In a world of exploding choice, how do the many smartphone operating systems compare, side by side?
This photo gallery takes you through some of the key differences between the biggest OSes on the market.
1. Home screen: iOS vs. Android
Ease of use is one of the hallmark features of the iPhone and iOS (left). As soon as you turn on the phone, you're presented with a simple grid view of all your different apps. A quick tap of an icon and you're off and running.
You can rearrange the icons by doing a long press and then dragging it to the desired spot; iOS also supports folders so you can group similar apps together. That said, aside from the ability to change wallpapers, iOS doesn't offer much in the way of customisation out of the box.
On the other hand, the openness of Android (right) allows for a lot more customisation, not just on the user's side but on the handset manufacturers' and carriers' side as well. This is why you'll find different user experiences on Android phones, depending on whether you get an HTC handset, a Samsung phone, LG, etc.
Shown here, however, is the stock Android experience on the Samsung Nexus S 4G. Android usually offers five to seven home screens that you can personalise with various app shortcuts and widgets. There's a bit of a learning curve, but nothing to be afraid of.
Screenshot: Bonnie Cha
Talkback
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Great article but how frustrating to keep having to read ten lines or more, then have to return to the top of the page to click on NEXT. I feel quite worn out by all this page climbing...
much better to put them at the BOTTOM of the text.