4 reasons that I personally think that I'm going to leave Apple for good this year

[cmiller4642]

I have had some Android phones in the past, and then I always switch back and forth, but I think that the X is going to be my last iPhone unless they break the mold again one day with a revolutionary device. I'm not trying to bash Apple here, but I'm giving some of my personal reasons for why I'm ready to cut ties.

1. The iPhone is just too expensive (the X is the max that I would ever pay for a device, and IMO it's not worth it). I literally could have gotten a Pixel 2 XL, a Note 8 (a ridiculously expensive phone to begin with), or an S9+ for cheaper than my X. You could make a case for the 8, but the 8 is the lesser model and the X is the iPhone you want for 2018.

2. I miss having Google integrated directly into my hardware. Say what you want about privacy issues or whatever but Siri is just a terrible voice assistant, and it looks like Apple is fine with the way she runs.

3. My MacBook is getting dated, and I honestly don't see a compelling reason to spend $1,000 dollars on a laptop that can't do PC gaming like I want. I'm not into video editing, and I use Google Chrome as my primary browser.

4. I just honestly don't want to be tied down to one tech company going forward. If I permanently made the switch to Android/Windows I could get by with having Alexa or Google Home as my smart speaker in the future, I can move to Spotify and have it work on all of my devices, I can use different headphones rather than Airpods and Beats and get full functionality, and the list goes on and on and on. It's not that I hate Apple at all (I love my iPhone and my MacBook honestly), it's that I just don't want to be tied down to one company that I know is always going to have the most expensive items on the market. I'm getting to the point where I think that cutting edge tech should be getting cheaper. Look at Echo (much more functional) vs Home Pod (not as functional) $99 vs $349. Apple is just going to remain expensive because they're Apple and that's fine, but for me I'm looking at items that have the same functionality that are half as cheap.

I just think that I'm either going to get a Pixel 3 XL or maybe wait until early next year and the get the Galaxy S10. I'm probably also going to get a Surface Pro or a good Windows Laptop to replace my MacBook/iPad. I'll see how I feel in the Autumn, but right now I'm kind of regretting going with the X over the S9+ or Pixel 2XL

 

[AllergyDoc]

Sounds like you’ll be happy on Android and Windows. Good luck.

 

[cmiller4642]

Sounds like you’ll be happy on Android and Windows. Good luck.

There are downsides to the 2 platforms as well, so it's kind of hard decision where I'm 50/50 on one side or the other.

I hate bloatware, I hate not getting the latest OS on my phone right away, I hate the way that Windows gets laggy after a while (although I haven't used it for over 5 years, so maybe 10 isn't as bad), I hate the way I can't get text messages on my laptop like I can with my MacBook and iPhone. It's just a double edged sword of features vs functionality.
[doublepost=1522690545][/doublepost]I would have to note that the Pixel 3 XL to win me over from possibly going with the Note 9/S10 or sticking with the iPhone is going to have to have some things done to it:

Little to no bezels and wireless charging are the biggest things. Those are what kept the Pixel 2XL out of my hands this go around. It just feels like 2015 phone with 2017 specs.

 

[5105973]

I’m hoping for Apple to turn things around. They have the money and resources to be so much more awesome than they are and it’s maddening.

I’m planning to always check out the rumors. I can’t guarantee I’ll always be active on this site. I did leave for a year before and may wander off again, but this site is my favorite morning coffee read.

But I feel Apple has been a bit untrustworthy of late. There was the whole thing with the batteries. A friend of mine almost really got screwed over with that. The news broke just in time and she then knew to just replace her battery instead of her whole danged phone that had gone completely batpoop after she updated to iOS 11.

They took away the headphone jack and tried to sell it as “courage” and “the future” and claimed they needed space and it would help with waterproofing. But Samsung manages to keep the headphone jack and keep the phones slim and waterproof. Teardowns revealed they didn’t even use the space saved at first. It is all too easy to suspect the whole move was just to sell more wireless Beats and AirPods. And the customer gets inconvenienced and left with one less option.

I just didn’t like the smell of the stuff they were shoveling to sell us on that decision. Also, many people pointed out this isn’t exactly an environmentally friendly move, which kind of makes Apple look a bit hypocritical on that front as well.

And then, well I have my doubts that they only ever meant to come out just with Face ID no matter what Hairforce One claims. Something about that just doesn’t ring true and some folks here swear they heard talk from Apple peeps to the contrary. Yeah that’s just hearsay, but it wouldn’t shock me if it were true. There’s just enough sheen of malarkey floating around from Apple these days that it’s easier to be more cynical about these things now.

