Returned to iPhone...

[n1pabs]

Just thought I would have me 2 mins of rant

I was an iPhone user through Generation 1 and Generation 3, I then switch to Android with the Galaxy S2 then Galaxy S3 and lastly a Nexus 4.

I must say I was keen to go to Android based on Widgets and Customization and to be honest I grew bored of it all.

Widgets where OK at first, but some where slow to update (official FB app) or plain stupid and useless. The only decent Widgets where toggle switches to turn on/off settings.

Customization, that's a whole mine field. Custom ROMs, Custom Launchers, I tried many. But in the end I usually ended up with a Clock and weather widget (Beautiful Widgets), some power bar for quick settings then folders/icons to apps. Nothing radically different from iOS.

Official ROMs where slow at releasing. Fragmentation of OS etc..
Insecurity was also a big thing (I shouldn't need to run a Virus Scanner on a phone) Battery life was extremely poor on modern devices, Nexus 4 being the worst. Size of the device, i.e. too big (a popular topic) smaller devices where lower spec.

I thought about WP8, but again large devices and poor selection of apps (maybe in years time) but the why they've treated WP7 users is terrible!

At least with iOS, apple try and back date compatibility albeit some hardware is required for certain features.

iPhone 5 is pretty much an almost perfect device. Size is good, battery life is tremendous. I've also notice my WifI connection in the house is more stable on iPhone than any android device I've used.

The grass isn't always greener.....

 

[osofast240sx]

Just thought I would have me 2 mins of rant

I was an iPhone user through Generation 1 and Generation 3, I then switch to Android with the Galaxy S2 then Galaxy S3 and lastly a Nexus 4.

I must say I was keen to go to Android based on Widgets and Customization and to be honest I grew bored of it all.

Widgets where OK at first, but some where slow to update (official FB app) or plain stupid and useless. The only decent Widgets where toggle switches to turn on/off settings.

Customization, that's a whole mine field. Custom ROMs, Custom Launchers, I tried many. But in the end I usually ended up with a Clock and weather widget (Beautiful Widgets), some power bar for quick settings then folders/icons to apps. Nothing radically different from iOS.

Official ROMs where slow at releasing. Fragmentation of OS etc..
Insecurity was also a big thing (I shouldn't need to run a Virus Scanner on a phone) Battery life was extremely poor on modern devices, Nexus 4 being the worst. Size of the device, i.e. too big (a popular topic) smaller devices where lower spec.

I thought about WP8, but again large devices and poor selection of apps (maybe in years time) but the why they've treated WP7 users is terrible!

At least with iOS, apple try and back date compatibility albeit some hardware is required for certain features.

iPhone 5 is pretty much an almost perfect device. Size is good, battery life is tremendous. I've also notice my WifI connection in the house is more stable on iPhone than any android device I've used.

The grass isn't always greener.....

Welcome back

 

[barkomatic]

So many people complain about iOS being stale and boring (and it is to a certain degree) but fail to realize that the other major mobile operating systems aren't exactly progressing at rocket pace either.

They are restyled UI that do basically the same things as the iPhone and any other smartphone. There is nothing wrong with changing things up and getting a different type of phone -- but one gets bored of Android after awhile too. The same is true of a windows phone and BB10.

One advantage the iPhone has is that Google is willing to undermine its own OS by releasing many of the same apps on iOS--and Blackberry just announced that BBM will also be coming to iOS (and Android). Conversely, when do you think we'll see iTunes or iBooks on Android or Blackberry?

 

[n1pabs]

Yup, Apple tend to stick to their own when it comes to Apps. It's how their eco system works. Google are turning too evil though, constantly tracking you etc..

WP8 does seem a good step forward in terms of 'glance-able' features/live tiles. Having tried to get a similar experience on Android with widgets wasn't good.

iOS does have its issues, like quick setting toggles, something I DO miss.

But iOS/Android/WP8 all do the same thing, launch an APP via pressing an icon. Just like OSX & Windows. Will that ever change?

