MyTouch 4G vs. iPhone 4G

[TestudoAubreii]

Greetings,

I know that most of the topics here in this forum are more computers than anything, but I thought that I would post my topic here because I suppose it is kind of "techy".

We are definitely going to get new phones. Here's the deal: We are currently under contract with T-Mobile until July. We were thinking about waiting until July and then switch to AT&T to get iPhones. Well, yesterday we were in T-Mobile and we stumbled across the new MyTouch 4G. I must say that it looks pretty nice and comparable to the iPhone. I have a G1 right now and I must say that I am happy with the Android OS. I guess MyTouch 4G is the new version of the OS and it boasts a new 1Ghz processor. I search and found that the MyTouch is actually faster than the iPhone 4G.

Now, most of our family and friends have iPhones and I know that they are great phones. I also know that you cannot beat the amount of apps that the Apple Store has compared to the Android Marketplace.

I don't know, I guess what I am trying to get it are suggestions, comments and advice. We are kind of on the fence right now, but I am leaning towards the MyTouch 4G. Has anyone had any experiences regarding these to phones? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any and all help.

Take care,
Testudo

[Doono]

HTC phones (I believe it's a htc anyway) give you very similar features to an iphone at a significantly lower price, the android market might be smaller now but seeing as android os market share keeps increasing above apples that will probably soon flip as well.

Nothing wrong with the IPhone on a whole, I just feel it's really bad value for money.

[TestudoAubreii]

HTC phones (I believe it's a htc anyway) give you very similar features to an iphone at a significantly lower price, the android market might be smaller now but seeing as android os market share keeps increasing above apples that will probably soon flip as well.

Nothing wrong with the IPhone on a whole, I just feel it's really bad value for money.

Hey Doono, thanks foe the quick response. I was thinking the same thing about the iPhone. One of the reasons we want to get it is because everyone is playing Words with Friends and my wife really wants to be a part of it, but it is really silly to get a phone just because it has Scrabble on it . I guess another reason I was looking at the iPhone is for the NetFlix app. You are correct, though. I think that Android is fast becoming the smartphone OS to beat.

I just do not know which way to turn...probably MyTouch G4.

Take care,

Testudo

[iPwntUrMum]

(Just bought iPhone 4 this past thursday)
Apple lost its contract with AT&T, so starting 2011 other carriers are going to carry iPhones (namely Verizon, at least from what I hear.) IMO, iPhone is great, and I couldn't want anything else from a phone (bias.) MyTouch 4g has 4g speeds, of course, but honestly, unless you're walking around watching tv on the web 24/7, you won't need that fast of speeds. It's cool, sure, but unnecessary. Now, whether or not to switch carriers to specifically get an iPhone 4... that's a tough one.

Let's do some logic eh? Considering you could either stay with current provider and buy cheaper phone, with slightly faster (however unnecessary imo) data, or you could switch to AT&T and get iphone, slightly more expensive, larger app base, still good data speed.

It's your call. You can pay less, for a smaller app base, faster network, and android, or you can pay more for huge app base, good connectivity with media (itunes and all), average network, and iOS.

Remember, both phones have exactly the same specs, a 1ghz proc and 5 mp camera, with front facing cameras for video chatting. Difference in hard/software is that you can video chat anywhere on T-Mobile, and (not much a plus) you have Swype on the MyTouch (kinda cheezy text-input method)

IMHO, and including bias, you're stalemated. If I compensated for my bias... I'd probably say MyTouch 4G, for fast data, android, and video chat anywhere. If the user isn't going to need these features and could easily go on without them, they certainly could join the millions of iPhone users... for $100 more. Less for more, eh?

[Doono]

If american carriers are anything like the ones in the uk it will cost significantly more than $100 to get an iphone.
I did a price breakdown on tmobile in the uk for both the IPhone 4 and the HTC Desire which is a near identical phone.

Iphone 4 : £35 a month and £99 for the phone
HTC Desire: £30 a month and the phones free

Both share the same data limits, minutes and texts and both are 24 months contracts

It will cost you over the same period an extra £219 to get the I phone. Also bear in mind this is for the 16GB version, if you want the 32GB version you will have to cough up an extra £120.

Also the iphone 4's processor is slower as its underclocked from 1GHz to 800MHz

Edit:

Almost forgot, the iphone 4 does not support flash, this in my opinion is reason enough not to get one. Just make sure the handset you purchase has android 2.2 on it.

[TestudoAubreii]

Flash is one of the main reasons I am strongly considering the MyTouch 4G. I like that fact that it has decent internal memory, as well as an external source, too. I do plan on using the phone for videos, movies and games...as well as phone conversations, too . I think that you can use video chat and phone calls over WiFi, but I am not 100% sure about that.

It is a tough call.

Testudo

Edit: Oh, the MyTouch 4G does have Android 2.2 on it.

