Former iPhone users, if i switch what will i be missing?

[WRXHokie]

I'm struggling with the idea of switching to Android, I have an iPhone XS Max, but have grown bored with the platform. Lack of customization, lack of new features like fast charging, the damn notch, and small battery's are driving me to swatch to Android.

If i switch, what will i lose? I know i have to ditch my Series 2 apple watch, but i want a new watch soon anyway. What else would hold me back?

 

[Frankras]

I have both android (Galaxy S10) and SE2 and some ipads.

Only thing I miss on ny S10 from Apple is FaceTime and iMessage. Otherwise it’s really up to personal preference if you like one over the other.

I will say, keep your iPhone and buy and Android phone. Then you can always go back anytime.

Frank

 

[drinkingtea]

You will miss iMessage, your Apple Watch, and app quality. There’s not one Android watch that comes close to an Apple Watch in terms of functionality and smoothness. You will no longer have iMessage (if you use it)—so, your text messages will not have end-to-end encryption and photos and videos that will be texted to you will be extremely grainy. In general, apps are just better on iOS; more refined, prettier, etc.

 

[jdlindsey7]

I'm struggling with the idea of switching to Android, I have an iPhone XS Max, but have grown bored with the platform. Lack of customization, lack of new features like fast charging, the damn notch, and small battery's are driving me to swatch to Android.

If i switch, what will i lose? I know i have to ditch my Series 2 apple watch, but i want a new watch soon anyway. What else would hold me back?

I also use an iPhone XS Max as my daily but I have owned many Google phones (many from the Nexus line and then a Pixel XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL). I too get bored with iOS at times so I regularly switch back and forth. The only things I feel like I lose on Android are FaceTime and iMessage (I don't care about the read receipts and message effects but I do hate that I can't share high quality pictures/video via a MMS like I can via iMessage). I know that most social media apps take worse pictures/video on Android apps compared to their iOS counterparts. I don't use any of those apps so it doesn't bother me but I know people that tried Android and had bad experiences with Snapchat, Instagram, etc.

 

[Expos of 1969]

You will miss iMessage, your Apple Watch, and app quality. There’s not one Android watch that comes close to an Apple Watch in terms of functionality and smoothness. You will no longer have iMessage (if you use it)—so, your text messages will not have end-to-end encryption and photos and videos that will be texted to you will be extremely grainy. In general, apps are just better on iOS; more refined, prettier, etc.

Messages sent to him will only be extremely grainy if sent via iMessage. If sent via What’s App they will be very good. He asked what he would lose, not miss. He may not miss iMessages at all. The latest Samsung watch is very close to the Apple Watch so don’t mislead this poor fellow.

 

[drinkingtea]

Messages sent to him will only be extremely grainy if sent via iMessage. If sent via What’s App they will be very good. He asked what he would lose, not miss. He may not miss iMessages at all. The latest Samsung watch is very close to the Apple Watch so don’t mislead this poor fellow.

She/he will miss iMessage if most of their contacts use iMessage and refuse to use a third-party messaging just for them, which they must likely will.

 

[michael9891]

I'm struggling with the idea of switching to Android, I have an iPhone XS Max, but have grown bored with the platform. Lack of customization, lack of new features like fast charging, the damn notch, and small battery's are driving me to swatch to Android.

If i switch, what will i lose? I know i have to ditch my Series 2 apple watch, but i want a new watch soon anyway. What else would hold me back?

Personally, I say just get the Android phone you want (one you can return if you really don't like it) and see for yourself. It's the only way, because what others miss, you might not and vice versa.

The obvious ones that everyone says is iMessage and how iOS app quality is far superior. Both of which I disagree with.

Just make sure you give it a decent crack, at least a week.

 

[serpico007]

Many of us have gone through this and still go through the back and forth. Air Message supposedly is a solution but once you research that, you’ll need to decide if it’s for you due to the technical workaround. iMessage is a curse and blessing. Then the ecosystem. Probably easier to carry two phones! I tried various solutions and workarounds but it is hard to pick just one if your family and friends are on the other side. Making people switch to another app just to talk to you is very difficult coming from experience. I notice more people are using Instagram and Facebook messenger or WhatsApp. I used Signal with a couple of people but then they stopped and sent me horrible sms video and photos. It truly is a bad situation living in the green bubble.

 

[Drecca]

The only thing that keeps me coming back to the Apple ecosystem is the Apple Watch. There is absolutely nothing like it on the Android side.

iMessage and Facetime alternatives exist via other apps. It's the damn watch that keeps me locked in.

