Drawn back to iPhone despite being (theoretically) completely satisfied with Android?

[tbayrgs]

I don't know that I'll ever understand this mentality. You're welcome to try and explain it.....

How can the iPhone be boring? Are you staring at the home screen regularly? Are you simply saying the things you use the phone for are boring? I guess perhaps the look of the apps gets old (even though they change as they are updated)?

I just don't get the whole "bored" concept. The smartphone is a tool. We use it to consume media, connect with people and absorb information. The package these things come in is of little concern as one is rarely staring at a home screen.

Now, if there were things about the iPhone that made a task particularly difficult to you, I understand that. But the "I'm bored" reason for moving away from an iPhone just never really made any sense to me.

While I share much of these sentiments, I understand how for many people a smartphone is more than just a tool. In much the same way people enjoy delving into anything they find interesting and customizing, accesorizing, etc, they find it an enjoyable part of their tech as well.

I too found it interesting to tinker with my first few Android devices, seeing what I could change, how I could change or tailor its functionality to better suit my needs or liking for that matter. The luster of this aspect of Android eventually wore off as I found 1) I'd usually just revert back to standard or stock functionality (i.e. It's cool to be able to swipe open an app drawer or perform another swipe to go home, but it's no quicker than just pressing the home button) and 2) I just don't have the time or desire to spend endless hours doing it. But my preferences certainly don't diminish someone else's desire for this ability to tweak and customize. I don't find the value in it that another does. To each their own.

 

[Savor]

I think if you are pretty happy with Android, then the lust factor for an iPhone really comes from the hardware and not the software. And I admit, the iPhone 5s looks really, really good. I really like the space grey as it doesnt seem to chip like the iPhone 5 did with their darker backs. And the ring around the home button makes it look cooler on the front.

If there is a time to upgrade, I think getting the "s" models are the better choice. Most refined of the twin if Apple decides to use the same design every two years. And this year, it looks like Apple will focus more on hardware again like bigger screen, solar panels, and sapphire crystal displays. The solar charging is the ace up Apple's sleeve this year.

If people prefer the look of the iPhone 5s or its current size, I can see why this model still is lustworthy from a hardware standpoint being the last compact iPhone before they increase it to 4.8 inches.

 

[sentinelsx]

The.problem with iPhone is....boring to the guts. Nothing much has really changed for the last 7 years except for theming.

There are more fun avenues in life than smartphone themes.

 

[sentinelsx]

It has probably more to do with wanting to fit in with the vocal android majority, and not doing so

I know i was drawn to android from following too much mobile news and bunch of coworkers and friends ridiculing my "midget phone" and their "technology marvel". Not to say i don't enjoy my GE'd GS4, i do quite a bit, but i do long for the midget phone more too. Now that i follow the mobile forums much less than a year ago, i see my android love has also started to wither in favor of iPhone envy.

Why? The irony is that buying a Nexus 7 actually accelerated these current feelings than rekindle a love for a newer android device (GS4 isn't so "old", but lets be honest, it is already left in the dust in the android spec ecosystem, and i can't really buy a new handset every month). What i am finding is that every time i have the urge to browse forums, or download that email attachment, or play kingdom rush (my all time mobile game favorite), or read a PDF, or watch a video, i simply whip out the N7 for all of those.

It can slip in my jacket easily, and has barely any weight. But the screen size is superior to the GS4 in every way, and to be honest, i would rather use the N7 for all those needs than a monstrous phone like these current 5 inch behemoths or the note line of giants.

Basically i am longing for a smartphone that can be:

* anywhere from 4 to 4.7 inches max (i have found the moto X with its curvy
design fits in my hands much better than any 5 inch phones).

* have a strong camera that can be used in decent lighting conditions without fidgeting with ISOs, scene modes, HDR modes etc etc, i have a DSLR and bunch of point and shoots for "serious" photography, and i don't like delving into those options on my smartphone like i constantly do on my GS4.


* be supported by a strong app store and a no frills, straight from OEM OS with no update dramas or cartoon skins etc.

Considering that i use my GS4's main home screen as a grid of icons, and i have tried almost every widget under the sun and never liked it, themes/launchers/widgets aren't going to keep me on android. I am more of the type who likes to dictate when to get information rather than be bombarded by it so an app icon works great. I have had calendar widgets, to do widgets, weather, news, rss, emails, blah blah but i don't just like a bunch of crap in my face when i don't want it so meh.

