So Android for phones and iOS for tablets

[pcslookout]

Is this the best combination or what most people agree with ? If not no big deal.

 

[IeraseU]

I use Android and have a Nexus 6p on order, but after reading the iPhone 6s review I'm inclined to believe that iOS is just better for this phone cycle. As far as tablets, I think it's either a Surface Pro or iPad. Android tablets are fine as a budget friendly option, but the iPad is just better. Surface Pro is basically a laptop replacement in a tablet form factor, if that's what you need.

 

[tsupersonic]

I use Android and have a Nexus 6p on order, but after reading the iPhone 6s review I'm inclined to believe that iOS is just better for this phone cycle. As far as tablets, I think it's either a Surface Pro or iPad. Android tablets are fine as a budget friendly option, but the iPad is just better. Surface Pro is basically a laptop replacement in a tablet form factor, if that's what you need.

As a SP owner, I never use mine in tablet mode. Surface Pro makes a terrible tablet. Too big, bulky and awkward to hold and use.

I use an Android phone and an iPad. It makes for a good combo.

 

[ControlD]

That's how I am running right now. Nexus 6 for my phone and a Air 2 for my tablet. If the app situation were different for Android tablets I wouldn't have an iPad at all, but that's the way it is right now.

 

[Artdeco]

For me, I just got tired of tweaking my Android phone and got sucked into the Apple ecosystem. I do have a couple of Android tablets I use daily though, one as an LTE streamer to my truck's stereo (and GPS), and I have an Android tablet in the kitchen on a gooseneck mount for recipes and streaming, they're older tablets and were both less than $100, iPad Air 2 for videos, media consumption, light web browsing. Using it now with a Hulu window while I type this, it's very close to a full laptop replacement.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Is this the best combination or what most people agree with ? If not no big deal.

That is the combo I prefer. Then you benefit from real tablet apps, but you also have the power of a full computer in your pocket if you get in a pinch.

 

[AnderssonHunt]

Not for me. While I appreciate the superiority of Apple's tablet ecosystem, I'm still sticking with Samsung/Android on tablets. Amoled, expandable storage, access to the file system and customization options are more important to me than the drawbacks.

 

[Red Storm]

I like to have an Android phone and an Apple tablet. I like to have access to both ecosystems. I prefer my phone to be Android because it is the more important device of the two. As poofyhairguy said, having a full computer in my pocket can be a real lifesaver when you need that kind of power/utility.

 

[slackerinabox]

Well, that was old school advice back when Android phone were competitive, but this generation (and probably the next) goes to Apple on both tablet and phone (especially phone).

I have both, and I actually mind android on tablet less than I thought I would. I miss the tablet apps that look stunning on iOS (compared to more stripped down apps on android), but you know I don't mind browsing/emails/facebook on my $120 android tablet. I've had too many bugs with android to bother with the os as my daily driver, but it works well enough as a couch surfing device

 

[Oyeve]

I'm never happy with tablets. I have several, 3 ipads, 3 android and a Dell Venue 11 Pro. Not one is the best for all but I do tend to use my Tab Pro 8.4 more than the others. The ipads I pretty much never use at all.

 

[ControlD]

Well, that was old school advice back when Android phone were competitive, but this generation (and probably the next) goes to Apple on both tablet and phone (especially phone).

If your main criteria in buying a phone is raw hardware performance, for sure the iPhone is the clear winner. I'm not sure that's the deciding factor for most of us however. If I could get the iPhone hardware running Android I would be about as happy as possible.

 

[lopri]

I was gifted an iPhone 6s Plus AND an Apple Watch. Tried to use them for a couple of days but did not work out. Excellent internal hardware (the phone), no doubt, but it is just too boring for me. The same cannot be said for Apple Watch of which hardware IMO is terrible.

They are sitting in a drawer.. I cannot sell them at least until the end of year because they were given to me by an important person, who I will run into a few times by then. I use 5 Android phones, switching around between my moods.

Tablets, I have a nearly 3 year old Note 8 and a year old iPad Air (LTE). I needed something reliable, battery-wise, when I occasionally took a tablet outdoors for business purposes. Maybe Marshmallow might change things around on Android tablets but I will believe it when I see it. Until then iPad Air is a practical necessity for me. Inside the house (bedrooms and bathrooms..), I prefer the Note 8.

Edit: Oh, and I buy/rent music or videos from Amazon. I think everyone should do so just in case you switch platform.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Well, that was old school advice back when Android phone were competitive

Not everyone only rocks top dollar flagships. Since 2014's Oneplus One middle range phones are real options. Android is VERY competitive in the sub $700 phone market.

Actually that is part of the real benefit of Android to me- value. I remember last year I bought my M8, my Nexus 7 tablet, and my LG Watch for less than my friend bought his unlocked iPhone 6 64GB. A whole freaking ecosystem of devices for the price of a single phone, and the value in the Android market has gotten even better this year.