I think they did know it was going to be cool, but I think they meant to also give us in-display Touch ID. I think a couple of things happened though to change the course of things. The bad news: they couldn’t get Touch ID to work in the display. They admitted that. What they won’t admit is that it was ever an important goal for them. The good news: Face ID didn’t suck. I’m sure they were relieved and sacrificed a few pocket calculators to the technology gods in thanks for that.

But when they couldn’t pull in-display Touch ID off, they went too far in my book by dissing the whole concept to the point they’d look like doofuses if they were to try to offer it now. And they also relegated other forms of Touch ID to the scrap heap of history. Which again leaves the customer with one less option. Such arrogance. Bah. It’s also a savvy marketing ploy to plant the idea that manufacturers who do still offer Touch ID and headphone jacks are dated and living in the past.

Pfft. I’m no sheep and I ain’t buying that marketing crap. I know what I like. I know what I want. I’m not paying more for fewer options or options that cost more to have and insure, but do only the same damn thing I did with the older refined and economical technology.

With Android you know somebody is going to try and give you everything and the kitchen sink. I’m very happy so far with my S9+. And Android OS just kept getting more smooth and reliable since I started trying it in the Marshmallow days.

Meanwhile so much of my time now is spent troubleshooting iOS shenanigans for myself and the kids. There’s some weird bugs happening to my kids’ iMessages I can’t even begin to sort out.

I also am tired of being channeled into an ecosystem that’s grown increasingly sloppy and less elegant and less user friendly. It’s confusing for a family with an iPhone 7 Plus, an iphone SE, and iPhone X and an IPhone 8 Plus to have all these different ways of rebooting a phone despite them all being on the same version of iOS. Good Lord, who thought that was a good idea?

Oh you don’t want to see the struggles the kids and I have with the new Apple TV. I’m glad many people like theirs but ours is just plain snakebit. Between that twitchy stupid remote and the bugs infesting that thing nobody wants to watch tv. We were a family of readers anyway and now we are even more so. Even my engineer husband cusses that thing out because we will sit down to watch a program or movie together and some bug will crop up with sound or something else. WTH? “It just works” my right butt cheek.

I respect that ipads work pretty well because Android tablets are being left to die by Google. Chromebooks are cool but they are a different animal.

Yeah, I’m kind of over the walled garden for now. They can reel me back in. I’ll never say never. They just need to rededicate themselves to really giving the customer the best possible experience their engineers and designers can create. People will pay big bucks to have the best made by the best in the business. Steve Jobs knew that. Tim Cook forgot that.

They need to back off designing for the beans (and the shareholders). I’m sick of feeling shaken down for every last bit of loose change in my pockets and my sofa cushions. And for what? Less than I had in 2016? Pfft!

 

[bopajuice]

I have had some Android phones in the past, and then I always switch back and forth, but I think that the X is going to be my last iPhone unless they break the mold again one day with a revolutionary device. I'm not trying to bash Apple here, but I'm giving some of my personal reasons for why I'm ready to cut ties.

1. The iPhone is just too expensive (the X is the max that I would ever pay for a device, and IMO it's not worth it). I literally could have gotten a Pixel 2 XL, a Note 8 (a ridiculously expensive phone to begin with), or an S9+ for cheaper than my X. You could make a case for the 8, but the 8 is the lesser model and the X is the iPhone you want for 2018.

2. I miss having Google integrated directly into my hardware. Say what you want about privacy issues or whatever but Siri is just a terrible voice assistant, and it looks like Apple is fine with the way she runs.

3. My MacBook is getting dated, and I honestly don't see a compelling reason to spend $1,000 dollars on a laptop that can't do PC gaming like I want. I'm not into video editing, and I use Google Chrome as my primary browser.

4. I just honestly don't want to be tied down to one tech company going forward. If I permanently made the switch to Android/Windows I could get by with having Alexa or Google Home as my smart speaker in the future, I can move to Spotify and have it work on all of my devices, I can use different headphones rather than Airpods and Beats and get full functionality, and the list goes on and on and on. It's not that I hate Apple at all (I love my iPhone and my MacBook honestly), it's that I just don't want to be tied down to one company that I know is always going to have the most expensive items on the market. I'm getting to the point where I think that cutting edge tech should be getting cheaper. Look at Echo (much more functional) vs Home Pod (not as functional) $99 vs $349. Apple is just going to remain expensive because they're Apple and that's fine, but for me I'm looking at items that have the same functionality that are half as cheap.

