Smart phones first spelled the death of small and portable pocket cameras and then ended the habit of carrying a personal music device. Today, most people do not need to carry a camera or a music player when they have a smart phone in their pockets. However, operating system features are what make a smart phone different. Apple continues to replicate its design characteristics, so it distinguishes itself with its iOS operating systems. Thanks to this, the company offers its customers an exclusive experience. On the other hand, smart phones with the Android system have to make innovative changes other than their operating systems to compete. Samsung, which provides the most sold smart phone with the Android operating system, differs from other producers with its Edge series featuring curved screens. Edge series smart phones hit the shelves with a price tag similar to Apple's iPhones.
Apple prices on the rise
According to a survey conducted by ABI Research, the average price that we paid for smart phones last year is quite striking. Around the world, users payed $687 for an Apple iPhone and approximately $254 for a device with the Android operating system. It also appears consumers prefer to pay 2.7 times more to get an iPhone. Apple launched its 128GB storage option last year in order to pull iPhone prices up. While iPhone prices were on the rise until the end of the first quarter of 2014, Android prices retreated from $300 to $254. If the rumors turn out to be true, Apple will launch an even cheaper device by the end of March and try to lure Android device users with a low price tag.
Developers love Android
Can we define these huge differences between the Apple iOS and Android operating systems in terms of love for brands? Consumers who pay $687 for the iPhone prove that they might pay much more for the brand they want. Apple not only offers its customers a privileged experience with its devices but also distinguishes itself with its application market. Google, on the other hand, offers developers improved abilities by providing them a more open platform via Android. I believe developers feel most comfortable with the Android platform.
3 important predictions
Users usually wait until September for the new Apple iPhone models but Apple might orchestrate a surprise at its launch event on March 21. Apple likes to surprise its customers and raised everybody's expectations for an economic model with its previous SE series. However, this would be a revolutionary decision for Apple. It would stop Apple from being a high-end model and also cause a decrease in iPhone prices. We will soon have the answer for whether the company's profit will be affected negatively despite an expected increase in iPhone's sales figures.
3 new generation features on smart phones
Speaking over the Internet
In the early 1980s, fixed-line telephones used to have a selection called "lighting line." The call was immediately connected by a telephone operator. Today, we have cell phones supporting VoLTE technology that can carry sound via 4.5G network's internet connection, transferring the call in less than a second. If both users have cell phones with VoLTE technology then the call's sound quality will be impeccable. Similar applications can be seen on WhatsApp and Skype. However, we will have to wait for a while to use the service because VoLTE technology has not yet been offered by all telephone operators and there are still compatibility problems.
Fast charging and long battery duration
Battery usage will increase as smart phones use more energy with the 4.5G service. This is why you are advised to have smart phones that can be charged rapidly and with higher battery capacity. If you do not, then you may have to carry a back-up battery. The latest smart phones have a faster charge capacity with USB Type-C. Qualcomm's Snapdragon series support fast battery charge feature.
Social media and HD sound quality
VoLTE technology is one of the forefront features of the 4.5G network allowing users an HD quality call. There have been cell phones supporting VoLTE in the market for the last two years, with brands like iPhone, Samsung, Sony, HTC and others. Cell phones that offer high-quality and uninterrupted YouTube, Instagram and Vine experience have CAT.6 and upper version modems. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus have a 300MB per second download speed. A large part of the Samsung Galaxy series support CAT.6 and CAT.9. Expected to be launched in April, General Mobile's GM 5 Plus will support CAT.7, offering fast Internet speed on affordable mobile phones.
10 factors making a smart phone different
- Price is the most determinative factor in developing markets such as Turkey
- Game, graphic and internet performances
- User interface and user friendliness
- Transmission system skills
- Battery life and charge time
- Phone design and ergonomics
- Camera quality and speed
- Screen resolution and size
- Storage capacity and extra extension port
- Sync options with other devices
