yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Phone 7 General] Michael_W_L:
I am currently in this dilemma, so I just wanted to put my thoughts out there(not trying to start a flame war here) and also (hopefully) get some thoughts from current wp7 users.

My biggest deterrent from wp7 is device quality, all the manufacturers seem to have been very careful not to step on MS's toes for the start, though MWC may change that(hopefully the new devices would be different from the same system and we may see tegra 2 or the new MSM chip, which looks absolutely amazing I must add)

The things that attract me specifically to the OS is the new UI, as it is finally a shift from the more symbian type of UI.

The downside is that some of the parts of the OS are unfinished, no threaded messages, socket support is a no show. Simply put, as it is now, it is amazing BUT, it is also flawed.

Android now has a far more mature OS which is feature complete. But the UI is still very similar to the old main menu with a grid of icons. Yes, there are widgets but, it can get a bit cluttered and, unlike the current symbian, they can be in different styles.

Hardware on the otherhand is absolutely amazing, the nexus s would easily go up there as a device of choice!

Obviously fragmentation is an issue, look at the galaxy s which will probably take 6 months to get 2.3 (nexus s will not have this issue). Wp7 still has to prove itself in this department.

Apps is once again a maturity argument, though I do want to support luma arcade ( South African devs) and the fact that I know c# means that I could make something myself is a plus side.

That bit though was just opinion.

In the end it is pretty much looking to be device quality that is keeping me away from wp7 though. If all goes to plan it will be a platform that can hang with Android in terms of usability, though it still needs a bit to get there.

Android on the other hand has basically only one device that would intrest me as I wouldn't want to be left out of the official loop.

I know that xda does cook roms for Android devices, but I like that to be a secondary option(once again opinion)

To explain my thoughts I think I need to add what I am using now as a phone.

Nokia 5800 Xpressmusic with C6 firmware as a base. Then I took a whole bunch of other mods and cooked them into my own personal firmware.

I don't have the experience( or at this moment need) to make my own mods.

I like tweaking it to get the best performace and usability while still looking as good as possible and am very willing to sacrifice a looks for usability.

(Once again I really just want this to be an outsiders view on choosing between the two)

EDIT: Looks like I was wrong in that threaded messaging does exist on wp7, just not in email.
[Windows Phone 7 General] eternalemb:
Gee, only the fifth thread this week on the exact same subject. Despite there being a thread right above it aptly titled Android vs WP7.
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
Whatever you can afford and makes you happy my friend. Go for it. These are exciting times.
[Windows Phone 7 General] zukа:
Just to correct one point you made, there are currently threaded messages in WP7 and they work great.

I've used both android and wp7 and I prefer wp7, but it's probably because I hate having to get custom roms etc. I spent literally tens of hours attempting to customise my android device to my liking but never managed it. In my opinion, the wp7 homescreen gives me all the info i need at a glance - better than I could ever make my android handset.

But it sounds like you like to tinker and customise, so I'm not sure if WP7 will be able to keep you interested for the long haul until custom roms become available

Use what you think will work best for you, in the end, i reckon both are great OSes
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
i believe he was referring to email threading.

if you have time to wait, see what gets announced at MWC. there is rumour of some pretty big stuff coming, but who knows if its just minor software/more hardware.
[Windows Phone 7 General] doministry:
Android gives more options in many ways today.

I had the same dillema but have chosen different solution: I stay with WinMo for some time.

Because I can't stand Android UI. Really.Too much candy.

I bought WP7 just today and WHAT IS there, is outstanding.

Problem is many things are missing so far, so knowing my scenario I don't imagine beeing able to rely only on this.

But the WP7 experience is just amazing.
[Windows Phone 7 General] blues01:
You like to tinker with your phone then I think you better suit with Android.