I just think that I'm either going to get a Pixel 3 XL or maybe wait until early next year and the get the Galaxy S10. I'm probably also going to get a Surface Pro or a good Windows Laptop to replace my MacBook/iPad. I'll see how I feel in the Autumn, but right now I'm kind of regretting going with the X over the S9+ or Pixel 2XL

Sounds disingenuous. How is the 8 lessor? Cant do emoji's? Really?

If you bought a Mac for gaming you obviously haven't spent much time with Macs.

Sounds like you have it all figured out. Why bother to let everyone know you are switching? Are you looking for someone to talk you out of it?

 

[torana355]

Moving to an Android phone is easy, moving to a Windows based machine, well thats another story. Good news is my MBA laptop and Android phone play very well together.

 

[bopajuice]

I’m hoping for Apple to turn things around. They have the money and resources to be so much more awesome than they are and it’s maddening.

I’m planning to always check out the rumors. I can’t guarantee I’ll always be active on this site. I did leave for a year before and may wander off again, but this site is my favorite morning coffee read.

But I feel Apple has been a bit untrustworthy of late. There was the whole thing with the batteries. A friend of mine almost really got screwed over with that. The news broke just in time and she then knew to just replace her battery instead of her whole danged phone that had gone completely batpoop after she updated to iOS 11.

They took away the headphone jack and tried to sell it as “courage” and “the future” and claimed they needed space and it would help with waterproofing. But Samsung manages to keep the headphone jack and keep the phones slim and waterproof. Teardowns revealed they didn’t even use the space saved at first. It is all too easy to suspect the whole move was just to sell more wireless Beats and AirPods. And the customer gets inconvenienced and left with one less option.

I just didn’t like the smell of the stuff they were shoveling to sell us on that decision. Also, many people pointed out this isn’t exactly an environmentally friendly move, which kind of makes Apple look a bit hypocritical on that front as well.

And then, well I have my doubts that they only ever meant to come out just with Face ID no matter what Hairforce One claims. Something about that just doesn’t ring true and some folks here swear they heard talk from Apple peeps to the contrary. Yeah that’s just hearsay, but it wouldn’t shock me if it were true. There’s just enough sheen of malarkey floating around from Apple these days that it’s easier to be more cynical about these things now.

I think they did know it was going to be cool, but I think they meant to also give us in-display Touch ID. I think a couple of things happened though to change the course of things. The bad news: they couldn’t get Touch ID to work in the display. They admitted that. What they won’t admit is that it was ever an important goal for them. The good news: Face ID didn’t suck. I’m sure they were relieved and sacrificed a few pocket calculators to the technology gods in thanks for that.

But when they couldn’t pull in-display Touch ID off, they went too far in my book by dissing the whole concept to the point they’d look like doofuses if they were to try to offer it now. And they also relegated other forms of Touch ID to the scrap heap of history. Which again leaves the customer with one less option. Such arrogance. Bah. It’s also a savvy marketing ploy to plant the idea that manufacturers who do still offer Touch ID and headphone jacks are dated and living in the past.

Pfft. I’m no sheep and I ain’t buying that marketing crap. I know what I like. I know what I want. I’m not paying more for fewer options or options that cost more to have and insure, but do only the same damn thing I did with the older refined and economical technology.

With Android you know somebody is going to try and give you everything and the kitchen sink. I’m very happy so far with my S9+. And Android OS just kept getting more smooth and reliable since I started trying it in the Marshmallow days.

Meanwhile so much of my time now is spent troubleshooting iOS shenanigans for myself and the kids. There’s some weird bugs happening to my kids’ iMessages I can’t even begin to sort out.

I also am tired of being channeled into an ecosystem that’s grown increasingly sloppy and less elegant and less user friendly. It’s confusing for a family with an iPhone 7 Plus, an iphone SE, and iPhone X and an IPhone 8 Plus to have all these different ways of rebooting a phone despite them all being on the same version of iOS. Good Lord, who thought that was a good idea?

Oh you don’t want to see the struggles the kids and I have with the new Apple TV. I’m glad many people like theirs but ours is just plain snakebit. Between that twitchy stupid remote and the bugs infesting that thing nobody wants to watch tv. We were a family of readers anyway and now we are even more so. Even my engineer husband cusses that thing out because we will sit down to watch a program or movie together and some bug will crop up with sound or something else. WTH? “It just works” my right butt cheek.

