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MikeM87

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
265
6
UK
Hey Guys,

I'm a massive fan of Apple Products I have a Macbook Pro, iMac, iPads, iPhone, iPods etc but recently I found myself wanting a change with regards to my phone. I was tempted to by the Galaxy S3 but in the end after using one I got a Samsung Galaxy note II (mainly for the bigger screen). I have to say I'm very impressed, I still like my iPhone but it makes a nice change and with the work I do it's good being able to support multiple devices and platforms.

Has anyone else done the same? I have an iPhone 4s and didn't see the iP5 as being a worthy upgrade myself. Really enjoying the Note II so far only bad thing I see is that the iP5 camera is better than the note.

Just wondering who else has done the same? At the end of the day there both great devices it's just nice to have a change :)

p.s Any app suggestions would be appreciated :)
 

Brett3rThanU

macrumors regular
May 14, 2008
110
0
I've been an Android phone user for about 3 years ago and can't imagine going back to an iPhone. The custom ROMs out there for Android are amazing, plus the ability to change things like the keyboard really set it apart from the iPhone. That being said I purchased my first MBP recently and can't imagine going back to Windows.
 

Mousse

macrumors 68040
Apr 7, 2008
3,652
7,091
Flea Bottom, King's Landing
p.s Any app suggestions would be appreciated :)

I'm a tinkerer so I like to have root access. For me the must have apps include Superuser, ClockworkMod Recovery and Titanium Backup Pro (to back up apps and remove bloatware). TBP, I consider a must have, since it allows you to trim all the bloatware from your android device. As always, caution is the word of the day when monkeying with the works.
 

Ryy

macrumors member
Oct 17, 2010
47
0
Florida
We are in the same boat. :) I have had an iPhone since the onset, and could not stomach the thought of getting an iP5. Still an awesome phone!Just needed a change of pace, I guess.

I just switched to a Samsung GalaxyS3 a little more than a week ago. I have to tell you, I am most impressed with the UI, and everything about it thus far. What a great change for me personally.
 

0dev

macrumors 68040
Dec 22, 2009
3,947
24
127.0.0.1
I have an HTC Sensation, decent phone, especially on CyanogenMod 9. Used it as my main phone for a few months before it decided to pack up. Since I have no warranty (eBay purchase and it was rooted) I went back to my old iPhone 4 and I missed it, especially for the battery life. The HTC has terrible battery life compared to an iPhone.

Overall I really like Android but I wish it was on hardware as well engineered as Apple's.
 

Martin29

macrumors 6502
Nov 25, 2010
346
120
Quimper, France
I too am a fan of Apple's products and have spent the past few years working entirely in an OSX and IOS environment.

I recently bought the new iPad, and feel convinced it is the best tablet out there, and IOS works for the way I use the device (with appropriate apps)

However, when my phone contract came for renewal last month, I felt that the iPhone somehow didn't do it for me, and decided to look around.. I too finished by buying the Galaxy Note 2 and all I can say is.. Wow!

I was worried the screen would be too large, but no, within minutes it feels perfectly natural in my hand and certainly easy to use. The screen quality is excellent and the s pen is a huge plus.

As far as Android is concerned, I'm loving it, and have found no difficulty in finding the apps I need.. Even more important, the device is synced perfectly with my iPad and my Macs as well as iCloud and Dropbox.

I have finally found a smart phone that is smart and which is capable of handling ALL my mobile information needs. What's more all is presented on a screen which doesn't need endless scrolling! I have only one regret.. That Apple didn't make this device and didn't advance IOS to the extent of the current versions of Android.
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
Got the GN 2 as well, and it simply pwns! I was using my iPhone 4 the other day as an iPod in my car that only supports the 30pin, and I don't like how Apple kept the same width screen in the iPhone 5. I understand it creates problems for developers to change the screen resolution for apps, but there's no way I'm using a 4" screen after learning how to do work on a 5.55". More than that is the much improved notification system and quick settings access ... features that are a huge deal not to have on a mobile operating system that claims to be the best (iOS). Custom keyboards, Swype keyboard, Adobe Flash too as others have said.
 
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jojoba

macrumors 68000
Dec 9, 2011
1,584
21
I've got a Samsung Galaxy Nexus which I really like. My main reason for sticking with android/Samsung is the screen size and the possibility to use third party keyboard apps like SwiftKey. It would be nice to have everything in one ecosystem (I have an iPad, iPod and Air), but I just can't deal with the iPhone keyboard and its lack of proper predictive text.
 

