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The iPhone from an Android Perspective
- Thread starter drinkingtea
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I tended to agree that app quality generally was better on iOS in the past.
Lately the cross-platform Android apps and others that are not available on iOS show even more improvement. For example: Cyclemeter, Photosync, Strava, Tapatalk and the mix of financial apps that I use. Along with that, RCS messaging has made it more seamless to use my Pixel 4a Android 11 Messages app and Messages for Web in a coherent and efficient manner.
I also picked up a Lenovo Duet Chromebook (open box on super sale) for the heck of it recently. It is a great 1 lb in-between (computer w/ keyboard more than tablet for my purposes). I find more often these days that breaking out my 2020 10th generation 13" MacBook Pro isn't always necessary. Or if I am pedaling on a bicycle somewhere, I'd rather put a $230 device at risk than a $2,000 one.
All of these apps are available on iOS and they look better than their Android counterparts.
What makes iPhone tempting:
- Software integration.
- Apps getting features right away. (Such as dark mode.)
- Speaking of Dark Mode, I like how iOS's dark mode is actually a "dark" mode instead of a "gray mode".
- Hardware quality.
- LIDAR
- Camera specs and features
- Lack of complete automation (like automatically sending a text to a phone number upon a missed call. DNDWD is close.)
- The ability to side-load apps.
What I've found is that functionality is mostly the same. Sometimes ios as a more efficient layout. And stability is usually a little better on the ios side. The big difference is visually. Developers just don't have that many screen sizes to develop for on the ios side by nearly infinite amount of screen sizes on the android side.
Depends on the app, but Android lags well behind for me in functionality compared to iOS versions of the same app. Much of this comes from the mess that is Android’s wearable wasteland, a mish-mash of mediocrity comprising WearOS, Tizen etc. For me, it’s no longer good enough to consider apps in isolation on the phone when they have functionality better served with a watch as well (e.g. fitness apps). For example:
- CycleMeter - standalone Apple Watch app inc ability to use AW’s HRM. On Android - nothing for wearables.
- The Grint (golf) - can use AW to determine distances to green from where you stand. On Android - nothing for wearables.
- Ring - ability to pause annoying motion alerts from AW. On Android, pressing pause simply triggers the dialog on the phone screen to perform the action.
...and so on. It’s these gaps in functionality that hurt Android in the end.
Oh, and if you have Sonos speakers, it’s WAY better on iOS. Firstly, you can tune them to your room using the iPhone mics - can’t do this on Android. Also, you can simply select your speakers from Control Center via AirPlay and browse any app you want - Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, Pocket Casts etc - to stream it.
On Android, you are stuck with the Sonos app for browsing all your music which is nowhere near as pleasant. There are also services you can’t add to the Sonos app (e.g. BBC Sounds) which can be AirPlayed as above on iOS. Also, Lyd is terrific for controlling a Sonos system from Apple Watch - again, nothing like this on WearOS.
This. 100 percent. iOS apps are largely better looking and more functional, IMO, and Apple Watch emphasis this even more. Apple Watch apps put Android Wear apps to shame.
@The_Interloper
I don't have an Apple Watch or Sonos speakers and the phone is just a phone
However, I remember how hopeless bare Android looked on my previous phone - the Nexus - completely lacking in car-related features.
I don't want to get herded into the Apple Reserve, because there is a price to pay for the convenience you write about (but not in money). For example, Apple thinks it knows better what you are allowed to do with your own music. You can upload it to your phone from your computer, but not the other way around. You will also get a proposal to convert files or remove alleged duplicates.
So everything works great, as long as you sit in your seat, fasten your seatbelt and follow the captain's instructions
I don't deny that it might be convenient, as long as you don't feel embarrassed about it. And damn expensive - this time it's all about money ...
I don't have an Apple Watch or Sonos speakers and the phone is just a phone
However, I remember how hopeless bare Android looked on my previous phone - the Nexus - completely lacking in car-related features.
I don't want to get herded into the Apple Reserve, because there is a price to pay for the convenience you write about (but not in money). For example, Apple thinks it knows better what you are allowed to do with your own music. You can upload it to your phone from your computer, but not the other way around. You will also get a proposal to convert files or remove alleged duplicates.