The reason I have my iPad Air 2 was because there really isn't a 10 inch Android tablet that is as good as the Nexus 7 and even if there was phone apps blown up to 10 inches sucks. Also I knew that the iPad Air 2 was shaping up to be a legendary iOS device based on how much better it was than other 2014 iOS devices, and that bet paid off when they didn't even refresh the model this year while adding features like split screen. Not every iDevice is as good of a value as the iPad Air 2 was, people who bought an iPad 3 got comparatively screwed in comparison.

And the same thing applies to Android phones. The 6P new in box price is pretty equal to the iPhone "midrange" (aka last year's model) secondary market price. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather have a 6P than the stupid iPhone 6+ nonS with the absolutely pathetic 1GB of RAM. So if my goal is maximum value then Android phones are a clear winner.

For some people the iPhone 6+S is worth that flagship premium over the 6P, but not for everyone.

 

[slackerinabox]

Not everyone only rocks top dollar flagships. Since 2014's Oneplus One middle range phones are real options. Android is VERY competitive in the sub $700 phone market.

Actually that is part of the real benefit of Android to me- value. I remember last year I bought my M8, my Nexus 7 tablet, and my LG Watch for less than my friend bought his unlocked iPhone 6 64GB. A whole freaking ecosystem of devices for the price of a single phone, and the value in the Android market has gotten even better this year.

The reason I have my iPad Air 2 was because there really isn't a 10 inch Android tablet that is as good as the Nexus 7 and even if there was phone apps blown up to 10 inches sucks. Also I knew that the iPad Air 2 was shaping up to be a legendary iOS device based on how much better it was than other 2014 iOS devices, and that bet paid off when they didn't even refresh the model this year while adding features like split screen. Not every iDevice is as good of a value as the iPad Air 2 was, people who bought an iPad 3 got comparatively screwed in comparison.

And the same thing applies to Android phones. The 6P new in box price is pretty equal to the iPhone "midrange" (aka last year's model) secondary market price. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather have a 6P than the stupid iPhone 6+ nonS with the absolutely pathetic 1GB of RAM. So if my goal is maximum value then Android phones are a clear winner.

For some people the iPhone 6+S is worth that flagship premium over the 6P, but not for everyone.

I don't want to get into this argument again, but "value" is a relative term. To me, iPhone's have more value because of the very strong resale value, but please let's not get into this debate again. Also, at 34 with 2 kids the customization factor doesn't sway me at all (I don't care, it's a phone not a hobby) but I completely understand how someone can value that. Apples Grade A support (walk into a store walk out with the problem resolved) wins over widgets and .. Seriously, I don't know what all the customization you guys are doing to be so die hard about it.. I MUST KNOW MY CPU TEMPERATURE IN REAL TIME!!! Rock on..

The question was "android for phone and ipad for tablet," not FOR YOUR DOLLAR, or based on value... I think if you want best of breed hardware (not debatable) and ecosystem (debate away) plus resale value and support (not debatable), then iPhone's the way to go. I view phones as mission critical and view the increase in up front cost trivial compared to the questionable reliability/security/service on a mid-range android. For a tablet? I gave away my iPad 3 because my dad was eying it, and I don't miss it. I rarely used it, and for when I want a tablet my 3 android tablets are great (and I don't worry about my toddlers getting them gross).

 

[lopri]

^ Agreed. poofyhairguy taught me that not every iDevice is created equal. (though I did not follow that advice myself when I bought an iPad Air, haha)

 

[poofyhairguy]

I don't want to get into this argument again, but "value" is a relative term. To me, iPhone's have more value because of the very strong resale value

But only if you are in the market for flagships. I don't even dispute the fact that Apple wins at the flagship level, but if you are someone who doesn't want to pay flagship prices you will get more phone value with Android. A 6P is better than a used 6+ nonS for the price, a Zenphone 2 is a better value than a iPhone 5S for the price, etc. That is all I am saying. No reason to argue, I think even you admit that Android has a lot of value in the mid and low range.

The question was "android for phone and ipad for tablet," not FOR YOUR DOLLAR, or based on value... I think if you want best of breed hardware (not debatable) and ecosystem (debate away) plus resale value and support (not debatable), then iPhone's the way to go. I view phones as mission critical and view the increase in up front cost trivial compared to the questionable reliability/security/service on a mid-range android.

Which is completely fine, I think each person has their own internal benchmarks for value and if you want "the best" that means an iPhone in 2015.

My only point is for people who don't want to pay flagship prices (which is a real consideration now that contract subsidies are dead) everything below the flagship level is dominated by Android. I don't think that contradicts anything you said, I just wanted to clarify the situation beyond some blanket assumption that in 2015 that the only good phone choice at all price levels is an iPhone.