I respect that ipads work pretty well because Android tablets are being left to die by Google. Chromebooks are cool but they are a different animal.

Yeah, I’m kind of over the walled garden for now. They can reel me back in. I’ll never say never. They just need to rededicate themselves to really giving the customer the best possible experience their engineers and designers can create. People will pay big bucks to have the best made by the best in the business. Steve Jobs knew that. Tim Cook forgot that.

They need to back off designing for the beans (and the shareholders). I’m sick of feeling shaken down for every last bit of loose change in my pockets and my sofa cushions. And for what? Less than I had in 2016? Pfft!

In other words, Apple is turning out to be just like every other tech company... just like Microsoft. When you get this big, and with all the money involved, there are bound to be disappointments due to shareholder priorities. Nothing new really.

I feel the window where Steve Jobs created a company that was the envy of others has passed. His creative genius, and the way he ran the company... It was an anomaly. Tim Cook is just another CEO. Steve Jobs was a creative genius. Be thankful we got to experience it in our lifetime. Cook is only going to be able to ride the iPad, iPhone wave for so long before customers look elsewhere.

I feel Apple has the tools to be creative, but the vision to do something about it evades them.

 

[The Game 161]

Sounds like it's going to cost you alot to get out of the apple world..hopefully it's worth it otherwise will be expensive to return.

I think the fiqures that apple have come out with last quarter shows the amount who are still very happy with what apple are doing. Maybe change is what you need to try it out though.

 

[Michael Goff]

I do have to disagree with the notion that Apple is alright with how Siri is now, if only because of the fact that the head of Siri reports directly to Tim Cook now and was the head of Google’s AI efforts.

 

[Falhófnir]

If you want to largely move away you could still keep a toe in the water (Apple juice?) - how about keeping an iPad rather than getting the surface pro? I’d certainly agree that the MacBook line is a bit of a tough sell at the moment - and if you want to game it’s an absolute no brainier to go with a PC. I have to say I wouldn’t have touched an Android a few years back, but some of the new Nokia phones running android one are looking quite tempting depending on how Apple plays with the iPhone lineup going forward. (I’ve always liked Nokia hardware, and the new ones seem to be going back in the direction the company was heading in their heyday) so I’m sure you’ll do ok on a pixel.

 

[Anksri]

I have had some Android phones in the past, and then I always switch back and forth, but I think that the X is going to be my last iPhone unless they break the mold again one day with a revolutionary device. I'm not trying to bash Apple here, but I'm giving some of my personal reasons for why I'm ready to cut ties.

1. The iPhone is just too expensive (the X is the max that I would ever pay for a device, and IMO it's not worth it). I literally could have gotten a Pixel 2 XL, a Note 8 (a ridiculously expensive phone to begin with), or an S9+ for cheaper than my X. You could make a case for the 8, but the 8 is the lesser model and the X is the iPhone you want for 2018.

2. I miss having Google integrated directly into my hardware. Say what you want about privacy issues or whatever but Siri is just a terrible voice assistant, and it looks like Apple is fine with the way she runs.

3. My MacBook is getting dated, and I honestly don't see a compelling reason to spend $1,000 dollars on a laptop that can't do PC gaming like I want. I'm not into video editing, and I use Google Chrome as my primary browser.

4. I just honestly don't want to be tied down to one tech company going forward. If I permanently made the switch to Android/Windows I could get by with having Alexa or Google Home as my smart speaker in the future, I can move to Spotify and have it work on all of my devices, I can use different headphones rather than Airpods and Beats and get full functionality, and the list goes on and on and on. It's not that I hate Apple at all (I love my iPhone and my MacBook honestly), it's that I just don't want to be tied down to one company that I know is always going to have the most expensive items on the market. I'm getting to the point where I think that cutting-edge tech should be getting cheaper. Look at Echo (much more functional) vs Home Pod (not as functional) $99 vs $349. Apple is just going to remain expensive because they're Apple and that's fine, but for me, I'm looking at items that have the same functionality that are half as cheap.

I just think that I'm either going to get a Pixel 3 XL or maybe wait until early next year and the get the Galaxy S10. I'm probably also going to get a Surface Pro or a good Windows Laptop to replace my MacBook/iPad. I'll see how I feel in the Autumn, but right now I'm kind of regretting going with the X over the S9+ or Pixel 2XL

If you’d rather try out one of Samsung’s bezel-less Galaxy phones, that process is pretty simple, too, thanks to a special Samsung Smart Switch app. All you need to do is backup your iPhone with iTunes and switch off iMessage. Then plug your new Android phone into the same computer and Samsung will handle the rest.


