My iPhone 6 Opinion

[TechGod]

Hey guys, so the reason why I'm posting this here is because I'm going to be talking about Android a bit too. You could probably care less about my opinion but I have some free time and figured I'd share and see if anyone else feels the same way.

I've used just about every iPhone since the 3G to my last iPhone, the 5. I'm a tech-guy, I like to build my own computers and keep up to date with all the latest technology, I'm also studying computer forensics in college. Because of my interest, I figured I would try Android to see what it was all about. I decided to buy the Galaxy S4 when it first came out. I quickly realized at the time how ahead Google was compared to Apple.

Since then I bought an HTC One M8 and love this damn phone. The thing is great! Forget the endless customization options with Android, compared to iOS 7/8, it opens apps and does any action faster, I feel as though the animations introduced in iOS 7 make it seems much slower than it could be. I never imagined even comparing the 5S to any Android flagship for the small screen alone.

However, this changed when the iPhone 6 came out. My girlfriend really wanted one so I surprised her for her birthday with a new iPhone 6. Of course this led to me playing with it for hours testing everything out. And I have to say, the larger screen really improves the experience.

Although, it's still not a compelling package. I love using my Moto 360 and it seems as though the Apple Watch just isn't as stylish or functional(I guess time will tell). So using an Android Wear watch is one reason, but in general I simply feel that iOS is still not as advanced as Android.

Apple stepped their hardware game up but even so I still can't help but feel Apple used the "People will buy anything we make so lets try to save as much money as possible" tactic. For example, instead of making the IP6 so much thinner, why didn't they just keep the thickness of the 5S and make the phone stronger(no bending) and improve battery life? Was it to save money on excess metal and bigger batteries? I really don't know.

I feel as though Apple isn't the company it once was a few years ago with Steve Jobs. I would love to see them come back and CRUSH Android with killer features, great customization, and Apple fluidity that it's known for. I'm not a fan boy for either side, I'll simply buy whatever I believe is best at the time. It's also great when companies have competition because we as consumers in the end always win.

But it just feels as though people buying iPhones now are buying simply because:

A: They're used to it
B: Their friends/family use iPhones
C: They are simply Apple fans

I really can't see anyone buying the iPhone 6 and truly believing it's the best experience that's currently available...

I'll add more thoughts as I think of them, but what do you guys think?

This whole post is so wrong it hurts me.

 

[mib1800]

If you look at integration, customer service, ease of use, slickness of the UI, professional apps, etc, imo it absolutely is the best experience available.

It all depends on the priorities of the person evaluating the device and what they need/want from a phone. If Android gave me a compelling reason to switch, I would, but so far things like build quality, customer service, the clunkiness of Android, etc, all keep me away and I've seriously evaluated different devices like the HTC One and the LG G3 to see if switching is feasible.

What integration you are talking about? There is no integration unless you pay through the roof to buy all apple hardware.

On android I can achieve the same level of integration plus a lot of other functionalities not found in ios in a heterogeneous environment.

Apple is all about aesthetic from the casing to UI but lacks substance in the things that matter. Then again a lot of people go crazy over skin deep beauty.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I used it a few months ago....what did I say that was false?

It's always nice to follow up a statement like that with some supporting information.

I like to learn and if I missed something I appreciate being shown the things I've missed.

The bolded in your quote below is untrue. As long as I remember using Power Toggles, it had flashlight and camera toggles. In the early versions of power toggles, it didn't include 75% of the features it has now. Now you can add any app as a shortcut/toggle, including any default like the calculator.

Customization and features of Power Toggles answers the rest of your statement.

]Oh, and for those who are saying lack of customization in the Control Center is a negative, what would you put in there that isn't already there?

I've used power toggles....there are things like flashlight, camera and calculator that aren't in power toggles.

There's also a bunch of random toggles in PT that I never used. So my question is - what percentage of people actually uses the toggles that can't be found in CC?

Or are we simply saying "choice is better just because, even though no one uses them".

 

[Lloydbm41]

I've used power toggles....there are things like flashlight, camera and calculator that aren't in power toggles.

There's also a bunch of random toggles in PT that I never used. So my question is - what percentage of people actually uses the toggles that can't be found in CC?

Or are we simply saying "choice is better just because, even though no one uses them".

James,

Just wanted to point out that Power Toggles has an option for every single setting on the phone, as well as the option to link to any app you have. Flashlight, camera, calculator, etc....

 

[TechGod]

I think we got a good debate going here, everyone's making good points and I've learned a few new things.

