They’ve been at it for ages. Apple and Microsoft, that is. Back in the eighties, they fought over desktop computing. Apple, under the stewardship of Steve Jobs, believed, ‘If it is good and well designed, people will buy even if it’s expensive’. They were right.
Apple carved a niche for itself. Its users swore by its products. Bill Gates, however, had a different strategy. Microsoft wasn’t looking to be elitist. It wanted its products on every machine; at times, ensuring that its software insidiously made its way on to desktops. Before you knew it, you were running the software it wanted you to run... and its offerings became a habit.
And now, clichéd as it may sound, history is repeating itself. The two tech giants have once again locked horns. Only this time, the battle is for the mobile space. Apple brings to the market its new iPhone 4S running iOS5. Like in the past, the Cupertino company believes, ‘If it is good, people will buy; price be damned’.
Microsoft, on the other hand, is once again working insidiously. Its new Windows Mobile 7.5, aka Mango, is making its presence felt in handsets. By next year, the Redmond giant hopes, this new tile-based OS will pave the way for a similar-looking tablet version called Windows 8. Before you know it, the familiarity that comes from using Mango might perhaps make the transition to Windows tablets simpler.
Given this history of competition, we pit Apple’s iPhone 4S against Nokia’s Lumia 800 that runs Microsoft’s Mango, the new centurions from the two camps that signal yet another installment in this ongoing turf war.
iPhone 4S: Playing it safe
Before its launch, the new iPhone was the subject of several rumours, that it would have a larger screen and an aluminum unibody. Apple, obviously, had other ideas. Instead of the iPhone 5, fans were presented with the 4S. This gadget, launched in India last month, sports the same external dimensions and the samesize 3.5-inch screen (with the same resolution of 960x640) as its predecessor, and it is still all glass and aluminum.
And while there’s nothing new in terms of outward appearance, the 4S like the iPhone 4, defines modernistic elegance and style. The only downside? Glass neither has the strength of aluminum nor the flexibility of plastic. Result? The 4S doesn’t take kindly to any bumps or falls. On the other hand, Apple has upgraded the innards, a dual-core A5 processor and class leading graphics chip in the form of PowerVR 543MP2 (RAM, though, is still 512MB).
Feels fast
So how does the 4S perform? Well, when it comes to day-to-day use, there is virtually no difference between the iPhone 4 and the 4S because both run equally well on iOS 5, the latest version of Apple’s mobile OS.
Talking of iOS 5, it continues to be the best mobile operating system at the moment. Its user interface is smooth and spiffy, and there is no lag whatsoever. It’s also easier to use than other mobile OSes because there are no hidden menus; options are mostly laid out in the form of blue virtual buttons, and the availability and quality of apps is top class.
Yes, there are a few niggles that remain in iOS, but they should only matter to power users. For example, using iTunes to transfer files remains a sore point. Availability of advanced options is another problem. For instance, the Safari web browser has no setting to open full web sites, instead of just mobile versions. Also, the camera app has no option to set video recording at 720P instead of the default 1080P resolution.
Similarly, support for video codecs in its default movie player remains poor; most likely because Apple is in love with the H.264 codec and tends to focus less on Xvid or DivX. Maps and local services is yet another weak point as Apple simply doesn’t have enough data for India to offer good location-based services.
So what makes the 4S different from 4 (if anything at all)? The answer to this question lies in the new features and better hardware. One example is Siri (see box). Another is HD movie playback with support for 1080P. This iteration is also better equipped to render games easily handling very demanding offerings like Infinity Blade 2.
Its camera, meanwhile, is the big story. The new iPhone sports an 8-megapixel camera, which, with all of its lens and sensor improvements, sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography. Pictures snapped with this shooter are detailed and boast vibrant colours. The same is true for videos.
Sum of it all
iPhone 4s is one of the best smartphones in the market. But at Rs 44,500 for the entry-level model, it is a pricey preposition, even with the “reverse subsidy” that operators like Airtel promise through subsidized data and call plans. Consider it only if you don’t mind paying the hefty premium for that little extra and the Apple tag.
