Marketing Showdown: iPhone vs. Droid

Posted on 15 May 2010 | by Ryan Battles

If Verizon doesn't come out with the iPhone soon, I'm going to be in a bit of a pickle.

You see, I've been renewing a Sprint PCS contract ever since my first cell phone, and quite honestly, I'm ready to jump ship. The coverage is not bad, but it's not perfect either. According to continual consumer reports issues, Verizon continues to with the war on service availability. To back up the facts, there are many places that I have not received service, only to borrow a Verizon phone that works fine.

So I'd like to be a Verizon customer in a few months when my 2-year contract is up.

In addition to getting a new contract, I would of course get a new phone. Every single cell phone that I've ever owned has been a basic, "free", flip-phone. As my web development business is growing, I think it's time for a smart phone of some sort. Being attracted to the iPhone interface and app-store, not to mention being a Mac household, I would like the iPhone.

There's the problem. There is currently no Verizon iPhone.

There is, however, a Verizon Droid. I have heard good things about this phone, so I thought I'd go to the website to check it out:

I immediately wanted to leave the website.

What do I start clicking on?
Should I click on those words in a wheel?
What are the advantages of the Droid?
How will the droid make my life easier?

Just as a comparison, I went to the iPhone site:

Instantly I am greeted by clean, uncluttered interface. I ask the same questions:

What do I start clicking on? Well, I'll browse through those icons that pop up a different slide in the slideshow, then maybe I'll watch the guided tour video.
Should I click on those words in a wheel? There is no wheel, but it's pretty obvious what I can click on.
What are the advantages of the iPhone? Those four boxes at the bottom tell me about why I'll love it, it's apps, how it's used in business, and what's new.
How will the iPhone make my life easier? From the screenshots, it looks pretty easy to use, with a minimalistic interface.

Now granted, there are Apple fanboys out there that think that everything Apple does is awesome. I am not one of those fanboys. I don't care about the iPad, and personally wouldn't even know what I'd do with one even if it were free. Okay, maybe I'd read books in bed, but I get my books from the library, and that's just not happening with the app store (Steve Jobs: "Now that you have my tool, spend more money with me").

Anyway, I just wanted to rant about the initial experience I received when I visited the Droid product page. It already turned me off to the product, and I haven't even touched one yet.

Apple, Verizon, please get along and hook us up with what we want. Don't make us compromise.

Tags: small business, apple

Comments (16)

Shotwell May. 20, 2010		Sounds like you're going to get your wish. There are rumblings of a deal in the works for around the summertime. But if you think the Droid site is bad, how about the commercials? Or the posters all over town (here in SF)? The messages seems to be "robots are superior, give yourself to them."
Christina Quist May. 20, 2010		If I were to strictly buy a phone based on the appearance of a website, I would have to go with Droid. I probably wouldn't read a word of the text on either site but based on the overall vibe of the site, Droid looks industrial and sturdy, very Christian Bale in Equilibrium. The iPhone site is pristine and clinical which makes me think it's fragile. Before I buy a phone, I have to think, "When I drop this, will it survive?" Based on the Droid site, the answer would seem to be yes. But maybe I'm reading too much into a website. Maybe I've been watching too much Christian Bale.
Ryan Battles May. 21, 2010		From the marketing, I feel that the Droid has a lot of features, but I would have to spend the day reading the manual to use it. It reminds me of the phone of someone who drives a Hummer and wears night-vision goggles.
JR Rozko May. 24, 2010		You might be in luck! http://j.mp/dtezRS
square peg web Jun. 17, 2010		Every single cell phone that I've ever owned has been a basic, "free", flip-phone. As my web development business is growing, I think it's time for a smart phone of some sort. Being attracted to the iPhone interface and app-store, not to mention being a Mac household, I would like the iPhone.
josephniva Jun. 26, 2010		Hi..This new iPhone brings a lot of muscle to the table since a lot of the features that it boasts are not only better than the DROID Incredible’s, but cannot even be matched because Apple holds proprietary hardware and software rights for many features.
marketing tips for small business Jun. 26, 2010		Hi..The new iPhone packs quite a punch especially considering many of it’s features are not only comparably better than that of the DROID Incredible but also outside the realm of possibilities for the DROID Incredible due to Apple’s proprietary software and hardware.
iPhone App Developer Jun. 29, 2010		I remember that I was looking for something like this from a couple of months. I am glad that I found my way here by coincidence!
Facebook apps Jul. 10, 2010		I would of course get a new phone. Every single cell phone that I've ever owned has been a basic, "free", flip-phone. As my web development business is growing, I think it's time for a smart phone of some sort. Being attracted to the iPhone interface and app-store, not to mention being a Mac household, I would like the iPhone. Facebook apps
credit card processing Aug. 25, 2010		Hi, I am trying to decide between these two.I am looking for a phone that is like a pocket pc.I am into programming and open source, and a big screen, so that's where droid wins.But i like the iphone because it has tens of thousands of apps for the kind of thing im looking for.So which one should i get?
shimulh Sep. 01, 2010		I think it's time for a smart phone of some sort. Being attracted to the iPhone interface and app-store, not to mention being a Mac household, I would like the iPhone. home cleaning
marketing idea for small business Sep. 02, 2010		Hi, I'm getting a new phone early summer/late spring and I don't know whether to get the iPhone or the Droid. I also heard the iPhone might be available with Verizon Wireless this summer is that true?
Marketing Sep. 14, 2010		Hi, Has anyone owned both? I'm looking to upgrade my crappy Samsung Gravity and join the 3G world, but I'm torn between these two phones. I like the customization of the Droid and the iPhone...well, it's an iPhone! Hell, at this point ANY phone is better than the one I have now, I just want to make a wise decision since I have to live with this phone for the next 12 months or so.
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Nam Newson Apr. 14, 2011		what do with one even if it were free?<a >ipad 2 Adapter</a>