Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[Bkdodger]

I'm always watching these teardowns lol and nice to see the battery can be replaced easily ...well by those that know what they are doing ...

 

[sunking101]

If I went back to android right now one of my kids wouldn’t be able to easily message me unless I set them up with Google chat but that’s another app for them to think about just to message me whereas with the built in messages app they can message all of us

I just don't understand this at all. They can send an SMS, they can send an email, they can phone you, they can use Facebook messenger or other internet-based messaging apps. This constant reliance on iMessages is a head scratcher for me and other European-based guys but I accept that it's an issue and advise you to just stay on Apple kit forever.

 

[Harthag]

My main friction using Android is really down to communication with my kids.

Being on iOS sharing family day out pictures is so much easier as all other family members are on iPhones. The added complication comes in because both children have older iPhones and if they have a SIM card or not they can communicate with us through iMessage over Wi-Fi without needing a SIM card and phone number. More popular messaging apps like WhatsApp for example requires an active mobile number.

If I went back to android right now one of my kids wouldn’t be able to easily message me unless I set them up with Google chat but that’s another app for them to think about just to message me whereas with the built in messages app they can message all of us.

one on my friends just said exactly the same to me. He'd love to try android again but his kids have ipads with no numbers, imessage works great between them all

yeah I suggested messenger although didn't know about the kids version.... I think the thing is, it's another blocker for some people you know? he's thinking well android MAY be nice, I'd LIKE to see, but end of the day Apple and imessage all work sooooo...

Give AirMessage a serious shot. I never tried it until now and it works really well. If you have a Mac it takes a minute to set up. I use a virtual Mac on my PC but you can likely score a an old used MacBook Air for $200 locally and just use that as the server.

If iMessage is a big issue, AirMessage will help.

 

[Harthag]

I just don't understand this at all. They can send an SMS, they can send an email, they can phone you, they can use Facebook messenger or other internet-based messaging apps. This constant reliance on iMessages is a head scratcher for me and other European-based guys but I accept that it's an issue and advise you to just stay on Apple kit forever.

Not saying this in a disrespectful way or coming down on you, but that’s now 3 people including me you’ve judged (may be too strong a term) here in the last 2 days, for what? It’s a discussion forum. There’s a reason why iMessage is a killer feature of iOS and why so many people rely on it. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean others don’t consider it to be a vital tool.

I can say the same thing about WhatsApp, I hate the parent company and never understand how people would trust it, encryption or not.

 

[keithop]

Give AirMessage a serious shot. I never tried it until now and it works really well. If you have a Mac it takes a minute to set up. I use a virtual Mac on my PC but you can likely score a an old used MacBook Air for $200 locally and just use that as the server.

If iMessage is a big issue, AirMessage will help.

yep I've got it on a VM on my always-on windows pc and it's working great both in windows and on the s23u! imessage now not an issue for me any more

 

[5105973]

Suggest you sit on the tub during spin cycle and check out image stabilization for fun LOL

You have the MOST creative ideas I've ever seen expressed on MacRumors! (Thinking back to our other conversation not that long ago 🤣)

 

[jr866gooner]

I just don't understand this at all. They can send an SMS, they can send an email, they can phone you, they can use Facebook messenger or other internet-based messaging apps. This constant reliance on iMessages is a head scratcher for me and other European-based guys but I accept that it's an issue and advise you to just stay on Apple kit forever.

For context one child is under 10. So no number, no phone contract and if I keep it my way no Facebook ever lol

 

[sunking101]

Not saying this in a disrespectful way or coming down on you, but that’s now 3 people including me you’ve judged (may be too strong a term) here in the last 2 days, for what? It’s a discussion forum. There’s a reason why iMessage is a killer feature of iOS and why so many people rely on it. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean others don’t consider it to be a vital tool.

I can say the same thing about WhatsApp, I hate the parent company and never understand how people would trust it, encryption or not.

I have said many a time that it's obviously a problem for you American peeps or else you wouldn't make such a song & dance about it. I accept that you find it a problem but I'll still never understand it.

I have one friend who only contacts me on FB Messenger. Another only ever emails, and one only ever sends SMS. The rest all use WhatsApp and I have zero issues with any of this. Nobody's choice of tech negatively affects anybody else over here in Europe. It's a complete headscratcher for me how a messaging app can literally be the reason you buy a phone and stick with that platform. I'm not attacking anyone. Apologies if my words seem harsh. They aren't meant to. It's only a tech forum. ✌️

 

[keithop]

I have said many a time that it's obviously a problem for you American peeps or else you wouldn't make such a song & dance about it. I accept that you find it a problem but I'll still never understand it.