PROS: Fast and intuitive UI, great apps, classy looks
CONS: Small screen, lack of power options in iOS, expensive
TOI RATING: 7.5
Lumia 800: Are looks enough?
Ever since Google Android and the iPhone began challenging its position in the mobile market, Microsoft had been on the lookout for a worthy hardware partner to take on the competition. Then, earlier this year, it found a consort in Nokia.
The Lumia 800 is the first child of that union, combining latter’s hardware with Microsoft’s Windows Phone (WP) 7.5 aka the Mango OS. Understandably, both companies have very high expectations from this new device.
Now there are no two ways to say it: The Lumia 800 is one of the most gorgeous smartphones I have ever used. Its polycarbonate unibody is slick and welldesigned. Add to that the toughened glass over the screen and you have a gadget that’s durable enough to withstand a few coins and keys in your pocket.
The three standard Windows Phone buttons, search, home and back, are touch-sensitive and sit below the 3.7-inches AMOLED display. Nokia has used a proprietary technology called ClearBlack for the display that renders deep blacks and vivid colours. Of course, its 480x800-pixel resolution means that text doesn’t look as sharp as it does on the iPhone or several other high-end Android devices.
Microsoft has strict guidelines on the kind of hardware its OEMs like Nokia can put in their Windows phones. Lumia 800 is powered by a single-core 1.4Ghz processor, the Adreno 205 graphics processor and 512MB RAM, accompanied by 16GB storage. One important thing to note here is that just like iPhone, and unlike other Windows or Android phones, the Lumia 800 uses a micro SIM.
When it comes to the shooter, the device is equipped with a single 8-megapixel camera. Its output, though, leaves a lot to be desired, what with its washed-out colours and less than optimum level of details. Also, I faced problems when shooting 720P videos (the maximum that it supports) as the device often took a few extra seconds to refocus whenever there was movement.
Fresh and fast OS
Despite its modest hardware, the Lumia 800 is blazingly fast with smooth scrolling and no lag whatsoever – and the credit for this goes to Mango. The new OS uses a tilebased interface called Metro. The result is a very modern and novel-looking operating system that is unlike any other seen today.
Besides, there is an overall lack of options in the OS as well as in some apps. For instance, the only screen brightness settings that one can set are low, medium or high. And apps like Seesmic won’t allow a user to change the text size. While Mango and the apps available on it are common to all Windows phones, there is one area
where the Lumia 800 scores over the competition.
Because Mango relies on Bing maps, the navigation and location services on WP phones in India are virtually nonexistent. Nokia has worked around the problem by providing Drive and Nokia maps on its phones. Both services are absolutely fantastic with Nokia Drive being one of the best navigation services currently in the country.
As far as battery life is concerned, this Mango phone lasts for around 12 to 13 hours on 3G with most of the usage consisting of web browsing, Twitter and voice calls.
Sum of it all
All said and done, there is no doubting that the Lumia 800 is the best Windows phone in the market right now. Still, at Rs 29,999, the phone is priced too closely to HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S2, Android phones with stellar app support, better hardware and lot more functionality.
PROS: Superb design, Nokia Drive, clean and refreshing Mango UI
CONS: App ecosystem not so good, no front facing camera, lacking in multimedia features
TOI RATING: 7.5
What the ratings mean
TOI uses a detailed rating system that takes into consideration various criteria such as the gadget’s build quality and design, hardware and software features, user experience and even price when reviewing phones and tablets. Points are awarded and sometimes even deducted from total scores based on this system to arrive at a final score.
Below 5: The product is poor and doesn’t offer the experience it promises.
5 and 6: The product works as advertised. It is functional and a safe buy.
7: The product is good; will not disappoint the buyer.
9: The product is exceptional.
10: You’re kidding, right?