If you’re switching to some other Android phone that doesn’t offer its own data transfer service, don’t worry. Google’s outlined a simple way to bring all your iPhone data with you in three easy steps using Google Drive.

 

[Oohara]

In other words, Apple is turning out to be just like every other tech company... just like Microsoft. When you get this big, and with all the money involved, there are bound to be disappointments due to shareholder priorities. Nothing new really.

I feel the window where Steve Jobs created a company that was the envy of others has passed. His creative genius, and the way he ran the company... It was an anomaly. Tim Cook is just another CEO. Steve Jobs was a creative genius. Be thankful we got to experience it in our lifetime. Cook is only going to be able to ride the iPad, iPhone wave for so long before customers look elsewhere.

I feel Apple has the tools to be creative, but the vision to do something about it evades them.

I agree. Apple products are seldom surprising or fresh these days, and they've lost the touch when it comes to design. Look at the 'notch' solution, and the fact that neither the iPhone design nor the functionality of iOS evolved significantly for so many years...

Like you say, shareholder priorities might be largely to blame. Of course they don't want to risk stirring up their profitable recipe too much. So things get stale. Thing is, at this point the brand is so incredibly strong - hell an iPhone is even synonymous with a status symbol these days, as opposed to even the fanciest Android phones - that they'll get away with it for years and years on pure inertia.

 

[Atomic1977]

Apple is Apple and Microsoft is Microsoft and Android is Android. Its all so simple. It just depends on what the user likes best.

 

[eplchamps]

Ate you forced to buy the iPhone X?

 

[bopajuice]

Ate you forced to buy the iPhone X?

Being forced to buy one is not the same as the desire to own one. It's the old scenario where you find something you want but some of the features just aren't there or you just cant get past that one feature you don't like. It's really hard to make a product "everyone" likes.

Like when buying a car. You find the perfect model, but you just can't get past the ugly grill (A la iPhone X notch). Or you find the perfect car love everything about it, but it only comes with an underpowered four cylinder engine (For me the Mac Mini).

I still bought the Mini but wish it had more horsepower so to speak.

 

[Harthag]

LOL, I feel this way every year. Currently 5 months in using Android as my daily driver and iPhone as backup. So many features I just love that I can't get with Apple. I'm not ready to 100% rely on Android, but am damn close. I think 2018/2019 will be the year. The Pixel line is just too raw for me (I do really like them though) and had way too many defects. Owned Pixel 2 for several months. Black crush galore, earpiece NFC ticking, high pitched ringing. The most egregious issue is how it handles auto brightness. I hate that there's just a range of adaptive brightness and it fluctuates way too often. I had to rely on Lux...a 3rd party app...to handle the simple task of auto-brightness...on a flagship phone. Apparently Android P is addressing this and bringing back standard auto-brightness, we'll see. Sold my Pixel 2 XL so I can't try it.

Love my S9 but there are annoyances and yes it does stutter ever so slightly, and battery life isn't all that great. Still like it better than my iPhone X.

I think (and hope) Google will finally knock one out of the park with the Pixel 3 line.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

iPhone ...... I highly doubt I'll get another iPhone anytime soon. I still have my 7+ just because.

iPad ...... I have a iPad Air and a iPad 2(almost worthless). The new iPad entice me a little because of the pen support and it's not crazily priced like the Pro. But the Air is doing me just fine for now.

MBP ..... I'm done with MBPs. Currently use a 2015 max spec. It's used mostly in clamshell mode connected to my 4K TV.


My only interest in Apple now is that I have my eye on getting a MBA. Something easy to travel with that I can have both MacOS and Windows 10 on and has great battery life. But as far as any other Apple products go, I'll probably only be interested in the distance future.

 

[sracer]

I have had some Android phones in the past, and then I always switch back and forth, but I think that the X is going to be my last iPhone unless they break the mold again one day with a revolutionary device. I'm not trying to bash Apple here, but I'm giving some of my personal reasons for why I'm ready to cut ties.

1. The iPhone is just too expensive (the X is the max that I would ever pay for a device, and IMO it's not worth it). I literally could have gotten a Pixel 2 XL, a Note 8 (a ridiculously expensive phone to begin with), or an S9+ for cheaper than my X. You could make a case for the 8, but the 8 is the lesser model and the X is the iPhone you want for 2018.

2. I miss having Google integrated directly into my hardware. Say what you want about privacy issues or whatever but Siri is just a terrible voice assistant, and it looks like Apple is fine with the way she runs.