For most people their phone isn't "mission critical," it is just a modern convenience. And for those of us who do depend on our phones the features of Android can often outweigh the benefits of the iPhone package. You write off Android's advantage as useless customizability, but there is real functionality in Android that iOS lacks. For example, if I need to download a network driver .exe out in the wild to get a computer online only one smartphone OS will let me download that file and then move it to a normal pen drive without rooting or jailbreaking. That might not have any value to you, but working with your car perfectly has no value to me. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[poofyhairguy]

^ Agreed. poofyhairguy taught me that not every iDevice is created equal. (though I did not follow that advice myself when I bought an iPad Air, haha)

The iPad Air 1 isn't really THAT bad, I can think of three iPads that were worse values (the 1, the 3, and the third Mini). Thank you for the compliment though.

 

[Red Storm]

I don't want to get into this argument again, but "value" is a relative term. To me, iPhone's have more value because of the very strong resale value, but please let's not get into this debate again. Also, at 34 with 2 kids the customization factor doesn't sway me at all (I don't care, it's a phone not a hobby) but I completely understand how someone can value that. Apples Grade A support (walk into a store walk out with the problem resolved) wins over widgets and .. Seriously, I don't know what all the customization you guys are doing to be so die hard about it.. I MUST KNOW MY CPU TEMPERATURE IN REAL TIME!!! Rock on..

The question was "android for phone and ipad for tablet," not FOR YOUR DOLLAR, or based on value... I think if you want best of breed hardware (not debatable) and ecosystem (debate away) plus resale value and support (not debatable), then iPhone's the way to go. I view phones as mission critical and view the increase in up front cost trivial compared to the questionable reliability/security/service on a mid-range android. For a tablet? I gave away my iPad 3 because my dad was eying it, and I don't miss it. I rarely used it, and for when I want a tablet my 3 android tablets are great (and I don't worry about my toddlers getting them gross).

Customization is not a hobby, which I assume you're implying that it takes forever to do and never ends. Set it and forget it. When I buy a new phone, my time spent customizing is just restoring my Nova Launcher settings from Google Drive. Takes less than a minute and I'm good to go. I don't even have the option on an iPhone. And your comments about value seem to ignore that the initial cost to get the phone plays a big part. My Nexus might sell for less than an iPhone when I want to upgrade... but it also cost a heck of a lot less to begin with. Your other generalizations (walk into a store and walk out problem solved... happens sometimes, sometimes you're SOL) I will just categorize as being a fan of iOS. That's perfectly OK to prefer one over the other, but do not then make the conclusion that it must be so for everyone else too. I do not think you're trolling, but your comments are full of tired cliches and over-generalizations. I may not prefer iPhones, but I do not proclaim that they are then useless for everyone else.

The iPhone is not the best phone, it may be for you, but it's important to avoid pushing personal opinion as some kind of overarching fact for everyone. For me, the Nexus 6P is the best phone ever. It doesn't matter how fast the iPhone gets (and I would love to see an article that shows how much faster the 6S is than the regular 6 at real world tasks like downloading and installing apps, loading web pages, processing voice requests, etc. rather than just benchmarks with big numbers), there are fundamental limitations with iOS that are just deal breakers for me. Those limitations aren't deal breakers for others, so for them the iPhone is a good choice.

 

[lopri]

Resale value might come into consideration at some point but it cannot be the reason to choose a phone for? I mean, that is like the tail wagging the head. I would rather enjoy what I want now and worry about selling it later. Of course if what you want happens to have a good resale value, then that is great. But resale value is not the first thing I consider when I make a decision on a smartphone.

 

[crankytinkle]

doesn't work for me.. I still go with android ecosystem. there's just too many features I can't afford to lose..

 

[Zaap]

An updated Galaxy Note 12.2 would be the ultimate tablet for me- as far as Android. But I'm not holding my breath for Samsung to update it.

The iPad Pro (with an Apple pencil) may just win me over to iOS for tablets. For my specific needs, a tablet is a productivity device and artist/editing tool. The Pro has a lot of what I've been waiting for in a pro tablet. Maybe if it's a hit, Samsung will copy it and revamp the larger Note. (Just keep the damn mSD slot!)

As for phones- there's just no way I'd ever switch over from Android to iOS in current form. Every time my wife hands me her iPhone 6 I'm stopped dead in my tracks; I just could never suffer that boring icon grid with no real launcher choice- among other things I dislike about iOS. For phones, I'll stick to Android. As with others, my phone is a communications hub as well as productivity device in its own right.

 

[core2slow]

I've got all my bases covered. Got a Surface Pro 3 and an iphone 6plus through work and using my android for personal use.

 

[Ns1]

iOS for phones, Win X for "tablets". IMO.

 

[poofyhairguy]

iOS for phones, Win X for "tablets". IMO.

What is the really great Windows tablet that carries that banner?

 

[Ns1]

What is the really great Windows tablet that carries that banner?

some people think that 1.x pounds is too heavy for a tablet; I think it's a fair trade for a device that runs full windows.