I have one friend who only contacts me on FB Messenger. Another only ever emails, and one only ever sends SMS. The rest all use WhatsApp and I have zero issues with any of this. Nobody's choice of tech negatively affects anybody else over here in Europe.

Well perhaps this is why the UK has, thankfully, left the EU but "over here" iMessage is huge just like in the states and for many, simply the easiest, low friction solution for messaging.

I think you're just making the mistake of projecting your own personal experience onto the rest of the world. It's not a problem for you so it can't possibly be a problem for anyone else!

 

[shenfrey]

Well perhaps this is why the UK has, thankfully, left the EU but "over here" iMessage is huge just like in the states and for many, simply the easiest, low friction solution for messaging.

I think you're just making the mistake of projecting your own personal experience onto the rest of the world. It's not a problem for you so it can't possibly be a problem for anyone else!

I'm in the UK too. Aren't we predominately WhatsApp?

 

[atiffarooq]

Well perhaps this is why the UK has, thankfully, left the EU but "over here" iMessage is huge just like in the states and for many, simply the easiest, low friction solution for messaging.

I think you're just making the mistake of projecting your own personal experience onto the rest of the world. It's not a problem for you so it can't possibly be a problem for anyone else!

I’m in the UK and don’t believe that iMessage here is huge (in comparison to the US). WhatsApp feels like the biggest messaging platform here (to me anyway!). I have no data to back that up though so could be wrong.

 

[keithop]

I'm in the UK too. Aren't we predominately WhatsApp?

I dont have any data..... I think both whatsapp and imessage (with facebook messenger increasing) would be my "feel"

 

[sunking101]

Well perhaps this is why the UK has, thankfully, left the EU but "over here" iMessage is huge just like in the states and for many, simply the easiest, low friction solution for messaging.

I think you're just making the mistake of projecting your own personal experience onto the rest of the world. It's not a problem for you so it can't possibly be a problem for anyone else!

Not so. It isn't a problem for anyone I know. Only people on this forum who I've never met and they're almost entirely American. So it's pretty much an American problem IME.

 

[keithop]

I’m in the UK and don’t believe that iMessage here is huge (in comparison to the US). WhatsApp feels like the biggest messaging platform here (to me anyway!). I have no data to back that up though so could be wrong.

well that's two for whatsapp

I've just literally 2 seconds ago read an article which seems to say iMessage has FAR greater adoption in the states than in the UK so perhaps you're all right.

Just to try for my list of contacts.... although they'll probably delete me after I've done this ;-) but I imessaged everyone on my whatsapp list to see how many had a blue bubble and I was surprised that actually about 1/5th did! I didn't even think it would be that many who had an iphone but yet chose to whatsapp.

below graphic would support your whatsapp for the UK theory! (and wows me at the same time)

 

[Ludatyk]

It's a complete headscratcher for me how a messaging app can literally be the reason you buy a phone and stick with that platform. I'm not attacking anyone. Apologies if my words seem harsh. They aren't meant to. It's only a tech forum. ✌️

What you are missing is... iMessage is preinstalled.

It's the snowball effect... once word got out Apple made a better version of SMS, people began to enjoy it and realized why go elsewhere. There's no reason to go to the App Store to download an app... it's encrypted and easy to use.

In addition to that... in the US, carriers made SMS popular compared to other countries where cost is a factor to exchange SMS messages... but US carriers offered unlimited packages. And when you take that into account, exchanging SMS... Apple was the first to enhance SMS on their platform and now we are here.

 

[Harthag]

I have said many a time that it's obviously a problem for you American peeps or else you wouldn't make such a song & dance about it. I accept that you find it a problem but I'll still never understand it.

I have one friend who only contacts me on FB Messenger. Another only ever emails, and one only ever sends SMS. The rest all use WhatsApp and I have zero issues with any of this. Nobody's choice of tech negatively affects anybody else over here in Europe. It's a complete headscratcher for me how a messaging app can literally be the reason you buy a phone and stick with that platform. I'm not attacking anyone. Apologies if my words seem harsh. They aren't meant to. It's only a tech forum. ✌️

It really stinks that so many of us are held hostage by it. You don’t realize it until you try to leave. That’s why Apple has billions.

 

[keithop]

What you are missing is... iMessage is preinstalled.

It's the snowball effect... once word got out Apple made a better version of SMS, people began to enjoy it and realized why go elsewhere. There's no reason to go to the App Store to download an app... it's encrypted and easy to use.

In addition to that... in the US, carriers made SMS popular compared to other countries where cost is a factor to exchange SMS messages... but US carriers offered unlimited packages. And when you take that into account, exchanging SMS... Apple was the first to enhance SMS on their platform and now we are here.

yeah agreed (although I now feel like I'm the only person outside the USA saying imessage is good LOL )

but yeah! for me that was the killer feature.... one single app that did it all.

