The following in-depth comparison was submitted by Good and EVO reader Ernesto Cedeno. If you’d like to submit a guest post of your own, please get in touch!
My first Android was the HTC Hero, followed by the original HTC EVO 4G (fantastic at the time), and then the iPhone 4S. That was my first iPhone, and the two things that initially won me over were the camera and its international radios – Sprint, obviously, does not have many international phones. But then, earlier this year, I went back to Android with the release of the HTC EVO 4G LTE. And now, my company got me the iPhone 5 for work.
So I currently use both phones, and while a side-by-side specs comparison has already been done, I’d rather like to talk about functionality of both devices, including effectiveness in my use of both. Of course, this is just my own biased opinion – but let’s get started.
Look and feel
The iPhone 5 has a sophisticated uniform look on all sides. The phone is beautiful to look at, for the most part, and the beveled edges around the phone are a nice touch. But since the EVO 4G LTE did this before, the iPhone can’t get points. Something about the bottom of the iPhone lacks life; it looks much smaller and thinner than the EVO.
However, the EVO lacks that uniformity, and suffers especially in the back. But on the other hand, the brushed aluminum on the sides gives it a fantastic edge. The front also lacks some uniformity, but the massiveness of the screen, the clean metal look around it, and the bevel edges give it a more solid look than the iPhone. While it is thinner than the iPhone 4S, it just looks massively bigger and thicker next to the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5 wins.
Physical usability
The iPhone 5 is slim, and therefore very manageable in one hand. But that is good and bad – Apple touts the fact that you can still write with one hand, but I argue the letters on the keyboard are still too small to make for decent typing. Also, while it is easier to manage and grip the phone, the phone’s hard edges makes it more apparent in pant pockets, even though it is thinner than the EVO 4G LTE (a guy problem).
The EVO is slightly more difficult to handle single-handed, but as I am used to it, I see no issue with it. I even rode a roller coaster while filming on the EVO, so I can’t say the screen is unmanageable. The EVO also has a kickstand, so I can read my news while eating. The phone’s soft back edges also make it more comfortable to keep in pant pockets, and also less noticeable.
The EVO 4G LTE wins.
Screen
The iPhone 5 has a Retina display. The color tones are sharp, and photos and videos look clear. However, the aspect ratio is weird, and the display in many apps and photos looks out of place.
The resolution of the EVO 4G LTE is comparable to the Retina display, even though they don’t brand it like that. The screen is also huge – perfect for reading, watching movies, and playing games.
Tie – I love the quality on the iPhone 5, but the EVO 4G LTE has more usability.
User interface
The iPhone has pretty much remained the same since its initial release in 2007. The folders are a nice addition, plus notifications (Android had that first). Stocks and weather on the notification bar are a nice touch, but the biggest issue here is that most apps I use are still not optimized for the new screen size.
The EVO 4G LTE – or Android in general – just destroys in this category, from the customization of the home screen, to the addition of widgets; from quick access to any app directly from the lock screen, to a well developed notification bar. I could go on and on…
The EVO 4G LTE wins.
Apps
iOS 6 vs Android: iOS wins in quantity, but comparing the apps that both devices share, Android tends to win for customization and individuality of each app. When you look at different iOS apps, you will notice they blend in a lot in format, and only a few have unique elements in the interface. In Android, those same apps can be completely different with more available options.
That being said, iOS apps tend to have more stability, but they are not foolproof. I still get plenty of crashes on iOS. But still, iOS has some fantastic exclusive apps that just don’t exist on Android. But let’s compare apples to apples, and look at a few apps that exist across platforms.
Stock browser
The iOS stock browser is Safari. You can download others, but this is always the default. Of course, there is no Flash support. It handles mobile-formatted sites excellently, but it’s not so great with full-featured websites. It is also not the best for managing tabs, but it is better than the EVO’s stock browser.
The EVO 4G LTE stock browser, which is different from AOSP’s stock browser, handles Flash, but it’s not good at tab management. (Chrome for Android wins in this regard.) What I love about this browser is the handling of full featured websites, which I have not seen even on other Android devices. For example, it automatically reformats text as you zoom in to make it really easy to read. I know that many people think the screen is large enough, but even with 20/20 vision, I still prefer to have that option, especially if I am reading something in a hurry.
Vkontakte
In iOS, this app handles the basic options, plays music, and looks at profiles. Vkontakt for Android actually allows you to cache the music, and the the interface is completely optimized for Android.
