Do you plan to switch from iPhone to Android? (2016)

[Puddled]

Yikes.

Getting things back on track here -- let's take a quick assessment of where we're all at. What's your current daily driver, and are you interested in the iPhone X? If not, what phone does pique your interest?

I have a Nexus 6P. Undecided on the X. Great design, but really don't want to give up Android -- waiting to see the Pixel 2 XL announcement.

Yep. B.O.T

Great question.

I have a Samsung s6. I got it for €99 on a very small contract and It has been faultless for the last two years. I dropped it from a huge height and Samsung repaired for for free as well. I've been very impressed with it to be honest.

However, i have changed my phones every two years and i am getting that itch!

I was looking at seeing if the iphone 10 (which is what it should have been) would be a game changer and perhaps nudge me to go back to iphone, but its nothing of the sort. For usability, we have reached a plateau with phones. Apple have just arrived with all of the last few improvements which android has had. I see nothing the iphone 8 does that my S6 doesn't.
The 8 and the X are also very expensive. I know you will point to Samsung and go "duh, Note 8, $930!" but Samsung phones always release with a bit of a price lift and then get to a lower and stable price point after 6 months. That said, new Samsung S phones are still pricey.

I can't see myself getting another flagship. €800/900 on a phone is just barmy. As a grown man with responsibilities, I've much more important things to be spending cash on.

I think once my S6 dies (hopefully i'll get another year or two out of it! i'll replace the battery soon) i will be going to the mid-priced tier. Samsung's A5 looks very good.
But, i think perhaps the same price issues will be for my family and we will be moving away from Iphones. My wife won't be spending €800 on a new one. She likes the cache' of the iphone, but the damn thing pi$$es her off more and more as each day goes by. I don't know how she puts up with it (she has it set up ar$e backwards i think).

So my prediction for my and my families future is we will no longer have flagship phones in the house. We will be all Android, mid-low tier which apple do not do (i am ignoring the SE obviously)

Interesting times. I think the Iphone X is a red flag for the smartphone industry. Apple have seen the future and it isn't the SE.....

 

[Radon87000]

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...-iphone-8-x-fast-charging-usb-c-power-charger


Wait, wot? You need to spend even more dosh for fast charging? It isnt just a simple adaptive charger like Samsung bundle , you need a bigger plug AND cable?

Man, that's just offensive when you are paying 7,8,900 (or a 1000!) Sobs for a phone.

No it’s not. You get nothing extra. Look at the Note 8 and those freebies and it looks mighty enticing. The Note 8 comes with free wireless charging and a case and a screen protector. But I lose my Apple Watch in the process if I get it.

I really am stuck with Apple at this point. I lose money no matter what I do.

 

[torana355]

No it’s not. You get nothing extra. Look at the Note 8 and those freebies and it looks mighty enticing. The Note 8 comes with free wireless charging and a case and a screen protector. But I lose my Apple Watch in the process if I get it.

I really am stuck with Apple at this point. I lose money no matter what I do.

Look its obvious what path Apple is going down, its been clear for years. My advise is to rip the "bandaid" off so to speak and sell your Apple Watch and move to Android. In the long run you are going to save a heap of money. Android and iOS have reached parity and IMO Android is slowly moving ahead. If you use OSX like I do Android phones work great with it so the whole ecosystem argument is overstated really. I jumped off the iOS wagon after the iPhone 4 and it was the best tech decision i've ever made.

For some people iOS is a must and I respect that, be it for iMessage, the simplicity or how things just work. I just cant stand when certain Apple fans spread vitriol about Android from 5 years ago that is simply no longer the case.

 

[I7guy]

No it’s not. You get nothing extra. Look at the Note 8 and those freebies and it looks mighty enticing. The Note 8 comes with free wireless charging and a case and a screen protector. But I lose my Apple Watch in the process if I get it.

I really am stuck with Apple at this point. I lose money no matter what I do.

Agreed, if you want freebies, sell your Apple products and you can get back into android which has a better value proposition for you. The loss can be deducted from your taxes.

 

[Oohara]

Yikes.

