iPhone guide: vs Android

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The iPhone is fending off its smartphones rivals for the time being, thanks to its massive App Store but Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7 handsets might do the trick if the iPhone doesn’t meet every item on your wishlist.

Android OS

You can’t beat an Android phone for customisation. Without strict guidelines, we’re looking at you Apple, new games, apps and features are being released on the Android Market and third party app stores all the time. The Android interface is simple, if not quite as polished as Apple’s iOS, but it does have the advantage of easily syncing with Gmail, Google calendar etc.

Samsung Galaxy S II

The Galaxy S II has a dazzling 4.3 inch super-AMOLED screen and is currently the world’s slimmest smartphone (8.5mm thick). The 8MP camera has image stabilisation and geotagging and you can also shoot 1080p video.

Read the Samsung Galaxy S II review.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

Yes, games from the Apple App Store can be addictive but we’ll never get as attached to them as we are to our favourite Playstation heroes. The Xperia Play has a 4inch screen, slide-out gaming panel with Playstation buttons and two touch-sensitive trackpads.

Read the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play review.

LG Optimus 3D

The iPhone’s competitors really are pulling out all the stops so that they can grab the attention of smartphone fans. The LG Optimus 3D has glasses free 3D – think Nintendo 3DS style – and you can even shoot 3D still images and video with the two rear 5MP cameras.

Read the LG Optimus 3D review.

HTC Pro 7

HTC Pro 7 is flying to flag for the Windows Phone 7 mobile OS. If you need a physical keyboard in order to function, the HTC Pro 7 has an easy-to-use keypad and the screen angles upwards like a mini-laptop. Plus you can run portable versions Microsoft Word and Excel.

Read the HTC Pro 7 review.

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About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.