Droid vs iPhone 5 Review

As you’ve read I’m working with Verizon Wireless and am reviewing the HTC Droid Incredible.  As an iPhone user I’m weighing the pros and cons and trying to get over that learning curve that comes with working with the andriod platform.

Working with the Android Platform and iPhone 5

I recently got the iPhone5 when I lost my 4S – certainly something I didn’t plan for, but it’s been fun to compare this to the HTC Droid Incredible – both being the newest and bestest.

One new feature of the iPhone5 is the map app.  For the first time we have a voice GPS  on the smartphone so I don’t need a separate app for directions (I used Mapquest).  Of course Droid users say “um we’ve had that”, so that’s one point for the Android.  And I hear (but haven’t experienced) that the iPhone5′s maps are a bit wonkadoodle.  That will NOT be cool for me when I can barely find my way to work across the street.

Also new to the iPhone5 is the street map feature.  I played with this a lot and it’s pretty cool.  However it doesn’t compare to Google Earth.  Here are some comparison shots – Apple’s maps work well for some locations but some really fall short.

Apple and Google seem to disagree on how tall the buildings around Ground Zero are.  I felt the Google view was more realistic on this one.

The Colosseum in Rome looked good both ways, but the Google view was again more realistic to me, although without the shadows I can see more on the Apple view.

The Statue of Liberty is just the opposite.  I see shadows on the Apple view (but couldn’t get a side view) and the Google view seemed to render a “fake” look.  However I’d rather see a side view.

Egypt’s landmarks – the Sphinx and Pyramids show the same – Apple has the real view (which isn’t fun to look at) and Google seems to show a “hologram” that doesn’t look real at all (and for the Sphinx isn’t in the right place).

So I think it depends on what you want the app for.   Google in my eyes is still king when it comes to virtual maps but obviously none are perfect.

Which do you prefer?  Have you tried either app?

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Ambassador program and have been provided with a wireless device and three months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product