Getting things back on track here -- let's take a quick assessment of where we're all at. What's your current daily driver, and are you interested in the iPhone X? If not, what phone does pique your interest?

I have a Nexus 6P. Undecided on the X. Great design, but really don't want to give up Android -- waiting to see the Pixel 2 XL announcement.

iPhone 7 Plus at the moment. I'm overall happy with it, but I always miss how awesome text input is on Android (Swype was my fave), I miss home screen widgets and I'm always longing for a larger screen. So I'm getting more and more tempted to go for the Note 8.

What holds me back is my Apple Watch and various nice points of interaction between my iPhone and my Mac, like how writing notes continues seamlessly between the two, and Safari open webpages syncing. And I'd really love to get the Apple Watch 3 with cellular. But, since that's not going to be sold where I live for probably 6 months or more...

I think this is the time to go back to Android with the Note 8 and just see if I miss my Apple stuff too much. I'll probably buy the Note outright while keeping my 7 Plus, and then sell one of them once I've made up my mind.

Another option I'm considering is to actually buy a super cheap Mate 9 (500€ atm) which does have a significantly wider (16:9) screen than the Note 8 and test going back to Android on that.

iPhone X doesn't interest me at all, that screen shape doesn't make sense to me at all and at any rate the screen is far smaller than those of both Note 8 and Mate 9.

 

[Roadstar]

If you use OSX like I do Android phones work great with it so the whole ecosystem argument is overstated really.

Well it depends on what you refer to with ecosystem. When it comes to connecting to computers, I agree that it’s not an issue. At least I connect to a computer so seldomly nowadays, that any combination of iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows is all the same for me. However, when talking about connected peripherals such as watches and TV add-ons, at least currently the Apple experience is better, even more so when also tablets are concerned. I wish Android manufacturers and Google stepped up their game on those fronts.

 

[torana355]

Well it depends on what you refer to with ecosystem. When it comes to connecting to computers, I agree that it’s not an issue. At least I connect to a computer so seldomly nowadays, that any combination of iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows is all the same for me. However, when talking about connected peripherals such as watches and TV add-ons, at least currently the Apple experience is better, even more so when also tablets are concerned. I wish Android manufacturers and Google stepped up their game on those fronts.

No doubt the Apple eco system does work well but I was just saying some people make out like an Android phone won't play nice with a Mac laptop for example which could not be further from the truth. There is life outside the Apple Eco system, you just have to give it a chance. Once you get everything sorted you quickly learn just how well Android and Apple gear can play together.

 

[spinedoc77]

Reckon Apple should have done the Xiaomi MI Mix design, or something similar to that.

I'm not a big fan of the camera being on the bottom of the phone at all.
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Yeah the Pixel XL 2 announcements are the only thing that will likely stop me pre-ordering the X.

Makes you wonder if Google had some inside information, their announcement will work perfectly with the X release date. Now Google just needs to actually release the XL before the X, and release it in reasonable quantities. If they put marketing behind it, and underprice the X I'll bet they have a great shot at selling a ton of them. My prediction: They pull the same crap as lasts year and only release a very limited amount, sigh.

 

[Tsepz]

I don’t think the 9 and 9 Plus get this design. Those will still be the LCD models and have the same design. The iPhone X is another pricing tier for the iPhone like the iPad Pro. I am starting to reach the limits of my budget with it unfortunately.

I can’t even go a Android as that ruins my Watch.
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Actually the response for the 8 have been lukewarm so far. People will get the X because that’s the only model which is an upgrade not because that’s he newest iPhone. . The iPhone 8,9 will not see upgrades on that level next year. The spotlight will be on the 6.3 inch IPhone Plus.

I get you.

So much like we saw with the iPads where the 9.7inch stayed mostly the same getting mostly internal upgrades, what we are seeing with the X is a Pro type thing going on.

So the X is pretty much the iPhone Pro we'd been waiting for? It makes sense.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Well it depends on what you refer to with ecosystem. When it comes to connecting to computers, I agree that it’s not an issue. At least I connect to a computer so seldomly nowadays, that any combination of iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows is all the same for me. However, when talking about connected peripherals such as watches and TV add-ons, at least currently the Apple experience is better, even more so when also tablets are concerned. I wish Android manufacturers and Google stepped up their game on those fronts.

