General iOS vs Android - Anyone use both recently?

[Suckfest 9001]

Apps do seem a bit more polished in iOS. But sometimes seem a bit more capable in Android (more flexible widgets, often more customization).

Apps wise I honestly couldn't say - there are some iPhone exclusives that really matter to me but the apps that are available on both platforms are fairly close in quality most of the time.

 

[mib1800]

Apps do seem a bit more polished in iOS. But sometimes seem a bit more capable in Android (more flexible widgets, often more customization).

Apps wise I honestly couldn't say - there are some iPhone exclusives that really matter to me but the apps that are available on both platforms are fairly close in quality most of the time.

The more crucial is there are many apps (UI/customization/system/automation/connectivity) that are only available on Android due to the advanced nature of the OS. I would dare say iphone users are missing out on a lot of (unexplored) functionalities due to non-existence of such apps in Iphone. On the flip side, I don't think you can find many apps in Iphone that have no (similar) equivalent on Android.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

The more crucial is there are many apps (UI/customization/system/automation/connectivity) that are only available on Android due to the advanced nature of the OS. I would dare say iphone users are missing out on a lot of (unexplored) functionalities due to non-existence of such apps in Iphone. On the flip side, I don't think you can find many apps in Iphone that have no (similar) equivalent on Android.

From my perspective, I used to get really bored with my iPhones and developed a longing for the ability to customize and tinker. This is why I had so many android phones back in the day, and I loved it.

Then I realized that it's almost a full time job in and of itself to just get the phone to behave the way I want it to and to run as nicely as I wanted it to. Eventually I realized I just don't have enough time/patience for that in a busy work day that is stressful enough as it is.

With iPhone honestly it's more of a set it and forget it mentality. Yes Apple does dictate how things are based on what they think makes most sense. But many people, myself included, happen to agree with the vast majority of these decisions and have no problems with them.

I think my ideal combo would be an iPhone along with an android tablet. I just can't be bothered to tinker and customize anymore - it has to nail the core functionality without thinking about it.

 

[Septembersrain]

From my perspective, I used to get really bored with my iPhones and developed a longing for the ability to customize and tinker. This is why I had so many android phones back in the day, and I loved it.

Then I realized that it's almost a full time job in and of itself to just get the phone to behave the way I want it to and to run as nicely as I wanted it to. Eventually I realized I just don't have enough time/patience for that in a busy work day that is stressful enough as it is.

With iPhone honestly it's more of a set it and forget it mentality. Yes Apple does dictate how things are based on what they think makes most sense. But many people, myself included, happen to agree with the vast majority of these decisions and have no problems with them.

I think my ideal combo would be an iPhone along with an android tablet. I just can't be bothered to tinker and customize anymore - it has to nail the core functionality without thinking about it.

I feel the opposite. My tablet needs to just be ready to go. Probably because I use it for only a select few tasks.

I do agree that if you are short on time, playing with settings on android can be time consumed that you don't have to give.

That's why I'll probably always have one (or more) of each.

 

[mib1800]

From my perspective, I used to get really bored with my iPhones and developed a longing for the ability to customize and tinker. This is why I had so many android phones back in the day, and I loved it.

Then I realized that it's almost a full time job in and of itself to just get the phone to behave the way I want it to and to run as nicely as I wanted it to. Eventually I realized I just don't have enough time/patience for that in a busy work day that is stressful enough as it is.

With iPhone honestly it's more of a set it and forget it mentality. Yes Apple does dictate how things are based on what they think makes most sense. But many people, myself included, happen to agree with the vast majority of these decisions and have no problems with them.

I think my ideal combo would be an iPhone along with an android tablet. I just can't be bothered to tinker and customize anymore - it has to nail the core functionality without thinking about it.

You make it sound like "tinker" is an add-on which you need to laboriously perform on a daily basis (without getting much in return). That is not the case at all. You just set it up once and from then on the phone will take over and performs those mundane and laborious tasks for you thus freeing up your time forever. Without those "tinker" you are stuck in a loop doing all these mundane tasks yourself on a daily basis.

I have the following "tinker" on my galaxy since years ago so that I do not need to do these mundane tasks anymore. Iphone can't do any of these so if I were to use Iphone I feel like I am back in the stone age.

- automatically silent phone during meeting (using calendar entries) and revert after meeting. If you are using iphone, you have to laboriously remember to flip that ringer switch.

- I fetch my gf from work and my phone automatically texts her when my car is about 5 min from pickup point

- When I put my phone in holder in the car, the phone automatically turns on BT (to connect to car stereo), starts google map and play music. Likewise does the opposite when I take the phone out from holder. (This is done with a nfc sticker on the holder).

- One tap shortcut(s) to send pre-specified sms to family members. (Also for direct dial a specific number of a contact. And open specific screen in Settings - without needing to navigate through the Settings hierarchy).

- Periodically change phone wallpaper

- starts a call recording if I pick up calls from certain group. Or if I am in meeting, automatically redirects the call to another colleague.

- Phone automatically sends birthday/anniversary wishes to people in my contacts.

- Selectively sync important folders in my dropbox/onedrive/gdrive to phone internal storage. (important files are always available in phone storage)

- When at home/office/outdoor - automatically sets different phone profile (BT/wifi/sound/GPS etc)

- When connected to home wifi, phone automatically pairs using Sidesync with my desktops. This allows me to make/answer/text or interact with phone apps from any of my desktop(s)

- Automatically set fixed portrait/landscape mode when certain apps are run. (auto rotation can be a pain sometimes)


The above are some of the most useful and common ones. I have quite a few more related to work.

