Nexus 5 with a 5″ screen and after using devices like this and the Galaxy Note, this iPhone doesn’t feel that large. One thing to note is that bezels on this device are quite large, so many Android OEMs can put this same size screen (5.5″) into a device and it will be noticeably smaller in comparison. Unfortunately, this seems to be something that the user will have to deal with…that home button seems to be permanently cemented into iOS devices (unless Apple switches to on-screen controls).
Responsiveness and Speed:
iOS has always been responsive, that is one of the “trademarks” of the operating system. Upon the press of an app icon it almost loads immediately. Notice the word, almost. iOS and Android are built using entirely different frameworks with Android being built to mirror Blackberry initially and iOS built for ease of use. With that being said, iOS app launching and Android app launching are essentially a toss up. Here is one difference, while iOS apps launch almost instantly, the content within that app may be slow to appear (this happens in many cases). So, the user will be in the app; however, you will be waiting on content. This is almost the opposite for Android, the app and content load happen almost instantaneously. Notice the word, almost. Neither one of these mobile OSes are perfect and being the stickler I am for performance — I take note.
On the other hand, swiping and moving about the operating system are fine as always — no noticeable hiccups.
Operating System:
In this case, iOS is iOS — a lot really hasn’t changed, which may be my biggest sticking point.
However, let’s start with the good first. The fact that not a lot has changed is a good thing for many seasoned iOS users. The operating system is very familiar and inviting, not to mention easy to use. Upon waking the device, the user will be greeting with a simple UI consisting of a grid of icons, for increased functionality, these icons can be moved into folders to “declutter” the home screens since iOS lacks an app drawer. There are a few new features baked in such as voice replies on the keyboard and Apple Pay, which is essentially a new system for NFC payments — exactly how useful Apple Pay (NFC in general) will be is solely upon the shoulders of retailers.
The bad. While iOS has stuck with the tried and true, many manufacturers (not just Apple) have become content with offering minor tweaks to their “latest and greatest” products. This could have been prime opportunity for Apple to completely alter iOS and make the device that it powers more of a true mobile computer. With that being said, apps still cannot talk to each other and customizations are still essentially non-exist (with the exceptions that keyboards and a few other apps can now be modified)…..unless Apple deems it “fine and good”. One thing to note is that for this to happen, Apple may have to significantly bump up the hardware — if you compare the latest iPhone to any modern Android device, it is easily beaten in terms of hardware; however, the biggest difference is the UX that is achieved on a iOS device.
Overall, iOS itself is not bad as long as you like to stay within the realms defined by it.
Overall Impressions:
The iPhone 6/6Plus is good, darn good.
Is it worth it to upgrade if you have an iPhone 5S? In my opinion, unless you need a larger screen and NFC payments — no; however, the next iteration should be an absolute upgrade. Why? Typically, phones that were released earlier with a newer OS on the hardware (even when tuned to certain devices, which is the case with Apple) will still result in a poor user experience. However, for users that are stuck on the iPhone 4 or 5 — there is no question. UPGRADE.
iOS and Android is all up to personal preference, what mobile OS you use is entirely up to you. As there is no perfect phone, let’s rate this device:
Apple you’ve done it again. You have created a device which in turn, has been already been garnered as being a major success. Congratulations is surely in order for a mobile device selling 2 million units in a timespan of 24 hours; however, is this device worth your money if you already have an Apple iPhone 4, 4S, or even an Android device?
This is certainly where things get tricky, the iPhone 5 does feature a larger rich display however, does this larger display feel awkward in the users hand? This update also features panoramic photo capture, more powerful battery specs, LTE, better social networking integration, an improved Siri, and a few new minor updates (Apple is quoted at saying there are 200 improvements, which I believe is a lie).
