Related
Could the XDA Flame be the replacment that we are all looking for??
"The Xda Flame encapsulates everything the O2 brand stands for - innovation and performance in a sleek, beautiful, desirable package. The Xda Flame breaks technology barriers by being the first dual processor PDA-phone, incorporating the powerful NVIDIA GoForce GPU for sublime screen graphics, movie playback, photo viewing, and gaming performance, on top of a 520MHz Intel processor chip. A large 3.6' VGA touchscreen and a host of multimedia features ensure that customers stay productive and are entertained while on the go."
http://www.4winmobile.com/portal.php?topic_id=3882
http://www.ameinfo.com/102352.html
Any other thoughts????
Sounds like a nice device, but I hate articles like this because it makes O2 sound like great guys that innovate.
They simply bring a device to market with an exclusive carrier deal for a set period before other companies start selling the exact same thing under their own branding.
O2 are simply a brand, not a design or production company.
I would also prefer my data devices on Orange or T-Mobile as they are more innovative with their services generally.
But yeah, sounds nice.
This is a reposting of my full review (with images) @ my blog. There are photos there if you want to see.
Introduction and History
Eighteen months ago, I began my transition from feature phone (Sony Ericsson W910i) to Smartphone Sony Xperia X1i. As a shameless fan of Sony Ericsson, I opted for the Xperia X1i based on wanting to better understand the Windows Mobile ecosystem and because the promised feature set was supposed to be game changing.
It wasn’t.
To be fair, it wasn’t as bad as you may think and my first Smartphone experience was mostly positive. As an active Microsoft Outlook user with my own hosted Exchange account, the Windows Mobile platform was actually a really great fit for keeping my email, calendar, and tasks synchronized. In fact, the Xperia X1 was an essential gadget for the planning and follow-through of my wedding and honeymoon.
So, what was missing?
As I started to use more features of the phone there were some glaring issues that became apparent to me.
First of all, the inability to take advantage of the 3G speed of the phone eventually became a handicap. Initially, it wasn’t an issue since T-Mobile had no 3G in my area. However, as T-Mobile USA’s AWS 3G network was built out, I was forced to live with EDGE speeds.
Secondly, the one thing that bothered me was that despite all the abilities of the phone, I always felt it was a step behind me. One way I would describe it is that it simply felt “slow” and despite being able to multitask, I found myself waiting for the phone to get things done.
Thirdly, the platform was not very exciting. One of the benefits of the Windows Mobile platform, a diversity of hardware selection and legacy support, is also its Achilles heel. Because there are so many variations of operating system, hardware form factors, and screen resolutions, there are less compelling applications available.
Lastly, the Xperia X1 had capable hardware and some unique features but Sony really did their customers a disservice by never helping the device fully reach its potential. The early firmware was buggy and seemingly half-baked; the device only really became very useful after using custom ROMs available from XDA Developers (which became a practice I did frequently).
With this in mind, I started looking late last year for a replacement. Coincidentally, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 was announced in November and it seemingly met my needs…on paper. The announcement created a lot of buzz in the blogosphere and it piqued my interest since it was the most powerful Android device announced at the time.
The only problem was it took them more than 5 months to actually ship the product and a crop of device launched with competitive features in addition to newer version of the Android OS. Even with this knowledge, I decided to give Sony Ericsson a chance and give in to the siren call of the Xperia X10. Would I be burned as an early adopter again? After two months of real world usage, it’s time to share my story but first, let’s see what attracted me to the phone in the first place.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mobile Phone
Marketed as Sony Ericsson’s flagship Android device, Sony Ericsson describes the product as the following:
· Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X10 introduces an open and integrated world of social media, communication and entertainment.
· XPERIA™ X10 is the flagship phone in a family of phones coming to market during the first half of 2010. The XPERIA™ X10 will be available in Q1 2010.
· New UX (user experience) platform lets consumers organise everything and discover more with the most open, human and intuitive user experience yet.
Source
Those are pretty bold statements. To backup these expectations, Sony Ericsson has equipped the Xperia X10 with some pretty powerful hardware.
Specifications
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 1GHz CPU
- 384MB of System RAM
- 1GB NAND Flash
- 8GB (or 16GB) Class 2 microSD included. The device supports up to 32GB.
- Android OS 1.6 “Donut” with custom UX (User Experience)
- 4” 854x480 pixel (FWVGA) TFT Touchscreen capable of 24-bit (16 million) color
- 1500 mAh Lithium Polymer Battery (BST-41)
- 8.1 MP camera with auto focus, face recognition, geo-tagging, image and video stabilization, smile detection and touch focus
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE - 850/900/1800/1900Mhz
- Tri-Band UMTS HSPA 900/1700/2100Mhz (international model) or UMTS HSPA 800/850/1900/2100Mhz (Americas/Australia model)
- Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, 802.11b/g wireless internet, aGPS, 3.5mm audio jack, microUSB port
- Dimensions: 119 x 63 x 13mm @ 135g (4.8 oz)
The hardware alone is not differentiating feature of the Xperia X10. Instead, Sony Ericsson has introduced a new UX (User Experience) platform to run on top of the standard Android interface. This initial version of the platform focuses on multimedia and social integration with new features and capabilities being added over time. Now, let’s look at the actual device.
First Impressions
I’ve always felt that higher-end Sony Ericsson devices to be of high quality. There’s almost always a certain level of fit and finish and the Xperia X10 is no exception. The body, a combination of plastic, glass and metal, is beautiful to behold and carries an air of stylish elegance. While some people may automatically equate the use of plastic with cheapness, I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised with how the device feels in hand especially with its curved back. Weighing in at 135g (4.8 oz), the device feels solid when held with the right amount of heft for the size.
This combination of the materials doesn’t seem to affect the strength of the chassis and the Xperia X10 easily stands up to my pressure test. I applied a decent amount of force (squeezing the device hard) all over the device and listen for a “creaking” noise and to my delight there was none.
I also appreciate the lanyard loop hole. A lot of phones don’t have these anymore and I think they’re more important now than ever since these devices get used all the time and the cost of replacement is not cheap.
Screen
The Xperia X10 has a scratch resistant mineral glass screen. To my surprise, my unit also came with a screen protector pre-applied. I don’t know if this is standard across all regions or markets but I found this to be a nice touch.