Apple carved a niche for itself. Its users swore by its products. Bill Gates, however, had a different strategy. Microsoft wasn’t looking to be elitist. It wanted its products on every machine; at times, ensuring that its software insidiously made its way on to desktops. Before you knew it, you were running the software it wanted you to run... and its offerings became a habit.
Elevate Your Tech Prowess with High-Value Skill Courses
| Offering College | Course | Website |
|---|
Microsoft, on the other hand, is once again working insidiously. Its new Windows Mobile 7.5, aka Mango, is making its presence felt in handsets. By next year, the Redmond giant hopes, this new tile-based OS will pave the way for a similar-looking tablet version called Windows 8. Before you know it, the familiarity that comes from using Mango might perhaps make the transition to Windows tablets simpler.
Given this history of competition, we pit Apple’s iPhone 4S against Nokia’s Lumia 800 that runs Microsoft’s Mango, the new centurions from the two camps that signal yet another installment in this ongoing turf war.
iPhone 4S: Playing it safe
Discover the stories of your interest
Before its launch, the new iPhone was the subject of several rumours, that it would have a larger screen and an aluminum unibody. Apple, obviously, had other ideas. Instead of the iPhone 5, fans were presented with the 4S. This gadget, launched in India last month, sports the same external dimensions and the samesize 3.5-inch screen (with the same resolution of 960x640) as its predecessor, and it is still all glass and aluminum.
And while there’s nothing new in terms of outward appearance, the 4S like the iPhone 4, defines modernistic elegance and style. The only downside? Glass neither has the strength of aluminum nor the flexibility of plastic. Result? The 4S doesn’t take kindly to any bumps or falls. On the other hand, Apple has upgraded the innards, a dual-core A5 processor and class leading graphics chip in the form of PowerVR 543MP2 (RAM, though, is still 512MB).
Feels fast
So how does the 4S perform? Well, when it comes to day-to-day use, there is virtually no difference between the iPhone 4 and the 4S because both run equally well on iOS 5, the latest version of Apple’s mobile OS.
Talking of iOS 5, it continues to be the best mobile operating system at the moment. Its user interface is smooth and spiffy, and there is no lag whatsoever. It’s also easier to use than other mobile OSes because there are no hidden menus; options are mostly laid out in the form of blue virtual buttons, and the availability and quality of apps is top class.
Yes, there are a few niggles that remain in iOS, but they should only matter to power users. For example, using iTunes to transfer files remains a sore point. Availability of advanced options is another problem. For instance, the Safari web browser has no setting to open full web sites, instead of just mobile versions. Also, the camera app has no option to set video recording at 720P instead of the default 1080P resolution.
Elevate Your Tech Prowess with High-Value Skill Courses
| Offering College | Course | Website |
|---|
Similarly, support for video codecs in its default movie player remains poor; most likely because Apple is in love with the H.264 codec and tends to focus less on Xvid or DivX. Maps and local services is yet another weak point as Apple simply doesn’t have enough data for India to offer good location-based services.
So what makes the 4S different from 4 (if anything at all)? The answer to this question lies in the new features and better hardware. One example is Siri (see box). Another is HD movie playback with support for 1080P. This iteration is also better equipped to render games easily handling very demanding offerings like Infinity Blade 2.
Its camera, meanwhile, is the big story. The new iPhone sports an 8-megapixel camera, which, with all of its lens and sensor improvements, sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography. Pictures snapped with this shooter are detailed and boast vibrant colours. The same is true for videos.
Discover the stories of your interest
Sum of it all
iPhone 4s is one of the best smartphones in the market. But at Rs 44,500 for the entry-level model, it is a pricey preposition, even with the “reverse subsidy” that operators like Airtel promise through subsidized data and call plans. Consider it only if you don’t mind paying the hefty premium for that little extra and the Apple tag.
PROS: Fast and intuitive UI, great apps, classy looks
CONS: Small screen, lack of power options in iOS, expensive
TOI RATING: 7.5
Lumia 800: Are looks enough?
