Hardware Running Android Fails More Than iPhone, BlackBerry Hardware

hazytodd writes "Repairs to Android smartphones cost wireless carriers $2 billion per year according to a new year-long WDS study that tracked 600,000 support calls around the globe. Android's popularity and the introduction of a number of low-cost smartphones has put a strain on the wireless business model, WDS noted in its report. 'Deployment by more than 25 OEMs and lower-cost product coming to market is leading to higher than average rates of hardware failures and, in turn, return and repair costs.'"

Re:Bogus study

[h4rr4r]

Google has never made hardware. They contract out the making of Nexus phone the latest of which are Samsung hardware. Google owns a manufacturer but is not one.

Re:I wonder who commissioned this study

[sensei moreh]

You do know that LG is Korean, don't you?

Re:Bogus study

[Tharsman]

There is one problem with that: Google certifies every single Android phone.

They have the ability to prevent manufacturers from releasing disposable garbage, but instead they just certify it as long as the maker does not dare remove google tracking services.

So, although the manufacturer of the specific phones should be listed, Google is the one that opens the door for manufacturers to create and sell said garbage.

Re:I wonder who commissioned this study

[Anonymous Coward]

LG isn't a "no name chinese flyby night" company, it's a major player in almost every electronics category and Samsung's primary competitor - not to mention it's Korean. I have used a few different Android phones made from LG and my primary handset is an LG Revolution. They made good hardware. Also name me a single phone - or piece of electronics for that matter - that isn't manufactured by some Chinese company most people haven't heard of, including the iPhone. Oh you can't? Shut the fuck up.

Re:You get what you pay for.

[dogmatixpsych]

iPhones are overpriced? I paid $300 for an Android phone with only 1 GB built in storage. I could have purchased an iPhone for $200 (my cell phone plan is much cheaper than one with any provider who carries iPhones, which saves me money in the long-run). If you look at just the cost of the phone and not the plan (because you'll have to pay for plans with Android-based phones too), iPhones are very reasonably priced ($0, $99, or $200+).

Re:Bogus study

[Anonymous Coward]

Google only certifies that the device is compatible with the Market apps.

http://source.android.com/faqs.html#is-compatibility-mandatory

"Is compatibility mandatory?

No. The Android Compatibility Program is optional. Since the Android source code is open, anyone can use it to build any kind of device. However, if a manufacturer wishes to use the Android name with their product, or wants access to Android Market, they must first demonstrate that the device is compatible."

http://source.android.com/faqs.html#how-are-device-manufacturers-compatibility-claims-validated

"How are device manufacturers' compatibility claims validated?

There is no validation process for Android device compatibility. However, if the device is to include Android Market, Google will typically validate the device for compatibility before agreeing to license the Market client software."