 

[maka344]

You make it sound like "tinker" is an add-on which you need to laboriously perform on a daily basis (without getting much in return). That is not the case at all. You just set it up once and from then on the phone will take over and performs those mundane and laborious tasks for you thus freeing up your time forever. Without those "tinker" you are stuck in a loop doing all these mundane tasks yourself on a daily basis.

I have the following "tinker" on my galaxy since years ago so that I do not need to do these mundane tasks anymore. Iphone can't do any of these so if I were to use Iphone I feel like I am back in the stone age.

- automatically silent phone during meeting (using calendar entries) and revert after meeting. If you are using iphone, you have to laboriously remember to flip that ringer switch.

- I fetch my gf from work and my phone automatically texts her when my car is about 5 min from pickup point

- When I put my phone in holder in the car, the phone automatically turns on BT (to connect to car stereo), starts google map and play music. Likewise does the opposite when I take the phone out from holder. (This is done with a nfc sticker on the holder).

- One tap shortcut(s) to send pre-specified sms to family members. (Also for direct dial a specific number of a contact. And open specific screen in Settings - without needing to navigate through the Settings hierarchy).

- Periodically change phone wallpaper

- starts a call recording if I pick up calls from certain group. Or if I am in meeting, automatically redirects the call to another colleague.

- Phone automatically sends birthday/anniversary wishes to people in my contacts.

- Selectively sync important folders in my dropbox/onedrive/gdrive to phone internal storage. (important files are always available in phone storage)

- When at home/office/outdoor - automatically sets different phone profile (BT/wifi/sound/GPS etc)

- When connected to home wifi, phone automatically pairs using Sidesync with my desktops. This allows me to make/answer/text or interact with phone apps from any of my desktop(s)

- Automatically set fixed portrait/landscape mode when certain apps are run. (auto rotation can be a pain sometimes)


The above are some of the most useful and common ones. I have quite a few more related to work.

It's this sort of stuff that just wipes the floor with iOS, to the position of almost being a dumb OS.

How do you periodically change phone wallpaper, automatically sends birthday/anniversary wishes, and send pre-specified sms to family members?

 

[ScubaCinci]

From my perspective, I used to get really bored with my iPhones and developed a longing for the ability to customize and tinker. This is why I had so many android phones back in the day, and I loved it.

That's a good point...I am a gadget guy by nature and I tend to tinker a lot, even with my iPhone as limited as it is. For example, when I add new apps, I have to make sure the notifications and location svcs are set to my liking and other things like that. I can see myself ever tweaking an Android phone just because I can.

You make it sound like "tinker" is an add-on which you need to laboriously perform on a daily basis (without getting much in return). That is not the case at all. You just set it up once and from then on the phone will take over and performs those mundane and laborious tasks for you thus freeing up your time forever. Without those "tinker" you are stuck in a loop doing all these mundane tasks yourself on a daily basis.

Also, great points and great examples of things that are very practical but aren't possible on iOS or can be done using the Workflow or IFTTT app but probably take a lot of extra effort. The setting of portrait/landscape rotation is awesome...I leave my rotation locked 99% of the time except for a few apps like viewing photos, videos, etc and it is an annoyance to have to unlock it though at least it can be done though the control center while still in the app.
[doublepost=1508931131][/doublepost]

I feel the opposite. My tablet needs to just be ready to go. Probably because I use it for only a select few tasks.

I do agree that if you are short on time, playing with settings on android can be time consumed that you don't have to give.

That's why I'll probably always have one (or more) of each.

I'm keeping my iPad Pro for sure!

 

[Suckfest 9001]

You make it sound like "tinker" is an add-on which you need to laboriously perform on a daily basis (without getting much in return). That is not the case at all. You just set it up once and from then on the phone will take over and performs those mundane and laborious tasks for you thus freeing up your time forever. Without those "tinker" you are stuck in a loop doing all these mundane tasks yourself on a daily basis.

I have the following "tinker" on my galaxy since years ago so that I do not need to do these mundane tasks anymore. Iphone can't do any of these so if I were to use Iphone I feel like I am back in the stone age.

- automatically silent phone during meeting (using calendar entries) and revert after meeting. If you are using iphone, you have to laboriously remember to flip that ringer switch.

I got an Apple Watch so that takes care of that.

- I fetch my gf from work and my phone automatically texts her when my car is about 5 min from pickup point

Find My Friends has a feature to notify you if someone is within a certain distance of you.

- When I put my phone in holder in the car, the phone automatically turns on BT (to connect to car stereo), starts google map and play music. Likewise does the opposite when I take the phone out from holder. (This is done with a nfc sticker on the holder).

I don't turn Bluetooth off considering the Apple Watch

- One tap shortcut(s) to send pre-specified sms to family members. (Also for direct dial a specific number of a contact. And open specific screen in Settings - without needing to navigate through the Settings hierarchy).

The dialing part is possible via widget on iPhone. Personally don't find much value in the texting part.

- Periodically change phone wallpaper

- starts a call recording if I pick up calls from certain group. Or if I am in meeting, automatically redirects the call to another colleague.

- Phone automatically sends birthday/anniversary wishes to people in my contacts.

- Selectively sync important folders in my dropbox/onedrive/gdrive to phone internal storage. (important files are always available in phone storage)

- When at home/office/outdoor - automatically sets different phone profile (BT/wifi/sound/GPS etc)

All excellent points, but again, personally don't find much value in this type of automation.

- When connected to home wifi, phone automatically pairs using Sidesync with my desktops. This allows me to make/answer/text or interact with phone apps from any of my desktop(s)

Got a MacBook so that takes care of the phone and texting functions

- Automatically set fixed portrait/landscape mode when certain apps are run. (auto rotation can be a pain sometimes)


The above are some of the most useful and common ones. I have quite a few more related to work.