3. My MacBook is getting dated, and I honestly don't see a compelling reason to spend $1,000 dollars on a laptop that can't do PC gaming like I want. I'm not into video editing, and I use Google Chrome as my primary browser.

4. I just honestly don't want to be tied down to one tech company going forward. If I permanently made the switch to Android/Windows I could get by with having Alexa or Google Home as my smart speaker in the future, I can move to Spotify and have it work on all of my devices, I can use different headphones rather than Airpods and Beats and get full functionality, and the list goes on and on and on. It's not that I hate Apple at all (I love my iPhone and my MacBook honestly), it's that I just don't want to be tied down to one company that I know is always going to have the most expensive items on the market. I'm getting to the point where I think that cutting edge tech should be getting cheaper. Look at Echo (much more functional) vs Home Pod (not as functional) $99 vs $349. Apple is just going to remain expensive because they're Apple and that's fine, but for me I'm looking at items that have the same functionality that are half as cheap.

I just think that I'm either going to get a Pixel 3 XL or maybe wait until early next year and the get the Galaxy S10. I'm probably also going to get a Surface Pro or a good Windows Laptop to replace my MacBook/iPad. I'll see how I feel in the Autumn, but right now I'm kind of regretting going with the X over the S9+ or Pixel 2XL

I think that your announcement is premature. And your reasons don't seem to be consistent with your actions. I'm not criticizing your choices, but as an outside observer, things don't line up. This makes it challenging for me as a reader to understand the point you are trying to make.

You bought an iPhone X. You (I assume) had good reasons for buying it. You knew the price of it before you bought it and you were aware of the alternatives that existed. Although I think the iPhone X is insanely expensive and not worth the money they are asking for it, I can acknowledge that it did break the mold and is a revolutionary device (as much as a smartphone can be revolutionary at this point in time). Do you think that the iPhone X is NOT? And if you think that it IS, are you expecting the model to immediately follow this one to also be revolutionary?

You knew that Google didn't integrate directly with the iPhone X. So there must have been a "tipping point" where it became an issue for you (when it hadn't before that point). I'd be interested in hearing what it was that made lack of Google integration a deal-breaker.

If you don't have a good understanding of how you found yourself in the current situation and why, you run the risk of making poor choices... like considering a Surface Pro. That is practically jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. There are other options that you haven't mentioned (perhaps considered but didn't state them), like chromebooks and Linux.

I don't say this as an Apple fan or anti-Apple bigot (I've been accused of being both, sometimes simultaneously ) but as one who goes with whatever solutions will provide the best experience for my particular needs at a reasonable price.

Thank you for posting this. It's a good conversation starter, and will ultimately help others who are of a similar mindset.

 

[cmiller4642]

In response to the 8 not being less than the X, I used an OLED display before the X came out. There's no way to go back to LCD IMO

 

[TurboJobo]

Don't do it trust me, once you have ios and mac os working together is really hard to go back. i hate the fact on how android phones app are just a mess, sure the top popular apps are fine but other than that most of them look like the were made for windows 95 . I recently just got my macbook pro at bestbuy for 900 and a iphone x for 700. Saved over 800 with tax. Just look out for opportunities when it comes to buying apple products. they are expensive and if you have the money go for it but if not yeah wait and get it when you can.

 

[5105973]

I think that your announcement is premature. And your reasons don't seem to be consistent with your actions. I'm not criticizing your choices, but as an outside observer, things don't line up. This makes it challenging for me as a reader to understand the point you are trying to make.

You bought an iPhone X. You (I assume) had good reasons for buying it. You knew the price of it before you bought it and you were aware of the alternatives that existed. Although I think the iPhone X is insanely expensive and not worth the money they are asking for it, I can acknowledge that it did break the mold and is a revolutionary device (as much as a smartphone can be revolutionary at this point in time). Do you think that the iPhone X is NOT? And if you think that it IS, are you expecting the model to immediately follow this one to also be revolutionary?

You knew that Google didn't integrate directly with the iPhone X. So there must have been a "tipping point" where it became an issue for you (when it hadn't before that point). I'd be interested in hearing what it was that made lack of Google integration a deal-breaker.

If you don't have a good understanding of how you found yourself in the current situation and why, you run the risk of making poor choices... like considering a Surface Pro. That is practically jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. There are other options that you haven't mentioned (perhaps considered but didn't state them), like chromebooks and Linux.