One thing I'd like to add, Android phone build quality has matched or surpassed Apple at this point. Have you seen the HTC One M8? It almost looks like Apple copied it's design for the iPhone 6! Although I guess there's only so many ways you can make an antenna work through metal..

It's hardly exceded. The M8 is an equal to the 6 Space Gray but the 5S looked ****.

----------

James,

Just wanted to point out that Power Toggles has an option for every single setting on the phone, as well as the option to link to any app you have. Flashlight, camera, calculator, etc....

If you are rooted.

 

[Lloydbm41]

If you are rooted.

Umm no. I'm not rooted. Works on my Nexus 5 and Moto X. In fact, I've been using the flashlight setting in Power Toggles for the last year.

 

[kerrikins]

What integration you are talking about? There is no integration unless you pay through the roof to buy all apple hardware.

On android I can achieve the same level of integration plus a lot of other functionalities not found in ios in a heterogeneous environment.

Apple is all about aesthetic from the casing to UI but lacks substance in the things that matter. Then again a lot of people go crazy over skin deep beauty.

But to achieve that integration you have to use Google, and to do that you have to understand that you are the product and not the customer. I actually prefer 'paying through the roof' with Apple because they're not nearly as invested in selling all information about me as Google is.

Integration was really only one of the things I mentioned, though, not sure why you zoned in on that and ignored everything else. I was just pointing out that the idea of what is the best 'experience' will differ from customer to customer.

 

[TechGod]

Umm no. I'm not rooted. Works on my Nexus 5 and Moto X. In fact, I've been using the flashlight setting in Power Toggles for the last year.

We were talking about the flashlight setting? Sorry lolz. Yeah that doesn't need root.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

We were talking about the flashlight setting? Sorry lolz. Yeah that doesn't need root.

You still don't need to root for 99% of customizations, or settings and apps toggles.

You only have to root for Restart, Shutdown, GPS, and NFC toggles, which are already available via power button or default notification toggles. Also might need to root for the "Motorola 1% hack" setting, which I have no clue about.

 

[TechGod]

You still don't need to root for 99% of customizations, or settings and apps toggles.

You only have to root for Restart, Shutdown, GPS, and NFC toggles, which are already available via power button or default notification toggles. Also might need to root for the "Motorola 1% hack" setting, which I have no clue about.

Being rooted is fun, I stopped using stock a month after getting my phone.

 

[dojoman]

delete

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Being rooted is fun, I stopped using stock a month after getting my phone.

Yea, I always root. But I grew tired of custom roms.

 

[R.Perez]

So I'm giving an iPhone a try for the first time ever. I still plan to be heavily tied into Google Apps and services though. My reason? Camera, battery life and sheer # of available and very useful accessories. I'm tired of having the niche phone and not having a large selection of docks, easily obtainable cases, easy car integration etc. I have been pretty into the customization aspect (currently running CyanogenMod) of Android in the past so we'll see how the adjustment goes. My biggest gripe with iOS is that you can't change the browser.

 

[TechGod]

Yea, I always root. But I grew tired of custom roms.

To be honest so have I, I'm running Franco and PA to provide somewhat acceptable battery life while I save up enough money to purchase a 64GB iPhone 6+

 

[LouisLoh]

I don't know why this hasn't been said yet, but a jailbroken iPhone solves up to 99% of the problems discussed here. You really get the best of both worlds -

- Apple's amazing hardware (camera, Touch ID, build, accessory ecosystem), integration with other Apple products (continuity, handoff, BetterTouchTool) and even software (better apps arguably, iTunes sync [see below if you hate iTunes]), and
- Android's customisability (yes, you can fully customise Control Centre toggles, including hotspot and screen timeout toggles; Polus/CCControls matches or even surpasses Power Toggles, I've used both) and flexibility (full file system access, drag and drop capabilities using desktop client, app side loading, downloading from within Safari, custom gestures)

I don't even need a weather widget, because it appears in my Status Bar - a way better implementation IMO then having to swipe to any home page to view the weather. And heck, I can even replace Siri with Google Now if I wanted to.

The only things I miss from my Android phone are a pretty home screen music widget with album art (Musiex comes close, but nope...), a widget to display an image, an Evernote widget that displays my latest 4-5 notes, PushBullet notification mirroring, and a clear all button in Notification Centre.

The only problem... waiting for it on iOS8.

Even so, I still find myself using my 4S running on 7.1.2 jailbreak over my Note 3 running Nova.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I don't know why this hasn't been said yet, but a jailbroken iPhone solves up to 99% of the problems discussed here. You really get the best of both worlds -

I used to feel the same. But eventually the more I would try to duplicate Android's pros, the more erratic iOS would get. Especially when it comes to jailbreak multitasking or heavily theming.