That's pretty cool too.

Yeah see that's the difference honestly between you and me - most of this automation is, to me, pretty cool but not super practical. I don't care much for having some kind of a texting shortcut because I rarely need to text the same string twice. I don't really want automatic phone recordings because I suppose I admit, my job will never require that. The automatic wallpaper changing is cool but I just don't see the value in having that part automated - changing a wallpaper to one I like takes no effort (and admittedly I've been using that iOS 8 space one since it came out because it's just so damn cool). I don't want my phone texting people without my consent - things aren't static that way and that may not always be required. The profile thing doesn't matter to me due to having the Apple Watch, which basically takes over all notification management that I would ever need to do on the iPhone.

Honestly to call iOS a dumb OS just because it doesn't fulfill those wild edge cases of usage is pretty unfair. iOS just isn't about that kind of usage - it has its own intelligence about it via all the stuff you can do with automation via HomeKit and all the Siri suggestions throughout the OS. Whenever I get an Android phone, I find myself using it more or less like I used my iPhone. Except I get annoyed at having more stuff to configure. Some people can say "it's not like you need to keep configuring forever" but honestly, to me, it's undeniable that there is a certain level of maintenance that android phones seem to require but iPhones do not.

Starting from basically Donut/Eclair, Android has always had more features than iOS. But to be honest, I've always found that iOS just does the core stuff better - Apps load faster, they run smoother and look better. Messaging is seamless, calls and merging them is seamless, visual voicemail kicks ass, the App Store is amazing, and almost all the built in apps are great (except the Music app which is a piece of crap).

With Android I always felt the need to get a custom SMS app, a custom launcher, a custom app for voice recording, a custom app for calendars, a custom app for the camera, a custom app for notes, and so on and so forth. With that kind of "custom" going through all my apps, integration with family members is impossible. With iPhone, all such apps are in my opinion great out of the box and they all talk to each other seamlessly and with other family members. That's always been the strength of iOS - seamless integration and synchronization between your own phone's apps and other phones in the household or even at work.

Other strengths include security and privacy, which are much better on iOS as well.

Note that for everything I said above, I made sure to add a "for me" or "personally." Android is one hell of an OS and I actually think it's way more fun and capable than iOS. I personally don't find it as dependable, but that's just me. The days of going, "oh yeah, X is definitely better than Y" are over. Apple and Google are neck-in-neck and they both possess great strengths over one another.

Now, going forward, say 5 years or so from now? I can't say I've been happy with the current path Apple seems to follow. If it keeps going in this direction (terrible new me-too products like the iPhone X and the HomePod are just indicative of a loss of creativity at the head of the company) I don't foresee myself being a customer for much longer. I'm already tempted enough as it is to switch my daily driver to Android, but it's the "figuring out the core functionality and OS optimization" that pulls me to Android, not the long list of automation you listed that I frankly find insufficiently useful to my needs.

 

[laptech]

I currently have an iphone 5s and a Song Experia XA. I used an iphone 4 and various other android phones for years and the only reason i am using an iphone because in my experience it has superior audio hardware than android phones. The audio when using the iphone earphones is louder, crisper and base'er than any android phone i've used or tried.

 

[840quadra]

I have been using both platforms for years, but not really ever daily driven Android until recently. Since I never really customized any of my Android devices before now, I had some struggles in trying to figure out how to do a few things. Being able to do my own ringtones and such directly on device is nice, however I first struggled to find out how to get them to work on my Pixel. Also, with Android, I am not a fan of settings for apps and system being a bit all over the place with regards to ringtones, sounds, and even app security for location / notification settings. That said, it is increasingly becoming that way for iOS as well.

For Applications, I am not finding many issues, tough, look and feel are a bit different, and behaviors can be different on Android.

Things I like on Android

• More customizable, reminds me more of my Linux systems where I can pick my window managers and such
• Some hardware shortcuts are nice (Pixel 2), using the finger print sensor to swipe down for notifications, and squeeze for activating the assistant are nice.
• More control of some system features / processes
• AirPods work Awesome
• Android’s control center feature gives more control / quicker access. Though, arguably it reminds me of SB Settings and such that I had on early iOS devices.
• Ability to set default applications
• Google Assistant* (*it is a bit dim witted with understanding me, and often can’t find a person in my contacts)
• Apple Music
• Back button (though 3D Touch gives me that on iOS too (in some ways))
• Camera app (for overall control)
• USB connectivity to nearly anything
• Native Dark Mode, and dark mode plugins for some apps.
• Front RGB notification LED (though I had to enable it, and install a 3rd party app for RGB)

Things I miss on Android

• 3D Touch... And I mean I really miss that
• Many iOS only applications (Nothing on Android touches LumaFusion for video editing)
• I like Homekit’s approach to my IOT devices a bit better
• Siri* (*Rarely has issues with calling or texting a contact, honestly works better with my voice so far)
• Feels more polished (subjective so don’t read too much into that)
• I just like the feel, fit and finish of my iOS devices better (subjective)
• Some iOS versions of software are just better implemented and crash less
• Camera app (for just working without extra fuss)
• Apple Pay (Android pay isn’t accepted at as many of my frequent places)
• Stability* (Oreo + Pixel have had a few freeze issues and app crashes so far on native apps)

Otherwise, the experience is quite similar. If you are a tech person, and like to tweak the look / feel of your device, Android wins. While Android is getting better, Apple has a really polished ecosystem, and I have had great customer service for both hardware and software with them. I also feel the stability / security of Apple is superior. Once you start installing 3rd party applications on Android, you really need to take a step back and think, “Do I really need this application?”, and “Does this app really need access to X?”.