Similarly, i am tired of handling these big screens for stuff i don't even do on them. For calls/texts/IM/social/very light email/photos/sharing/media/light time pass gaming etc a smaller smartphone would be much better since the Nexus 7 does all the heavy lifting.

And obviously by now i have seen all the myths. Using android has not made me a technologically superior human, neither has it caused a significant change in my life that i would not be able to survive or even thrive without all those custom ROMs.

Looks like the iPhone, if it stays in the moderate size range in the future, is pretty much the only choice for someone like me too. The moto X and moto G do fit all other check boxes, but fail in camera department when pitted against the 5s (yeah I know money etc but I am not doing a value comparison here, I am more than willing to pay the price of something that works for me).

Just throwing my $0.02 in this. If a 4.5 inch android phone that runs Google android (not skinned), and has a strong no tinkering camera for on the go photos comes out, I will have no issues switching over to that. Bit as it stands now the iPhone is the future hup candidate.

 

[Sensamic]

I'm thinking of buying an iPhone just because of battery life.

I hate iOS, but at least I would still have my Nexus 7.

Which phone has better battery life? IPhone 5S, Note 3 (although too big for me), G2 or the new Motorola Maxx?

I want at least 5 hours screen on time.

 

[tbayrgs]

I'm thinking of buying an iPhone just because of battery life.

I hate iOS, but at least I would still have my Nexus 7.

Which phone has better battery life? IPhone 5S, Note 3 (although too big for me), G2 or the new Motorola Maxx?

I want at least 5 hours screen on time.

While I generally have excellent battery performance on my iPhone 5S, I can't see it beating any of the others--they all have huge batteries comparatively.

 

[Shanghaichica]

While I generally have excellent battery performance on my iPhone 5S, I can't see it beating any of the others--they all have huge batteries comparatively.

But they have to power bigger screens, which in turn burns more battery power.

 

[sentinelsx]

I'm thinking of buying an iPhone just because of battery life.

I hate iOS, but at least I would still have my Nexus 7.

Which phone has better battery life? IPhone 5S, Note 3 (although too big for me), G2 or the new Motorola Maxx?

I want at least 5 hours screen on time.

All of the above should have more than enough to satisfy you. My GS4 goes 5 hours with a mix of wifi and HSPA (no LTE), and i hear amazing stories about the G2 battery life.

Personally i would go LG G2. The screen looks awesome. Since you hate iOS, buying an iPhone would be just more frustration, no?

 

[tjl3]

wrong thread!

 

[The Game 161]

While I generally have excellent battery performance on my iPhone 5S, I can't see it beating any of the others--they all have huge batteries comparatively.

you have to factor in iphone battery stats are done completely different to samsung for example. Music for example counts as your main usage while on samsung it is just on screen time.

To have truely amazing battery life having a phone where you can swap the battery round is the best option.

 

[TacticalDesire]

iOS does a lot of things right. Group messaging (especially between other iphones) being one of them. But there's also a huge list of things that drive me crazy as well. It's all about finding what works best for you.

 

[Savor]

My only interest with any iPhone comes from hardware diffentiation. Not into iOS anymore.

I already put the iPhone 6s on my wishlist for next year. I already have a bigger screen, FULL HD, 2 of GB RAM, and WiFi ac. What interest me in the next iPhone is the sapphire screen and solar power charging. Plus, iPhones cost alot off-contract esp internationally. The best way to upgrade is to an iPhone. No carrier bloatware. Excellent resell value.

I think the iPhone 6 this year is going to make you forget about the 5s very quickly. It took four years, but this iPhone 6 could be the most worthy iPhone since the iPhone 4 with the s model refining some of things from it next year. Haven't been excited about anything from Apple since 2010. Others are following suit with the fingerprint scanner although not quite as refined as the one on the 5s.

Apple is great at details and being efficient with their features. Samsung is great at throwing as much stuff on the wall and see what it sticks. They are a copycat company even making a competitor to Google Glass! Sapphire and solar charging can put Apple back ahead of the curve. The only weakness for me is that it has iOS. Some things it does better than Android but I still prefer Android. The hardware innovation from like wireless charging through solar power Apple can make me forget about being iOS again and live with a near-perfect phone for me based on hardware.

