The latest and greatest handsets from Apple and Android respectively are vying for your wallet, but each offer a different experience/cost.

The Nexus 4 is undoubtably a cheap/great value handset. It costs over a third less than the iPhone. Yet the pain of ordering and receiving one is widely documented as painful and hit or miss. Many people who ordered on first day of release, still haven’t received their phone, and Google cant tell them when or where it is. The MD of Google UK has even apologised. Also, to sell a handset at such a low price , quality components in some areas are missing. If they can’t get the selling right, then the after sales service will also be fractured. I have experienced this when I tried to buy a Nexus 7 and kept receiving faulty units which became impossible to return and receive a refund.

The iPhone 5 is a work or art. It is also a mortgage when it comes to purchasing. But what is you get is a no holds bar piece of engineering excellence. However, unlike Google you have the best customer service experience, either online, via the telephone or in the bricks and mortar stores. Apple also provide training, both free and paid on all their devices so you get the most out of it. Also, if you buy in store, they help set it up so it’s ready to go. Superb for beginners. And then there is the sales. Even if its out of stock, you still get an estimation of delivery, which is normally accurate. This weekend Apple sold 2m handsets in China. Huge. By the end of this year, the iPhone 5 will be selling in over 100 countries. Just think of the logistics required.

So, question is would you buy a Nexus 4 or pay more for the iPhone 5 based on the experience from purchase to end of use ?