 

[serpico007]

The only thing that keeps me coming back to the Apple ecosystem is the Apple Watch. There is absolutely nothing like it on the Android side.

iMessage and Facetime alternatives exist via other apps. It's the damn watch that keeps me locked in.

I find the cellular version made a difference for me. Before I left my old iPhone at home and wear my watch that needed wifi still to receive notifications. So being at work it was ok but away from wifi I needed to do the hotspot from my Note 9. It wasn’t ideal. Now with cellular model I can go out and still feel connected with or without a phone.

 

[circatee]

Merely my opinion; since I go through the same thought process every so often. I feel within the first few weeks, you will welcome the customization options, then, you will start to miss the ecosystem of iOS.

And, this is even more so if you own multiple iOS devices (iPad and Mac) and thus use the likes of iMessage and FaceTime...

 

[Fille84]

You will miss iMessage, your Apple Watch, and app quality. There’s not one Android watch that comes close to an Apple Watch in terms of functionality and smoothness. You will no longer have iMessage (if you use it)—so, your text messages will not have end-to-end encryption and photos and videos that will be texted to you will be extremely grainy. In general, apps are just better on iOS; more refined, prettier, etc.

That old "apps look better on iPhones".. It "just works" too right?

 

[WRXHokie]

I don’t get the iMessage thing, I can still text people with an android, right? My only concern is losing the ability to text from my iPad

 

[tbayrgs]

Merely my opinion; since I go through the same thought process every so often. I feel within the first few weeks, you will welcome the customization options, then, you will start to miss the ecosystem of iOS.

And, this is even more so if you own multiple iOS devices (iPad and Mac) and thus use the likes of iMessage and FaceTime...

This for me as well. There are apps I use in the Apple ecosystem that don’t exist on Android and I haven’t found comparable replacements. I’ll also agree with other’s sentiments regarding the Apple Watch...singularly the once device that is a personal dealbreaker for me.

My entire family and most friends use Apple as well so living in the Apple ecosystems just works better for me—managing my family sharing and access, handoff and continuity, and AirDrop are among the things I use daily.

 

[Aneres11]

You won't know until you try.
All these people saying the Apple Watch.
I have an Apple Watch (SS Series 3 with cellular) and it has been sat in a drawer since I last had an iPhone 4 months ago.

I don't miss it at all and when I use an iPhone I don't even really like it. But I won't sell it for much now as it's getting on so I just keep hold of it.

IMO it's the most overrated piece of tech ever. But some people seem to love it, so.

 

[Zito Abroad]

There's only one person that can answer that question, you. Just give it a solid try. Both have pros and cons.

 

[The_Interloper]

I don’t get the iMessage thing, I can still text people with an android, right? My only concern is losing the ability to text from my iPad

It’s a common misconception you can’t text from an iPad with an Android phone. You can; just use Android Messages for Web in Safari (or any other iPadOS browser): https://messages.google.com/web/authentication

 

[WRXHokie]

It’s a common misconception you can’t text from an iPad with an Android phone. You can; just use Android Messages for Web in Safari (or any other iPadOS browser): https://messages.google.com/web/authentication

I didn’t know you could use the web, thata an awesome feature. I wish iOS had that.

 

[tbayrgs]

You won't know until you try.
All these people saying the Apple Watch.
I have an Apple Watch (SS Series 3 with cellular) and it has been sat in a drawer since I last had an iPhone 4 months ago.

I don't miss it at all and when I use an iPhone I don't even really like it. But I won't sell it for much now as it's getting on so I just keep hold of it.

IMO it's the most overrated piece of tech ever. But some people seem to love it, so.

Like any piece of tech, it'll fit peoples tastes and needs differently. I know plenty of people who can take it or leave it--they're typically younger folks who never wore watches growing up and just don't get value out of it.

I'm a bit of an old fart that has worn a watch since I was a teenager and my wrist feels 'naked' when I don't wear one so it was a natural feeling when I started with the OG version. Since then, I've come to rely on so much daily functionality and personally love how it can keep my phone out of my hands more often. I love my smart phones and that's the problem. It's very easy for me to just get sucked into it when only intending to do something simple like checking a message or email, etc.