 

[cynics]

My only interest with any iPhone comes from hardware diffentiation. Not into iOS anymore.



I already put the iPhone 6s on my wishlist for next year. I already have a bigger screen, FULL HD, 2 of GB RAM, and WiFi ac. What interest me in the next iPhone is the sapphire screen and solar power charging. Plus, iPhones cost alot off-contract esp internationally. The best way to upgrade is to an iPhone. No carrier bloatware. Excellent resell value.



I think the iPhone 6 this year is going to make you forget about the 5s very quickly. It took four years, but this iPhone 6 could be the most worthy iPhone since the iPhone 4 with the s model refining some of things from it next year. Haven't been excited about anything from Apple since 2010. Others are following suit with the fingerprint scanner although not quite as refined as the one on the 5s.



Apple is great at details and being efficient with their features. Samsung is great at throwing as much stuff on the wall and see what it sticks. They are a copycat company even making a competitor to Google Glass! Sapphire and solar charging can put Apple back ahead of the curve. The only weakness for me is that it has iOS. Some things it does better than Android but I still prefer Android. The hardware innovation from like wireless charging through solar power Apple can make me forget about being iOS again and live with a near-perfect phone for me based on hardware.

Got a link on the solar panel rumor?

Current tech is inefficient, a panel the size of an iPhone can't charge it as fast as it can discharge.

Plus it requires direct sunlight for the best performance. However electronics and especially batteries can't tolerate those temps. That's why they are isolated.

On temperatures, a phone with a built in panel assuming with some sort of new high temp components is dangerous. People get burns from working and moving solar panels, imagine putting one that's been on the dash of your car to the side of your face?

Maybe some other tech? That's why I'd like to see a link.

On touch id, blah hundreds of threads of it not working currently. Meanwhile my Motorola Atrix from several years ago fingerprint scanner worked flawlessly. I guess it's hit or miss with that sort of tech.

 

[Omega1300]

It has probably more to do with wanting to fit in with the vocal android majority, and not doing so

I know i was drawn to android from following too much mobile news and bunch of coworkers and friends ridiculing my "midget phone" and their "technology marvel". Not to say i don't enjoy my GE'd GS4, i do quite a bit, but i do long for the midget phone more too. Now that i follow the mobile forums much less than a year ago, i see my android love has also started to wither in favor of iPhone envy.

Why? The irony is that buying a Nexus 7 actually accelerated these current feelings than rekindle a love for a newer android device (GS4 isn't so "old", but lets be honest, it is already left in the dust in the android spec ecosystem, and i can't really buy a new handset every month). What i am finding is that every time i have the urge to browse forums, or download that email attachment, or play kingdom rush (my all time mobile game favorite), or read a PDF, or watch a video, i simply whip out the N7 for all of those.

It can slip in my jacket easily, and has barely any weight. But the screen size is superior to the GS4 in every way, and to be honest, i would rather use the N7 for all those needs than a monstrous phone like these current 5 inch behemoths or the note line of giants.

Basically i am longing for a smartphone that can be:

* anywhere from 4 to 4.7 inches max (i have found the moto X with its curvy
design fits in my hands much better than any 5 inch phones).

* have a strong camera that can be used in decent lighting conditions without fidgeting with ISOs, scene modes, HDR modes etc etc, i have a DSLR and bunch of point and shoots for "serious" photography, and i don't like delving into those options on my smartphone like i constantly do on my GS4.


* be supported by a strong app store and a no frills, straight from OEM OS with no update dramas or cartoon skins etc.

Considering that i use my GS4's main home screen as a grid of icons, and i have tried almost every widget under the sun and never liked it, themes/launchers/widgets aren't going to keep me on android. I am more of the type who likes to dictate when to get information rather than be bombarded by it so an app icon works great. I have had calendar widgets, to do widgets, weather, news, rss, emails, blah blah but i don't just like a bunch of crap in my face when i don't want it so meh.

Similarly, i am tired of handling these big screens for stuff i don't even do on them. For calls/texts/IM/social/very light email/photos/sharing/media/light time pass gaming etc a smaller smartphone would be much better since the Nexus 7 does all the heavy lifting.

And obviously by now i have seen all the myths. Using android has not made me a technologically superior human, neither has it caused a significant change in my life that i would not be able to survive or even thrive without all those custom ROMs.