That said, iOS security isn’t perfect, there have been breeches in that camp too. I think people should change platforms every few years, both camps have a lot to offer, and both provide a really polished OS with great ecosystems.

I currently have an iphone 5s and a Song Experia XA. I used an iphone 4 and various other android phones for years and the only reason i am using an iphone because in my experience it has superior audio hardware than android phones. The audio when using the iphone earphones is louder, crisper and base'er than any android phone i've used or tried.

Give the HTC 10, and LG-G6 a listen. They have some really good amplifiers built into the devices.

You make it sound like "tinker" is an add-on which you need to laboriously perform on a daily basis (without getting much in return). That is not the case at all. You just set it up once and from then on the phone will take over and performs those mundane and laborious tasks for you thus freeing up your time forever. Without those "tinker" you are stuck in a loop doing all these mundane tasks yourself on a daily basis.

I have the following "tinker" on my galaxy since years ago so that I do not need to do these mundane tasks anymore. Iphone can't do any of these so if I were to use Iphone I feel like I am back in the stone age.

- automatically silent phone during meeting (using calendar entries) and revert after meeting. If you are using iphone, you have to laboriously remember to flip that ringer switch.

<SNIP>

The above are some of the most useful and common ones. I have quite a few more related to work.

Laboriously flip the mute switch?

Some of those items are clear wins for Android, many are totally Meh. As politely pointed out by someone else, some of your knowledge of iOS is also a bit outdated. You can automate notification to friends / family when you are leaving, arriving to a location. Some of the Google services also work on iOS, helping further with automation as well as there being some other 3rd party location aware apps for other pieces of your list.

 

[mib1800]

I got an Apple Watch so that takes care of that.

Just curious. How does the watch turn your phone to silent automatically during a meeting (as specified in your calendar)?

Find My Friends has a feature to notify you if someone is within a certain distance of you.

Good to know this. But I assume this only works if both sides have iphone (the usual caveat).

I don't turn Bluetooth off considering the Apple Watch

That is just one of the use case. Main point is you can customize whatever settings / services / apps to turn on or off based on events.

All excellent points, but again, personally don't find much value in this type of automation.


Got a MacBook so that takes care of the phone and texting functions


That's pretty cool too.

Main point I am making is that IOS does not support these kind of capabilities. So even if you are interested in automation it is not possible with Iphone.

The thing about iOS apps being "more polished" as brought up by ifans often, I just like to ask is what does it really mean? Is it because the UI is more "apple like" therefore is better? Or they have better animation or smoother?

From what I experienced the Android version of the same app usually has more functionalities (like background processing, event driven, better share capabilities, widget and possibility of integration with other apps)

Yeah see that's the difference honestly between you and me - most of this automation is, to me, pretty cool but not super practical. I don't care much for having some kind of a texting shortcut because I rarely need to text the same string twice.

One touch sms is very useful for me. "Please call me", "Go home by yourself", "Please buy food" etc etc. You can't believe how many times these are sent.

I don't really want automatic phone recordings because I suppose I admit, my job will never require that. The automatic wallpaper changing is cool but I just don't see the value in having that part automated - changing a wallpaper to one I like takes no effort (and admittedly I've been using that iOS 8 space one since it came out because it's just so damn cool). I don't want my phone texting people without my consent - things aren't static that way and that may not always be required. The profile thing doesn't matter to me due to having the Apple Watch, which basically takes over all notification management that I would ever need to do on the iPhone.

Honestly to call iOS a dumb OS just because it doesn't fulfill those wild edge cases of usage is pretty unfair. iOS just isn't about that kind of usage - it has its own intelligence about it via all the stuff you can do with automation via HomeKit and all the Siri suggestions throughout the OS. Whenever I get an Android phone, I find myself using it more or less like I used my iPhone. Except I get annoyed at having more stuff to configure. Some people can say "it's not like you need to keep configuring forever" but honestly, to me, it's undeniable that there is a certain level of maintenance that android phones seem to require but iPhones do not.

I didnt call iOS dumb. Yours is an outdated thinking. I see many people using Android without needing "maintenance". If you use Android like an Iphone then there is no maintenance needed.

Starting from basically Donut/Eclair, Android has always had more features than iOS. But to be honest, I've always found that iOS just does the core stuff better - Apps load faster, they run smoother and look better. Messaging is seamless, calls and merging them is seamless, visual voicemail kicks ass, the App Store is amazing, and almost all the built in apps are great (except the Music app which is a piece of crap).

Do you just admire how good iOS apps look or that they load milliseconds faster? This to me is of no value add. For me, the more important is that the phone can do something when you need it to (even occasionally). e.g. I am out and about and running out of storage space, I can just transfer out stuff easily by pluging in thumbdrive directly.

With Android I always felt the need to get a custom SMS app, a custom launcher, a custom app for voice recording, a custom app for calendars, a custom app for the camera, a custom app for notes, and so on and so forth. With that kind of "custom" going through all my apps, integration with family members is impossible. With iPhone, all such apps are in my opinion great out of the box and they all talk to each other seamlessly and with other family members. That's always been the strength of iOS - seamless integration and synchronization between your own phone's apps and other phones in the household or even at work.

This assumes you mortgage your life to apple (figurative speaking for saying all things you own are from apple). Otherwise, iphone is just dead in the water. It can't inter-operate at all.

e.g. to mirror the iphone to TV you need apple tv. I can mirror my S8+ to any wifi capable anyway.

Other strengths include security and privacy, which are much better on iOS as well.

This I agree to a certain extent.

Note that for everything I said above, I made sure to add a "for me" or "personally." Android is one hell of an OS and I actually think it's way more fun and capable than iOS. I personally don't find it as dependable, but that's just me. The days of going, "oh yeah, X is definitely better than Y" are over. Apple and Google are neck-in-neck and they both possess great strengths over one another.