I don't say this as an Apple fan or anti-Apple bigot (I've been accused of being both, sometimes simultaneously ) but as one who goes with whatever solutions will provide the best experience for my particular needs at a reasonable price.

Thank you for posting this. It's a good conversation starter, and will ultimately help others who are of a similar mindset.

You make such good points. I know I’ve floundered around and made some mistakes. But wow has it been fun!

 

[cmiller4642]

I think that your announcement is premature. And your reasons don't seem to be consistent with your actions. I'm not criticizing your choices, but as an outside observer, things don't line up. This makes it challenging for me as a reader to understand the point you are trying to make.

You bought an iPhone X. You (I assume) had good reasons for buying it. You knew the price of it before you bought it and you were aware of the alternatives that existed. Although I think the iPhone X is insanely expensive and not worth the money they are asking for it, I can acknowledge that it did break the mold and is a revolutionary device (as much as a smartphone can be revolutionary at this point in time). Do you think that the iPhone X is NOT? And if you think that it IS, are you expecting the model to immediately follow this one to also be revolutionary?

You knew that Google didn't integrate directly with the iPhone X. So there must have been a "tipping point" where it became an issue for you (when it hadn't before that point). I'd be interested in hearing what it was that made lack of Google integration a deal-breaker.

If you don't have a good understanding of how you found yourself in the current situation and why, you run the risk of making poor choices... like considering a Surface Pro. That is practically jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. There are other options that you haven't mentioned (perhaps considered but didn't state them), like chromebooks and Linux.

I don't say this as an Apple fan or anti-Apple bigot (I've been accused of being both, sometimes simultaneously ) but as one who goes with whatever solutions will provide the best experience for my particular needs at a reasonable price.

Thank you for posting this. It's a good conversation starter, and will ultimately help others who are of a similar mindset.

I think the main reason that I started using Apple products is because I was in my early 20's when the iPod and the iPhone became cool. There was a time when you were given a side eye if you had a Motorola Droid 2 or something and not a big shiny Apple logo on your phone, and that was honestly at the time when the iPhone was the best mobile phone on the market that couldn't be touched.

I don't honestly see a lot of difference between the iPhone X and my GF's S8. She has a great camera, a gorgeous display that has some bezel but it's not ridiculous, her phone still runs fast, and she has a very cool theme on it. It even has little things that I miss (the always on display is annoying not to have)

 

[5105973]

LOL, I feel this way every year. Currently 5 months in using Android as my daily driver and iPhone as backup. So many features I just love that I can't get with Apple. I'm not ready to 100% rely on Android, but am damn close. I think 2018/2019 will be the year. The Pixel line is just too raw for me (I do really like them though) and had way too many defects. Owned Pixel 2 for several months. Black crush galore, earpiece NFC ticking, high pitched ringing. The most egregious issue is how it handles auto brightness. I hate that there's just a range of adaptive brightness and it fluctuates way too often. I had to rely on Lux...a 3rd party app...to handle the simple task of auto-brightness...on a flagship phone. Apparently Android P is addressing this and bringing back standard auto-brightness, we'll see. Sold my Pixel 2 XL so I can't try it.

Love my S9 but there are annoyances and yes it does stutter ever so slightly, and battery life isn't all that great. Still like it better than my iPhone X.

I think (and hope) Google will finally knock one out of the park with the Pixel 3 line.

The S9 may be stuttering because of insufficient RAM. So far, knock wood, my S9+ does not stutter. My S8+ did and still does. I feel your pain. Stutter just jars you out of the rest of the good stuff you like about the phone.

I have a Pixel 2. I like it a lot. My S9+ just offers a much better hardware experience and a very slightly slower but more feature filled software experience. This is my happy place on a smart phone. Weaknesses are battery life could be better and I’m always going to wish I could have iMessage and FaceTime available to Android devices and the great integration that exists between an iPhone and an Apple Watch. So I’m using iPhone and S9+ together for now. And evaluating the situation daily.

 

[cmiller4642]

The S9 may be stuttering because of insufficient RAM. So far, knock wood, my S9+ does not stutter. My S8+ did and still does. I feel your pain. Stutter just jars you out of the rest of the good stuff you like about the phone.

I have a Pixel 2. I like it a lot. My S9+ just offers a much better hardware experience and a very slightly slower but more feature filled software experience. This is my happy place on a smart phone. Weaknesses are battery life could be better and I’m always going to wish I could have iMessage and FaceTime available to Android devices and the great integration that exists between an iPhone and an Apple Watch. So I’m using iPhone and S9+ together for now. And evaluating the situation daily.