I'm afraid if you buy WP7 now, you will be disappointed.
[Windows Phone 7 General] sketchy9:
This about sums it up. Are there features missing in WP7? Absolutely. I won't get into it here, check out out one of the flame wars in the other threads. BUT...what WP7 does, it does exceptionally well. You need to decide if you can live with its shortcomings. If you can't, then get another platform. If you can, then definitely get WP7. It will blow you away. But that's a big "if", and be certain about it. Do your research and make an informed decision or end up like one of the disgruntled curmudgeons in this forum.

-R
[Windows Phone 7 General] Michael_W_L:
Thank you for all the replies, I think waiting a month or two to see what happens won't kill me.

For living with shortcomings of an operating system, I use symbian on old hardware and actually enjoy it so, I can easily survive a missing feature or two in return for performance.

Info at a glance is a great thing, and when I tinkered on the emulator it seemed as if it had depth to it as well ( my iPod touch on the other hand has the depth of a puddle in a drought, : none)

These are exiting times indeed! Now I just read another article implying nokia might make wp7 phones. That would be very intresting indeed.
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
yea, though i think it will be quite some time before this happens but who knows. anyways, what i'd suggest is just head to your local store and see if you can play with one, check out the messaging, people, photos, xbox, zune, and office hubs and see what the phone is all about. but yes there are missing features. another 7 or 8 months isn't the best thing to wait for, but aye, we waited this long and i'm happy with what i got.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Michael_W_L:
Well, no stores have stock in South Africa. It is a special order, which would mean that I would anyway import my own at a lower cost.

But you are right. Being able to use the device itself would be the best thing.
[Windows Phone 7 General] mmelo76:
Although we already have this thread: [Q] Telefone Android x Windows 7?

As it closed due to flames and many wars, I'll leave this thread open and the [Q] Telefone Android x Windows 7? closed up permanently.

Just be careful not to turn this new thread in flame and war, because if that happens, I'll close this and any that begin to compare the two OS.
[Windows Phone 7 General] lumpaywk:
might just be easier to ban tomhierl from wp7 threads and you would clear up 90% of the abuse and flames in one hit.

As to the original question it really depends on what you want from the phone as they are no a direct competition for each other other than both being smart phones.

Android is amazing for openess features customization but lacks in style smoothness apps that take advantage of the power on most devices (still feel old but work ok) and its music ability is pretty dire.

WP7 plus is its style smoothness use of hubs (you have to use them to realize how great they are (and no the fact that other phones mix up you contacts and facebook is not the same thing)) its music features are far beyond anything on the market inc iphone in fact makes iphone look old in this area and its xbox live integration (there is already a cross platform mulit-player game in the market and thats just a sign of whats to come) what you do lack is certain features some high end users need like tethering and mass storage etc

So the question shouldnt be what one is best but what one is best for you, I say go try a demo of wp7 it really is something new and refreshing.
[Windows Phone 7 General] mmelo76:
lumpaywk, I understand what you're saying.

However I believe people can mature and improve.

Although the user that you commented cause flames, other users who respond to provocation are as guilty as he.

If only one claim and ignore the others and tells moderation, it's easy, go there and issue a ban.

Now when a user calls and the others start a fight, what can I do? Ban for everyone? Of course not.

As I reported in other forums, I always try to clarify my views on the subject and then put the warning.

Thereafter, any user who does not heed the advice, either by starting a fight or to continue it, will be issued an infraction, not accepting and continuing in error, then a ban.

I always try to guide and give some chance, only if he do not understand this and I'll ban is persisting.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Tone_:
You are probably right but try putting tomheirl and troll into google - I think the results speak for themselves.
[Windows Phone 7 General] mmelo76:
Excuse me. But I can only temper what is done on the XDA and I am notified.

can not run the risk of being influenced by research done on google. Though reliable, can highlight only one side of the story of the people, perhaps the worst.

I prefer to follow my systematic already established and that is getting results. Nor am I the only one moderator, and can be advised by other Comite or Seniors, so I must restrict myself to what I see here on XDA forum, without external reference!

