We spent the whole weekend drawing a giant chart of every smart phone operating system's strengths and weaknesses to hang on the back of our door. Now we wish we hadn't bothered, because the folks over at MyPhoneDeals.co.uk have done it for us.
The epic smart phone software chart covers iOS 4.3.3, Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, BlackBerry OS 6, and Windows Phone 7.
We like the chart for its pixel-packing completeness, but we also like that it doesn't focus on mere specs. It breaks down the pluses and minuses of Android's open app Market, for example, in pithy sentences.
We've given the chart a once-over, and we agree with most of the calls that the authors made on various features. Keep in mind, however, that just because an OS scores lower in certain areas doesn't mean it's unrecoverable crapola. It may just not be up to the standards set by its competitors in that area.
Once you spot the OS that suits you, here are our picks for the best phones currently on sale for each one:
- iOS 4.3.3: iPhone 4
- Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread: HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S 2
- BlackBerry OS 6: BlackBerry Torch 9800 and BlackBerry Bold 9780
- Windows Phone 7: Samsung Omnia 7 and HTC HD7, although most Windows Phones are very similar.
The chart will need some updating soon, with most smart phone OSs expecting major upgrades this year. Apple is planning to release iOS 5 in the autumn, with new drop-down notifications for things like new emails, a feature it's pinched from Android. Around the same time, we'll be seeing Windows Phone Mango, which adds a multi-tasking menu so you can switch between open apps.
RIM is planning to bring its BlackBerry tablet OS, currently showing off on the PlayBook to phones, although we don't know when. Similarly, Android Ice Cream Sandwich will add the advantages of the tablet version, Honeycomb, to phones.
Click the image below to see the full chart in all its giant glory:
Image credit: MyPhoneDeals.co.uk
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Comments 6
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jamesfed 13 June, 2011 13:18
Looks great at first glance but its a little outa date - Windows Phone 7 does indeed now include copy and paste :)
anonymous 13 June, 2011 14:00
i love the way ios is given full marks for user friendliness and completelness but description then goes on to say
''TIME AND EFFORT and TECHNICAL KNOW HOW is required if you want to jailbreak your iphone to remove its RESTRICTIONS''
So the two contradiction...
completeness full marks = restrictions
user friendly = technical know how, time and effort
lmao i love apple fan boys
Anonymous 13 June, 2011 14:20
Many thanks for the mention and comments Flora and James, much appreciated :) There's a lot of info out there, and the OSes are changing - apologies for anything that may have changed after publishing. Will do our best to keep things up to date, and hopefully help some readers to make informed decisions.
The upcoming OS upgrades are going to be really interesting - this year is going to be pivotal in terms of positioning each OS before everyone is entrenched in specific camps!
Dean Shepherd 13 June, 2011 14:40
*gasp!* no symbian? :p ;)
/sarcasm
anonymous 13 June, 2011 15:29
WP7 got more points than android for availible handsets, even though every WP7 phone has a twin on android?! Someone doesnt want to admit that iOS isnt as good as android.
MyPhoneDeals 13 June, 2011 16:54
Hi Tony, Android is definitely much better for handset choice as compared to WP7 - Android scored top points for Hardware > Variety. Apologies if it wasn't presented clearly.