Endomondo
In iOS, Endomondo is the same as Vkontakte, and is not formatted for iPhone 5 screen. Endomondo Android – you know, let me just show you what I mean here:
The EVO 4G LTE wins.
Camera
The iPhone 5 has an excellent quality camera. On the iPhone 4S, I took unrivaled pictures in Italy, and from what little I’ve seen on the 5, the quality is at least the same. It captures more lighting in dark areas, and therefore takes better pictures in social settings. It is also a great camera to capture at a macro level. The panorama feature works fine, but this is nothing new. The camera also responds quickly.
The EVO 4G LTE has an excellent camera app, as well, giving you the option to take pictures while filming, or instantly take up to 20 pictures in burst mode to always just capture the best moment. The range of options given are amazing. The camera itself is also fine, but it falls behind the iPhone 5 in overall quality, especially when competing in dark areas or macro settings. Outdoors, though, I have trouble finding much difference.
In regards to the outside photos, I will let you decide.
iPhone 5:
EVO 4G LTE:
The EVO 4G LTE wins in software; the iPhone 5 wins in hardware.
Digital assistant
The iPhone 5 has Siri, which admittedly is gimmicky, but I find it useful in setting up reminders and appointments. As such, it’s become essential to me.
The EVO 4G LTE just has standard voice search right now, which has been prevalent on Android for the past couple of years. It works fine, but I am upset that Google Now is not available on it yet, which seems like a much better digital assistant than anything available from Apple or other third party developers. This will all change once the EVO is updated to Jelly Bean, but for now:
The iPhone 5 wins.
Conclusion
I like both devices. Software-wise, in my opinion, Android is a better system – it is just more developed, has more options, and allows for more freedom for your device. However, Apple is better at hardware – especially the overall look and the camera quality. While the specs on the iPhone 5 are actually less than the EVO, I could tell that the iPhone had a slight advantage in opening apps. The marriage of hardware and software that Apple brings is unparalleled.
I will note that I ran both phones side by side to test the battery, and both performed about the same. The EVO has a larger battery, but the larger screen also consumes more power than the iPhone’s screen, thus giving them comparable battery life. I also have Sprint on the EVO and Verizon on the iPhone – I prefer the Sprint pricing plan (a complete package for unlimited everything), but I have to admit that the quality and coverage of Verizon is much better. Both are devices have 4G LTE connectivity, and I have had mixed results testing the speed on both. Usually, though, Verizon does have a better network.
The iPhone 5 will have more accessories, since it’s an iPhone, and I have my eye on a waterproof case, just like I had for my iPhone 4S.
So what if I had to choose? I would keep the EVO 4G LTE, but I have to admit that both are amazing phones.
This in-depth comparison was submitted by Good and EVO reader Ernesto Cedeno. If you’d like to submit a guest post of your own, please get in touch!
EVO lte!!!!!!!!
Good article.. however whenever I read a “comparison” in the title; i expect a winner at the end as well.. It’s just my opinion.
Also, one should also note that most people are going to put on a cover on the phone; so the look and feel largely depends only on the front facing side (and in some cases the back too like EVO LTE which has a kickstand).
Further, regarding accessories – with the new charging port; I am not sure how quickly iphone 5 will gain 3rd party accessories.
Thus, in my opinion; Evo LTE is a winner!
I’ve seen a few comparisions, but the screenshots really drove the point home. Everyone raves about the iPhone camera and I have to admit I’ve been rather envious while shoulder surfing my fellow iPhone-wielding concert-goers, but the sample photo comparison favors the Evo. The iPhone sample is way overexposed with blown highlights and no real detail when you look at the grain in the fence or the veins in the leaves.
LTEVO!!!!! Winner DUH! is it me or the iphone picture seems over exposed.. imo..
I agree… In the evo pic you can see the lines in the leaves and the detail and in the iphone pic all you can see is glare.
The Iphone is over exposed, compare the fence in the background
That was a pretty great comparison. I won’t go to the dark side, but will stay with Android forever. I’m excited to see what HTC will come up with in the next 6 months or so. The 2-year wait for upgrade took me by surprise, seeing as how I barely missed the cut off for the yearly Sprint update (which doesn’t exist anymore)
EVO all the way!!!!!!!!
“The iPhone 5 has a Retina display.”
This is unhelpful. “Retina display” is jargon, which means that only Apple fanboys would know what that is. If you want to describe something, don’t use labels. Use descriptions. But I’m sure you know that.
no surprise there…
EVO
IPhone sucks. EVO
I have to say that the two photos above clearly show the Evo LTE is the better camera. The Iphone picture is not very good at all. The Evo pic is sharper and better balanced. I don’t know how you saw the Iphone as better in that comparison at all.