And I hated the fact that every small incremental update usually meant waiting for another Jailbreak. But on Android, 9 times out of 10, you can repeat the exact rooting process even after updates. I was able to root the exact same way for the entire JellyBean, and so far the entire KitKat. Only had to root differently after going from Jellybean to KitKat. With iOS, you got to avoid every small bug fix update to keep your jailbreak or wait weeks or months for another one.

 

[ggibson913]

Can you please elaborate on what are those reasons why you think Android is superior?

I agree that Apple's obsession to have a thinner device is ludicrous, specially when the Watch seem to be bulkier and contrary to what you will normally expect from them.

• TV in the company cafeteria was too loud, able to use my GS5 to turn it down a bit.

• If I spill something on my phone not only is it not a big deal, but I can rinse the thing under the sink to clean it.

• Apps are slightly, just slightly better looking in iOS and of course there are more of them available. But app integration in Android is far superior. I don't need to leave an app to get info from another app to put into the first app.

The only reason I would switch back is that my mother likes the iPhone so I could use my older ones to keep her updated. That is a big temptation for me as well as formerly (about six months ago) being on the iOS ecosystem. To each their own.

 

[LouisLoh]

I used to feel the same. But eventually the more I would try to duplicate Android's pros, the more erratic iOS would get. Especially when it comes to jailbreak multitasking or heavily theming.

And I hated the fact that every small incremental update usually meant waiting for another Jailbreak. But on Android, 9 times out of 10, you can repeat the exact rooting process even after updates. I was able to root the exact same way for the entire JellyBean, and so far the entire KitKat. Only had to root differently after going from Jellybean to KitKat. With iOS, you got to avoid every small bug fix update to keep your jailbreak or wait weeks or months for another one.

Agreed. The wait can be excruciating. But that's a price I'm willing to pay for what I believe to be better hardware and integration with other Apple products.

 

[ggibson913]

I find a lot of problems with your post.

For starters, you praised the HTC one while saying that Apple failed in making a phone that doesn't bend and has better battery life. I could post a link of a random Youtube guy "proving" that you might be right, but instead I will advise you to read the latest and greatest from Consumer Reports:

Both new iPhones devices are tougher than the HTC One, especially in all sort of bending tests.

Then, regarding battery life, like me call BS on your "findings" from a few hands on hours: Both iPhone models have fantastic battery life. Just test all phones on the same conditions, doing the same tasks, and you will find that the iPhone is just better than almost every single phone on the market today. Read Anandtech's review, if you wish.

Going "thinner" while making something "better" (faster, more battery life, more of everything) is an engineering challenge. You can only get good battery life because people demand thinness. Thinness phones = more density in batteries = better battery life for thicker phones, otherwise battery tech would advance even more slowly.

Apple was conservative and hit all the right spots, and consumers are reacting accordingly. Personally, Apple is better than ever, and I find it amusing when people somehow "demand" Apple to have something that no one is expecting because, well, Apple.

It's not Apple's job to do it. It's HTC's job. Motorola's Job. Blackberrie's job. etc., the list is long. Those are dying companies. Even Samsung is declining at an alarming rate, so instead of stupid prototypes (note edge) and refining existent ideas (like Apple does, but the difference is that Apple is going up and being rewarded for making some great things against everybody else) they should do something more? Food for thought.

Anyway, enjoy your device. That's what matters, after all.

I haven't heard of anyone bending an HTC One M8 by virtue of sitting in their pocket. As far as the "right" features, can you use your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in a rainstorm?

 

[Razeus]

App quality is SUPERIOR to Android. Android development happens after iOS and that's if they have time.

90% of family and friends I talk to most are on iPhone.

iOS is simply a smoother experience. When I had the S4, it was too clunky and jerky for me. All the icons were too blocky (Samsung's apps).

iPhone has a better camera lens, sensor, algorithm, and apps.

Android will never be able to catch up to this since:

apps are substandard plus the tablet apps are still just blown up phone apps.

Don't know many people that use Android and if they are, they are usually poorer than I, most likely got their phone for free or some buy 1 get 1 special sale.

Android, for some reason, don't have many photo apps. They just got VSCOCam last year. Wow.

Features on Android are all over the place. Makes it hard to share things with other Android phones that are not like yours or not even on the same OS. I can't put the back of the phone to a LG phone to share photos. Wow awkward is that anyway? I'd take Airdrop any day over that.