Still, I appreciate your help and research, will certainly be very useful for all of us in moderation!
[Windows Phone 7 General] cenkaetaya:
i first played with wp7 in the store, and it felt totally not for me

however under the pressure of getting something new, i still got the wp7 cuz it was different.

now i LOVE it, really, in some ways the custumization is super limited, but its not that needed. the ui really works so well that yes you feel bored having only it, but it just works too well to have anything else.

my main gripe is the crappy media player

i cant search a specific song, no playing by folders, no nice list to play from.

its total crap, i cant wait till they release a normal player that can just play a list of music from a folder, and i can search a specific song i want.

how the hell am i supposed to play a mix cd i downloaded with 15 different artists on it?

by finding them 1 at a time through album or artist.

**** like this pisses me off

including the ZUNE SOFTWARE will not allow you to play music by folders

i literally have NO way to listen to a cd that has all different names in it.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Michael_W_L:
Something I can actually help with!

For this, you would have to make sure(obviously) that the cd has all it's tags for the same album. If not, then just make an album called mix cd 1 or something and put all the songs in that.

OR

Make a playlist with those songs in and sync.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Titus_Andronicus:
I was reading that MS will control updates, not relying on the service providers. I think that is a very good thing. My HTC Vogue never got a single update from Bell. However, HTC did have updates, I just had to go find them. If MS maintians control, updates should reach the users much faster.
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
though there is no direct search, under music, go across to songs and use the letter blocks for quick jumps to the song you want to play (as if you would in the people's hub).

I haven't done so myself, but based on what I see in the playlists section, you should be able to make playlists off Zune Desktop, and sync the playlist to your phone. this should help, but yea there is no direct "play folder", but if you have the tags setup as mentioned before, they appear in albums, or create a playlist. But i think they need to improve it a bit more so you can create a playlist on the phone too.
[Windows Phone 7 General] veli69:
I am also curious about WP7. I have android and I love it. I was a big windows mobile fan despite having to reboot my phone daily and I have used Apple IOS and even symbian.

The last thread was full of fan boys I want a comparison of some one who has used both phones for more then a day.

I really want to know what WP7 offers that android doesnt, what it does better.

I dont care about UI differences they are cosmetic.

I got the HTC Incredible over Windows Mobile 6.5 in part because of the higher resolution and increased colors of the screen. I waited YEARS for a US phone that was VGA and watched as Microsoft did nothing with windows mobile.

That being said these are great times we live in (Returns to playing samurai showdown on his phone)
[Windows Phone 7 General] nicksti:
Here is the best advice that can be given when presented with any choice:

1. Assess your needs.

2. Compare the options.

3. Do your research.

4. Try before you buy.

The biggest selling point about Windows Phone is the uniqueness in which it presents information to the user. The biggest drawback is its lack of customization. Every OS from inception has had missing features. Windows Phone has features the others do not have, yet we are not saying Android is missing these features.

I am quite happy with a black background. I am quite have with boring tiles. I love the idea of being able to turn on my phone and see everything I need to know right there. And to activate my camera from sleep with a single button press.

We all have different needs.
[Windows Phone 7 General] ajay003:
I've been a iphone 3GS, iphone 4 and Galaxy S user and now I'm using WP7. With all due respect to IOS and Android, WP7 brings something fresh which is not seen in these platforms. WP7 is more of integration, context based approach than App centric like the rest. I've loved iPhone and Android but WP7 is absolutely the best in my opinion and I can't stop raving about it. I will end my post by saying try it to believe it :)
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
3 years from now the UI will be blah, exactly how IOS is now. Its just different.
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
isn't that sort of like anything you get though? regardless of what it is, having it for a while everything will be blah? :P
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
Exactly, that's why I look beyond the looks. Im already tired of my ladys phone. I wish there was a option to disable it all together.
[Windows Phone 7 General] doministry:
Well to be honest one of the things is the UI which is really different and it is quite important. I mean it is clean and very helpful. After using it I discovered how uncomfortable Android was for me. I still like WM.

