Droid vs. iPhone - Why the Droid has Already Lost

From strictly a hardware perspective, the Droid cannot beat the iPhone. (For those who don't yet know: the Droid is Motorola's 'savior phone,' which they hope will make them a prominent phone handset maker again). How can I be sure? Well, look at the below diagram:

Motorola Droid vs. Apple iPhone

Basically, it comes down to originality, memorability, and design.

Feature for feature, the Droid competes well with the iPhone. Google Android 2.0 is pretty cool, too. But look at the above marketing images:

  • The Droid screams 'corporate' and 'dull' – look at all those buttons, and squared-off corners! Not to mention the run-of-the-mill icons all along the edge of the screen (undo, menu, home, and search).
  • The iPhone screams 'iconic' and 'holdable' – even though, for all practical purposes, it's the most boring and simple design—only one button on the face—but take a second glance, and you notice the shiny little indentation in the single button on the bottom. Look further and see the svelte and cool curves on the edges, and the look of a light shining from the top of the phone on all the UI elements.

The reason why Motorola's Razr was so popular was it's physical desirability and simplicity. Doesn't Motorola get that? Is Apple the only consumer company that realizes people would rather use a device that's appealing to them in both features and design?

I would love for the iPhone to have a good competitor... I really would. But we still haven't reached that point. Someday, maybe, but the Droid isn't the iPhone killer.

Comments

Anonymous's picture

You're an idiot. More buttons means more accessibility. The design is simple and elegant, just like the iPhone's. The Droid's might even be better, because it has small touches of gold to spice it up.
Speaking of the Droid being better, it also has a larger screen with a higher DPI and a better camera, not to mention a better camera.

Anonymous's picture

Wow..Can we can hard core fan boi? How can anyone say that if they have ever used a Droid.

Ray's picture

I'm reminded of another Apple product that was touted for its simplicity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA

In all seriousness, though, the Droid seems to fill a gap between Blackberry (people who use their phone for primarily work purposes) and the iPhone (for mostly play/casual purposes), not really ready to keep up with either one in its main area of competency, which will relegate it to the fringe in either market. Although I'm open to the idea that it will have a strong following amongst the true geek (as compared to the ever increasing trendy geek) segment.

Anonymous's picture

Oh dear having 4 buttons on the face and a physical keyboard are horrible things... all you can do with that one apple button is quit that process for another. Plus the droid has a removable and replaceable battery, apple wasn't thinking too far ahead, as usual. And as far as originality go there are 3 devices with the exact same look, iphone, itouch and now the ipad... expand your horizons, don't hinder them with the iPlague.

Jeff Geerling's picture

For a web developer, a tech head, etc., these things are not barriers to entry. However, the more simple a device becomes, the wider an audience it has the potential to appeal to.

Check out my personal website: www.lifeisaprayer.com.