The only real question mark I have is an android tablet. There aren't many premium ones around which are as good as an iPad overall. I already have an iPad Pro 10.5 inch which I bought about 2 months ago and I have no desire to buy another large tablet considering the money I spent and the fact that even the galaxy tab S3 is unlikely to be better.

I've been in the market for a small tablet for a while as I have a long commute and the iPad mini 4 is too expensive for a 2 year old product. I'll see how I can manage with the note 8 as a portable media device and then if it's too small I'll probably get the tab s2 8.0. There is a 2016 version and I can get if for significantly less than the iPad mini 4.

I use my Apple Watch mainly for Apple Pay, step counting and getting my notification. I wouldn't touch android wear with a barge pole as google seem to have abandoned it.


From what I've seen the later galaxy gear models can do all of the things I use my Apple Watch for (Samsung pay) and I imagine it would work well enough.

I think I've come the realisation that I'm a techie so living in one ecosystem is never going to satisfy me as I will always be looking over the fence wondering. So I intend to keep all of my current Apple device but I will supplement them with android ones.

 

[Radon87000]

I get you.

So much like we saw with the iPads where the 9.7inch stayed mostly the same getting mostly internal upgrades, what we are seeing with the X is a Pro type thing going on.

So the X is pretty much the iPhone Pro we'd been waiting for? It makes sense.

Yup. I find the iPhone X is really an iPhone Pro. The larger variant next year will be the equivalent to the 12.9 in the iPad lineup.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I get you.

So much like we saw with the iPads where the 9.7inch stayed mostly the same getting mostly internal upgrades, what we are seeing with the X is a Pro type thing going on.

So the X is pretty much the iPhone Pro we'd been waiting for? It makes sense.

It's not really a pro device though especially when there are other devices on the market which can do the same and even more for less. The 8/8 plus should have been priced similarly to the iPad 2017 and the X should have been the same price as the 8/8 plus. When I say the same price I don't mean £300 but the price should have reflected he fact that it is was now a basic/budget level iPhone. I think £600 would have been reasonable.
[doublepost=1505652279][/doublepost]

Yup. I find the iPhone X is really an iPhone Pro. The larger variant next year will be the equivalent to the 12.9 in the iPad lineup.

I think the iPad pro just about earned its name with the iOS 11 update and if course the new hardware.

Software could have helped the iPhone X. However a few crappy guestures and a face scanner won't cut it.

 

[torana355]

The only real question mark I have is an android tablet. There aren't many premium ones around which are as good as an iPad overall. I already have an iPad Pro 10.5 inch which I bought about 2 months ago and I have no desire to buy another large tablet considering the money I spent and the fact that even the galaxy tab S3 is unlikely to be better.

Android tablets are trash, no doubt about it. Its a good thing i'm a Phablet/Laptop person. Its the combo that works best for me.

 

[ItnStln]

This one will be cheaper...

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Cha...5&sr=8-1&keywords=large+wireless+charging+pad

Thanks for posting that! I’m going to buy it for when my Note8 and whichever iPhone I order arrives.

 

[Radon87000]

It's not really a pro device though especially when there are other devices on the market which can do the same and even more for less. The 8/8 plus should have been priced similarly to the iPad 2017 and the X should have been the same price as the 8/8 plus. When I say the same price I don't mean £300 but the price should have reflected he fact that it is was now a basic/budget level iPhone. I think £600 would have been reasonable.

The iPad 2017 isn't a reduced cost iPad.They took an iPad Air,stuck an A9 processor inside it (the CPU was already dated by 2 years when they released it) and called it iPad. The tablet wasn't an upgrade but rather a downgrade from the Air 2 as they removed the laminated display so overall the price of $329 has severe compromises for their usual $499 lineup.
The iPad Pro was later released at a premium of $150 with real upgrades

Apple has never ever reduced prices without removing features. The iPhone Pro is the Pro just like how the Pro 9.7 launched at a $150 premium to their usual 499 lineup.Before they turn their 8/8 Plus into a budget product they would remove a ton of features from it. Expect the 8 lineup to languish from hereon in like their iPad 2017.

