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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | MARCH 2018 11 By Sherrie Chaparro, Resident If you have yet to buy a smartphone, or are looking to replace an older model, you may be dithering over the choice between an iPhone or Android. Let me preface this by stating I am by no means an expert on tech issues. That being said, I googled the question, and offer the following thoughts to consider before you purchase: Look and Feel: iPhones are beautiful. Android phones vary widely in size, weight, features and quality, but premium Androids are as good as iPhones. However, once you decide to purchase an Android you still have choices to make (brand and model). With the iPhone, it's one and done. Cost and Resale Value: Although the average cost of an Android device is lower than an iPhone, if you intend to trade your phone in frequently for a new model, old iPhones fetch more money at resale. User Experience: Ease of Use/Control: The iPhone and Android interfaces are fairly easy to use. But with an iPhone, screen customization is limited and you can't change default apps. People who want complete control to customize their phones will prefer Android. Screen Size and Cameras: Androids generally have larger screen sizes than iPhones. Cameras vary wildly on Android phones. Once again, however, if you have a top of the line model it is almost as good as a top-of-the-line iPhone. Support: If you have problems with your iPhone, you can take your device to the Apple Store in Temecula. There's no equivalent on the Android side, although you can get support from the phone company you bought your phone from and/or the manufacturer. Battery Life and Charging, Storage and Maintenance: Generally, Android phones don't need to be recharged as often as iPhones. Additionally, iPhones require a skilled repair person to upgrade the storage or replace batteries. Android lets users themselves change the phone's battery and expand storage capacity. What Apps Do You Use?: Facetime only runs on Apple programs, so if the rest of your family uses it, it's a no brainer. And if your music library is based on iTunes, then you're locked into iPhones. On the other hand, if you're an iPhone user who wants to buy an Amazon e-book from the Kindle app or watch a Google Play movie using Play Movies, you're out of luck. Bottom Line: Different categories matter to different people. Some people will value hardware choice more, while others will care more about battery life or cost. You'll need to decide what factors are most important to you and then choose the phone that best meets your needs. Tech Talk: iPhone or Android?

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