To me, my S8 (and other android phone before it in the last 3 years) is very dependable. Never have issue with it whether battery life or app/phone crash or security issue etc. It runs all the automations without fail.

Like you said, everyone finds their own comfort level with their setup whether using iphone or otherwise.

Now, going forward, say 5 years or so from now? I can't say I've been happy with the current path Apple seems to follow. If it keeps going in this direction (terrible new me-too products like the iPhone X and the HomePod are just indicative of a loss of creativity at the head of the company) I don't foresee myself being a customer for much longer. I'm already tempted enough as it is to switch my daily driver to Android, but it's the "figuring out the core functionality and OS optimization" that pulls me to Android, not the long list of automation you listed that I frankly find insufficiently useful to my needs.

Personally, I can't see myself using iphone. I am too used to having lots of automation. I just can't imagine myself going back to doing those tasks manually. I doubt apple will let loose iOS in the way.[/quote]

 

[nilk]

From my perspective, I used to get really bored with my iPhones and developed a longing for the ability to customize and tinker. This is why I had so many android phones back in the day, and I loved it.

Then I realized that it's almost a full time job in and of itself to just get the phone to behave the way I want it to and to run as nicely as I wanted it to. Eventually I realized I just don't have enough time/patience for that in a busy work day that is stressful enough as it is.

With iPhone honestly it's more of a set it and forget it mentality. Yes Apple does dictate how things are based on what they think makes most sense. But many people, myself included, happen to agree with the vast majority of these decisions and have no problems with them.

I think my ideal combo would be an iPhone along with an android tablet. I just can't be bothered to tinker and customize anymore - it has to nail the core functionality without thinking about it.

What is it about Android customization that makes it a full time job? Is it that things go wrong and you have to figure out fixes? Or there are so many options you're tempted to constantly explore the possibilities?

I use a lot of software that has vast customization (e.g. software dev tools such as Emacs and IntelliJ IDEA, UNIX environment in general, macOS in general), but I nailed down the config years ago, and only do minor tweaks from time to time, but that's vary rare. I would hope Android would be the same - get things how I want them, and then just use it like that for years.

I have some Android devices, but they've never been my main phone, and I haven't gone very far into customization (setup Nova Launcher how I like it, but that's about it). I would do a lot more customization if it was my main phone.

I'm actually get a bit frustrated waiting for Apple to provide better automation capabilities in iOS. I was hoping their acquisition of Workflow app would lead to this, and there are some nice things you can do with Workflow, but it's just nowhere near what has been possible with Android for years. I keep thinking "maybe in the next major iOS version". You'd think the company who has Automator built into their desktop OS would have delivered something similar to iOS by now (note that I expect Apple to deliver this, as I just don't think they'd give 3rd parties the APIs to do it any time soon).

I'm more tempted than I ever have been to give Android a try for my main phone (smaller Pixel 2 is very tempting to me), but I'm just not sure if I'll be trading iOS inadequacies for other troubles.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

Just curious. How does the watch turn your phone to silent automatically during a meeting (as specified in your calendar)?

It doesn't. The phone is always silent because the watch basically takes over all notifications and does it in a discrete way.

Good to know this. But I assume this only works if both sides have iphone (the usual caveat).

Yeah. There are probably apps for this otherwise but everyone in my family uses an iPhone so it works out for me.

The thing about iOS apps being "more polished" as brought up by ifans often, I just like to ask is what does it really mean? Is it because the UI is more "apple like" therefore is better? Or they have better animation or smoother?

Yeah basically, they seem to follow one set of design guidelines and they always seem to run better. Might be a Java JVM vs. Swift thing, I don't know. I just know that there is much more money given back to devs with iOS vs. Android, so they seem to give iOS more attention as a result.

From what I experienced the Android version of the same app usually has more functionalities (like background processing, event driven, better share capabilities, widget and possibility of integration with other apps)

Yeah exactly, and that seems to boil down to the fact that apps are allowed to do things like draw over the screen and perform tasks automatically in the background. Definitely one of the core strengths of Android.

One touch sms is very useful for me. "Please call me", "Go home by yourself", "Please buy food" etc etc. You can't believe how many times these are sent.

I suppose. I usually use my watch to send quick messages like this, but I can definitely see the value in shortcuts.

I didnt call iOS dumb. Yours is an outdated thinking. I see many people using Android without needing "maintenance". If you use Android like an Iphone then there is no maintenance needed.

Not really true. You still have to worry about which app is running in the background or consuming how much battery life or RAM. iOS apps just don't run in the background and rely on push notifications instead, unless they're performing specific services, which the OS makes sure to let you know of. It's the simplicity of the OS that keeps it maintenance-free. Double-edged sword, I know.

Do you just admire how good iOS apps look or that they load milliseconds faster? This to me is of no value add.

Basically yeah. I like good design, and I like good optimization. I can't get over the fact that Android works off of Java. It's such a joke of a language in the industry. No value to you, but of massive value to me! Clearly we're not alike in terms of phone needs!

For me, the more important is that the phone can do something when you need it to (even occasionally). e.g. I am out and about and running out of storage space, I can just transfer out stuff easily by pluging in thumbdrive directly.

iOS has its own little tricks for maximizing storage, including offloading unused apps, photos, and so on. We also have the ability to plug in lightning microSD readers, but I've never felt the need to do it honestly.

This assumes you mortgage your life to apple (figurative speaking for saying all things you own are from apple). Otherwise, iphone is just dead in the water. It can't inter-operate at all.