So you didn't need to work out whether to text someone, whatsapp them or anything else, you just fired up iMessage and if they were on an iphone, blue bubble and if not, sends it anyway using the lowest common denominator SMS.

Very well written IMHO.

 

[mjschabow]

It really stinks that so many of us are held hostage by it. You don’t realize it until you try to leave. That’s why Apple has billions.

Yep and I will admit that it has played into some of the anxiety I mentioned yesterday. I still haven't had the dreaded video sent from an iPhone or even worse, needing to send someone a video that doesn't have Facebook Messenger as an alternate.

 

[keithop]

Yep and I will admit that it has played into some of the anxiety I mentioned yesterday. I still haven't had the dreaded video sent from an iPhone or even worse, needing to send someone a video that doesn't have Facebook Messenger as an alternate.

yeah when I put my sim in the S23u, I turn off autodownload MMS etc as I'd rather not be billed for it by accident. If someone sends something I'll reply to them saying "use whatsapp"

 

[5105973]

I’m with you on that. I take care of my father with dementia, mother with macular degeneration (she can’t see well and can still barely drive), and brother with autism. My father has gotten really bad to the point we are considering putting him somewhere. I’m also, now without a job. But have an interview Tuesday so I’m being hopeful. My tech budget was cut to almost nothing but this s23 will get purchased under a deal so I can get rid of this high payment on the iPhone 14 pro max. The Samsung I can get for $600 and have it paid off through google fi. To add to that I have an auto immune disorder as well. Rheumatoid arthritis. So, not fun.

I wish you the best. If you end up having to put your dad in a care facility try to ensure someone visits at least once every two weeks or three weeks. Weekly if possible is ideal.

It makes a significant difference to their level of care received. Not that reputable carers neglect patients, they absolutely don't, but that having involved family empowers them to do more for patients. And it lifts their spirits to see their patients have support.

Morale in healthcare is really low right now. The staff enjoys family visits as much as the patients do, if you're friendly, polite, and let it be known you're there to help and support, not condemn and demand. I have my share of frustrations with staff shortcomings, but I vent that at home, not to their faces because they're working as well as anybody humanly could. These people are my extended family now. Which is why it's sad and confusing when there's staff turnover.

As far as phones are concerned, even though I have a fangirl interest in the next iPhone, I'm not sure I want to upgrade to another expensive one after my 14 Pro Max.

For me it's the S Pen that makes me love this big slab over the other big slab.

I was always a little disappointed Apple never found a way to make a little Apple Pencil for its biggest phones. I once saw preorders from a reputable manufacturer for cases designed to hold such a pencil. They were quickly pulled off of Amazon. I wonder if there was a project that got pulled. This was around the redesign to the 12 Pro model if I remember correctly.

They put their innovative hats on elsewhere I guess. The Apple Watch is excellent. I wonder what on earth they're planning with those crazy AR VR goggles.

Lol I do miss using my Samsung phones in their VR headsets. That was so much fun. I got a haunted house game and put the VR goggles on my mother-in-law and video recorded her reactions to going through the haunted house in VR. She couldn't stop laughing. Nothing scared that woman.

But when my sister-in-law and I tried it, we were clinging to each other and screaming bloody murder. 🤣 Even the person who wasn't wearing the headset at the moment screamed. We were so amped up for the jump scares!

I'm a solid iphone user year after year, but all of my funniest and fondest memories involving tech do somehow center around Android phones. Android manufacturers went down some funny little paths Apple was too starched and serious to try. Which is interesting given how Steve Jobs encouraged people to be quirky and creative.

 

[5105973]

I have said many a time that it's obviously a problem for you American peeps or else you wouldn't make such a song & dance about it. I accept that you find it a problem but I'll still never understand it.

I have one friend who only contacts me on FB Messenger. Another only ever emails, and one only ever sends SMS. The rest all use WhatsApp and I have zero issues with any of this. Nobody's choice of tech negatively affects anybody else over here in Europe. It's a complete headscratcher for me how a messaging app can literally be the reason you buy a phone and stick with that platform. I'm not attacking anyone. Apologies if my words seem harsh. They aren't meant to. It's only a tech forum. ✌️

I wish we had a widely embraced messaging solution in the US that's akin to what you have in Whatsapp. But one run by decent people.

We do have WhatsApp here, but we also have a growing, gradually dawning awareness of the evils of the exploitative nature of Meta's founder's approach to our data. It isn't merely invasive, it's actively harmful how Zuckerberg has structured his empire. It doesn't help the guy comes across creepy.