Speaking of the TFT screen, it’s absolutely gorgeous and crazy bright. At 4 inches in size, it’s very comfortable to read and it’s really the first size where I feel comfortable watching visual media on it. Despite the current 16-bit color (65,536 colors) limitation due to Android 1.6, the colors are surprisingly vibrant. The screen can produce 24-bit color (16 million colors) and will do so when the phone is upgraded to Android 2.x. I typically leave the device on automatic brightness settings since it does a good job of setting the appropriate brightness even when I’m outside.
There’s no AMOLED here and for now, I think it’s a great decision. While I’m a huge fan of OLED technology, the technology doesn’t work that well outside in bright daylight or overcast conditions. I find the Xperia X10 to be very readable compared to other touchscreen devices I have like my ZuneHD.
The capacitive touchscreen itself is pretty responsive and behaves as you would expect. I consider the iPhone’s touchscreen to be the best-in-class and in comparison, I’d say the Xperia X10 holds it’s own but it’s definitely not better. In fact, it’s pretty good considering the screen is not multi-touch capable.
Onscreen Keyboard
The Sony Ericsson supplied soft-keyboard is HORRIBLE. It really is. On the plus side, the layout and the convenient arrow buttons are nice; however, the responsiveness is very poor and some keys (on the outer edges) don’t register with any consistency. I don’t know how this slipped past the usability or quality assurance groups at Sony Ericsson. At first I thought it might be the touchscreen but it’s not. It’s the software. I have installed other 3rd party keyboards and they all work very well. My current favorites are SWYPE and the HTC keyboards.
Ports
There’s not too much to discuss since the device doesn’t have many. The 3.5” audio jack is standard and accepts regular stereo headphones as well as microphone-enabled headphones. I like how the micro USB connector is covered in terms of the aesthetics but I’m concerned about the long-term durability since I’m charging the device at least once per day.
Battery
One really interesting thing about the 1500 mAh battery is that it’s exactly the same model (BST-41) used in the Xperia X1 and Xperia X2. There are a couple of benefits here. First of all, it’s readily available and there are lots of accessories/replacements available. Secondly, it’s a good capacity battery and one of the better capacities on the market.
In terms of actual usage, I’ve found the battery essentially lasts one full day with my typical usage. This is acceptable. I’m always surprised by people who complain about this. It’s my opinion that anyone using a Smartphone nowadays should be used to charging their phone constantly. The more features your phone has, the more often you’re going to use it and battery life is going to suffer. If you really need to conserve battery then switching to the 2D EDGE connection can give you a better battery life. Wi-Fi and GPS usage can also drastically affect battery life so your mileage may differ.
User Experience
Sony, and Sony Ericsson by association, is never content with offering a plain, vanilla experience and is always looking to create its own interfaces. Like the Xperia X1’s Panel Interface, Sony has created some value- add software as a means of product differentiation. The centerpiece of the experience revolves around their Timescape and Mediascape applications.
Timescape is a communications aggregation tool which offers the user a means of quickly viewing feeds of their email, text messages, Twitter, Facebook, voice calls, and photos. The essence of Timescape is the concept of the spline. All forms of information are available on the spline and splines can be viewed per information type. It’s a fun way to visualize your communications; however, sometimes it’s not very useful since you can be easily inundated by the amount of information and each item on the spline only displays a little information. So, it’s great for a quick glance but you’ll end up having to open up the corresponding application if you want the full message.
Mediascape works similarly to Timescape by bringing photos, videos and music files together into a single interface. When you first launch it, you’re presented with a thumbnail view of recently used and recently added along with other lists. I found the interface to be usable but I feel like some interface elements are too small and could use larger tap targets. The playback of media is pretty flawless so my complaints are minor.
Other Software
I mentioned earlier that I’m an Exchange/Outlook user and while Android 1.6 doesn’t natively support Exchange, Sony Ericsson has kindly included a full copy Moxier Mail (regularly $24.99 USD) for full Exchange ActiveSync abilities. It syncs mail, contacts, calendar and tasks all over the air so that I’m always in sync with my laptop and desktop. Minimal fuss and I like it.
Camera
In my experience, the Xperia X10 has the best camera I’ve ever used on a mobile phone so far. It’s the first one that actually feels like a regular, if basic digital camera. Will it replace a dedicated digital camera? Not likely.
One thing you should know is that the Xperia X10 doesn’t have flash. Rather, it has a photo light. The difference is that you have to manually turn on the light via the advanced menu. This means you can use the light while framing your subject and while filming video. The only problem is that the light is somewhat anemic so you’re subject will have to be fairly close for it to be effective.
As with most phone cameras, you get the best results during the daytime. My only complaint is that the startup time is a little slow and there is a slight lag when you switch from portrait to landscape shooting since the interface re-adjusts to the orientation.
The video camera feature allows you to capture WVGA (840x480), VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240), MMS (160x120) and Youtube. Unlike my Xperia X1, I found that the device was able to record and playback any of the allowed resolutions flawlessly. The audio portion is recorded mono. The day after I received the Xperia X10, I was able to test the device at an MC Hammer (Yes, THAT MC HAMMER) concert.
Multimedia
Multimedia duties are handled by Sony Ericsson’s custom Mediascape application which handles videos, photos, and music. My only gripe with the software is that the main interface only works in portrait mode except when you’re playing media (except for audio files). Other than that, Mediascape offers a pretty friendly experience and the standard codec support is decent.
Video playback performance is phenomenal. Codec support is limited to MPEG4, H.263, H.264, and WMV standards. If a lot of your content happens to be in H.264 or WMV format and then Xperia X10 does not disappoint. Not only can it playback DVD-quality (480p) content but also 720p HD content as well! I converted an AVCHD clip from my digital camera and got the resulting H.264 MP4 (1280x720 @ 30 fps ~ 3Mbps) file to play smoothly. Impressive!
I tested audio with two sets of headphones: the included headphones and my reference headphones (Etymotic ER6i noise isolating headphones). The Etymotic ER6i’s provide a flat response and provide a clear, less “biased” sound of the actual device. In general, audio playback is very good and clean. Bass can be a bit punchy at times but the treble is always clear and bright. The included headphone set is actually surprisingly good and they emphasize the bass a little bit more. They’re not the most comfortable headphones, but they don’t sound cheap either.