Not really. Even if the iPhone was the only Apple device I had, it still works beautifully in and of itself, and works beautifully with the other iPhones in the family. I'm not sure if you're really being honest to yourself when you say "dead in the water" and "can't inter-operate at all." Just seems like exaggeration to me.

e.g. to mirror the iphone to TV you need apple tv. I can mirror my S8+ to any wifi capable anyway.

There are apps for chromecast as well as many other services for sending videos/photos over Wi-Fi. It just so happens that the Apple way to do it is the most seamless and best-performing.

Personally, I can't see myself using iphone. I am too used to having lots of automation. I just can't imagine myself going back to doing those tasks manually. I doubt apple will let loose iOS in the way.

Personally, I can see myself using Android, but not until they sort out the technical limitations. We shouldn't need 6GB of RAM to run a phone smoothly. They need to figure out how to ditch Java for a real native language. I personally hope Apple doesn't "let loose" iOS in the way Android has, because that just means more stuff going on that is out of sight or out of your control programmatically. I never want my phone to be doing any kind of processing without my knowledge. Going through the "services" list of apps running in the background on Android feels like a punch to the gut - you can't even disable those things. People on Android occasionally complain about how Facebook takes up so much battery life when installed, or how the phone slows down when you install 100 apps.

I can literally install as many apps as the phone's storage will allow on iOS and the OS will not run slower at all due to the nature of the sandboxed limitations of the apps. That's something I hope Apple will never change their mind on, because, to me, it's the one thing they're doing right.

 

[mib1800]

I have been using both platforms for years, but not really ever daily driven Android until recently. Since I never really customized any of my Android devices before now, I had some struggles in trying to figure out how to do a few things. Being able to do my own ringtones and such directly on device is nice, however I first struggled to find out how to get them to work on my Pixel. Also, with Android, I am not a fan of settings for apps and system being a bit all over the place with regards to ringtones, sounds, and even app security for location / notification settings. That said, it is increasingly becoming that way for iOS as well.

For Applications, I am not finding many issues, tough, look and feel are a bit different, and behaviors can be different on Android.

Things I like on Android

• More customizable, reminds me more of my Linux systems where I can pick my window managers and such
• Some hardware shortcuts are nice (Pixel 2), using the finger print sensor to swipe down for notifications, and squeeze for activating the assistant are nice.
• More control of some system features / processes
• AirPods work Awesome
• Android’s control center feature gives more control / quicker access. Though, arguably it reminds me of SB Settings and such that I had on early iOS devices.
• Ability to set default applications
• Google Assistant* (*it is a bit dim witted with understanding me, and often can’t find a person in my contacts)
• Apple Music
• Back button (though 3D Touch gives me that on iOS too (in some ways))
• Camera app (for overall control)
• USB connectivity to nearly anything
• Native Dark Mode, and dark mode plugins for some apps.
• Front RGB notification LED (though I had to enable it, and install a 3rd party app for RGB)

Things I miss on Android

• 3D Touch... And I mean I really miss that
• Many iOS only applications (Nothing on Android touches LumaFusion for video editing)
• I like Homekit’s approach to my IOT devices a bit better
• Siri* (*Rarely has issues with calling or texting a contact, honestly works better with my voice so far)
• Feels more polished (subjective so don’t read too much into that)
• I just like the feel, fit and finish of my iOS devices better (subjective)
• Some iOS versions of software are just better implemented and crash less
• Camera app (for just working without extra fuss)
• Apple Pay (Android pay isn’t accepted at as many of my frequent places)
• Stability* (Oreo + Pixel have had a few freeze issues and app crashes so far on native apps)

Otherwise, the experience is quite similar. If you are a tech person, and like to tweak the look / feel of your device, Android wins. While Android is getting better, Apple has a really polished ecosystem, and I have had great customer service for both hardware and software with them. I also feel the stability / security of Apple is superior. Once you start installing 3rd party applications on Android, you really need to take a step back and think, “Do I really need this application?”, and “Does this app really need access to X?”.

That said, iOS security isn’t perfect, there have been breeches in that camp too. I think people should change platforms every few years, both camps have a lot to offer, and both provide a really polished OS with great ecosystems.



Give the HTC 10, and LG-G6 a listen. They have some really good amplifiers built into the devices.



Laboriously flip the mute switch?

Some of those items are clear wins for Android, many are totally Meh. As politely pointed out by someone else, some of your knowledge of iOS is also a bit outdated. You can automate notification to friends / family when you are leaving, arriving to a location. Some of the Google services also work on iOS, helping further with automation as well as there being some other 3rd party location aware apps for other pieces of your list.

OK. Choice of word maybe over-dramatic.

But anyway, you are doing a qualitative comparison of the apps. My point was certain apps are not possible with iOS. My examples are for me. Other people may find other uses. Whether you need them or not is another matter. With Android it is possible. With iOS it is not.

So which is more important - having a "most polished" app (whatever that means) or having those apps that are not possible with iOS. Personally I choose the latter.

 

[nilk]

One touch sms is very useful for me. "Please call me", "Go home by yourself", "Please buy food" etc etc. You can't believe how many times these are sent.

With Workflow app (which Apple acquired), I can, for example, have a button in my widget drawer that I press, that constructs a message that tells my wife my exact location and how many minutes until I get home. But then I still have to tap send to actually send it. And I can't just have a button to do this on the lock screen, I have to swipe to get to my widget drawer to be able to (wish it was just a button on the lock screen).

I feel like on a long enough timeline, Apple will deliver the level of automation I'm asking for right now, and they have some of the pieces in place to make it happen, but Android will be far ahead by the time they do.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

What is it about Android customization that makes it a full time job? Is it that things go wrong and you have to figure out fixes? Or there are so many options you're tempted to constantly explore the possibilities?

