Apple iOS vs Google Android vs Symbian^3
It's easy to have tunnel vision when you're choosing a smartphone, with Nokia, Apple and Google's Android each holding a healthy slice of the market share, but which one represents the best all-round value? That's the question we're looking for an answer to with our smartphone OS battle royal, as we pit Symbian^3 against iOS and Google's Android to see which one emerges as the king of the smartphone operating system.
Usability - Each one of our contenders has its virtues. Nokia's Symbian^3 has the benefit of being easy to use and familiar to most, and with its recent makeover looks every inch the modern smartphone platform. Google's Android is snappy and intuitive and has the added bonus of being highly customisable. But if you're talking pure user-friendliness Apple's iOS remains the one to beat. With an incredibly simple but effective interface and straightforward, logical menus even the most technophobic users will find it a doddle to get things done.
Winner - Apple iOS
Power - Apple's iOS may be the most easy to use of the mobile operating systems but thanks to Apple's discriminating standards and secretive nature it isn't as powerful as its competitors. Large sections of iOS are hidden from prying eyes and app management has to be done through the at-times frustrating iTunes. Symbian^3 remains as versatile as it always has, which is both a huge selling point but also a drawback, as its foundation hasn't changed a great deal since its launch. Android is the leader of the pack here though and with its open standards allows users that are so inclined to really get the best out of their hardware.
Winner - Android
Looks - iOS is visually striking, with bright, finger friendly icons, lovely menu transitions and pleasing fonts and colour schemes, it smacks of Apple and when it comes to eye-candy that most certainly isn't a bad thing. Symbian^3 on the other hand, despite its recent paint-job, is still rather drab and with icons that look as old as the software they're fronting.
Don't get us wrong, it's a vast improvement on previous versions of Symbian OS but that still isn't great. In its latest revision (2.3) Android has received a nice visual overhaul, with pleasing coloured notification icons replacing the drab monochromatic efforts of versions past.
Another huge plus-point of Android's open nature is the ability to apply themes and custom UI's to the operating system, meaning that the individual user can tailor their device to meet their own specific requirements, and for this reason t surpasses Symbian^3 and iOS.
Winner - Android
Devices - Symbian^3's recent introduction means that it hasn't quite been implemented to its fullest extent, though there are a small number of devices that boast the new version of Nokia's stalwart, such as the company's flagship camera phone the N8 and the impressive C6, more at least than support Apple's iOS, which is confined to a small number of premium priced devices, such as the iPhone 4, iPad and iPhone 3GS. Google's contender strides into the lead in this round too, enjoying vast distribution among manufacturers who have chosen to utilise the operating system in budget devices such as LG's impressive Optimus One P500, as well as cutting edge hardware such as HTC's Desire HD or Samsung's Galaxy S.
Winner - Android
Application Support - When it re-designed its Symbian OS, Nokia threw itself headlong into promoting the operating system among developers and as such a number of decent third party apps are available through the company's Ovi store. Google's Android enjoys huge support, with over 100,000 titles on offer in the Android Market. The undisputed app king is Apple's iOS though, with in excess of 300,000 apps and counting available for download in the Apple App Store. You'll find apps for literally every imaginably occasion, from locating the nearest public toilet, to ordering your groceries. The selection is huge!
Winner - iOS
So it's a win for Google's Android OS, which has gone from strength to strength in 2010 and with plenty of apps, an easy to use interface and simple but powerful software it's easy to see why. Similarly Apple's iOS is a hugely usable operating system which has plenty to offer. Nokia's Symbian^3 is a usable OS but in spite of their best efforts still languishes quite a way behind the market leaders, and has been pushed even further into the periphery of the market with the introduction of Microsoft's impressive Windows Phone 7. Here's hoping that Nokia re-enters the race with a flourish when it launches MeeGo in 2011.