When you buy a new handset, it will already have a pre-installed operating system on it. There are many different operating systems out there and they all work differently, but in some cases they can determine which phone a consumer buys. This is because no two are the same and there are noticeable differences, unless youve just bought a handset that has an OS thats been updated (For example, the Gingerbread OS may have been updated to the Ice Cream Sandwich).
If youre really not sure theres much difference between each of the operating systems, or you dont mind which OS comes with your shiny new phone, then you should feel free to buy whatever phone you please. Alternatively if you would rather use a phone that hosts your favourite OS, you may have to buy a specific handset.
If your mobile OS is important to you, you may be interested to know that the top 10 best mobile OSs are so you can compare them. Below you will see Ive compiled a list of the top 10, lets see if you agree with it.
1. Google Android OS
The Google Android Operating system is the most popular on the planet. Not only does it work very well, but its also open source software too. Originally created by Android Inc., Google decided to swiftly pay for it and have made a few very good changes since. With more than 700,000 apps available via Google Play (The app market), you can just about find any app you want. There are a lot of Android updates every year, and the current one (at the time of writing) is the Jelly Bean update, which is shortly to be replaced by the Key Lime Pie.
Most new handsets will come with the latest update, but if they dont most handsets will allow consumers the chance to update it themselves. This will have to be done manually via your phones menu.
2. Apple iOS
Just as I was surprised, you may be very surprised to learn the Apple iOS is down in second place. If you own an iPhone or an iPad, you will not doubt be familiar with this very easy to use operating system. Unlike the Android OS, the iOS is not open source, as Apple wish to have full control over it, and quite rightly so. This OS is fast, its powerful and its a pleasure to use. If you have an iPhone, you may be fortunate enough to be offered the very next iOS update if you have a relatively new handset. Updates will usually be sent automatically on the latest model, but you may have to wait for it to be offered to you on slightly older handsets.
3. BlackBerry
If youre a fan of Blackberry handsets, you will be pleased to know this manufacturer is now coming back stronger than ever before. For a while Research In Motion, who decided to change their name to Blackberry, were looking a bit worse for wear, but after picking themselves up and dusting themselves off, they seem to be back in the land of the living.
The Blackberry OS is quite a good one if you want something to work smoothly for you, but if you happen to be a developer, you will have the chance to create some Blackberry apps by visiting the Blackberry Developer Site. Featuring Blackberry world, you can download a wide range of apps to suit your needs.
4. Firefox OS
When Firefox first appeared, it was a desktop browser, but now it has moved on to a much bigger market. The Firefox OS is open platform, which means it doesnt have the rules and regulations that some other operating systems have. This OS is however used by some of the worlds most famous websites, Facebook, Twitter and eBay, so it must be pretty good.
5. Windows 8
Used specifically on PCs when it first came out, Windows has grown and developed since then. Now Windows 8 has hit the market and its proving somewhat of a success. The unique user interface and ease of use makes Windows 8 a very popular OS. There are literally thousands of apps for you to download should you wish, and if youre a bit of a developer, you may want to make use of the Windows Dev Center.
6. Symbian OS
Even though the company closed in 2012, this was one of the best operating systems for a while. Used by Nokia, Symbian was a completely royalty free and open source OS. In the last few years of its life Symbian decided to become a licensed product, which may have been its downfall.
7. Ubuntu Mobile
With the ability to run Ubuntu alongside Windows, this OS is simple and theres also a touch of elegance about it too. Providing a range of resources for developers, this OS is hoping to be able to compete with the big OSs very soon.
8. Tizen OS
Previously known as LiMo, this operating system is used on smart TVs, phones and even tablets. The good news for Tizen is that Samsung has been thinking about moving from its current OS to Tizen, which could really see it take off and hit our smartphones by the end of 2013.
9. BREW OS
Primarily a development platform that was created by Qualcomm, this lesser known operating system has been created to be used with CDMA mobile phones, which are primarily used in the United States. Users can create apps with this operating system, but you will need a CDMA mobile phone before you do.
10. Bada OS
Used by Samsung, Bada is the platform for their smartphones. Older devices used a Bada operating system. But newer models now run on the increasingly popular Android platform. There are still some older phones out there that use Bada, and they work perfectly well, theyre just not as up to date as some Samsung users may like.
Phil Turner needed to buy a phone that had a good mobile OS. He researched websites like uSwitch for more information.
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