The audio player portion of Mediascape looks pretty nice and only plays in portrait mode. The homescreen shows you various different quick lists of your music and you can drilldown further to sort through your music. On the player screen itself, in addition to your standard playback buttons, you can do all the usual things like repeat, shuffle, favorite, send, and find other related songs from the interface. Calling up the contextual menu allows you to delete, set as ringtone, get more information, or download album art.
The photo player is also straightforward. You can view photos you’ve taken as well as integrate with Picasa Web Albums and Facebook Albums. This section works in either orientation so you can view images comfortably.
Sony Ericsson provides MediaGo software for free which provides media synchronization. It’s better than their previous software and it works. You can also use DoubleTwist for synchronization.
Connectivity
Xperia X10 offers Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, and 2G/3G cellular connections.
The Bluetooth simply works. I’ve been able to pair the phone to three computers, two phones, various Bluetooth headsets, and hands-free car kits. I like the fact that when I send files to and from my laptop, the files are placed in the appropriate folders (e.g. videos, photos, music) without my intervention. Love it.
Wi-Fi also just works and I’ve had no trouble to connecting to open and secure networks.
Luckily for me, the international Xperia X10i model supports T-Mobile’s AWS 3G network in the United States and allows me to take advantage of the 3G speeds. On average, my ping times are 100ms and I get around 3.35Mbps down and 1.3Mbps up. In some areas, I’ve seen the download peak at 4.46Mbps which is not too shabby! I can finally watch Youtube videos in high quality.
Things I Would Change
Camera: I’d like to see Sony Ericsson take the lead and start implementing a wider angle lens on the camera. A lot of use cases involve close quarter shooting (e.g. taking self-shots of shots of friends, etc) and a wider angle would help take more dynamic shots. A forward facing camera would be nice too. My last three Sony Ericsson phone had this so it’s weird to not have it.
Flash: The flash needs to be addressed in future products. There should be the ability to act like a regular flash and also just be a video light but I know this is OS related. I wouldn’t mind an upgrade to Xenon LED or dual LED setup.
OS: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Sony Ericsson needs to keep up with the OS updates a lot faster. I understand the value proposition of creating a unique experience, but Sony Ericsson’s flagship device should have the latest and greatest. Sony Ericsson’s insistence on creating their own value-added features and interfaces, while noble, always gets them in trouble since they have an awful track record (i.e. Panels on the Xperia X1) in the execution and timely release of their products. Their value-add software has NO value if a new OS update comes out with a equivalent feature in addition to better performance and even more features.
Multi-touch: I only mention this because I found it odd that Sony Ericsson would ship a device without it since most devices in this class have it on their feature checklist.
microUSB: I love the standardization of the port; however, it would be nice if it was located on the bottom or side so there could be a charging stand for the device.
Who This Product Is For
I won’t lie. The Xperia X10 is NOT for everyone. Technology savvy or cutting edge enthusiasts will likely want to stay away since this product is not currently running the latest Android OS (currently 2.2) and there are a lot of alternatives available if you need to be on the bleeding edge. Also, other than the camera and the design (maybe), the Xperia X10 doesn’t offer anything the competition doesn’t already have. While the Xperia X10 will eventually be upgraded later in September, chances are that it will always be a step behind the latest release due to its custom user experience layer.
Does that mean it’s not worth getting? Absolutely not.
If you ignore the operating system aspect then the Xperia X10 stands out as well designed product that offers a different Android experience that centers around social integration and providing a “better” Android multimedia experience with a big bright screen. If those things interest you then you might like this phone. The upside is that it can only get better once they release the next major update.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the Xperia X10 especially when you consider where I was coming from before. Out of the box, the phone has some shortcomings but luckily, nearly all of them can be addressed using third party software available on the Android Marketplace or from Sony Ericsson.
My last two months using it has been great. It does what I need and I never have to “think” about it. It does what I want and it “just works”. Of course, I don’t live in a bubble and I know Android 2.2 exists and what it offers but I have yet to feel like I’m missing out or I’m unable to use my phone. I think that’s a great sign this is a good product fit for me.
The lack of multi-touch may be an issue for some people but I don’t mind it at all. I didn’t have it before on my old phone so it’s not like I’m really missing out on any thing. Most of the applications I use don’t require it or have other workarounds that are equally effective. Will this change in the future? Maybe, but for what I need to do now, it’s a non-issue. Also, since the phone is unlocked and my plan is month-to-month, I have the freedom to move onto something else whenever I want.
I will be updating the review once future updates come out and will note what has changed. Until then feel free to comment or email me if you have future questions.
Great review Thanks for sharing with us
Thanks very much for the very informative review. Getting my new X10 tomorrow & can't wait to play.........
thank you so much for the great review, ok i have HTC Hero and i wanna change it now
would you recommend the Nexux one or the X10
desire and legend are out of the pic, my friends already bought them ^^
so i want something different.
thanx
Actually what SE giving us via X10 is kinda like
"This is what I've got, I know I am outdated I know I am lack of support, take it or leave it"
to me
oaz63 said:
thank you so much for the great review, ok i have HTC Hero and i wanna change it now
would you recommend the Nexux one or the X10
desire and legend are out of the pic, my friends already bought them ^^
so i want something different.
thanx
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That's a tough call. It really depends on what you want and where your priorities lie. My coworker just got a Nexus One and it's a wonderful device with a beautiful deep contrast screen. She wanted to always have the most latest OS first and foremost and didn't want too large of a device (although the Evo 4G tempted her). She wasn't as concerned about the camera or video capabilities so it was the best fit for her.
I prefer the camera quality on my phone to the Nexus One and that was an important point for me since I'm often trying to bring less devices with me when I'm out and about. The Xperia X10 fulfills that need for me. Also, the multimedia capabilities are important to me and the X10 works really well. In fact, it plays video files that my friends EVO 4Gs can't play (we're still trying to figure out why). I ripped my Avatar DVD and converted it to H.264 MP4. Looks awesome on my device and this is with the Android 1.6 limitation!
So, I'd make a list of stuff you actually want to (and will) do with the phone and match that up with the device. If it's the same as your friend then so be it. You can always dress it up with a custom case and OS tweaks.
The screen is not very scratch resistant.
I removed the pre applied protector an have now got 2 scratches.
I have now installed a protector again.