 

[2298754]

I've owned over 10-15 different Android phones. Never have I ever needed to run anti Virus. Typical exaggeration from the iOS FTW crowd

 

[sims.k]

I recently switched from iPhone 4S to Galaxy S4 and quite confused with the interface.

 

[damonbus]

I recently switched back to the iPhone myself for all the reasons the op said.

 

[Neverbepeace]

Just thought I would have me 2 mins of rant

I was an iPhone user through Generation 1 and Generation 3, I then switch to Android with the Galaxy S2 then Galaxy S3 and lastly a Nexus 4

I must say I was keen to go to Android based on Widgets and Customization and to be honest I grew bored of it all.

What is the definition of "Bored" when all the basics of android, iOS,Windows ect are the same?

Widgets where OK at first, but some where slow to update (official FB app) or plain stupid and useless. The only decent Widgets where toggle switches to turn on/off settings.

Customization, that's a whole mine field. Custom ROMs, Custom Launchers, I tried many. But in the end I usually ended up with a Clock and weather widget (Beautiful Widgets), some power bar for quick settings then folders/icons to apps. Nothing radically different from iOS.

Official ROMs where slow at releasing. Fragmentation of OS etc..
Insecurity was also a big thing (I shouldn't need to run a Virus Scanner on a phone) Battery life was extremely poor on modern devices, Nexus 4 being the worst. Size of the device, i.e. too big (a popular topic) smaller devices where lower spec.

People sometimes really confuse me. S2 is bigger, S3 is bigger, N4 is bigger. Lol if the S2 was big for you, why on earth would you try an S3 and a N4?

I thought about WP8, but again large devices and poor selection of apps (maybe in years time) but the why they've treated WP7 users is terrible!

At least with iOS, apple try and back date compatibility albeit some hardware is required for certain features.

iPhone 5 is pretty much an almost perfect device. Size is good, battery life is tremendous. I've also notice my WifI connection in the house is more stable on iPhone than any android device I've used.

Really? All the androids you had suffered from poor wifi signal? However, every iPhone you had great wifi signal? Now your just bashing for no reason.

The grass isn't always greener.....

There is no perfect device. Every device has pros and cons

 

[Bear]

Really? All the androids you had suffered from poor wifi signal? However, every iPhone you had great wifi signal? Now your just bashing for no reason.

Since he said it was with every phone he had used, that's not bashing, that's stating what he had observed from his actual usage.

 

[Chub]

The truth of the matter is there is no "perfect" phone. By this I simply mean that the "perfect" phone to one person is different to another.

 

[joshdammit]

I've owned over 10-15 different Android phones. Never have I ever needed to run anti Virus. Typical exaggeration from the iOS FTW crowd

That's because Android malware hasn't become a real issue until the last year or so. But it actually is a problem, even acknowledged by Google. Just because you haven't had a problem using your alleged 10-15 Android phones (not an exaggeration, I take it?) doesn't mean nobody else will download something bad.

Typical superiority complex from the Android crowd. They hold everybody else to their personal standards of smartphone use.

 

[2298754]

That's because Android malware hasn't become a real issue until the last year or so. But it actually is a problem, even acknowledged by Google. Just because you haven't had a problem using your alleged 10-15 Android phones (not an exaggeration, I take it?) doesn't mean nobody else will download something bad.

Typical superiority complex from the Android crowd. They hold everybody else to their personal standards of smartphone use.

If you're not dumb and install everything you see, there is no malware at all. Im more than qualified to make this statement with the amount of devices I've gone thru.

 

[Assault]

That's because Android malware hasn't become a real issue until the last year or so. But it actually is a problem, even acknowledged by Google. Just because you haven't had a problem using your alleged 10-15 Android phones (not an exaggeration, I take it?) doesn't mean nobody else will download something bad.

Typical superiority complex from the Android crowd. They hold everybody else to their personal standards of smartphone use.

Android Malware - out of context or out of control? Of the 51,000 apps that F-Secure reported as being Malware at the end of 2012, only 146 were from Google's Play store and of those 146, only a small percentage of that were considered serious.