I use a lot of software that has vast customization (e.g. software dev tools such as Emacs and IntelliJ IDEA, UNIX environment in general, macOS in general), but I nailed down the config years ago, and only do minor tweaks from time to time, but that's vary rare. I would hope Android would be the same - get things how I want them, and then just use it like that for years.

I have some Android devices, but they've never been my main phone, and I haven't gone very far into customization (setup Nova Launcher how I like it, but that's about it). I would do a lot more customization if it was my main phone.

I'm actually get a bit frustrated waiting for Apple to provide better automation capabilities in iOS. I was hoping their acquisition of Workflow app would lead to this, and there are some nice things you can do with Workflow, but it's just nowhere near what has been possible with Android for years. I keep thinking "maybe in the next major iOS version". You'd think the company who has Automator built into their desktop OS would have delivered something similar to iOS by now (note that I expect Apple to deliver this, as I just don't think they'd give 3rd parties the APIs to do it any time soon).

I'm more tempted than I ever have been to give Android a try for my main phone (smaller Pixel 2 is very tempting to me), but I'm just not sure if I'll be trading iOS inadequacies for other troubles.

Yeah I'm hoping their acquisition of Workflow will lead to some good stuff in iOS 12. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say "maybe they didn't have enough time post-acquisition to fit stuff into the iOS11 release." We'll see I guess. Automator on iOS would actually be the greatest thing in the world. It does exist for Jailbreak to a certain extent, but it'd be great to see it running officially.

 

[840quadra]

OK. Choice of word maybe over-dramatic.

But anyway, you are doing a qualitative comparison of the apps. My point was certain apps are not possible with iOS.

So which is more important - having a "most polished" app (whatever that means) or having those apps that are not possible with iOS. Personally I choose the latter.

An app that doesn’t crash, and operates as expected is my main focus, stability is part of the polish for me too.

At the end of the day, I like both platforms, and there are apps on both sides that are either unavailable on the other, or, don’t have as full featured of a mirror. For that reason, and a few I listed in my post, I think it is good to switch / use the other platforms from time to time.

 

[convergent]

Things I miss on Android

• 3D Touch... And I mean I really miss that
• Many iOS only applications (Nothing on Android touches LumaFusion for video editing)
• I like Homekit’s approach to my IOT devices a bit better
• Siri* (*Rarely has issues with calling or texting a contact, honestly works better with my voice so far)
• Feels more polished (subjective so don’t read too much into that)
• I just like the feel, fit and finish of my iOS devices better (subjective)
• Some iOS versions of software are just better implemented and crash less
• Camera app (for just working without extra fuss)
• Apple Pay (Android pay isn’t accepted at as many of my frequent places)
• Stability* (Oreo + Pixel have had a few freeze issues and app crashes so far on native apps)

Interesting list... I have a very different perspective...

• 3D Touch I have never really used on iOS... seems like a bit of a gimmick to me.
• Not run into any iOS only apps I can't live without, and I'd never attempt video editing on a phone.
• I started to play with Homekit a little, but not to any great extent. What I found was a lot of stuff that either didn't work with it, or needed some other hub to interact.
  
• Siri - I think you are the first person I've heard say you liked it better than Google A. I haven't had major issues with Siri in the car, but Google A has been great.
• More polished... I think that used to be true but as iOS gets more complex, its polish is a bit tarnished. Certainly the new "notch" doesn't equate to polish to me.
• I've not had any apps that I use crash on Android and haven't noticed any big differences from the iOS versions I used before. The experience has been pretty similar.
• I like the Samsung camera app better than the built in iOS camera app. In particular, the built in pro mode and sports modes, and the ability to move the shutter release button around on the screen when doing selfies... avoids awkward hand holding positions.
• At least in the US, Samsung Pay is way more widely accepted than either Apple Pay or Android Pay, since it has MST in addition to NFC.
• I've not had any stability issues at all on the Note 8... no crashes, no freezes, no lag... its been a great experience. Its odd that you are having that stuff happen on a Pixel since I thought that was the benefit of the Pixel.

 

[840quadra]

Interesting list... I have a very different perspective...

It all comes down to what you are used to. Been an Android user for years, but more of an iOS user as my daily driver / personal phone. I haven’t had vast amounts of crashing, just early on when running some apps, and had lots of stuff going on in the background. Since my first couple of days, it has been bulletproof stable. Where you haven’t had stability problems with your Samsung phones, colleagues of mine have had many (but again, different use case).

As far as Polish, I agree (and stated above) that Apple is losing that, but, I still think it is better than Android overall (again personal feeling).

Not many really adopt / use 3D Touch, because it is easy to forget. But for those of us that adopted it, it’s as polarizing as customization is on Android. For me personally, many things where you long press for a contextual menu on Android, you press harder on a iPhone and get it instantly . Honestly, long press feels slow (because it is a longer press by design) than simply pressing harder on the iPhone.

I also LOVE the 3D Touch app switch function (now that it is back) , and the ability to hard press, swipe up to save photos and do other actions. Again, just a different use case.

::EDIT::

Speaking of contextual menus, below are some differences between the same applications on both platforms. There are more examples, both in UI and UX in and outside of apps, and in these two examples the iOS versions feel more finished.

I actually use these 3D Touch shortcuts many times a day, as it skips some loading / app navigation in both examples.

Netflix


Instagram

 

[Suckfest 9001]

It all comes down to what you are used to. Been an Android user for years, but more of an iOS user as my daily driver / personal phone. I haven’t had vast amounts of crashing, just early on when running some apps, and had lots of stuff going on in the background. Since my first couple of days, it has been bulletproof stable. Where you haven’t had stability problems with your Samsung phones, colleagues of mine have had many (but again, different use case).