Thanks for the review! You seem to have pretty much the same experience & impressions as me, and I'm sure there are plenty of others who feel the same. I'm not 100% happy with the lack of updates (and not having root), but at the same time I can't really complain about it either.
At the end of the day, if you want polish and a seamless user experience then you have to go for a heavily-controlled and censored platform (ie: iPhone), whereas the Android ecosystem does things differently (and thank whoever for that).
brodos123 said:
The screen is not very scratch resistant.
I removed the pre applied protector an have now got 2 scratches.
I have now installed a protector again.
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That's why it comes with a pre-applied protector, it should not be removed
AMAZING review. Really top notch.
You forgot to mention the
-POOR IN-EAR SPEAKER quality
-POOR IN-EAR SPEAKER VOLUME
My X1 is made of steel so it has min. scratches after 2 year hard using and a few "falling downs" to floors. My X10 felt only 1 time down to the floor and the plastic is broken Why they changed back to plastic???? Also my old SE phones was made from magnesium (GH337/868...)
-I miss a DPAD or something similar. To navigate is horrible, as the SE KB is useless (the Android KB even more) I use the HTC from Jonas. Without this the X10 is even more poor as it is at least because there is
-NO SMART DIALING. Because of that i dont use my X10 anymore ( need my phone for CALLING!) I bought a HTC instead. The smart Dialing is not good as it was on X1 but i can hardly live with that.
-TS and MS are actually useless. To complicated for fast use and TO SLOW! ( Why i can not set a standard view in TS? Why i cant set a default directory in MS for Photos, Videos and Music and browse within them? )
-X10 is even to slow at all. F.e to open a contact from the phonebook needs at least 1-2 sec.
In fact the only thing i love on X10 is the Hardware and software design. This is the only phone in the last 15 years (all from SE!!) that is disapointing me. I start to hate this phone, because it sucks me! Especially because to make it perfect would not be a problem if the SE engineers would count on 2 and start thinking about of USING a phone, not looking on it while it lays on the table. If they would do a NEW X1 everything would be perfect. I mean take all the things that X1 can do and make this better and add features, not delete them! Of course erverything could be fixed (instead of the steel body and DPAD) with an update but i think SE is to blind (and stupid) actually. Forget TS and MS, update the X10 to 2.2, add Smart Dialing WITH ARROW KEYS, an UI that is useable from the screen (like iphone), not with the hardware buttons (why a back button? Add a "cancel" tab EVERYWHERE would help a lot! At least in the contextmenues!) a KB like HTC WITH ARROW KEYS, a screen lock like S2U2, an easy and fast zooming, a perfect email client with a central email inbox, a perfect SMS client, make the phone fast, delete all the bugs AND THEN its MAYBE ready for dayly using.
oaz63 said:
would you recommend the Nexux one or the X10
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THE NEXUS ONE!!! Because there is a trackball and NO PUSHABLE KEYS! Google made a good job with the soft keys! EVERY Android phone should have them! because this makes the phone 100% easier to use. I am really thinking to switch from Legend to Wildfire because of that
AND what is also important: the Trackball/mouse is UNDER the 4 keys! this makes the phone handy. Take a N1 and a Desire in your hand and try to use the Trackball/mouse and the keys! You´ll know then what i mean....
Great review.I just got my x10 2 days back and I am really happy with it.I see a lot of people have complaints with it,but knew as much as I did some reading of this forum and the like.I am upgrading from my once beloved htc hero, a good phone with a good set of specs at the time.I spent sooooo long hearing about a 2.1 update on that phone that never arrived.So the talk of a q4 update in 2010 for my new x10 is not too big of a stretch.
Sorry bout the rambling
StripLV said:
(why a back button? Add a "cancel" tab EVERYWHERE would help a lot! At least in the contextmenues!)
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You apparently have never heard of the mobile phone operating system called "Android" made by the Google Corporation.
BGR has learned from a trusted source that Samsung is set to launch an 11.6-inch tablet running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich next year, and it will most likely be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February. Even though the tablet features a larger display than Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, we’re told that the tablet is “barely larger” due to the fact the slate will have a thinner bezel with a whopping 2560 x 1600 resolution, 11.6-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The tablet will use a dual-core Exynos 5250 CPU clocked at 2GHz. We have also heard that Apple’s new A6 CPU will be very similar to the Samsung CPU, which is a dual-core Cortex A15 chip. Samsung’s tablet will also feature Android Beam for easy syncing of media with a Galaxy Nexus, and a special wireless docking mode for gaming on HDTVs that will help Samsung compete with Apple TV, AirPlay and more. Samsung had no comment.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/12/08/samsu...et-with-retina-resolution-tablet-in-february/
This will be my next tablet. The next-gen Exynos will blow the Teg 3 away without the gimickery of making a chip out of two dual-cores and a single core and having to step between them based on load.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/11/30/samsung-announces-dual-core-exynos-5250-soc-clocked-at-2ghz/
Wow, I hope Samsung workers condition are better then those from apple.
maurrubio said:
Wow, I hope Samsung workers condition are better then those from apple.
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Seriously? That's where your mind went after reading my post?
I believe the party you're looking for is over here...
http://www.slaveryfootprint.org/
I saw this a few mins ago but wasn't sure about performance
IceCreaMan said:
I saw this a few mins ago but wasn't sure about performance
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There were links to two interesting articles that I read off of this forum.
The first was an engineer's analysis of the Teg 3 which in a nutshell called it a Frankenstein-ish method of improving performance that was totally dependent on Nvidia's skills in pulling it all together. All-in-all, it's older technology glommed together and manipulated to gain better performance. That approach also makes the chip incredibly expensive and difficult to fabricate. It'll be interesting to see how the chip performs once it's in large scale deployment. Even Intel, with all of their resources, has had manufacturing issues and had to recall chips. After the performance of the Teg 2 vs. other dual-core chips I'm not a big Nvidia fan.
The other fascinating article was from an engineer at Google talking about the way Android processes instructions and manages displayed content. It was explaining why there was some perceived stuttering and lag in the UI. I'm no engineer but in the detail of the Exynos 6250 it appears that Samsung's trying to address the challenge at the h/w level.
Regardless of the number of cores, the real test of a chip comes down to how well it handles various tasks. In Android the big challenges seem to be simultaneous execution of commands, high-profile video playback, and painting heavy content to the display. If this was a horse race I'd bet on Samsung's ability to address those three things better than Nvidia's. The existing Exynos is the dual-core chip to beat and I'm assuming the next-gen version won't disappoint.