SO, out of 800,000 apps in the play store, roughly 50 were considered serious Malware (as in designed to steal info of a personal nature, not something lame like dial or text high cost sex centers and the like). That means you have a .0000625% chance of getting malware from the Play Store. Additionally, Android 4.2.x now scans apps that are side loaded, helping to stop malware from getting on your phone.

Of course, if you are in China and dl apps from nefarious non-Google sources and do a lot of side loading, then you are at serious risk. This is why we never here of infections by "real" users of Android in the US and Europe.

 

[Kariya]

I just did this too. Tried all the other major platforms but ended back on iOS for majority of the reasons you mentioned.

Same thing is happening around me. Friends and family have grown tired of their phones from other platforms and went all in with iOS. The most recent was so frustrated with her GS3 mini and Touchwiz that she groaned and vowed to never touch a Samsung phone again. Went out and picked up an iPhone 4S the next day.

Its nice we have choice. But for overall experience iOS has that special sauce that can't be found/replicated on other platforms.

I really wish Apple had gone to 4.3" and a 768p screen. Its the sweet spot. But oh well 4.0" is still better than 4.7/5.0".

 

[cynics]

I find things in both OS's to be seriously lacking. Pick whichever sucks the least for you.

My 4S has been laggy as all hell but its too much of a pita to restore the iPhone like I usually do about twice a year. Meanwhile with my Android tablet I get stuttering in just the YouTube app (a very specific issue). It drives me nuts since YouTube is the main thing I do on the tablet.

 

[DeathChill]

I find things in both OS's to be seriously lacking. Pick whichever sucks the least for you.

My 4S has been laggy as all hell but its too much of a pita to restore the iPhone like I usually do about twice a year. Meanwhile with my Android tablet I get stuttering in just the YouTube app (a very specific issue). It drives me nuts since YouTube is the main thing I do on the tablet.

I am wondering if your phone has a hardware issue. I had a 4 on iOS 6 and I didn't consider it laggy at all and I now have the 4S and it's definitely not laggy. I wonder if you could have some failing hardware piece causing issues.

 

[cynics]

I am wondering if your phone has a hardware issue. I had a 4 on iOS 6 and I didn't consider it laggy at all and I now have the 4S and it's definitely not laggy. I wonder if you could have some failing hardware piece causing issues.

While I'm not saying its impossible I just don't think so. I find on iOS devices if you restore everything gets significantly faster. So the issue goes away.

Don't get me wrong its not like the phone isn't useable. I just notice things hang quite a bit. Messages especially.

 

[RetepNamenots]

Insecurity was also a big thing (I shouldn't need to run a Virus Scanner on a phone)

What?! You don't need to run a virus scanner on your phone!

 

[DeathChill]

While I'm not saying its impossible I just don't think so. I find on iOS devices if you restore everything gets significantly faster. So the issue goes away.

Don't get me wrong its not like the phone isn't useable. I just notice things hang quite a bit. Messages especially.

Very strange. I think your device may be defective though. Maybe related to the flash storage causing things to slow down. Hmm, very odd. Hopefully you don't have issues with your next iOS device because it sounds like you've got a dud!

 

[Stuntman06]

Widgets where OK at first, but some where slow to update (official FB app) or plain stupid and useless. The only decent Widgets where toggle switches to turn on/off settings.

Facebook developers know absolutely nothing about developing for Android. Facebook forced their people to finally use Android phones last year some time. Even so, I think they only tried to use an Android phone as if it were an iPhone which is a fail. Look at Facebook home. It was developed solely for Android and more than half of the people who downloaded it gave it one star. If you are using the Facebook widget as an example of its functionality, you are pretty much using one of the worse widgets ever. The FB widget should be a prime example of how never to make an Android widget.

I agree that many widgets are stupid an useless. You can say that about apps in general. There are just so many stupid apps on any platform.

There are however some very useful ones. Toggle widgets and shortcuts to app functions are amongst the more useful one. There are some good ones out there, but there are a lot of bad ones.