In addition, let’s not forget Apple’s new mapping app which outed Google Maps as the default navigation for the OS, which has been a major thorn in their side. This one app alone has caused a major backlash in the iOS user community. Personally, I do have not had to use an Apple product since I had an iPad, but this switch by Apple even brothers me; so, I can only guess how a true Apple fan could feel when a half-baked app such as this sees light a little too early. Apple even had the audacity to state that Maps will get better over time. First and foremost, you should not include an application that is a “work in progress” and just expect your end users to just “deal with it”. Google Maps is potentially the most robust mapping software on the planet, it certainly beats out the in house solution within iOS, which is already known for getting people lost and making others miss meetings.
When it comes to build quality iPhones are second to none; yet, with this release that same statement cannot be made. Every iteration of this device has felt very solid in the hand, however when this one is being held it almost feels too light or even cheap. On a lighter note, the brushings on the exterior of the device are virtually seamless and look fantastic.
View a hand-on demo here [Source: The Verge]
Bottom line: If you are engulfed in Apple’s ecosystem is this a worthy upgrade? That is a loaded question. For some people, every iteration is a vast improvement. However, this release has been surprisingly underwhelming in many aspects, one in particular is the fact that Apple has done nothing more than play catch up to industry standards and no real innovation was done.
Apple, a company known for making beautiful looking and innovative products are equally known for entrapping customers in their ecosystem and releasing incremental upgrades that you “have” to buy. The iPhone 5 is exactly that, an incremental upgrade that honestly is not that great. Why?
Let’s start off by getting the facts out of the way. Apple has the largest app collection on the planet, top-tier developer support, recurring users and devices that look like they should be walking down the runway. On the other hand, with all of these facts that they can tout; they still do not have the highest global market-share like Google’s Android. When Apple releases a product things are greater than “big”, they are gargantuan. The press loses its mind, there is leak after leak and fan-boys worldwide almost pass out as the new device is unveiled. However, things just were not the same with this release. Apple not only released this update to the phone because the iPhone 4S had been out for a year, but because they had to play catch up with the market leader. To prove a point, these are a few of the upgrades to the iPhone:
4G
4 inch screen
Faster Wi-Fi
Thinner
Battery improvements
Call screen options (such as: send a text to the caller letting them know you are in a meeting etc.)
Panoramic photos
Can captures pictures will recording video
Now, with these “upgrades” in line, let’s debunk them. 4G LTE is a technology that practically every high-end device released in the last year and a half has taken advantage of, the iPhone should have included it in the 4 or 4S, but it did not. As usual, the company forced it’s customers to wait on a technology that, at the time, was already advanced enough to go into their phone. The part that is even worse is that the buyers of the phone accepted it; which I will never understand. The iPhone has had the same size screen since it’s “revolutionary” debut in 2007. Why? The screen size of 3.5 inches should’ve been discarded with the iPhone 4 iteration, imagine if they debuted their retina display on a 4″ or 4.5″ display — that would’ve been truly resolutionary. Honestly.
The rest of the list of “upgrades” are things that older phones have had for a while. On the other hand, when Apple releases these same features they are treated as if they are brand new and unbelievable. Whether you love the iPhone or not, it is hard to say that these additions weren’t a long time coming.
Bottom line: I watched the keynote, not to climb on an anti-Apple perch; but, to honestly hope to see something great and new. I saw something good, the iPhone 5 is a beautiful looking device, perhaps the best design on the market. But when you pair a list of improvements that aren’t new with the same stale OS from 2007 – it just isn’t that great; but Tim Cook had the audacity to say, “It is the biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone.”
Voice over IP is evolving with an excellent gem of an app called Sidecar, which is available for Android and iOS devices.
Call quality as you might expect is not better than that of you carrier by any means. On the other hand, it is very good for a Wi-Fi connection; in fact there is an option to increase the quality of the audio, which will use more data. Reviews for the application for Android have came together to form a solid 3.7, which says that although the app is good there is room for improvement.
Aside from calling, users can share video, short messages, and more.
Bottom line: This app is a must have and it really shows the future that is in the palm of technology’s hand. Sidecar will only get better; be that early adopter.
Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.
DexJohn's PC 