BarryH_GEG said:
....
The other fascinating article was from an engineer at Google talking about the way Android processes instructions and manages displayed content....
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I think you are talking about this:
https://plus.google.com/105051985738280261832/posts/2FXDCz8x93s
And agree on your Tegra graphics part.
2560x1600 uh ?
highly unlikely IMO
1080 first
jeandujardin01 said:
2560x1600 uh ?
highly unlikely IMO
1080 first
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Did you read the press release from Samsung in the second link? It specifically mentions the ability of the new Exynos chip to support that resolution in tablets.
It had the ability to SUPPORT that resolution, does not say it will be that resolution. It would take a big chunk of the processor then, and which I'm sure would hurt overall performance.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
With this superb tech specs Samsung will rock in 2012.....but time being these are all rumors.... lets see next year....
http://mirolta.com/2011/12/09/samsu...android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-tablet-at-mwc/
this resolution #ucks the processor power , it needs a superior vga card to play games just normal
Every passing day, I'm feeling better about not having impulsively pre-ordered a Transformer Prime.
hoss_n2 said:
this resolution #ucks the processor power , it needs a superior vga card to play games just normal
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No one seems to be reading the links. The resolution is retina. The reason Samsung's doing it is to beat Apple to market as the iPad3 will have the same or similar resoulution. The press release talks about the new architecture being used in the next Exyonos chip to drive that high a resolution. It also talks about the new chip Apple will be using. And as market leader, I'm sure Apple's not going to release a new device that performs more poorly than the device it's replacing. If Apple can pull it off, I'm sure Samsung can. Since Samsung's previously built Apple's chips, I see no reason the next Exynos won't peform as well or better than Apple's new chip. Even at a ludicrously high resolution.
wouldnt you give people a 1080p screen then a year later a new tablet with this 2560x1600 plus an even newer processor ?
technologies are slowed down on purpose in some cases, in other it takes steps to get to something better
Single core -> dual core -> quad core
Phones: WVGA -> qHD -> HD720
Tablets: WXGA -> FHD or in between -> WQXGA
and don't always trust rumors...unless it comes with a pic
jeandujardin01 said:
and don't always trust rumors...unless it comes with a pic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From Samsung's own press release (hardly a rumor):
Primarily in high-end tablet PC mounted ‘Exynos 5250′ which evolved into a high-resolution ultra-high resolution according to the tablet market trends WQXGA (2560 * 1600) displays are supported.
In addition, when implementing a still image of the mobile device of the AP without additional signal transmission timing of the display screen with the images stored in the controller itself implements (Panel Self Refresh feature) at the system level power consumption is reduced.
And the reason I'd guess they're doing it is: A) because they manufacture their own chips and displays it will be difficult for competitors to replicate, and B) the iPad3 is supposed to have a retina display with similar resolution. Even today Samsung's discounted very little while Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and Toshiba have. To get the same price as an iPad in the future Samsung's going to have to offer features others don't. And every tablet announced except the Prime already offers a 1900x1200 display so what you're suggesting already exists for new main stream tablets. To command higher prices it makes sense for Samsung to mirror Apple rather then follow the Android crowd.
Interesting, but then again, not really something I am waiting for or willing to purchase.
The hardware on the tablets are already pretty great, for what is available right now. We need the tablets to improve on their functionality. Right now, they are great for surfing, odd TV/Movie viewing and social media. My Tegra 2 does that pretty spanky right now.
I don't feel that games have taken off in anything other then Angry birdish games. At the end of the day, the simple touchscreen doesn't really allow for the same kind of controllable dept that most games feature today.
Onlive is a good bet on how maybe gaming will evolve on the tablets, with special versions of the "real" games being released in some "tablet" manner.
Anyways, the numbers are impressive, but there really isn't anything that can take advantage of it nor is there really any needs for it. (Except in the niche "I have bigger numbers/e-peen" market, which can only sell so many units)
The galaxy tab 10.1 will be a perfect tablet with the release of ICS for it, then I am going to wait for the tablet to involve into more then what it currently is.
The galaxy tab 10.1 will be a perfect tablet with the release of ICS for it, then I am going to wait for the tablet to involve into more then what it currently is.[/QUOTE]
I hear that. I have had every tab settled with the Acer and 8.9. I'm good for now. But who wants a 12 inch tab? Seems too big. 7.7-8.2 is perfect.
Sent from my A100 using xda premium
qhinton said:
I hear that. I have had every tab settled with the Acer and 8.9. I'm good for now. But who wants a 12 inch tab? Seems too big. 7.7-8.2 is perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For you, maybe. I've tried all sizes as well and find 8.9 perfect for me. But sometimes, like when sitting on a sofa or showing photos around, a larger tablet would be handy.
That's the beauty of Android - choice. Bring on multiple sizes! I'd love a higher pixel density - photos and small text look a lot sharper.
I don't care what kind of chipset or resolution will it be for the next Samsung tablet. Because for sure it is better than the current one (Tab 10.1)
But, I really want to increase my memory capacity with microSD instead of relying on current amount of it. Samsung can give to 7.0plus and 7.7 with this ability.. But why their big brothers (8.9 and 10.1) don't have one? Well, I can sync my music collection via Google Music. How about movies? This is the only situation that almost made me went to XOOM. Please Samsung...
To faridaizudden: I know it is not a perfect solution but I use the samsung adapter with a 32gig sdcard. I keep all the movies on that. The other option is to use dropbox or sugarsync to store movies and stuff. Then just download when needed.
new press release from Samsung Africa: ( not much confirmation elsewhere yet)
-steveblue
Samsung has announced the upgrade of the S-pen stylus for the Samsung Galaxy Note with added features to increase the user experience.
The S Pen that is currently available with the Galaxy Note is as an input device that enables quick and precise key in into the Galaxy Note which acts more like a real pen than the usual stylus accompanied with smartphones. The upgraded S Pen SDK 1.5 has the same great quality of functioning as well as added features to enhance the user experience on the Samsung Galaxy Note.
“We have had a phenomenal reaction to this product since its launch locally in November 2011, and as this product is a first of its kind, regular updates and software upgrades are extremely important to keep us at the competitive edge,” says Paulo Ferreira, Head of Mobile Product and Software Solutions at Samsung.
