Lately, you can read almost everywhere about the fail and death of Symbian mobile operative system. Apple iOS, Android or even Microsoft Windows Phone are now in better terms with blogs and press. Despite the loss of market share, Symbian phones are still having a good number of sales. Sure, there are a lots of things Nokia can do to improve the system, but now, I want to give you ten reasons why I think Symbian is still better than its natural rival, Android.
- Price. Android phones need more processor power and internal memory, so they save money on other materials and components. With the same amount of money, you can buy a Symbian phone with better materials and hardware features than any Android device.
- GPS. Ovi Maps are far better than Google Maps. It is not needed to be on-line to use Ovi Maps, and you can get guided voice directions anywhere in the world.
- Camera. Usually, Android phones do not have dedicated camera buttons, including the controls on the touch screen. Sensors, optics and overall camera, video and picture quality are worse than their Nokia counterparts.
- Battery life. Symbian was designed for a low energy consumption. Symbian smartphones have a better battery life than Android ones.
- No data plan required. Today it is becoming more and more common to contract data service to use it on your smartphone. Symbian devices can be used in this way, with a permanent connection, but it is not needed, you still can use most of it without one. Android phones are more “internet” directed devices, almost every Google service needs a connection.
- Form factor. There is little difference among Android models, vast majority are touch screen phones. Nokia Symbian catalogue has touch screen models, sliders, full qwerty and every usual form factor you need.
- Support. You do not buy an Android phone. You buy a Samsung, HTC or a Huawei device, and guarantee and support are done by those companies. Nokia has the best support service worldwide.
- Fragmentation. There are different Android versions, sometimes with overlaying manufacturer or network operator software. This fragmentation makes difficult for programmers to adapt their creations to different screen sizes or Android versions. As a result, you can buy and download a non working program from Android Market to your phone.
- Privacy. Android ‘with Google’, includes the usual Google apps. This company already has a lot of personal information from its users derived from the search engine. I am afraid to give Google, or any other big company, my mobile information: search, mail or location. With Symbian you are not relying so much on Nokia, for example, I have the option to use Ovi Store without having an Ovi email account.
Eldar Murtazin from Mobile Review has made some comments on Twitter I would like to add and answer. Eldar tweets are quoted:
“Let me say that half of this points aren’t valid. Bom is the same. Nokia using cheaper materials etc”
“Nokia used old hw only by economic reason. Up to date hw to costy for them. C7 cam is another example.”
-I partially agree, I would like to see better materials used, specially on supposed high-end models.
“Failure rate for Nokia is higher than in previous years. 15% nowadays and still growing. Was 5% in 2007. Warranty isn’t working good”
-Sad to hear that. My experience, until now, is good. I’m talking about devices quality and Nokia Care service points.
“Fragmentation of Android. Hmmm. What about symbian fragmentation? Why not count new models with s1, s3 and also non touch devices? ”
-Symbian is also fragmented, there are S60 v3, S60 v5 and Symbian^3 on sale now. But Android fragmentation is worse for the final user. Even an Android ‘with Google’ does not assure you will have no problems with third party applications. Manufacturer software layers add more problems to firmware upgrades.
“I always think that more alternatives is better than one choice. With android you have more devices, UI etc”
-I really like how Android is a perfect motivation for a better Nokia. I also think it is better for consumers to have more options. But it is also true that there is a lot of hype around Android, and that needs to stop.
I’m sorry but this post is absolutely insane. I responded. http://munkimatt.com/re-10-reasons-why-symbian-is-better-than-andr
android sucks:-)
Alvarez del Vayo add more reasons in this post:
-Multitasking: both systems are multitasking but Symbian is more intuitive and you can close programs without the need of a third party application.
-Audio and video: default audio and video players are better in Symbian. Just a few Androids have tv-out.
-PC integration: Android is well integrated into the cloud but not with the PC. Synchronization with desktop PC is not as easy as on Symbian.
Hi Folks
Symbian is shit. You must sign every prog. this you want install. You should hack it first, then it´s ok, but not good.
Know anyone, how I can change it, to another soft? Please help me, because I don´t like it(symbian).
Thanks!!!
look Daniel thats a very unwise comment because you can hack your phone to avoid that(since you want be installing hacked apps)you have to sign symbian apps only when you didn’t get from the original producer – those apps are usually cracked and therefore need a valid certificate to work on your phone, but when you download apps from ovi store do you ever have to sign those apps?- NO!or if you actually buy the apps you won’t be having this problem – so if you want fee stuff then thats a small price to pay.
i completely agree with you. and till now i have not countered any post problems of hacking. If someone needs everything ready, then go and buy the application.
Just sign it online on http://www.cer.opda.cn/eng Bitch!
I am a symbian fan but still i would say that this post sucks!
using of android is like a curry that doesn’t added a salt.
I just want to say something…if you look into the past 10 years…there was no other mobile os before symbian. therefore, whether its android,ios,bada,rim..or whatever new mobile os…symbian started it all…they all copied from symbian…for me…symbian is always better than others…symbian was the trendsetter..and nokia has the most valuable phone..
I’m totally agree with you Awin
Be practical guys, and dont politize it.. why don’t you help some in choosing a better OS’,
if you don’t like symbian then don’t hate it..
It’s just like the old story “the fox and d grape”
Hi all,
I am using the E7-00 since June. Who dont know, E7′s OS is Symbian^3 and that works in average well, but with lots of consecutives freezing. That is demotivating, after you payed around 500 Euros for it.
I just wish Nokia would scrap symbian altogether, meego is the future, or so it would be if I ran things
Symbian is better an better
symbian os is only one phone that nokia but anriod os is on all the phone in chaina mobile also
I wish Android OS never exist in this world.
I’M AGREE WITH YOU but there’re lot of things missing in your post, i’m using symbian from nokia 7610 now i’ve nokia N8 and i’ve experienced following thing in symbian which is far far better then android
Well i still think that symbian is better then android, symbian application is easily available on net, and double touch(touch to select touch to open) of nokia is also a good feature as most of the the single touch proves irritating , you just touch and bang your file opened now you close its just irritating, you can download mobile shell for multiscreen , cracked sbp mobile shell is easily available, nokia symbian can be hard formatted easily, you can create folders in the menu to arrange your application , you can remove any application from any where, there are lot of start up applications like black list, email client, etc. now you can change your default applications like browser or music or video player. one more thing that YOU CAN SEND ANY DUMP APPLICATION VIA BLUETOOTH TO OTHER COMPATIBLE SYMBIAN DEVICE,
autofocus camera is not available but it ain’t matters you can purchase good camera for your purpose, by the way who uses camera of mobile frequently.