To be fair to Apple, they have led the way in terms of sleek design, great number of applications, and innovative features such as the use of capacitative touch screens on a mass market mobile and so for leading the way they do deserve credit.
Originally Posted by soran:
“In my opinion, buy an Android phone if you want to use a phone the way YOU want to.
Buy an iphone if you want to use a phone the way Steve Jobs wants you too.”
However, there are some downsides too. As soran has indicated above, Apple (and Steve Jobs) have a dogmatic and idiosyncratic view towards certain applications and content such as the refusal to compromise over Adobe Flash which has led to a decreased user experience.
There is also the hideously large price tag attached to the iPhone range and, for some, £500 for a mobile is going to deter them and send them in the direction of Android mobiles. I certainly couldn't justify it (although I could afford it) and I'm quite happy with a mobile that cost below £100.
Finally, there's the ethical aspect. That pressure to deliver Apple iPhones has led to a spate of suicides in the factories that make iPhones because of the stress on the workers. Apple's response has been decidedly complacent on this issue and that's unfortunate.
Personally, if I knew that a mobile manufacturer was either using illegal kiddie labour or treating their workers harshly then I'd like to think that I wouldn't buy their product.