I still havent decided on whether to go with the iPhone 5 or Samsung galaxy s3 or evo 4g lte! They all sound like amazing phones but part of me really wants an iPhone
Dude sounds like one part of you needs to get some sense slapped into it lol. Jk though but for real Iphones are good for people who are not computer savey. People like my parents who get confused easily but I wouldn’t suggest it to sombody who likes to tweak there phone too make it the way they want it too be.
No iphones for me.
Kudos to the marketing campaign that Apple has spent millions on, roping in the sheep to gather up in herds to by their latest and greatest. Sadly though they did not get my business. I am a non conformist see, and I see that the Iphone has become nothing more than a status symbol, a day late and a dollar short on keeping up with the latest phone like the Evo and S3. I love it when someone whips out their Iphone. I look sadly at them and they see it in my eyes and don’t worry you can get one too. I smile and say as I whip out this beastly beautiful Evo Lte, drop the kickstand, naa! You got screwed isheep. Enjoy!
I love sense but it takes soooo long to roll out android updates!
Evo flashed with some vanilla
Go EVO go
Awesome. Glad to see my father picked the right choice in phone.
Whoot, EVO!
Retina display is just a DPI, jargon.
Pop in some other comparisons to make this better:
Tethering
Ability to root
Fragmentation among carriers
LTE availability
International performance
Accessory availability/cost/etc
Charge speeds
Camera resolution front/back. Camera capability front/back. Color depth. JPG/compression options.
Competition is great! Make sure Apple gets the memo…
I too have an HTC EVO LTE 4G for my personal use and an Iphone for work, started with the hero, moved to HTC EVO OG, Samsung S2 (sprint version), then to the EVO LTE. This is a great article, it is nice to read something from someone that feels the same way as i do about these devices. My camera on the EVO appears to be better than the image above, however, you may have taken that pic quickly. But i digress. lol. again, thanks for the article.
I think since the iphone is so mainstream (practically every store, gas station, 99cents store, grocery store, chicken spot, pharmacy, clothing store, hot dog cart, jeez the list goes on and on has accessories for this phone) that it really is spoon fed to the masses. Also maybe the simplicity of just one device with several minor changes mainly on the hardware level and slight interface level makes this a popular device to many who have been somewhat disillusioned by apple. Yes the device has many plus features…..ah but! the sorry interface that hasn’t changed and to me is so boring, Having used all platforms out there all have there shortcomings in a way..for instance why not let the consumer choose if they want to run custom stuff this rooting,jailbreaking,locking,preventing just blows chunks! the hoops one has to jump thru is ridiculous..I personally use the Evo LTE! and luv the sucker. but wow i have to semi brick to downgrade to get a fat panda to eat…really,really! just for s-off…and forget about apple and their policy to jailbreak every update is painful for apple users just ask whats that guys name oh yea muscle nerd…i think the comparisons here are a bit lacking many things were not mentioned or left out….
bottom line usability to me for simple folks iphone works its somewhat plug and play,set it and forget it….. I prefer bells and whistles thats why EVO let is my choice!
arhhh excuse the grammar using a macbook lol…j/k
hey but looking at the pics a few comparison pics would have been nice looks like the worst pic from an iphone i ever seen.
I gotta say I have both devices and i agree with most of the things you had to say. The camera not being one of them. I took pictures of the space shuttle the other day and i gotta say, i do not like how the iphone pics look at all. I hated that i couldnt carry my DSLR with me but feel happy enough that my EVO came to the rescue. Happy with both devices really. But both have their issues. Apples having only one device to deal with should have better hardware and less problems. Go to the apple store and see how many people go there with issues. They have just as many issues as any other device. Battery is about the same too. I thought my EVO device battery was weak at first. But after using my iphone at the same level as my EVO, both batteries died just as quickly.
The lte has been out what? Like 5-6 months? I believe it’s all but free on a new contract, You get what you pay for. Enjoy those phones that you HAVE to root to work at a decent level. I’m sure htc will work hard to support your phones just like samsung does for the s3….not.
The S3 is a fantastic phone and I will make a comparison soon. I made my choice of phone based on my own personal preferences and the EVO won for me (Small details like Sense UI, and browser), but I change phones almost every 6 months, so the next could be a Samsung.
Evo lte all the way but waiting on better sprint signal.
I love the camera on the iPhone 5! In fact i even found a place where I could make Custom iPhone 5 Skins. I made some with the photos I took with my phone. Pretty cool if you ask me:)