A 4.3-inch Screen, At Least

Now that the iPhone 5 has a 4-inch screen, Android customers are looking for something a bit bigger. In fact, most want a device that has a display that’s larger than 4.3 inches. The Samsung Galaxy S III, for example, has a 4.8-inch display. That device also happens to be the most popular Android smartphone on the market.

Google now requires all Android vendors to bundle near-field communication into their devices. But not too many device makers or their buyers are complaining about this mandate. In fact, as more and more customers use Google Wallet or transfer files over NFC to another device, they quickly realize why it’s such a nice feature to have running on their handset.

One of the biggest issues with the Android ecosystem is that there are a host of different versions in the wild. Most of the older Android versions lack key features. That’s why consumers want to get the latest Android version in their new purchase and not waste time on the old stuff.

Today’s customers want variety. They want to be able to choose between different storage options, check out body colors, and opt for a lesser version if they want to save some cash. Most Android vendors know that and deliver a nice variety of products.

Let’s face it: just a few companies dominate the Android ecosystem. Like it or not, Samsung is dominant and Motorola and HTC are further back and that won’t change. Today’s consumers have found brands that they trust, and they’re not going anywhere else.

It seems that each week, AT&T and Verizon are trying to one-up each other with announcements on the latest cities where they have deployed 4G LTE high-speed service. Considering how prevalent LTE is, Android customers want to be able to access that network. A lack of 4G LTE support is bad news for most Android makers or for that matter wireless service providers.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 processor might not be a household name, but rest assured that every Android customer wants this chipset. The processor offers quad-core processing power and supports up to a 20-megapixel camera. The addition of a GPU on the silicon makes it a gaming powerhouse. Simply put, Qualcomm’s quad-core processor is top-notch, and clued-in customers want to buy devices with Snapdragon built in.

The Google Play marketplace is probably one of the best reasons to go with Android. The store has hundreds of thousands of apps, of course, but also features the ability to buy multimedia products, like music and video. Google Play is a great store that makes using Android just a bit better.

Next it’s important to point out the importance of integrated services in certain maker’s devices. In the Samsung’s Galaxy S III, for example, the company offers a Music Hub, People Hub and other apps that make the software experience just a bit better. Customers like that. And they’re increasingly asking for more services.

Slowly but surely, Android’s security issues are coming to the forefront. According to security firm Sophos, there were more attacks on Android devices in the third quarter than Windows PCs. Customers who are aware of the risks are imploring Google and third-party developers to deliver better security. Failing to improve Android security only spoils the value proposition of otherwise attractive devices.