So everything works great, as long as you sit in your seat, fasten your seatbelt and follow the captain's instructions
I don't deny that it might be convenient, as long as you don't feel embarrassed about it. And damn expensive - this time it's all about money ...
I've used iPhone apps since the iPhone 3gs days and just switched ~2 months ago. Tried Android phones twice before and gave up within a week or less both times. Android apps were unstable and not so polished. They have improved considerably in the last couple of years since my last attempt. The other reason I decided to try again is that Google finally has their act together with: a seamless migration for iPhone users, Android OS and security updates and integration with the Google Advanced Protection Program.
Cross platform apps differ in a few ways though not all that dramatically. I track things and trade stocks frequently with financial apps on both platforms and honestly, they are not much different. I use ~15 other apps available on both platforms multiple times per day and again, nothing too noteworthy to complain about.
- Figuring out how to save something or remembering to use a gesture to go back takes a bit of time but otherwise, navigating isn't bad
- Had a few freakout moments early on (guess I'm a little slower than some) looking at my phone and going: how do I do this again? haha
- I can read the text easier on more of the Android apps (than my larger display iPhone 8 Plus) without having to go find my glasses which is a big plus. Yes, I am aging and getting lazy lol
- I've had more than my fill of the Apple ecosystem everywhere except straight up/"on premise" macOS on MacBook Pro's
I did not ever want Apple snagging an image of my phone to store up on iCloud. There is no way to opt out so I backed up locally ever since.
Exactly - this is constantly harassing to make a backup - as if the point of having a computer and still making a backup. I make copies of important documents and photos - but on a local disk. I also don't keep photos in iCloud.
I am also annoyed by constant harassment about turning on wifi. I drive a car and I don't want to have wifi on all the time. I also have enough cellular data transfer and can download apps that way.
I am also annoyed by constant harassment about turning on wifi. I drive a car and I don't want to have wifi on all the time. I also have enough cellular data transfer and can download apps that way.
Fair enough. But I do. I also have a Samsung A71 and a WearOS watch and the experience is pretty crummy by comparison.
Being outside the reserve has a price to pay too, for the inconvenience of a terribly fragmented (aka ‘open’) ecosystem. A good case in point is YouTube Music (now Google has ditched Play Music). On Android, you can only stream to Chromecast devices...yet Google moronically discontinued Chromecast Audio a while back, so you can no longer stream a music service to your decent speakers/hifi. You can, however, stream music to your TV...ummm...how is that logical?
Yet Google’s own service in the YT Music iOS app can AirPlay to any enabled speaker (e.g. Sonos, HomePod) as well as Chromecast from the app itself. So Google’s own music service, in their own app, has more functionality (and more relevant functionality) than on their own mobile platform. That’s just crazy! Oh, and you can’t stream anything to Sonos speakers natively outside the Sonos app on Android...yet Google Assistant is built in to Sonos speakers!!! SMH.
As I said, I have devices on both platforms and see the pros and cons of both. But Android is just all over the place at times.
I admit the iPhone 12 Pro Max should be a beast and super smartphone. But I keep hearing it's a HUGE phone. People have cases for it already, someone did his Note 20 Ultra with a case on it, easily fit inside his new case for the 12 Pro Max, and still had gaps.
So the iPhone 12 Pro Max will probably be the best smartphone of the year, but it's basically a tablet.
So the iPhone 12 Pro Max will probably be the best smartphone of the year, but it's basically a tablet.
Bought a silicone case for my iPhone 12 Pro today.
Nice fit. Really nice colour (went with plum).
I like the iPhone but I can't help but think an iPhone 12 (regular) would have done the job. I've watched camera comparisons and there's very little between them.
I also feel like once you slap a case on it, with them both being the same size and both having oled screens, its the same phone lol.
I just did not like any of the 12 colours this year. RIP the best colour (yellow). But same point, slapping a case on you wouldn't know anyway.
I played around with the camera a bit today and I still maintain that iPhone cameras are just not great. For video they're amazing but for photos I actually prefer what comes out of my Fold 2. And I never thought I'd say that! I also still think that iPhone portrait is one of the worst out there. Lidar scanner has done absolutely nothing to fix that pain!
