Status of Mobile OS's
Here is a quick summary of the major popular mobile operating systems in the market right now:
Amazon Fire OS is a version of Android that doesn't quite match up with Android. It only supports applications in the Amazon App Store, so there is no Google App support. But if you are immersed in the Amazon platform, you may enjoy this... That's a major "may". I can see the use of the Fire OS in tablets but not for phones.
Windows Mobile has Nokia. That's about it... I say this because Nokia may have the best camera hardware and software in the industry. Besides that, the two major mobile OS's have major advantages over Windows. HTC is even porting itss Android HTC One to Windows... I think manufacturers are giving Windows Mobile little time and effort, just like the consumers. The negative reviews for Windows 8 certainly does not help its mobile reputation. It's really disappointing knowing that a true Nokia flagship phone may never happen on Android.
Now to the powerhouses. Android and iOS 8. While they are quite different in their interfaces , they have very similar functionality. They both allow users of majority services to use either without much sacrifice unlike Windows and Fire OS (Streaming applications, Dropbox, Google Apps). iOS 8 did a ton of catching up with Android (application interactions, notifications, third-party keyboards, NFC); we will have to see if Android Release L will advance their platform.
But to be honest, average users don't really lose anything between Android and iOS. If you are invested in one of the platforms, you probably will lean that way just because it makes sense in easiness and financially.
Advantages of Android include widgets, better Google Now accessibility, larger device selection (can be a negative too), NFC (beyond just mobile payments), Chromecast mirroring, tends to be cheaper than iOS devices, more open platform.
Advantages of iOS include the Apple platform (iTunes, iCloud), TouchID, camera software, easy and simple device selection, OSX interconnect. You also get the Apple brand.
Here is the iPhone 6 Plus in my hands:
It felt much nicer than I had expected it to but it was still has big as I expected.