But what does it better? Probably some cloud stuff, Office - it has built in, One Note, I think Email is better, keyboard probably a little bit too. And I think the homescreen concept is much better.

But alot of it can be resolved in Android by 3rd party apps.

Currently Android can do more in some respects. I just couldn't stand it, but if you don't care about looks and any comfort aspect - maybe you should stay.

@vetvito

Sorry but it's like "invalid" argument. I mean EVERY UI gets old. The same on computers.

However simple and minimalistic look of WP will help it to stay for some time...
[Windows Phone 7 General] Finland_2_Cupertino:
Android forum comparing android and wp7....... Idk maybe its me but you might want to find somewhere less pro android. Jus saying like the other forum with a H.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Michael_W_L:
Blegh >_< ok does anyone here use msn? Comparing the IM between both (current apps, not future potential)

Simply put. How is the performance? The standard client here in South Africa is called mxit, but last time I checked, no wp7 support and no widget for Android : /
[Windows Phone 7 General] N8ter:
Hopefully Microsoft makes a first party Android client. I reckon the wp7 client will come soon. The iOS clint looks fabulous.

If GTalk wasn't so barebones I would use it more. No file xfer or voice/video. No typing or delivery notifications. I use sms/mms a lot now due to no 1st party man and the way android im clients demolish ur battery.
[Windows Phone 7 General] blues01:
I agree with you, in 3 years time frame, every UI will be boring.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Prinzessin Horst:
My main problem with WP7 is that my gmail account is not supported like in android.

Under android i can change labels and choose from what email adress i want to send the mail.

No choice at all under WP7.

Under android i see all my calendars (i have four).

No way with WP7... only one calendar is supported.

The rest of WP7 is superb.

The responsiveness is awesome and the keyboard great (better than the iphone imho)

The tiles are a cool experience.

Android seems more like WM6.5. A bit laggy all the time.

Feels like a turbocharged engine... first there is the turbo lag then off it goes ;)

If WP7 gets a better support for gmail it would be the OS of my choice.

For the moment i stay with my HD2 and a well ported android 2.2
[Windows Phone 7 General] rruffman:
You keep speaking about proformance but i do not think there is a android phone out there now that is as fast as a samsung focus, hd7, omnia7 the fact that the android has a larger processor does not equate into a better or faster phone the true fact is android need all this extra power just to keep up..
[Windows Phone 7 General] orangekid:
Actually WP7 phones and Android phones use some of the same processors, and I guarantee you a Nexus S will outperform an HD7 any day of the week.

they are too different to try to say which one is "faster" since you can optimize android in so many different ways.
[Windows Phone 7 General] GrandArcher:
Please enough of praising Windows phone 7 for UI and its speed. Who cares really ? Take old nokia and it will be twice as fast if you just want to make calls.

Lets compare functionality ! Thats what is interesing !

People here said I cant upload on windows phone my own files. Does it mean I would't be able to upload and read PDF and TXT files I store on my computer ?
[Windows Phone 7 General] orangekid:
you can, but it's not as easy as just plugging in your phone and moving it to the disk, you have to upload it to the cloud then download it on your phone. or email it to yourself, etc...
[Windows Phone 7 General] GrandArcher:
Its not that nice if I have some PDF manual 60mb in size and so-so internet connection.

But anyway after I use those tricks, could I use those files with 3rd party applications ? They will be accessible on memory card. Right ?
[Windows Phone 7 General] nrfitchett4:
Really??? The reviews on the nexus are not that good so far...