[So Much Fire]

Is there any other reason other than the iPhone you would consider switching to AT&T? Some other food for thought is that it's likely going to be easier to find accessories (chargers, cables, etc...) for the iPhone than the MyTouch. I got caught without the charger for my phone at the airport when I went on holiday and since I had a less known phone, it was nearly impossible to find a charger. Blackberry and iPhone chargers were plentiful and easy to find though.

[TestudoAubreii]

Is there any other reason other than the iPhone you would consider switching to AT&T? Some other food for thought is that it's likely going to be easier to find accessories (chargers, cables, etc...) for the iPhone than the MyTouch. I got caught without the charger for my phone at the airport when I went on holiday and since I had a less known phone, it was nearly impossible to find a charger. Blackberry and iPhone chargers were plentiful and easy to find though.

No, not really...we have had T-Mobile for a very long time. I will have to check out the accessories thing, though.

Thanks for your input .

Testduo

[Simetrical]

Is there any other reason other than the iPhone you would consider switching to AT&T? Some other food for thought is that it's likely going to be easier to find accessories (chargers, cables, etc...) for the iPhone than the MyTouch. I got caught without the charger for my phone at the airport when I went on holiday and since I had a less known phone, it was nearly impossible to find a charger. Blackberry and iPhone chargers were plentiful and easy to find though.

FWIW, my Nexus One just uses USB for charging, so you can get replacements easily despite its small market share. I don't know about other Android phones, though.

[TestudoAubreii]

The G1 I have now has a USB charger and I can use any USB cable. I bought a car lighter adapter for really cheap and it works beautifully. I would imagine that the MyTouch will have the same sort of charger.

testudo

[So Much Fire]

Np, I asked because I made the same switch not too long ago after a few years with T-Mobile for coverage reasons. AT&T feels like it's got the better network.

[TestudoAubreii]

Hmmm...that is something that I will have to definitely check out then because that could be a big thing to look at, too.

Thanks!

Testudo

[danzig]

IMO Apple's refusal for offering Flash capability pretty much settles the argument of which to get...Android will eventually catch up in apps department as well.

[TestudoAubreii]

IMO Apple's refusal for offering Flash capability pretty much settles the argument of which to get...Android will eventually catch up in apps department as well.

That is kind of what I was thinking, as well. I want to be able to watch and play what I want when I am in those unfortunate circumstances, like when I am out shopping with my wife or at the in-laws . Just kidding...kind of. I think that we are going to go with the MyTouch 4G.

Testudo

[Justinian]

The charger is not an issue. Almost all new smartphones, and virtually all new phones in general, use micro USB chargers -- I can use my brother's HTC Incredible charger, or his Blackberry charger, or my friend's ENV3 chargers, or my charger for my crappy Samsung Behold 2. http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2009/49.html All new phones coming out since last year should use micro USB and nothing else.

I think the iPhone is an incredibly overrated phone. I would worry less about what phone you're getting and more about service. I have T-Mobile and I hate the service; I hate the spotty coverage; I hate the, compared to Verizon and AT&T, miserable phone selection; I pretty much hate everything about. Sure, they have "4G", but it's an upgraded 3G network and not really something new. Verizon is already rolling out its vastly superior 4G network, LTE, which is going to be a hell of a lot bigger and faster than T-Mobile.

I am personally planning to switch from T-Mobile to Verizon when the Droid Incredible HD comes out, which will be Verizon's second LTE phone. The myTouch 4G is a good phone though and probably the best T-Mobile has to offer, but do you want to lock yourself into another 2 years with the fourth rate wireless company in the US? (I'm assuming you're American, if not T-Mobile might suck less)

[danzig]

Yeah TMobile definately sucked for me too, Id never go back to them..Verizon on the other hand got nothing but praise for I never have to wonder ok is my phone going to work here.

[Simetrical]

Did you have any problems with T-Mobile other than coverage? I'm basically only in Manhattan and the immediate vicinity, so coverage isn't a big deal for me, and I've had no big problems with them other than that. On the other hand, the Verizon people repeatedly tried to rip off my mother when she wanted to get a phone, while the T-Mobile sales guy I spoke to actually told me honestly what the best plan was.

[danzig]

Did you have any problems with T-Mobile other than coverage? I'm basically only in Manhattan and the immediate vicinity, so coverage isn't a big deal for me, and I've had no big problems with them other than that. On the other hand, the Verizon people repeatedly tried to rip off my mother when she wanted to get a phone, while the T-Mobile sales guy I spoke to actually told me honestly what the best plan was.

Nah just coverage and yeah no one will ever give Verizon awards for customer/tech support thats for sure...its a nightmare dealing with them but if it works then Verizon > Tmobile in performance for me by a noticeable amount. Just pray you dont have to call them for anything

[Phier]

I have a friend who put his iphone on T-mobile and even though its still the E network its about 20* faster than my old iphone on the E network.