The new and improved version of the S Pen includes features such as, improved zooming - the improved zoom affords users increased precision when using apps on the Galaxy Note. Control over the S Pen and scrolling is of top quality that will ensure easy browsing and allow for an even more enjoyable user experience. The updated S Pen also now offers a panning feature that grants the ability to change the coordinate values of the ‘CanvasView’. Another added characteristic of the S Pen SDK 1.5 is the capability to change and to customise the background of letters or notes sent from the device.
“This is a great new feature for users to express their personal style and flair. Not only does the upgraded S Pen offer users all the exciting features above, but it can now also select the Pen and eraser to ensure more flexibility and control for all types users,” concludes Ferreira.
Note 2 Research - I come in Peace
________________________________________
Hey guys I'm doing research about the Galaxy Note 2 and iPhone 5 and have compiled a list of each devices advantages. Please I don't want no fan-boyish or trolling comments. Just want to do some peaceful research for a project im doing about the pros of both devices. If I have made some errors or forgotten something plz let me know. There must be something I have left out for the Iphone 5 ? Thanks
Galaxy Note 2
OS
Real multitasking ( (IOS tends to hang up apps in the background while android keeps them running,http://www.extremetech.com/computing...ndroid-and-iosAlso the actual multitasking menu is much more intuitive, with thumbnails ect)
advanced notification system (can expand messages, emails, reply, call back, acces screen brightness, wi fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Vibrate,screen rotation, short cuts, screen shots)
Open system-More freedom
More free apps
More sharing options
Better google integration (YouTube, Maps,Gmail)
Samsung intergration (TV, Printers)
Launchers
Lock screens
Live wallpapers
Keyboard apps
More Control Over the hardware ( GPS, Wi Fi, blutooth, toggles)
Easier adding Multimedia (no syncing required)
More built in Camera features
Built in Battery life analysis
Offline Dictation
Smart Alert (vibrates when being pick-up if you have missed call/msg)
Smart rotation (reads the orientation of your face, screen will always line up properly with the way you are holding the device.
Smart Dial (searches names and numbers simultaneously in the dialler with also a pic of the contact)
Direct Call (calls by placing hte phone near your head)
Pop up play
Buddy photo share (phone regonzies your freinds on photos for easer acces to them)
Multi burst
Advanced text prediction
Multi Window
Advanced built in photo gallery (GSMarena)
Most advanced built in video player ever (GSMarena)
More Intuitive Search bar ( Search bar widget, google predicition built in)
50 GB drop box
built-in reject list
Swipe to screen capture
Faster voice assistant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grmixtB9dZM
Widgets
Torch
Email
Msg
facebook/ wtitter
Hardware toggles
Weather
News widgets
Music widgets
clock widgets
calender
notepad widget
Shortucts
Specs
Better audio quality (GSMarena)
Barometer sensor
LED indicator
RGB sensor
True blacks
Offline maps support
1.9 megapixel front camera
NFC
Dedicated digital back and multitasking buttons
microUSB 2.0 support
Vivid colors
FM radio
Removable battery
Faster upload
DLNA
Wi fi direct
Bluetooth Enhanced data rate/ low energy
USB storage
720 HD screen
Battery life
louder loudspeaker (GSMarena)
Wacom digitizer 1024 different levels of pressure sensitivity
More Durable
Bigger screen
Gaming
Reading ebooks
Reading Documents
Less scrolling
GPS Viewing
Photo Viewing
Web Browsing
Reading email
Video
Large apps ( flip board ect)
S Pen
Launch apps with gestures
Editing photos
Note taking
Creating sketches
Air View - preview , emails and text, preview videos
Easy Clip - crop and share
Enhanced calendar editing
Handwriting in messages
Built into the web browser like a mouse
More functionality with some apps (fruit ninja ect)
Create and share notes while talking on the phone
iPhone 5
Much easier one handed use
Much lighter
Higher PPi
Natural Whites
Better Contrast ratio (GSMarena)
Brighter (GSMarena)
Faster download
Better Low light camera
Premium feel (aluminium, Glass)
louder speakers (GSMarena)
Thinner
Headphone volume control
More accessories
OS
Voice assistant has more personality ( Jokes ect)
Better Apple integration (apple tv, Macs, Itunes ect)
less ad-ware on AppStore
Better exclusive apps
Cloud Backup
Better landscape typing
Direct Updates
Native Auto mobile Integration
Apps launch slightly faster
Don't expect this thread to stay civilized for long. (sadly).
My random comments:
Regarding the Samsung side:
Neither OS is a true multitasking OS by desktop standards.
what is 'samsung integration'? being able to connect directly to samsung printers/tvs?
You should be more specific about 'more control over (apps/hardware) if you're doing a paper.
why is it a better search bar?
include: better integrated map system
I don't believe the audio is better than the iphone.
'offline maps support' should not be in specs.
Both phones are 16:9.
what's a multitasking button? the home key?
'faster upload'? Is that true?
I don't know about 'more durable' than the iphone 5.
S-pen doesn't give fruit ninja any more functionality. It's just an alternate input device.
It is nice that it doesn't block your view as much though.
Regarding the iphone 5 side:
faster download? What does that mean?
Do apps really launch faster than on the Note 2?
Why does the iphone have better landscape typing?
You never see appstore comparisons android vs iOS anymore. They both have hundreds of thousands of apps, good and bad.
I'm not a fanboy, I enjoy all technology and I think Apple make some wonderful devices. I don't own either phone but here's my own way of looking at them...
Size: the main way these two phones differ is size. Do you use your phone more as a phone (texting/calling) or computer tasks like browsing the internet, emailing or playing games? I would say the iPhone is superior as a phone simply because its smaller, better for one handed usage. The Note 2 is better due to the multi-tasking, larger screen and expandable storage as a computation device.
OS: I consider iOs as well polished, but a bit out of date. It doesn't offer widget support and you can't even install different launchers. Android has the customisation.
Hey thanks for the reply
Neither OS is a true multitasking OS by desktop standards.
True compared to desktop but android does handle multitasking better as IOS tends to hang up apps in the background while android keeps them running
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/112013-how-multitasking-works-on-android-and-ios
Also the actuall multitasking menu is much better
what is 'samsung integration'? being able to connect directly to samsung printers/tvs?