If a 3rd party application needs access, it will have access, but what 3rd party application needs access to a pdf besides a pdf reader??
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
^What reviews have you been reading?
[Windows Phone 7 General] Cruzer1:
Put it this way, Nexus S has the better SoC than any WP7 handset. But you don't base it on the SoC alone. WP7 devices are smoother and faster than any Android phone out atm because it has been optimised from the SoC to the software. Nexus S (along with every other Galaxy S device) imo is a waste of good hardware. Android isn't optimised for the devices, making little use of the good hardware. Apps/games also don't take full advantage because of the Android market and its fragmented hardwares. As for the new tegra2 powered LG handset.... what a waste of good hardware.
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
^ Android is a generic OS, its up to the OEM to provide these optimizations. Some of them are actively optimizing Android for their devices look at the EVO, and look at the recent Samsung Galaxy S leaks. How is it a waste of good hardware when it gets the job done? 2.3 is made for media and gaming.

fragmentation is because Android is generic, anyone can produce a piece of hardware and throw Android on it.
[Windows Phone 7 General] Cruzer1:
It's a waste of good hardware because the hardware isn't being used to it's true potential. Galaxy S' SGX540 supposedly pushes about 90million triangles/sec, iP4/iPad/3GS' SGX535 pushes about 28million, where as Adreno200 on WP7 handsets push about 22million. Show me one game that looks better on the Galaxy S than on listed apple products and WP7 devices? I don't see EVO's here in Australia, but considering it's just a CDMA version of the SoC found in WP7 devices (and HTC Desire which is pretty popular here in Australia) then comparing WP7 to a Desire, WP7 is ALOT smoother and faster, my mate who even flashed his Desire agree's.

And thats the downer of Android, the fact that anyone can produce a peice of hardware and throw the OS on it. OEM's will try and make as much money on the platform by throwing in low end hardware just to make a cheap device for consumers to buy. When the consumer finds out that performance is crap, they'll tend to blame the OS not the hardware (sounds like winmo).

I believe 2.3 will see performance increases, but again, not every existing device will be officially upgraded to it, and thats the thing that turns off the average joe, they have to learn to flash their devices which most can't be bothered to. Oem's can spend time optimising their hardware, but look how long it took the Galaxy S to officially get froyo.... here in oz, about a month before 2.3 is officially released... Thats the downside of a free, fragmented OS.
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
The games look the same on all platforms, because they are the same(games available on all platforms). No one wins there. WP7 a lot smoother, ok, how can one tell minus the transitions. Don't mention browsing, because if you disable a lot of stuff on Android, flash, reflow, change ua to desktop, etc.. it smooths out a lot. I highly doubt the average Joe even cares. Wp7 faster, how? Are you counting with the transitions? Wanna load the exact same game on WP7, Android, IOS, and WebOS and see who is faster? Want to open the messaging app, make a call from dialer, etc. Yeah WP7 faster at snapping a photo, but's that's about it.

OEM's make money by selling hardware not updates. You would do the same. Average Joe doesn't flash their phones, average Joe doesn't care about updates.

Average Joe doesn't even know what Snapdragon is, they probably think its a dance. ;)
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
and i think to some degree, OEMs can get sales by putting in newer specs because people get overloaded with figures, and doesn't really realise that a different OS on a lower spec'ed device can outperform it, as they merely saw that number being higher, they assume it's better.

but back to the point... has the OP worked out what he wants?
[Windows Phone 7 General] vetvito:
^ That's true. Here is a helper:
[Windows Phone 7 General] The Gate Keeper:
that old chart again... it was created before the phone was even released... a couple of clarifications for that now...

1. it does have partial multi tasking in the way that zune and web browser both run in the background.

2. unified inbox (how about separate inbox? some like unified, others like separate... why don't they list that option too?)

3. removable storage is generally a no which is true, but then again you have the samsung focus.

4. app store is beyond 4,200 now

and i think a couple of these will change as well when it comes to the update... but what about the additional features like dedicated camera button, information on the lock screen, four square integration (on samsung devices), and fm radio for examples.

but i'm not disputing that it doesn't have a lot of features which i hope MS are looking at as well and jacking up.

edit: video calling for iOS is wifi only, and only to other iPhone 4's... so it's not really fully supported. that's what i don't like about those types of charts, they like to provide a quick gloss over, but leave out important details which would easily leave the end user misinformed of the product they buy (or didn't buy as a result). that and possible additional costs for the same service (they just say third party... but don't state anything about quality or functionality of each).