For some context of my personal use, I use my Apple Watch for the following, usually every day and very often without my iPhone on me:

- Email and message 'triage'--lets me know if I need to respond immediately or can get back to it later
- Answer calls, either via speaker or with wireless earbuds
- Weather via Carrot
- Timers and alarms
- Fitness tracking either using Apple's native Workouts app or Strava and Activity tracking in Apple's app.
- Listening to podcasts via Pocket Casts
- Listening to Audiobooks via Audible
- Listening to Music via Music or Radio apps
- Map navigation (Google Maps or Apple Maps, the latter especially if I don't have my phone with me)
- Checking my family members location using Find My
- Reminders and Appointments (Apple Reminders app and Fantastical, respectively)
- Grocery shopping using AnyList
- Endless TFA for personal accounts and work logins via Authy
- Access frequently used passwords via 1Password
- Smart home activity using Apple's Home app (lights, garage door most common). I can even see my security camera feeds live on the watch
- Just about every payment now via Apple Pay (both in person at merchants or to authorize web payments on my Mac). Wallet app also has my gym card (when that was a thing) and Starbucks card
- occasional quick calculations using the onboard Calculator

Again, I genuinely do all of these tasks just about every single day, some quite often on the Watch and I can do all of them (except for navigation using Google Maps) without my phone as I have the cellular model. I've been on a bit of a mission to see how often I can go without carrying my iPhone, only using my Apple Watch and if it weren't for the lack of CarPlay, cameras, and a bit better battery stamina when using it over cellular on its own, I could go full on 'Dick Tracy mode' and use just the watch. It pretty remarkable how much of my daily needs can be fulfilled by just the watch.

I completely understand how many don't see the appeal but as you can see, it's an invaluable piece of tech for me. There is nothing else in this tech category that can come remotely close.

 

[jdlindsey7]

It’s a common misconception you can’t text from an iPad with an Android phone. You can; just use Android Messages for Web in Safari (or any other iPadOS browser): https://messages.google.com/web/authentication

I love and use this on my Pixelbook when I’m using an Android. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think you get alerts or notifications for the messages. I think I remember that you have to have the browser open and check that messages tab in order to see your new messages.

 

[ian87w]

I'm struggling with the idea of switching to Android, I have an iPhone XS Max, but have grown bored with the platform. Lack of customization, lack of new features like fast charging, the damn notch, and small battery's are driving me to swatch to Android.

If i switch, what will i lose? I know i have to ditch my Series 2 apple watch, but i want a new watch soon anyway. What else would hold me back?

Big one, iMessage. This is the deal breaker for many people as it is Apple exclusive. The rest can be somewhat duplicated through other services. You won't even lose Apple Music as Apple has a client for it on Android.

Apple Watch is quite unique, as in no smart watches in Android camp can match it since Google gave up on Android Wear. The closest thing is Samsung Watches, but Samsung uses their own OS (tizen) and some functions are specific to Samsung own apps on the phone. Ie the ecosystem is not as rich as the Apple Watch.

Oh and the comfort of getting 5 years of updates. The best Android can offer at this time is 3 years, and that's only on Google Pixel and select Samsung flagships. The rest of Android OEMs are still on the best effort basis (usually max 2 OS updates only on their flagships). But this might not be a big deal as mid range Android phones are getting really good and cheap, so getting a new phone more often might not be a bad thing (and can cure your boredom as well)

If you have iCloud, that's another thing to consider. Unfortunately there's no icloud apps on Android. You have to either use iCloud on the browser or migrate off it entirely. Can be a huge hassle if you already have a ton of photos and videos on it. Best is to migrate prior to switching by using Google Photos or Microsoft OneDrive to migrate your photos from your iDevice.

 

[Aneres11]

Like any piece of tech, it'll fit peoples tastes and needs differently. I know plenty of people who can take it or leave it--they're typically younger folks who never wore watches growing up and just don't get value out of it.

I'm a bit of an old fart that has worn a watch since I was a teenager and my wrist feels 'naked' when I don't wear one so it was a natural feeling when I started with the OG version. Since then, I've come to rely on so much daily functionality and personally love how it can keep my phone out of my hands more often. I love my smart phones and that's the problem. It's very easy for me to just get sucked into it when only intending to do something simple like checking a message or email, etc.