 

[Nick A]

I don't know why this hasn't been said yet, but a jailbroken iPhone solves up to 99% of the problems discussed here. You really get the best of both worlds -

- Apple's amazing hardware (camera, Touch ID, build, accessory ecosystem), integration with other Apple products (continuity, handoff, BetterTouchTool) and even software (better apps arguably, iTunes sync [see below if you hate iTunes]), and
- Android's customisability (yes, you can fully customise Control Centre toggles, including hotspot and screen timeout toggles; Polus/CCControls matches or even surpasses Power Toggles, I've used both) and flexibility (full file system access, drag and drop capabilities using desktop client, app side loading, downloading from within Safari, custom gestures)

I don't even need a weather widget, because it appears in my Status Bar - a way better implementation IMO then having to swipe to any home page to view the weather. And heck, I can even replace Siri with Google Now if I wanted to.

The only things I miss from my Android phone are a pretty home screen music widget with album art (Musiex comes close, but nope...), a widget to display an image, an Evernote widget that displays my latest 4-5 notes, PushBullet notification mirroring, and a clear all button in Notification Centre.

The only problem... waiting for it on iOS8.

Even so, I still find myself using my 4S running on 7.1.2 jailbreak over my Note 3 running Nova.

This is one of the first points someone has made that I agree with. A Jailbroken iPhone is amazing to use. Every iPhone that I owned which includes the 3G - 5, all have been jailbroken from the day it was available.

The problem is, it takes months before a jailbreak comes out and the next update then patches the jailbreak. Even then, there's no guarantee there will be another jailbreak.

 

[Lloydbm41]

App quality is SUPERIOR to Android. Android development happens after iOS and that's if they have time.

90% of family and friends I talk to most are on iPhone.

iOS is simply a smoother experience. When I had the S4, it was too clunky and jerky for me. All the icons were too blocky (Samsung's apps).

iPhone has a better camera lens, sensor, algorithm, and apps.

Android will never be able to catch up to this since:

apps are substandard plus the tablet apps are still just blown up phone apps.

Don't know many people that use Android and if they are, they are usually poorer than I, most likely got their phone for free or some buy 1 get 1 special sale.

Android, for some reason, don't have many photo apps. They just got VSCOCam last year. Wow.

Features on Android are all over the place. Makes it hard to share things with other Android phones that are not like yours or not even on the same OS. I can't put the back of the phone to a LG phone to share photos. Wow awkward is that anyway? I'd take Airdrop any day over that.

And people wonder why iphone users get called names like iSheep or stuck up a@@holes. I give you exhibit A folks. People like this that believe the iphone is some sort of status symbol, that the phone somehow makes them elite above everyone else.
It is attitudes like this that makes you want to smack people upside the head and hopefully bring them into the real world.

 

[apolloa]

And people wonder why iphone users get called names like iSheep or stuck up a@@holes. I give you exhibit A folks. People like this that believe the iphone is some sort of status symbol, that the phone somehow makes them elite above everyone else.
It is attitudes like this that makes you want to smack people upside the head and hopefully bring them into the real world.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

[TechGod]

• TV in the company cafeteria was too loud, able to use my GS5 to turn it down a bit.

• If I spill something on my phone not only is it not a big deal, but I can rinse the thing under the sink to clean it.

• Apps are slightly, just slightly better looking in iOS and of course there are more of them available. But app integration in Android is far superior. I don't need to leave an app to get info from another app to put into the first app.

The only reason I would switch back is that my mother likes the iPhone so I could use my older ones to keep her updated. That is a big temptation for me as well as formerly (about six months ago) being on the iOS ecosystem. To each their own.

iOS 8 addresses app integration.

 

[pdqgp]

App quality is SUPERIOR to Android. Android development happens after iOS and that's if they have time.

Wrong. When I moved over from iOS on my phone and in fact still use an iPad Air, I installed all my apps again on my Note 3 and there's no difference. Only one app out of 200 or so isn't available. Care to debate, then post some examples.

iOS is simply a smoother experience. When I had the S4, it was too clunky and jerky for me. All the icons were too blocky (Samsung's apps).

Can't speak to the S4 but a Note 3 is smooth as silk and the icons, are beautiful.

iPhone has a better camera lens, sensor, algorithm, and apps.

Here's where I'll really enjoy a debate. No, the lens isn't better. Compare bokeh on lenses much? Think white blood cells and that's not a good thing. I'll gladly enter into a shoot-out with you. You pick whatever iPhone you want.

Don't know many people that use Android and if they are, they are usually poorer than I, most likely got their phone for free or some buy 1 get 1 special sale.

You sound like you're 14yrs old.

And people wonder why iphone users get called names like iSheep or stuck up a@@holes.

^^ this.