Lol we have to live with the guy over here and you all don't so maybe the antipathy against Meta isn't there.

If enough people are on iMessage it really does a good job of handling non business group chat needs. Though sadly there have been a LOT of bugs across iOS apps lately.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

I wish you the best. If you end up having to put your dad in a care facility try to ensure someone visits at least once every two weeks or three weeks. Weekly if possible is ideal.

It makes a significant difference to their level of care received. Not that reputable carers neglect patients, they absolutely don't, but that having involved family empowers them to do more for patients. And it lifts their spirits to see their patients have support.

Morale in healthcare is really low right now. The staff enjoys family visits as much as the patients do, if you're friendly, polite, and let it be known you're there to help and support, not condemn and demand. I have my share of frustrations with staff shortcomings, but I vent that at home, not to their faces because they're working as well as anybody humanly could. These people are my extended family now. Which is why it's sad and confusing when there's staff turnover.

As far as phones are concerned, even though I have a fangirl interest in the next iPhone, I'm not sure I want to upgrade to another expensive one after my 14 Pro Max.

For me it's the S Pen that makes me love this big slab over the other big slab.

I was always a little disappointed Apple never found a way to make a little Apple Pencil for its biggest phones. I once saw preorders from a reputable manufacturer for cases designed to hold such a pencil. They were quickly pulled off of Amazon. I wonder if there was a project that got pulled. This was around the redesign to the 12 Pro model if I remember correctly.

They put their innovative hats on elsewhere I guess. The Apple Watch is excellent. I wonder what on earth they're planning with those crazy AR VR goggles.

Lol I do miss using my Samsung phones in their VR headsets. That was so much fun. I got a haunted house game and put the VR goggles on my mother-in-law and video recorded her reactions to going through the haunted house in VR. She couldn't stop laughing. Nothing scared that woman.

But when my sister-in-law and I tried it, we were clinging to each other and screaming bloody murder. 🤣 Even the person who wasn't wearing the headset at the moment screamed. We were so amped up for the jump scares!

I'm a solid iphone user year after year, but all of my funniest and fondest memories involving tech do somehow center around Android phones. Android manufacturers went down some funny little paths Apple was too starched and serious to try. Which is interesting given how Steve Jobs encouraged people to be quirky and creative.

Thank you. We will keep that in mind when we place him. With tech, I feel like when I leave the iPhone for the S/Note series, the iPhone starts to call me back, and when I am on iPhone, the Galaxy starts to call me back. It's hard to stick it out. But for now, cost, deals, Samsung always has the more reasonable options. Still waiting for the S23 Ultra to ship, so I can sell this 14 pro max and get rid of that hefty monthly payment that I don't need right now. I loved that VR stuff. It was fun!

 

[sunking101]

I wish we had a widely embraced messaging solution in the US that's akin to what you have in Whatsapp. But one run by decent people.

We do have WhatsApp here, but we also have a growing, gradually dawning awareness of the evils of the exploitative nature of Meta's founder's approach to our data. It isn't merely invasive, it's actively harmful how Zuckerberg has structured his empire. It doesn't help the guy comes across creepy.

Lol we have to live with the guy over here and you all don't so maybe the antipathy against Meta isn't there.

If enough people are on iMessage it really does a good job of handling non business group chat needs. Though sadly there have been a LOT of bugs across iOS apps lately.

WhatsApp is end to end encrypted so I don't see how Zuckybaby can pry on our messages but I do share your views if you apply them to all the tech giants. Google, Apple, Microsoft and Meta etc are all dastardly spies on our lives.☹️

 

[5105973]

I'm always watching these teardowns lol and nice to see the battery can be replaced easily ...well by those that know what they are doing ...

Lol I used to do surgical removal of parasitic isopods from the gills of large minnows. I didn't cringe. I didn't ever break a sweat except sometimes if I saw the gills were too far gone to save. Even the first one I ever did didn't bother me.

But Zack scratching and tearing open phones makes me cringe every time. 🤣

 

[5105973]

WhatsApp is end to end encrypted so I don't see how Zuckybaby can pry on our messages but I do share your views if you apply them to all the tech giants. Google, Apple, Microsoft and Meta etc are all dastardly spies on our lives.☹️

It's not the spying that's an issue. It's more personal than that for a lot of us. If you've seen lifelong friends and family manipulated and destroyed and friendships torn apart over manipulative algorithms and methods employed to maximize user engagement, even if that engagement is harmful, then you'd understand the antipathy.

I'm not sure why that antipathy isn't felt more keenly in Europe, given that the EU seems more dedicated to protecting privacy.

As far as I know, Google and Apple haven't fostered the same kind of social media engagement as Meta.