Yes
why is it a better search bar?
Well its allot more flexible as its a widget you can place it anyway for easier access and I believe it has Google predictive text built in
include: better integrated map system
hmm maybe better Google integration already covers that? (Google maps)
I don't believe the audio is better than the iphone.
"Note II produced one of the cleanest outputs we have seen from a mobile device and that includes the recently tested Apple iPhone 5" (GSMarena)
what's a multitasking button? the home key?
ah I think I meant the menu button
'faster upload'? Is that true?
Yea well all the speed tests have the Iphone winning in Downloads and the Note winning in Uploads
I don't know about 'more durable' than the iphone 5.
All the drop tests have the Note 2 winning
Why does the iphone have better landscape typing?
The note 2 becomes too wide when holding it in landscape
hmm so you dont think Having less low quality apps is a positive because there too many apps anyway?
Hey guys I also posted this on the Iphone forums as well and he says that 50% of the positives for the Note 2 are wrong but he wont clarify what?
cyprusx said:
Hey guys I'm doing research about the Galaxy Note 2 and iPhone 5 and have compiled a list of each devices advantages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cyprusx said:
include: better integrated map system
hmm maybe better Google integration already covers that? (Google maps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Navigation is not just maps.
It is way better than Tomtom and Copilot and is completey free and updated frequently(almost daily).
It includes satelite view maps and many other highly advanced features.
Galaxy Note 2
Specs
HDMI full HD video out.
USB storage OTG
SD card(and hot swappable)
Removable battery
cyprusx said:
louder loudspeaker (GSMarena)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also a higher SN ratio, though not as high as others.
Bigger screen
Blacker blacks and lower battery usage due to amoLED's.
S Pen
It is way faster to input with the s-pen and swype compared to tapping a keyboard with fingers.
Asian language speakers can use character recognition.
There is a function to tap and drag which makes selecting ranges easier within the calendar.
This may have been removed from Note 2.
The s-pen is a very accurate input device unlike a finger.
iPhone 5
cyprusx said:
Much easier one handed use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Note and Note 2 have a setting where keyboards can be downsized and moved left or right.
This makes one handed use the same as on any small screened phone.
This voids the claim that iphone is somehow more sensible for having such as small screen.
Really, apple have no shame and will stoop to anything i their ads.
cyprusx said:
Higher PPi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The retina sceen is a hoax.
Viewing distance is critical with resolution, e.g. ppi on apple's larger "retina" screens drops to 260ppi as they are made for viewing further away.
The eye cannot distinguish resolution above 300ppi anyway and having a small screen means you would have to hold it very close to notice even slight differences to an amoled screen.
In the real world, people don't do this with their phone, so what is the point of Retina?
It is just an apple marketing wank.
Buyer beware.
cyprusx said:
Better Contrast ratio (GSMarena)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But milkier blacks
cyprusx said:
Premium feel (aluminium, Glass)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you put a phone in a case, it has the feel of the case.
cyprusx said:
louder speakers (GSMarena)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and noisier.
OS
cyprusx said:
Better Apple integration (apple tv, Macs, Itunes ect)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is only a plus if you are living behind the walled garden.
Once you break free, you will find out how the rest of the world lives, with cooperation and compatibility between technologies. I have experienced both(macuser 15 years ago) and will always choose freedom over patronising appletalk.
Be frank, many people I know complain bitterly about itunes.
The imcompatibilty with other technologies is offensive to others like myself and a burden to apple users.
cyprusx said:
Better landscape typing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for me. I have big fingers and hands.
And when using swype, the larger keyboard is better.
cyprusx said:
Direct Updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the difference is?
cyprusx said:
Native Auto mobile Integration
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not with Hondas.
My Note integrates brilliantly with my Honda's blutooth for calls and music.
Do you know how much it irks me as an adroid user to see ads for iphone integration in cars and bank apps etc?
Especially now that Android users actually outnumber ios.
About the fanboy thing.
Apple's got it coming.
Their arrogance and dishonesty are being met by quiet but resolute competition from Android and others.
I'm just not a fan of apple.
Xaddict said:
The Note and Note 2 have a setting where keyboards can be downsized and moved left or right.
This makes one handed use the same as on any small screened phone.
In the real world, people don't do this with their phone, so what is the point of Retina?
It is just an apple marketing wank
Once you put a phone in a case, it has the feel of the case.
And when using swype, the larger keyboard is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one handed keyboard setting is only of use if you use the stock keyboard/dialer/etc. I don't. Smaler screens win for one handed use. Period.
Higher Ppi is an apple advantage if you are being honest. How significant that advantage is is up to debate. As you said it depends on how close you hold your phone and how good your eyes are.
We are comparing phones not cases. Apple wins that one hands down.
Aaron from phone dog commented that his swype slowed down because there is more ground to cover. There are pros and cons.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD app
---------- Post added at 04:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 AM ----------
cyprusx said:
hmm so you dont think Having less low quality apps is a positive because there too many apps anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's kind of irrelevant. If you have so many apps that it is impossible to look at them all, then the only thing that is relevant is whether you can find apps that do what you want.
I think ios still retains the advantage in terms of getting newest programs first since there are less compatibility issues.
And in response to your other post - if they won't be specific about what the don't consider an advantage then they might just be trolling.
Keep in mind that certain features could be both advantages and disadvantages depending on the what you want to do.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD app
ChodTheWacko said:
Neither OS is a true multitasking OS by desktop standards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because they are not desktops. But the note 2 offers great multitasking on a mobile device, people are never really happy but I love the multi window feature, in my opinion that is awesome multitasking.
cyprusx said:
Why does the iphone have better landscape typing?
The note 2 becomes too wide when holding it in landscape
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is subjective.
For me and likely many others, the larger screen provides a more comfortable landscape typing experience because the hands are less cramped together.
cyprusx said:
Why does the iphone have better landscape typing?
The note 2 becomes too wide when holding it in landscape
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given that Android allows you to have multiple installed keyboards which you can easily switch between, I cannot see how the iPhone can win here.
That being said, I have average side hands and have no problems with the stock keyboard in landscape anyway, but I do use a split keyboard on my Nexus 7.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
I am also confused between two.Note 2 has notification led too.I love them.But note 2 is too big for me .(why its bigger than note,which fell off and broke ,so I bought iphone4s 7 months back.