 

[I7guy]

It's not really a pro device though especially when there are other devices on the market which can do the same and even more for less. The 8/8 plus should have been priced similarly to the iPad 2017 and the X should have been the same price as the 8/8 plus. When I say the same price I don't mean £300 but the price should have reflected he fact that it is was now a basic/budget level iPhone. I think £600 would have been reasonable.

Are you saying the 8/8+ is a basic/budget level phone?

 

[Radon87000]

Agreed, if you want freebies, sell your Apple products and you can get back into android which has a better value proposition for you. The loss can be deducted from your taxes.

Its not just about the loss. That's only part of it. I am used to my Watch. I love it and cant live without it. I need a competent replacement before I switch. So far I haven't found one except for the Gear S3 which is good but it runs Tizen while I want Android Wear.

Damn it, this is hard.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Are you saying the 8/8+ is a basic/budget level phone?

It's not a flagship device anymore and it's price should reflect that.

 

[I7guy]

It's not a flagship device anymore and it's price should reflect that.

It’s not a budget device either and the price reflects that. The iPhone 8, similar to the s8 is a mid-tier device. Of course, if it is your opinion the i8 is a budget device, that’s all well and good.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It’s not a budget device either and the price reflects that. The iPhone 8, similar to the s8 is a mid-tier device. Of course, if it is your opinion the i8 is a budget device, that’s all well and good.

The iPhone X should be priced similarly to the S8/ note 8. The iPhone 8 lacks an oled display, has an older design, does not have advanced unlocking features. Therefore it shouldn't be priced the same as phones like the note 8 and S8 which have all of those features.

 

[Radon87000]

I am also concerned about the iPhone X OLED considering some of the posts I have seen in comments. By how much has Apple underestimated their nits rating on the website because some Youtubers are saying its not as bright as Note 8.

 

[lowendlinux]

I use my Apple Watch mainly for Apple Pay, step counting and getting my notification. I wouldn't touch android wear with a barge pole as google seem to have abandoned it.

I curious..why do you think they've abandoned it?

 

[Roadstar]

The only real question mark I have is an android tablet. There aren't many premium ones around which are as good as an iPad overall. I already have an iPad Pro 10.5 inch which I bought about 2 months ago and I have no desire to buy another large tablet considering the money I spent and the fact that even the galaxy tab S3 is unlikely to be better.

I've been in the market for a small tablet for a while as I have a long commute and the iPad mini 4 is too expensive for a 2 year old product. I'll see how I can manage with the note 8 as a portable media device and then if it's too small I'll probably get the tab s2 8.0. There is a 2016 version and I can get if for significantly less than the iPad mini 4.

I use my Apple Watch mainly for Apple Pay, step counting and getting my notification. I wouldn't touch android wear with a barge pole as google seem to have abandoned it.


From what I've seen the later galaxy gear models can do all of the things I use my Apple Watch for (Samsung pay) and I imagine it would work well enough.

I think I've come the realisation that I'm a techie so living in one ecosystem is never going to satisfy me as I will always be looking over the fence wondering. So I intend to keep all of my current Apple device but I will supplement them with android ones.

It’s sad that the Nexus 7 series was axed as those were awesome little tablets for an awesome price and Nexus software update pace.

What comes to Android Wear, I wouldn’t say Google has completely abandoned it just yet, but I admit I’m not far from that conclusion. There’s just so much untapped potential they don’t seem to care about.

However, as enticing as the Samsung Gear watches appear otherwise, I can’t really bring myself to buy one until there’s solid proof that they’ve improved the code quality and security quite drastically: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/07/12/samsungs_tizen_no_longer_worst_ever/

At this point it would be optimal if the Apple Watch worked also with Android, but that’s obviously not going to happen.

 

[epicrayban]

Question: is the Reachability feature gone from the iPhone X?

 

[Radon87000]

Question: is the Reachability feature gone from the iPhone X?

Yes its gone