As far as Polish, I agree (and stated above) that Apple is losing that, but, I still think it is better than Android overall (again personal feeling).

Not many really adopt / use 3D Touch, because it is easy to forget. But for those of us that adopted it, it’s as polarizing as customization is on Android. For me personally, many things where you long press for a contextual menu on Android, you press harder on a iPhone and get it instantly . Honestly, long press feels slow (because it is a longer press by design) than simply pressing harder on the iPhone.

I also LOVE the 3D Touch app switch function (now that it is back) , and the ability to hard press, swipe up to save photos and do other actions. Again, just a different use case.

::EDIT::

Speaking of contextual menus, below are some differences between the same applications on both platforms. There are more examples, both in UI and UX in and outside of apps, and in these two examples the iOS versions feel more finished.

I actually use these 3D Touch shortcuts many times a day, as it skips some loading / app navigation in both examples.

Netflix
View attachment 727268 View attachment 727269

Instagram

View attachment 727267 View attachment 727270

Exactly. People that think 3D Touch is a gimmick simply haven't discovered all the different ways to use it or are just lying to themselves. The 3D Touch gesture on the keyboard alone is killer.

 

[convergent]

Exactly. People that think 3D Touch is a gimmick simply haven't discovered all the different ways to use it or are just lying to themselves. The 3D Touch gesture on the keyboard alone is killer.

I'm not lying to myself... I don't see value in it. Have had it on my iPhone since it was introduced and find it to be a gimmick in my opinion. I have tried to use it and given that there is no common capability that is predictable, its never going to be a go to for me. I'm sure you have a different view.

 

[AustinIllini]

I'm not lying to myself... I don't see value in it. Have had it on my iPhone since it was introduced and find it to be a gimmick in my opinion. I have tried to use it and given that there is no common capability that is predictable, its never going to be a go to for me. I'm sure you have a different view.

Yeah, I tried to make 3d touch work, but no one honestly looks at iOS and says "Yeah, I want to right click"

 

[M5RahuL]

3DT is one of the features I actually like on iOS, especially on the phone app. I 3DT it, it pops up my favs and done.. I don't really call many people, other than family, unless I must. The 3DT on the phone app, for me, is very handy!
[doublepost=1508956044][/doublepost]

I currently have an iphone 5s and a Song Experia XA. I used an iphone 4 and various other android phones for years and the only reason i am using an iphone because in my experience it has superior audio hardware than android phones. The audio when using the iphone earphones is louder, crisper and base'er than any android phone i've used or tried.

The SQ on the LG V30 ( 32 bit hifi quad DAC ) literally obliterates any other smartphone's audio capabilities. Heck, even the Note 8 sounds far better than the iPhone. All on this wired, of course. The built in DAC in Snapdragon 835 is pretty decent. The LG V30 just takes it to another level.

This is the DAC in the LG V30 : http://www.esstech.com/index.php/en...og-converters/sabre-hifi-mobile-dacs/es9218p/

 

[mib1800]

It all comes down to what you are used to. Been an Android user for years, but more of an iOS user as my daily driver / personal phone. I haven’t had vast amounts of crashing, just early on when running some apps, and had lots of stuff going on in the background. Since my first couple of days, it has been bulletproof stable. Where you haven’t had stability problems with your Samsung phones, colleagues of mine have had many (but again, different use case).

As far as Polish, I agree (and stated above) that Apple is losing that, but, I still think it is better than Android overall (again personal feeling).

Not many really adopt / use 3D Touch, because it is easy to forget. But for those of us that adopted it, it’s as polarizing as customization is on Android. For me personally, many things where you long press for a contextual menu on Android, you press harder on a iPhone and get it instantly . Honestly, long press feels slow (because it is a longer press by design) than simply pressing harder on the iPhone.

I also LOVE the 3D Touch app switch function (now that it is back) , and the ability to hard press, swipe up to save photos and do other actions. Again, just a different use case.

::EDIT::

Speaking of contextual menus, below are some differences between the same applications on both platforms. There are more examples, both in UI and UX in and outside of apps, and in these two examples the iOS versions feel more finished.

I actually use these 3D Touch shortcuts many times a day, as it skips some loading / app navigation in both examples.

Netflix
View attachment 727268 View attachment 727269

Instagram

View attachment 727267 View attachment 727270

I think at this point in time the qualitative and quantitative importance of factors like stability, security, speed/benchmark, eco-system and camera are being overstated. To be objective, I think Android and iOS have narrowed the gap between themselves on these factors to a point that there is really not much significant difference in daily use. Going forward, I think the versus factors will be design, hardware technology (e.g. flexible screen, all-in-one form factor, screen tech, vr, ar etc), new application areas, automation and last but not least price.

On 3DT, the thing is at the moment a lot of the uses for 3DT are no more than replicating the long press popup menu. It kind of wasted really. The 3DT to go home on the Samsung galaxy and 3DT to open task manager in Iphone are the stuff 3DT is good for.

The screenshot you shown, it is very easy to have the same contextual menu on Android as well. Some launchers already implement more command options in the menu. Also, with 3D touch it is more prone to mis-press since a hard tap can be interpreted as 3DT.

 

[hemon]

I currently have an iphone 5s and a Song Experia XA. I used an iphone 4 and various other android phones for years and the only reason i am using an iphone because in my experience it has superior audio hardware than android phones. The audio when using the iphone earphones is louder, crisper and base'er than any android phone i've used or tried.

I think you really don't know what are you talking about. I was in the same boot.

Just try the S8(+), Note 8, HTC 10 / U11 etc. (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/best-smartphone-for-audiophile-part-ii-updated-sep-2017.853115/): They sound MUCH better than the iPhone / iPad!