So can anyone think of any benefits to the iphone 5 ????
Obviously the iphone 5 makes you look really cool .
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
cyprusx said:
So can anyone think of any benefits to the iphone 5 ????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. The iphone is smaller, more portable, and a simpler device. If my parents wanted a smartphone, God forbid, I would probably get them an iphone.
There is no denying that what the iphone does, it does very very well. (till they screwed up maps). Comparing the note 2 took the iphone is a little weird. The iphone is like a cute BMW 2 seat convertible. The note 2 is more like an lexus SUV. They're just different markets.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD app
If you listen to music the IPhone has a lot of benefits, especially in the ease with which you can construct and sync play lists and generally manage music files.
One huge problem with the Note and indeed all Android 4.1.1 phones is that there is no way to adjust the volume via headphone controls any more, as Google has reserved the long button press for Google voice search. You actually have to take the phone out of your pocket to adjust volume.
I actually went up and played with an IPhone 5 yesterday as these issues with my Note 2 are a PITA, but I found that the sound quality was roughly the same or perhaps even better on the Note 2. I've ordered some simcard adapters and when they arrive I may try to live with both phones until the bugs in the Note 2 are ironed out.
ChodTheWacko said:
Sure. The iphone is smaller, more portable, and a simpler device. If my parents wanted a smartphone, God forbid, I would probably get them an iphone.
There is no denying that what the iphone does, it does very very well. (till they screwed up maps). Comparing the note 2 took the iphone is a little weird. The iphone is like a cute BMW 2 seat convertible. The note 2 is more like an lexus SUV. They're just different markets.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactamondo!
does anyone hear have much experience with IOS6, its just my final list has sooo much more Note 2 advantages, there has to be something on Ios6 that's better or exclusive, anything big or small????
cyprusx said:
does anyone hear have much experience with IOS6, its just my final list has sooo much more Note 2 advantages, there has to be something on Ios6 that's better or exclusive, anything big or small????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're best off asking this in an iphone forum.
First of I want to clarify, I own both an iOS( New iPad ) and Android ( Galaxy R and getting the Note 2 soon ) device. So I am giving you a fair and unbiased review.
To tell you honestly your iPhone experience will vary according to the country you live in. So the OP has to specify where he lives.
Now I live in India, there is no iTunes Online Store available here except for the App Store. So we don't really have a way have a way in which we can download Music, Movies, TV Shows on the phone. We have to go through iTunes each time to get simple stuff as Music on the phone. Which is annoying. Now if we had the iTunes Store things would have been a bit different. Plus there is no Bluetooth file transfer on the iPhone which is a bummer because it has no file system support. Their cloud back up solution ( iCloud ) is great for App data, for me otherwise its quite useless for people in India. If you live in the few countries where iTunes Store is available you have an excellent way of enjoying your phone with never having to plug into iTunes thanks to iCloud.
Next iOS 6 Maps app is useless in India. It has absolutely no functionality here. If you are living in one those countries where the Maps is enabled well, its a different issue. You might love it or hate it. There was a recent leak where a developer got his hands on an alpha build of Google Maps for iPhone. Now if Apple approves it, this issue will be reduntant in a few months. If you can wait and hope Apple approves it, then be my guest. I really hope they do. Besides I really think Google Maps is way way better with Street View and Voice Navigation, the latter of which has been enabled in India. It will take Apple atleast a few years before they catch up to the functionality of Google Maps.
Next is app quality, there is no denying iOS is hands down the winner here. There developer support is incredible. Lots of exclusive apps, games etc. Even the native Facebook app has come on iOS first. People might get pissed at me for saying this but a lot of apps on Play Store are crap, baring a few exceptional ones. For example Safari. One annoying thing I find on Android is that no website gives HTML 5 video out of the box. They assume you have flash, which is stupid. Even Chrome can't handle it well. For me Safari trumps in functionality but in terms of features Chrome wins. I hope Google has fixed this in Jelly Bean, because Flash is no longer supported.
Next Customization, there is absolutely nothing you can do on iOS besides changing the wallpaper and making folders, unless of course you Jailbreak then you can tweak a bit more, but that to is very limited. I use NCSettings to get a simple thing as toggles for Wi-Fi and other stuff in Notification Centre on iOS. Android wins here fair and square. Most of the stuff for which you would jailbreak your iPhone for will come out of the box in any Android Phone. Don't get me started on the ton of stuff you can do once you Root your Android phone. Widgets, New Launchers etc are another plus.
Now I haven't tried Jelly Bean yet, but I find iOS the most smooth, well polished and stable operating system out there. The iPhone is dual core not quad core ( this is very subjective it actually depends on the architecture of the processor but still ) the speed at which it launches apps and switches between them is butter smooth. It has always been since its first iteration in 2007. With Jelly Bean I have heard its pretty much the same now, Android has finally caught up and I believe exceeded iOS in terms of functionality and getting stuff done.
No expandable storage on iPhone might be a bummer to most. Galaxy Note 2 has expandable storage.
My conclusion is, if you are fine living in Apple's wall garden, you will have an Amazing experience with the iPhone. Like Steve Jobs said, "It just works". Otherwise you will pretty much hate it. Besides iOS really going stale, its getting out dated. If you go from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5, the software hasn't changed much. It looks the same. If you love tweaking, customizing and do what you want with your phone go Android. And for where I live here in India, iPhone pretty much is really cumbersome, to having through iTunes each time makes me cringe, no Maps support is another bummer. I love the way in which Android allows me to do what I want,sure I really miss the app quality of iOS, I have my iPad to take care of that, but I would pick functionality and sacrifice a little bit of quality any day.
I hope this helped you make a decision.
Sent from my GT-I9103 using xda app-developers app
This might be a plus for iPhone.
You know what to expect. When you grab your friend or family members phone to make a call on or whatever it looks like most other iPhones you have picked up. If you like this type of thing then the predictability is good.
The apple eco system is not all bad. Younger brother has all apple products and they work great together. Just stay in their eco system and it's mostly all good if you like cookie cutter devices.
I personally think the iPhone 5 feels very nice in my hand.
This might not be the best wording but iOS is almost idiot proof. Nothing I have ever done to my phone (ip4) left it completely unusable. First time really playing with droid I was not so lucky.