Looks like the iPhone, if it stays in the moderate size range in the future, is pretty much the only choice for someone like me too. The moto X and moto G do fit all other check boxes, but fail in camera department when pitted against the 5s (yeah I know money etc but I am not doing a value comparison here, I am more than willing to pay the price of something that works for me).

Just throwing my $0.02 in this. If a 4.5 inch android phone that runs Google android (not skinned), and has a strong no tinkering camera for on the go photos comes out, I will have no issues switching over to that. Bit as it stands now the iPhone is the future hup candidate.

Great analysis - and I think actually very accurate for me. (Along with my deep-seated phone insecurities as noted by another poster of course. It's a wonder I can leave the house ).

And that being the case, I'm infinitely pleased with my decision.

Thanks for the discussion everyone!

 

[iFalcon]

Very well written and thoughtful!

It has probably more to do with wanting to fit in with the vocal android majority, and not doing so

I know i was drawn to android from following too much mobile news and bunch of coworkers and friends ridiculing my "midget phone" and their "technology marvel". Not to say i don't enjoy my GE'd GS4, i do quite a bit, but i do long for the midget phone more too. Now that i follow the mobile forums much less than a year ago, i see my android love has also started to wither in favor of iPhone envy.

Why? The irony is that buying a Nexus 7 actually accelerated these current feelings than rekindle a love for a newer android device (GS4 isn't so "old", but lets be honest, it is already left in the dust in the android spec ecosystem, and i can't really buy a new handset every month). What i am finding is that every time i have the urge to browse forums, or download that email attachment, or play kingdom rush (my all time mobile game favorite), or read a PDF, or watch a video, i simply whip out the N7 for all of those.

It can slip in my jacket easily, and has barely any weight. But the screen size is superior to the GS4 in every way, and to be honest, i would rather use the N7 for all those needs than a monstrous phone like these current 5 inch behemoths or the note line of giants.

Basically i am longing for a smartphone that can be:

* anywhere from 4 to 4.7 inches max (i have found the moto X with its curvy
design fits in my hands much better than any 5 inch phones).

* have a strong camera that can be used in decent lighting conditions without fidgeting with ISOs, scene modes, HDR modes etc etc, i have a DSLR and bunch of point and shoots for "serious" photography, and i don't like delving into those options on my smartphone like i constantly do on my GS4.


* be supported by a strong app store and a no frills, straight from OEM OS with no update dramas or cartoon skins etc.

Considering that i use my GS4's main home screen as a grid of icons, and i have tried almost every widget under the sun and never liked it, themes/launchers/widgets aren't going to keep me on android. I am more of the type who likes to dictate when to get information rather than be bombarded by it so an app icon works great. I have had calendar widgets, to do widgets, weather, news, rss, emails, blah blah but i don't just like a bunch of crap in my face when i don't want it so meh.

Similarly, i am tired of handling these big screens for stuff i don't even do on them. For calls/texts/IM/social/very light email/photos/sharing/media/light time pass gaming etc a smaller smartphone would be much better since the Nexus 7 does all the heavy lifting.

And obviously by now i have seen all the myths. Using android has not made me a technologically superior human, neither has it caused a significant change in my life that i would not be able to survive or even thrive without all those custom ROMs.

Looks like the iPhone, if it stays in the moderate size range in the future, is pretty much the only choice for someone like me too. The moto X and moto G do fit all other check boxes, but fail in camera department when pitted against the 5s (yeah I know money etc but I am not doing a value comparison here, I am more than willing to pay the price of something that works for me).

Just throwing my $0.02 in this. If a 4.5 inch android phone that runs Google android (not skinned), and has a strong no tinkering camera for on the go photos comes out, I will have no issues switching over to that. Bit as it stands now the iPhone is the future hup candidate.

 

[Tikatika]

Haven't been on this forum for months. Why did I stop by tonight? I have suddenly been hit by the identical "want". Lo and behold, I find this thread speaking to me.

I have loved using my S4 for 9 months, but several things have bugged me of late ... the larger size is suddenly awkward to hold and use ... and the camera is an exercise in frustration.

Missing the iPhone.

 

[adder7712]

I might try out an iPhone sometime this year.

Looking at a 5s. Might or might not get it, despite my love for Android.

 

[IFRIT]

I'm thinking of buying an iPhone just because of battery life.

I hate iOS, but at least I would still have my Nexus 7.