Ever since Google Android and the iPhone began challenging its position in the mobile market, Microsoft had been on the lookout for a worthy hardware partner to take on the competition. Then, earlier this year, it found a consort in Nokia.
The Lumia 800 is the first child of that union, combining latter’s hardware with Microsoft’s Windows Phone (WP) 7.5 aka the Mango OS. Understandably, both companies have very high expectations from this new device.
Now there are no two ways to say it: The Lumia 800 is one of the most gorgeous smartphones I have ever used. Its polycarbonate unibody is slick and welldesigned. Add to that the toughened glass over the screen and you have a gadget that’s durable enough to withstand a few coins and keys in your pocket.
The three standard Windows Phone buttons, search, home and back, are touch-sensitive and sit below the 3.7-inches AMOLED display. Nokia has used a proprietary technology called ClearBlack for the display that renders deep blacks and vivid colours. Of course, its 480x800-pixel resolution means that text doesn’t look as sharp as it does on the iPhone or several other high-end Android devices.
Microsoft has strict guidelines on the kind of hardware its OEMs like Nokia can put in their Windows phones. Lumia 800 is powered by a single-core 1.4Ghz processor, the Adreno 205 graphics processor and 512MB RAM, accompanied by 16GB storage. One important thing to note here is that just like iPhone, and unlike other Windows or Android phones, the Lumia 800 uses a micro SIM.
Elevate Your Tech Prowess with High-Value Skill Courses
| Offering College | Course | Website |
|---|
When it comes to the shooter, the device is equipped with a single 8-megapixel camera. Its output, though, leaves a lot to be desired, what with its washed-out colours and less than optimum level of details. Also, I faced problems when shooting 720P videos (the maximum that it supports) as the device often took a few extra seconds to refocus whenever there was movement.
Fresh and fast OS
Despite its modest hardware, the Lumia 800 is blazingly fast with smooth scrolling and no lag whatsoever – and the credit for this goes to Mango. The new OS uses a tilebased interface called Metro. The result is a very modern and novel-looking operating system that is unlike any other seen today.
Discover the stories of your interest
Besides, there is an overall lack of options in the OS as well as in some apps. For instance, the only screen brightness settings that one can set are low, medium or high. And apps like Seesmic won’t allow a user to change the text size. While Mango and the apps available on it are common to all Windows phones, there is one area
where the Lumia 800 scores over the competition.
Because Mango relies on Bing maps, the navigation and location services on WP phones in India are virtually nonexistent. Nokia has worked around the problem by providing Drive and Nokia maps on its phones. Both services are absolutely fantastic with Nokia Drive being one of the best navigation services currently in the country.
As far as battery life is concerned, this Mango phone lasts for around 12 to 13 hours on 3G with most of the usage consisting of web browsing, Twitter and voice calls.
Sum of it all
All said and done, there is no doubting that the Lumia 800 is the best Windows phone in the market right now. Still, at Rs 29,999, the phone is priced too closely to HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S2, Android phones with stellar app support, better hardware and lot more functionality.
PROS: Superb design, Nokia Drive, clean and refreshing Mango UI
CONS: App ecosystem not so good, no front facing camera, lacking in multimedia features
TOI RATING: 7.5
What the ratings mean
TOI uses a detailed rating system that takes into consideration various criteria such as the gadget’s build quality and design, hardware and software features, user experience and even price when reviewing phones and tablets. Points are awarded and sometimes even deducted from total scores based on this system to arrive at a final score.
Elevate Your Tech Prowess with High-Value Skill Courses
| Offering College | Course | Website |
|---|
Below 5: The product is poor and doesn’t offer the experience it promises.
5 and 6: The product works as advertised. It is functional and a safe buy.
7: The product is good; will not disappoint the buyer.
Discover the stories of your interest
9: The product is exceptional.
10: You’re kidding, right?