Customization, that's a whole mine field. Custom ROMs, Custom Launchers, I tried many. But in the end I usually ended up with a Clock and weather widget (Beautiful Widgets), some power bar for quick settings then folders/icons to apps. Nothing radically different from iOS.

That's pretty much how I configure my home screens. I do have some shortcuts as well. The shortcut for SoundHound to immediate start the song ID function is most useful. I have a shortcut to my Twitter traffic feed as well.

Official ROMs where slow at releasing. Fragmentation of OS etc..
Insecurity was also a big thing (I shouldn't need to run a Virus Scanner on a phone) Battery life was extremely poor on modern devices, Nexus 4 being the worst. Size of the device, i.e. too big (a popular topic) smaller devices where lower spec.

I don't buy into the requirement that you need a virus scanner on your phone as long as you stick to the Play Store. If you are installing apps from unofficial or unknown sources, then perhaps you should be more concerned about malware.

iPhone 5 is pretty much an almost perfect device. Size is good, battery life is tremendous. I've also notice my WifI connection in the house is more stable on iPhone than any android device I've used.

The grass isn't always greener.....

I'm glad you are happy with going back to an iPhone. Everyone has their own preference on what device works best for them.

 

[Switchback666]

I recently switched from iPhone 4S to Galaxy S4 and quite confused with the interface.

Thats normal mate specially if your first smartphone was an iphone and jave only experience iOS, give it some time and ask questions ! You might like it and see if it works better for you.

Trust me give it a chance and dont expect everything to be the same.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

That's because Android malware hasn't become a real issue until the last year or so. But it actually is a problem, even acknowledged by Google. Just because you haven't had a problem using your alleged 10-15 Android phones (not an exaggeration, I take it?) doesn't mean nobody else will download something bad.

Typical superiority complex from the Android crowd. They hold everybody else to their personal standards of smartphone use.

I guess the millions of average Windows users should just throw there PCs away according to your logic.

 

[lordofthereef]

There are a few things that confused me here. First, you say official roms are slow at releasing. I will agree with you absolutely. But you also stated the last Android phone you used was the Nexus 4. Officials roms for the Nexus for are what is considered day one.

You then talk about insecurity, and having to run virus scans daily. You don't have to do this at all. First, if you are installing trusted apps from trusted sources, you have nothing to worry about. Further, if you didn't install anything new since the last time you ran a virus scan, there is not potential reason for you to need to run another.

I am also slightly confused with your compatibility complaints, specifically about back dating. Is there something that wasn't working on these phones? AFAIK, all of those devices should run just about anything on the store. But there are two schools of thought here. There is yours, where we feel we won't have viable hardware for years to come (Example 3GS versus Nexus S), and then there are those who feel that Apple purposely holds things back in order to force longer compatibility. What's a little confusing to me is that you seem to be in the first school of thought, yet you obviously upgrade device way more frequently than once every two years. In my eyes, that would mean you have o reason to want/need app compatibility into the 3+ years mark.

But I digress. Seems you liked iOS more. That's perfectly fair.

----------

Very strange. I think your device may be defective though. Maybe related to the flash storage causing things to slow down. Hmm, very odd. Hopefully you don't have issues with your next iOS device because it sounds like you've got a dud!

This is definitely not a hardware phenomenon. When there is a battery drain issue, or quirky other issue, this is the reason Apple always recommends a clean restore first. Fact is, as we use iOS, certain settings get saved and stored that very much do have the potential to bog down the OS. I, too, have noticed it with all my iOS handsets, and I have had them all. Whenever I get a new phone, I make it a point to install from new for this very reason.

 

[ChrisTX]

The grass isn't always greener.....

That is purely subjective, though I would be inclined to agree to some extent. I wish there were more Google experience phones out there, or the ability to choose between a stock Android experience over a skinned one more easily.

 

[luked14]

I've gone back and forth between iOS and Android multiple times, and I eventually settled on an iPhone 5. When the honeymoon period is over with any phone, you want to use it as a tool not a toy. I've found that Android devices can be more fun to play around with, but when I need a dependable phone with the best apps and great battery life, the iPhone is hard to beat.