Other Android phones + Mac Vs iPhone + Mac, Which one is the better combination ?

[bo-waleed]

To be honest, I am just asking this question to know what futures you can do between the phones and Macs.

I have 13'' MBP and I really like it but I want a phone that can quickly sync date and transfer files and media between the two devices.
And if I were in a website from one device I want to open it on the other device quickly.

Currently I have Sony Xperia Z2, I have it for about 6 years and I love it, I am thinking of replacing it for the new Xperia 1 III or maybe iPhone 13.

So, What things you can do between iPhones and Macs that you can't do on android phones ?

Note: I did have iPhone before so I have experience with iOS but I feel that Android give you more freedom than iOS.

 

[ericwn]

iPhones support Handoff and Continuity and that out of the box.

Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support

Continuity features make it seamless to move between your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro devices that meet the system requirements.

support.apple.com

 

[Hadron]

I'd have thought most people sync data via cloud services, in which case unless you want to use iCloud (which you clearly aren't at present with an Xperia) there's no advantage in having an iPhone for that.

For transferring individual files AirDrop is faster than bluetooth, and speaking personally (Mac + iPad - my phone is Android) this is the only advantage I've found. But I'm not really an "ecosystem" person: I regard all tools which work only with one vendor's systems as attempts to lock you in, and so avoid ecosystem integrations in favour of open standards wherever possible, and hence there may be other integrations that I don't know about because I haven't needed them. And TBH I use my phone and laptop quite differently, so apart from wanting calendars and email accessible on both file transfers are mainly limited to media and backups - I never work on documents across devices, for example (a phone is not a suitable device for such jobs in my opinion).

If I need to quickly transfer data between phone and Mac the quickest solution is a cable. The fact that you can actually see the filesystem of Android is a considerable advantage there to my mind - the fact that my Macbook, iPad Pro and phone all use USB-C is also handy, which I'd lose with an iPhone (Lightning is another proprietary lock-in: Apple get fees from manufacturers who use it, and for the iPhone user it means that if you swap platforms any accessories that use it become useless).

Of course I do realise that in an iPhone forum I'm being contrary, but thought you should get the other opinion . And I might add that I do occasionally consider switching platform, but mainly because of the size of the 12 Mini - the rumours that Apple will drop the smaller phone after next year have reduced the probability of my making that change.

 

[Lihp8270]

What do you actually need your phone to do?

Thats the real question, if you need it to do something or run something that is not possible on iOS then there’s no point getting the iPhone.

If iOS can do and run everything you need then it will be a far better option to pair with a Mac than an Android.

 

[bo-waleed]

Well after looking for the link in post #2, I want these futures to work on android:

Universal Clipboard: This one is interesting, Is there a way to do it on Android ?
AirDrop: I could use a cable to transfer files but there may be a faster way ?
Continuity Camera: Scan documents looks interesting too.
Handoff: for Safari only, I want a website on my android phone to appear on my Mac as fast as I can. And vise-verse.

So anybody here have an Android phone and have alternate ways for these futures ?

 

[SoYoung]

For me the iPhone is essential with my Mac just for the ability to receive my SMS and calls directly on my Mac and iPad and I use this festure all the time because I use my Mac and iPad more than the phone itself.

if one day I switch to Android I’ll also come back to Windows.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Well after looking for the link in post #2, I want these futures to work on android:

Universal Clipboard: This one is interesting, Is there a way to do it on Android ?
AirDrop: I could use a cable to transfer files but there may be a faster way ?
Continuity Camera: Scan documents looks interesting too.
Handoff: for Safari only, I want a website on my android phone to appear on my Mac as fast as I can. And vise-verse.

So anybody here have an Android phone and have alternate ways for these futures ?

Maybe you should ask here, you might get more help:

Alternatives to iOS

non-Apple devices and OSes

forums.macrumors.com

 

[bo-waleed]

If I need to quickly transfer data between phone and Mac the quickest solution is a cable. The fact that you can actually see the filesystem of Android is a considerable advantage there to my mind - the fact that my Macbook, iPad Pro and phone all use USB-C is also handy, which I'd lose with an iPhone (Lightning is another proprietary lock-in: Apple get fees from manufacturers who use it, and for the iPhone user it means that if you swap platforms any accessories that use it become useless).

Did you try 'Send Anywhere' ?
Someone just recommend that to me and it works much better then connecting a cable to transfer files.