Which phone has better battery life? IPhone 5S, Note 3 (although too big for me), G2 or the new Motorola Maxx?

I want at least 5 hours screen on time.

The 5S does not have exceptional battery life for the majority of people.

 

[Digital Skunk]

That's normal I can't be satisfied with either OS. Have a galaxy note 3 right now and want an iPhone 6 and heck even a Nokia Lumia. Both OSes have advantages and draw backs. I'd get the 6 for full retail later this year.

Same here. I find myself looking at all of the devices and seeing their ups and downs. Apple's ecosystem, Androids plethora of options, and (IMHO) Window's Phones actual unique breakaway from the norm and potential.

The Windows 8.1 tablet I have makes Windows Phone look even more promising.

I guess you will be very quickly drawn back to Android after seeing Apple's recent offerings.

I get that feeling every time I pick up my wife's iPhone or my old iPad 2. I just can't get with iOS7. It really is too much like a bad knock off of Android 4.1 and Palm's WebOS.

 

[AustinIllini]

There are more fun avenues in life than smartphone themes.

This is true, but if you're a mobile technology enthusiast, calling a phone boring is fair game.

 

[nooaah]

I'm on a nexus 5 right now. iOS is more intuitive IMO but the screen of the nexus and far better keyboard makes it a keeper for my business travel phone. Plus vanilla Android is so smooth and simple. Samsung has made me realize it's the fragmentation and half assed features on their end that kept making me return my galaxy devices.

If the iPhone Six has a similar size screen and allows for swype then I'll probably go back to one phone. That's really my only issue. But it's so major when I'm on the road and relying on my phone to conduct business.

 

[Savor]

I actually like the design more of the iPhone 5s over the original 5. I remember checking the back of the black iPhone 5 and would see so many scruff marks. The iPhone 5s in space gray doesn't show it that much if at all. I was surprised everytime I turn the phone around to check for any, there was none. And that store has been using the same model for 2.5 months. Space gray and champagne gold iPhone 5s is very sexy. Much more appealing than the standard black iPhone 5.

But I can't see myself going back to iOS for a couple more reasons. One is games. I think iOS has more games but I already beaten some of my favs like Cut the Rope Experiments or Time Travel. I never bought it for iOS except the original Cut the Rope. So now if I went back to iOS, not only do I have to redo it again, I would have to pay as well when it is FREE on Android. Plus I am far into my Candy Crush Saga with Android that I dont want to redo everything again on iOS. It is like folks not wanting to leave iOS because they invested so much onto their apps except it is vice-versa for me.

The other reason is SwiftKey. While the stock iOS keyboard is excellent and SwiftKey Notes is now avail on iOS, I still prefer SwiftKey on my Android. I text mostly on my phone so the keyboard matters alot to me esp if my sentences tends to be repetitive and predictable. I can't go back to a normal touchscreen keyboard or real QWERTY. I like its predictive system way too much.

 

[verpeiler]

Plus I am far into my Candy Crush Saga with Android that I dont want to redo everything again on iOS.

Just a little hint: Log in with facebook, now your status is saved, log back out. Now when you log back in with a different (new) device your status is restored. Now you can log out again.

Your latest progress is always saved, so you can play with iOS or Android, doesn't matter.

 

[Stuntman06]

I've been using Android for over 3 years. My current phone is a Galaxy S3. I was tempted to get the Nexus 5 late last year, but I felt my GS3 was still a very good phone and I did not really have a need to get anything different at the time. The GS3 has been great for me.

I have not had any desire to get an iPhone before. I just feel that I would lose too many Android features if I switch to an iPhone.

I will be getting a new work phone soon. Telus is shutting down their CDMA network in my province this year, so my BlackBerry will need to be upgraded. They are moving to a single mobile platform at work which will be iOS, so I expect to get an iPhone to replace my BlackBerry some time this year. I'm actually looking forward to trying out the iPhone regularly. I've played around with an iPhone a few times at work and at the Apple store, but never used it at any length. Work phones tend to be pretty locked down, so I likely won't get to use it to the fullest extent, but at least I'll get to use it on a daily basis to see how I like it compared to my Android phone.

 

[sentinelsx]

This is true, but if you're a mobile technology enthusiast, calling a phone boring is fair game.

No one said being an enthusiast meant you only like flashy UIs and not simple and to the point ones