I dunno. Maybe now I've used a device like a Fold 2, and the recent Xperia devices with full camera controls, it begs the question what is an iPhone bringing these days? Other than the 'ecosystem' which I personally have never invested in and absolutely do not want to, I fail to see how they can keep putting these phones out year on year with very little differences. I mean, sure I bought one so I'm part of the problem. But I think they do a good job of making you feel like you're getting something ground breaking, when in fact you absolutely are not.
Nice fit. Really nice colour (went with plum).
I like the iPhone but I can't help but think an iPhone 12 (regular) would have done the job. I've watched camera comparisons and there's very little between them.
I also feel like once you slap a case on it, with them both being the same size and both having oled screens, its the same phone lol.
I just did not like any of the 12 colours this year. RIP the best colour (yellow). But same point, slapping a case on you wouldn't know anyway.
I played around with the camera a bit today and I still maintain that iPhone cameras are just not great. For video they're amazing but for photos I actually prefer what comes out of my Fold 2. And I never thought I'd say that! I also still think that iPhone portrait is one of the worst out there. Lidar scanner has done absolutely nothing to fix that pain!
I dunno. Maybe now I've used a device like a Fold 2, and the recent Xperia devices with full camera controls, it begs the question what is an iPhone bringing these days? Other than the 'ecosystem' which I personally have never invested in and absolutely do not want to, I fail to see how they can keep putting these phones out year on year with very little differences. I mean, sure I bought one so I'm part of the problem. But I think they do a good job of making you feel like you're getting something ground breaking, when in fact you absolutely are not.
So I finally made the switch back!
After 6 years of iOS and 6 years of Android... I'm back on iOS!
It's really good in so many ways to be back, but the main thing is the Apple Watch. Love it so much already.
There are definitely a few things I miss about Android and Pixel life. The camera is the main thing, there is no comparison right now.
But iOS 14 itself is really good. But the iPhone and Pixel are actually so similar now in so many ways, it's been generally super easy to switch back.
After 6 years of iOS and 6 years of Android... I'm back on iOS!
It's really good in so many ways to be back, but the main thing is the Apple Watch. Love it so much already.
There are definitely a few things I miss about Android and Pixel life. The camera is the main thing, there is no comparison right now.
But iOS 14 itself is really good. But the iPhone and Pixel are actually so similar now in so many ways, it's been generally super easy to switch back.
That whole thing seems somewhat exaggerated though. The case that guy compared with looks so thick it might even be fake, and the Note 20U wasn't properly lined up with it:
Do the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have bezels that are the same size? If so, the only reason to even go with the Pro is for the extra RAM.
I can't wait to pre-order the blue 12 Pro Max
But it doesn't seem to be bigger than the Note 20 Ultra. the 12PM is 6.7 inch display while the N20U is 6.9
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I can't wait to pre-order the blue 12 Pro Max
But it doesn't seem to be bigger than the Note 20 Ultra. the 12PM is 6.7 inch display while the N20U is 6.9
View attachment 974195
Mobile Phone Size Comparison
Mobile phone and Tablet devices size comparison web app
Hmm, I could have sworn I ready someone saying their Note 20 fit inside the case of a 12 Pro max. Whatever, both phones are enormous
My Pixel 4 XL is too big to me, but these two are even larger
It's the wider width that makes these big phones hard to use, without really using 2 full hands gripping the phone with confidence. But the rounded corners of the iPhone seem more comfortable compared to sharp edges on the Note
The regular Note 20 and 12 Pro Max are close to the same sizeHmm, I could have sworn I ready someone saying their Note 20 fit inside the case of a 12 Pro max. Whatever, both phones are enormous
My Pixel 4 XL is too big to me, but these two are even larger
It's the wider width that makes these big phones hard to use, without really using 2 full hands gripping the phone with confidence. But the rounded corners of the iPhone seem more comfortable compared to sharp edges on the Note
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I wish smaller phones had huge batteries, I am starting to get tired of huge smartphones, they're a pain in the butt to use one handed if even possible.
I have to give Google credit, for making a smaller Pixel 5 with incredible battery life.
I have to give Google credit, for making a smaller Pixel 5 with incredible battery life.