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,738
6,109
Some people love larger screens, and the Android home page with Widgets. I get it totally. Apple does not offer that experience as of now.

funny thing is....aside from making my home screen minimalism, I hated widgets. They always seemed so out of place with no uniformity. That drove me crazy!
 

mikegasol

macrumors member
Nov 29, 2012
57
0
Got rid of my iphone 5 for the Note 2 and it's an awesome phone. I have an ipod touch and an ipad mini for all my iOS needs. I also have a MBA, imac and ATV as well.
 

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,738
6,109
Got rid of my iphone 5 for the Note 2 and it's an awesome phone. I have an ipod touch and an ipad mini for all my iOS needs. I also have a MBA, imac and ATV as well.

just remember to remove you imessage account haha. I made that mistake when I first switched and didn't get text all day from people with an iphone....but my ipad sure did :p
 

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,057
Near Dallas, Texas, USA

ReanimationN

macrumors 6502a
Sep 7, 2011
724
0
Australia
MacBook Pro (running Windows 7 80% of the time) + Nexus 7 + iPhone 5 here.

I think Android still has a while to go until I'd be happy with it, but it was cool seeing what it has to offer, and to see Google make their own OS. Same goes with my Mac, it's been fun trying it, but I think I'll go for a PC next time around (haven't been 100% happy with the OS X software selection or experience, I've had to use Boot Camp a lot in the past few years for work and uni). Maybe not though, given that you have the ability to dual-boot with Windows (I love having that, I wish all devices had it) and get the best of both worlds on one device, it'll depend on the hardware available when I'm ready to buy a desktop/laptop again.

Ps, as for app suggestions, if you're missing the ability to listen to YouTube audio in the background, like you can using certain iOS apps, get PVSTAR. Also N64oid is a solid N64 emulator, if you're into older games, but you'll need the SlideME market to get it.
 

b166er

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2010
2,062
18
Philly
I own a nexus 7, which has been my first venture into android.

Strongly considering a note 2, or maybe an S4 when they drop.
 

F123D

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2008
3,776
16
Del Mar, CA
I have an iPhone 4s and didn't see the iP5 as being a worthy upgrade myself. Really enjoying the Note II so far only bad thing I see is that the iP5 camera is better than the note.

I had the iPhone 4 and didn't find the 4S to be worth an upgrade. Once the 5 came out, I upgraded but realized it's the same phone again with an extra row of icons.

I've upgraded to the Note II and couldn't be happier.

Screen size
Expandable storage
Replaceable battery
LED Notifications
Notification system
True multitasking
S-Pen features
Customization
Toggles
Widgets
Keyboards
Maps & Nav, etc..

Another member suggested SwipePad and it's one of the coolest apps/features I've seen in a while.
 

MikeM87

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
265
6
UK
Thanks guys... It was just for a change really but I'm really enjoying a change of OS and agree with the statement about iOS for tablets it's just perfect but for a phone I did feel the need for a change.

I love the larger screen for one, I wont lie it felt huge at first but you get use to it. I was using an iPhone 5 earlier and yes I'd agree with the comment about build quality as the Note II is made more or less made from plastic but the iPhone still has its flaws with the bezel edge especially. Neither are perfect just down to personal preference!
 

DaQuickPG

macrumors member
Jun 3, 2011
62
0
I also had ip4 and loved it for the past 2 years. Did not feel ip5 did anythibg different for me so I jumped on note 2 and love it so far. I also have an ipad 3 so it is perfect combo for me.
 

onthecouchagain

macrumors 604
Mar 29, 2011
7,382
2
The moment you show pedromartins a benchmark or test that outperforms the iPhone, it will be the moment he/she'll say benchmarks and tests don't matter.
 

0000757

macrumors 68040
Dec 16, 2011
3,893
850
I have a Nexus 7 and while I do highly enjoy the Android experience, Android is by far a tablet OS. On phones Android shines, but Android on tablets is not a very pleasing experience as compared to iOS.
 

Stuntman06

macrumors 6502a
Sep 19, 2011
961
5
Metro Vancouver, B.C, Canada
funny thing is....aside from making my home screen minimalism, I hated widgets. They always seemed so out of place with no uniformity. That drove me crazy!

The thing with widgets is finding ones that suit your needs. I find that many widgets are just utter crap and totally or near useless. It is as if many developers made a widget just for the sake of having a widget.

There are some widgets that depending on your needs are really nice and/or useful. I have found a few that are really good and those are the ones that I use.
 

Martin29

macrumors 6502
Nov 25, 2010
346
120
Quimper, France
The same can be said for many apps on google play.. or in the iTunes store for that matter.

Apps and Widgets are a question of personal preference. Several hundred thousand are of no use if the one you need is not there, whatever the OS.
 
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