For some context of my personal use, I use my Apple Watch for the following, usually every day and very often without my iPhone on me:

- Email and message 'triage'--lets me know if I need to respond immediately or can get back to it later
- Answer calls, either via speaker or with wireless earbuds
- Weather via Carrot
- Timers and alarms
- Fitness tracking either using Apple's native Workouts app or Strava and Activity tracking in Apple's app.
- Listening to podcasts via Pocket Casts
- Listening to Audiobooks via Audible
- Listening to Music via Music or Radio apps
- Map navigation (Google Maps or Apple Maps, the latter especially if I don't have my phone with me)
- Checking my family members location using Find My
- Reminders and Appointments (Apple Reminders app and Fantastical, respectively)
- Grocery shopping using AnyList
- Endless TFA for personal accounts and work logins via Authy
- Access frequently used passwords via 1Password
- Smart home activity using Apple's Home app (lights, garage door most common). I can even see my security camera feeds live on the watch
- Just about every payment now via Apple Pay (both in person at merchants or to authorize web payments on my Mac). Wallet app also has my gym card (when that was a thing) and Starbucks card
- occasional quick calculations using the onboard Calculator

Again, I genuinely do all of these tasks just about every single day, some quite often on the Watch and I can do all of them (except for navigation using Google Maps) without my phone as I have the cellular model. I've been on a bit of a mission to see how often I can go without carrying my iPhone, only using my Apple Watch and if it weren't for the lack of CarPlay, cameras, and a bit better battery stamina when using it over cellular on its own, I could go full on 'Dick Tracy mode' and use just the watch. It pretty remarkable how much of my daily needs can be fulfilled by just the watch.

I completely understand how many don't see the appeal but as you can see, it's an invaluable piece of tech for me. There is nothing else in this tech category that can come remotely close.

Seems like it works really well for you. And I have no doubt I am in the minority of not really liking the Apple Watch. But most of those things you've mentioned you use it for I would just pick my phone up and use the bigger screen to check.

It isn't just the Apple Watch. It's smart watches in general. I just don't really see the appeal. Sure, it tells me things direct to my wrist without me needing my phone on me, but for most cases I will then need to use my phone to interact with those notifications. I wouldn't dream of answering a call on my watch, for instance, unless I was at home or unless I had airpods in. And even then I wouldn't normally be wearing airpods out the house.

It's different strokes different folks. All my family wear AW and love them. I'm totally in the minority but I've just always found it a bit pointless for me!

 

[tbayrgs]

Seems like it works really well for you. And I have no doubt I am in the minority of not really liking the Apple Watch. But most of those things you've mentioned you use it for I would just pick my phone up and use the bigger screen to check.

It isn't just the Apple Watch. It's smart watches in general. I just don't really see the appeal. Sure, it tells me things direct to my wrist without me needing my phone on me, but for most cases I will then need to use my phone to interact with those notifications. I wouldn't dream of answering a call on my watch, for instance, unless I was at home or unless I had airpods in. And even then I wouldn't normally be wearing airpods out the house.

It's different strokes different folks. All my family wear AW and love them. I'm totally in the minority but I've just always found it a bit pointless for me!

Totally get it—hope my post didn’t come off as ‘you’re using it wrong’ because that absolutely wasn’t my intention. I know I use it more heavily than most so just sharing what it’s capable of doing and why it’s such big loss personally if I were to try to switch from iOS/watchOS.

 

[circatee]

Seems like it works really well for you. And I have no doubt I am in the minority of not really liking the Apple Watch. But most of those things you've mentioned you use it for I would just pick my phone up and use the bigger screen to check.

It isn't just the Apple Watch. It's smart watches in general. I just don't really see the appeal. Sure, it tells me things direct to my wrist without me needing my phone on me, but for most cases I will then need to use my phone to interact with those notifications. I wouldn't dream of answering a call on my watch, for instance, unless I was at home or unless I had airpods in. And even then I wouldn't normally be wearing airpods out the house.

It's different strokes different folks. All my family wear AW and love them. I'm totally in the minority but I've just always found it a bit pointless for me!

Haha, I said this similar thing when the first Apple Watch was released. Come the release of the AW3, I bought one (and I don't do gym or exercise stuff) and have had one since.


Alas, I really should use more features on my AW.

 

[Aneres11]

Totally get it—hope my post didn’t come off as ‘you’re using it wrong’ because that absolutely wasn’t my intention. I know I use it more heavily than most so just sharing what it’s capable of doing and why it’s such big loss personally if I were to try to switch from iOS/watchOS.

No didn't come across as that at all.
That kinda thing only happens in a Samsung thread.

I think your uses are probably more in line with the masses. It's me who doesn't use mine for much and will be in the minority. The AW is handy when I am in work as I am not allowed my phone in the office with me, so my cellular AW3 was still able to deliver all my notifications when I was on an iPhone.

WatchOS, from what I understand - still has some way to go. But the new SnapDragon 4100 (I think it's called?) and 1GB ram found in the latest TicWatch Pro 3 apparently fixes the WatchOS issues and it runs a dream.
So future watches using that could be good!