Comparing the top smart phones - iPhone 4G / Android

Whether you're a power user or a casual user, learning which smartphone fits your functionality requirements and budget is critical. Subsequently you don't need to bring a brand new iPhone 4 home only to find out that you don't need to surf on-the-go as much as the billing company thinks you should. Let us quickly go through the pros and cons and various phone options, so that we can all make an informed decision.

Cost:

There is alot more to a smartphone than its price tag, and although the $199 sticker price of the iPhone 4 can seems pretty expensive, it's does compare to various Android phones, and this includes the Evo 4G (Sprint), Droid Incredible (Verizon) and Nexus One (T-Mobile). Over a long-term, one price may out way the other, this includes ongoing plan fees and counts on what kind of mobile addons you have. It also depends on how confident you are using the phone. In the end though all four models fall within $500 of one another. See all of Wired's calculations for a detailed breakdown.

Pre pay is where Apple falls down, and Android are winning. With Android set to be coming to Virgin Mobile USA and Cricket planned later on this summer, the potential for Android to inch ahead of Apple could be comparatively important.

Hardware:

Let's do a quick comparison of the most important features of the various smartphones on the table:

· Memory and storage: These range from 256MB RAM to 512MB RAM, though some lag behind with one 8GB of storage or less, where the iPhone leads with 16 and 32GB.

· Processors: Most have similar processors - 1GHz is pretty common, though the Motorola Droid has only 550 MHz.

· Cameras: While most now have LED flash, the iPhone 4 has only a 5 MP camera which is low compared to the 8 MP in some HTCs. That said, iPhone 4 has the cool dual camera that allows you to see and be seen simultaneously.

· Video: If you're looking for a camera with video capability, iPhone 4 is definitely leading the pack, though HTCs are close behind.

· Display: If we take this but the numbers, the iPhone's 3.5 inch display does seems slightly obtuse compared with the 4.3 inch HTC video display, available on the EVO 4G phone, but with iPhone 4's new Retina Display with a high resolution IPS screen, it is superior by a good distance.

Functionality:

But a phone is more than the hardware, too. Features such as iTunes and MobileMe, mean that the iphone 4 has some of the best features on a phone. The iPhone apart from being easy to use, also has boosted features such as MobileMe and iTunes that inflate the phones use. So how do the Androids stack up?

· MultiTouch: iPhone's is still superior

· Multitasking: Androids are slightly better here

· Sync/Backup: Similar capabilities, though Androids will automatically get apps on new phone with Google login, making this a little easier

· App install: Easier with an Android

· Music download: Quite a bit easier with Android

· Gaming: Apple has a much wider selection, though Android will likely be more powerful in the future because of its OpenGL APIs, etc.

· Internet: Faster on the Androids

· Navigation: Android phones give you free access to Google Maps Navigation, the same as on the iPhone but for a charge

So, Apple or Android? Your choice will largely depend on how you use your phone. Talk to an expert about your requirements and do more research online to find out the ideal match for your needs. But if you're a prepaid user who's been waiting for a smartphone like the iPhone or Android options, wait a while and you'll soon be rewarded with access to Virgin Mobile or Virgin Cricket!