Samsung does definitely make better hardware. If the Google Pixel 3 xL isn't on a Samsung/Apple level I'll either get an iPhone XI or a Galaxy Note 9/S10+

 

[bigjnyc]

I’m hoping for Apple to turn things around. They have the money and resources to be so much more awesome than they are and it’s maddening.

I’m planning to always check out the rumors. I can’t guarantee I’ll always be active on this site. I did leave for a year before and may wander off again, but this site is my favorite morning coffee read.

But I feel Apple has been a bit untrustworthy of late. There was the whole thing with the batteries. A friend of mine almost really got screwed over with that. The news broke just in time and she then knew to just replace her battery instead of her whole danged phone that had gone completely batpoop after she updated to iOS 11.

They took away the headphone jack and tried to sell it as “courage” and “the future” and claimed they needed space and it would help with waterproofing. But Samsung manages to keep the headphone jack and keep the phones slim and waterproof. Teardowns revealed they didn’t even use the space saved at first. It is all too easy to suspect the whole move was just to sell more wireless Beats and AirPods. And the customer gets inconvenienced and left with one less option.

I just didn’t like the smell of the stuff they were shoveling to sell us on that decision. Also, many people pointed out this isn’t exactly an environmentally friendly move, which kind of makes Apple look a bit hypocritical on that front as well.

And then, well I have my doubts that they only ever meant to come out just with Face ID no matter what Hairforce One claims. Something about that just doesn’t ring true and some folks here swear they heard talk from Apple peeps to the contrary. Yeah that’s just hearsay, but it wouldn’t shock me if it were true. There’s just enough sheen of malarkey floating around from Apple these days that it’s easier to be more cynical about these things now.

I think they did know it was going to be cool, but I think they meant to also give us in-display Touch ID. I think a couple of things happened though to change the course of things. The bad news: they couldn’t get Touch ID to work in the display. They admitted that. What they won’t admit is that it was ever an important goal for them. The good news: Face ID didn’t suck. I’m sure they were relieved and sacrificed a few pocket calculators to the technology gods in thanks for that.

But when they couldn’t pull in-display Touch ID off, they went too far in my book by dissing the whole concept to the point they’d look like doofuses if they were to try to offer it now. And they also relegated other forms of Touch ID to the scrap heap of history. Which again leaves the customer with one less option. Such arrogance. Bah. It’s also a savvy marketing ploy to plant the idea that manufacturers who do still offer Touch ID and headphone jacks are dated and living in the past.

Pfft. I’m no sheep and I ain’t buying that marketing crap. I know what I like. I know what I want. I’m not paying more for fewer options or options that cost more to have and insure, but do only the same damn thing I did with the older refined and economical technology.

With Android you know somebody is going to try and give you everything and the kitchen sink. I’m very happy so far with my S9+. And Android OS just kept getting more smooth and reliable since I started trying it in the Marshmallow days.

Meanwhile so much of my time now is spent troubleshooting iOS shenanigans for myself and the kids. There’s some weird bugs happening to my kids’ iMessages I can’t even begin to sort out.

I also am tired of being channeled into an ecosystem that’s grown increasingly sloppy and less elegant and less user friendly. It’s confusing for a family with an iPhone 7 Plus, an iphone SE, and iPhone X and an IPhone 8 Plus to have all these different ways of rebooting a phone despite them all being on the same version of iOS. Good Lord, who thought that was a good idea?

Oh you don’t want to see the struggles the kids and I have with the new Apple TV. I’m glad many people like theirs but ours is just plain snakebit. Between that twitchy stupid remote and the bugs infesting that thing nobody wants to watch tv. We were a family of readers anyway and now we are even more so. Even my engineer husband cusses that thing out because we will sit down to watch a program or movie together and some bug will crop up with sound or something else. WTH? “It just works” my right butt cheek.

I respect that ipads work pretty well because Android tablets are being left to die by Google. Chromebooks are cool but they are a different animal.

Yeah, I’m kind of over the walled garden for now. They can reel me back in. I’ll never say never. They just need to rededicate themselves to really giving the customer the best possible experience their engineers and designers can create. People will pay big bucks to have the best made by the best in the business. Steve Jobs knew that. Tim Cook forgot that.

They need to back off designing for the beans (and the shareholders). I’m sick of feeling shaken down for every last bit of loose change in my pockets and my sofa cushions. And for what? Less than I had in 2016? Pfft!

I usually skip over posts this long, but this was actually an entertaining read lol. nicely done. and some very good points.