Hi D,

From my experience Google maps on Android works really well in all of Switzerland, and it saved my life a couple times in Geneva. Besides, if you want to use the Google maps app on the iPhone, the result can only be the same or worse than on Android (since the all-google approach makes interfacing easier), and the maps would be the same on both phones. I would be very surprised if there was any noticeable difference between the two for that matter.

In terms of apps, there is a rather large choice on both so you should not be disappointed by either unless you have some very specific needs - maybe the best is to compare the offers that you have with both in terms of voice and data plan, or which interface you find easiest of use.

Hi Desiree,

I recently bought the Samsung Galaxy S phone (runs Android OS) and I have to say - it's a terrible disapointment. Terrible battery life, useless mail application and constant lags & freezes.

So as much as I hate to say it, I think that, for now, the Iphone is the only phone worth buying.

Oded

In my personal experience Google maps on iPhone suck big time. The screen is very unresponsive and freezes a lot. Also very hard to figure out where you're going. I also have the HTC since recently, definitely like the HTC better.

Google Maps on the iPhone 4 is really good, but you shouldn't buy it as a real GPS because it won't work like this. I mean it's really good to find your way, especially with the compass (which is not on all android phones) but it's not possible to get directed with voice.

I think, if you have a PC at home, the best solution is Android, the HTC Desire is really good or its new version. And if you have a Mac at home, iPhone 4 is the best solution.

I wonder which iPhone do you have catalin to have such unresponsive screen and freezes. Probably the iPhone 3G ?

Yep the 3G

That's what I was thinking, I had it before my iPhone 4 and it's true that it sucks and it's very slow. Absolutly nothing compared to the iPhone 4. Plus, the iPhone 4 has the best screen you can find on any mobile devices.

I like phones a lot and usually was changing my phones every 6 months but the iPhone is the first one I like to keep for more than a year. So no doubts about the choice, iPhone 4 is really good!

1st choice: iPhone 4 and 2nd: HTC Desire HD :)

Which device makes carrying an iPod redundant for someone who owns a sizable collection of iTunes content and doesn't want their pockets so full of electronics that their pants keep falling down?

The iPhone 4 :)

Jonathan, for the sake of clarity the iphone 4 does not have "the best screen you can find la la la..." That's a plain marketing trick. You are in fact talking about screen resolution, but when you are dealing already with resolutions greater that what the human eye can perceive that doesn not bring an added quality. There are many factors that make up a "good" screen and resolution is only one of them. So does the iPhone have the "best" screen on the market? No.

Thanks everyone! I bought the phone on Saturday.  I had intended to buy the HTC Desire HD (because of it's awesome name, of course ), but ended up with the HTC Desire due to the size of the HD (ginormous) and the 1chf deal.  I have yet to try out all of the apps, but so far so good.

Desiree

Richardm: Just to complete my answer, I think that if you are already using iTunes to manage your collection and you want something that will replace your iPod and your phone, the iPhone 4 is the solution. Of course there are mbile phones which can be better on some points but for this it will be good. The only decision is the capacity you want depending directly on the size of your collection.

catalin: For sure there are others points but that one makes it the most beautiful and very confortable. I tried several phone and the only one which was close to it were the HTC Desire but still a little behind. And if to get more technical, we should compare the multitouch side, backlight, brightness, etc... And about multitouch it's a very precise screen, which is maybe not better than others but at least equal.

"The most beautiful in your opinion". And that's what matters of course. As for the independent reviewers, here's what they had to say:

Screen
One of the biggest selling points of the HTC Desire HD is its massive screen. At 4.3-inches and 480×800 WVGA resolution, it beats most other smart phones and it’s super bright and crisp too.

The iPhone 4 is smaller than the HTC Desire HD’s at 3.5 inches and this does make a big difference. The resolution may be higher at 640×960 pixels and Apple calls this its Retina Display. Apparently it displays more pixels than the eye can see, which is a little pointless in our opinion. You’ll struggle to see pixels in WVGA resolution as well.
iPhone 4: 3/5 HTC Desire HD: 5/5

I think it's a never ending debate :) We can find as much as articles saying HTC is the best, and others that iPhone retina is the best... So just to finish another independent review :

When it comes to touchscreen smartphones, the display is one of the biggest stand-offs. At 4.3 inches, the Desire HD's screen is considerably bigger than that of the iPhone. However, the higher resolution offered by the Apple goes a long way to making up for its relatively diminutive screen. What's more, the iPhone's Retina display has been designed to replicate reading on paper. Bright, shiny paper, but paper, nevertheless. On balance, the Apple wins this one.

I just think the best way is to go in a shop, have a look at the phones and see what seems the best for yourself, and that will be the best choice ;)

I bought the Nokia N8, which runs on Symbian³ and comes with built-in GPS functionality with free maps for life (Nokia owns the big mapmaker NavTeq). The navigation is near flawless and at least on par with my TomTom GPS unit, save for a few extra functions. This functionality, Ovi Maps, is also available on Nokia's smaller phones.. something, which I'd check out, were I to buy a new phone now.

The battery life, on the other hand, suffers dramatically when using the GPS, dropping from a full day to 90 minutes. It is, however, more than enough for city driving and walking.

The app store, Nokia's Ovi Store, has a reasonable array of apps (incl. Angry Birds), but of course not a quarter of a million, like Apple's AppStore, not that I really miss the many duplicate apps there.

The screen is a very nice 3,5" OLED, and is excellent for general use, but a bit too small for reading, though. The coming 2.0 update is promised to improve the phone in general (speed, notably). The camera is one of its main selling points and is clearly better than the competition, although you are not looking at a DSLR-killer.

Desiree was hesitating specifically between HTC and iPhone and she has already bought the HTC, which makes your Nokia rant ... pointless. I'm just sayin' ;)

Damn ;)

Oded, Desiree,

if you don't like the (poor) mailclient included natively in the Android phone you can download K-9 Mail for free via the Market App.

To enhance battery life, just keep GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth turned off unless you need it.

not an authorative review, but funny :)

You beat to it by minutes! VG!

Without reading the other replies to this thread, the point is that it doesn't really matter which device you get. The network provider you choose will determine how 'good' your device is and well it performs in relation to 3G/GPS etc.

If you ask 100 people a question Q.iPhone or HTC - 75% will say iPhone.

As for choosing the right network for CH. It's as tricky as it gets. I have had iPhone's on Swisscom and Orange. Whilst the latter has far better customer service and deals (upper price tarrifs) their network between Geneva & Lausanne is sketchy.

This will mostly come down to personal choice (for the device). Go into a store and play with the devices a bit. I am sure after 5 minutes of demo you will make up your mind.

If anyone is still looking at answer for the question: For google maps, android is the only option now. It has turn-by-turn navigation and many cool features. apple has its own maps and I haven't heard many good things about it.

For the other stuff, both iphone and most android phones are really good and you won't regret. Only, when buying android don't go for really cheap options. Try Samsung galaxy s3, Galaxy Note 2, or Google nexus 4.

Nokia Lumia 920 with WP8. Maps are by far the best. Nokia turn by turn navi plus free downloadble maps.

Well, in google maps you can also download some areas, but you can't do search while offline, or navigate.